Planning your trip from Australia to Vietnam? Whether you’re chasing pho in Hanoi, floating markets in the Mekong, or pristine beaches in Da Nang, one thing you can’t skip is …
Every year, thousands of Australians travel to Vietnam for holidays, business trips, family visits, or long-awaited adventures across Asia. And while getting to Vietnam is fairly straightforward, the visa process can be unexpectedly confusing — especially for first-time travellers. A common misconception many Aussies still have is that you can simply “fly in and get a visa on the spot.” Unfortunately, that’s not how Vietnam’s Visa on Arrival system works. If you arrive without the required Approval Letter, most airlines will refuse to check you in, and even if you manage to board, the immigration officers in Vietnam won’t be able to issue your visa without that document. This guide breaks down the entire process step by step — what VOA actually is, what documents Australians must prepare, how to apply online for the Approval Letter, what to expect at the airport, and the most common mistakes Australians should avoid. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what to do and how to do it right the first time.
Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) is a convenient visa option that allows Australian passport holders to receive their visa directly at major international airports in Vietnam, including Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang, Cam Ranh, and Phu Quoc. However, despite its name, VOA is not automatically granted upon arrival. The Vietnamese government requires all travellers to secure an Approval Letter before boarding their flight. This letter is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department and serves as official authorisation for you to receive your visa at the airport.
VOA is ideal for Australians who prefer a quick, flexible visa option without the need to visit an embassy in person. It’s widely chosen by travellers who want minimal paperwork and a smooth application process. Whether you’re popping over to Vietnam for a short holiday, attending a business meeting, or making frequent trips throughout Southeast Asia, VOA provides a practical and time-saving solution.
Depending on your travel needs, VOA can be issued as single-entry or multiple-entry, with permitted stay durations ranging from 15 days for tourism to 30 days or even up to 1 year for other approved purposes. This flexibility is particularly helpful for business travellers or Aussies who plan to move around the region and re-enter Vietnam multiple times.
Overall, VOA is a handy option — as long as the Approval Letter is arranged correctly before your flight. Without it, the visa cannot be granted.
One of the main reasons Australians love VOA is its simplicity compared to embassy applications. With VOA, there’s no need to send in your physical passport, make embassy appointments, travel back and forth to submit documents, or wait weeks for processing. Everything starts online, and the actual visa is stamped at the airport when you arrive.
Another big advantage is the speed. If you need to travel urgently — maybe for a last-minute holiday, a sudden business trip, or a spontaneous getaway — VOA allows you to apply for the Approval Letter online and receive it as quickly as 2 to 8 hours using fast-track services. This makes it one of the most convenient visa options for Australian travellers.
Compared to applying at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate, VOA is often faster, simpler, and far less stressful. Embassy visa applications typically require multiple documents, longer processing times, and may involve unexpected delays. With VOA, all the complicated paperwork is handled on your behalf through an online application, making the process smooth from start to finish.
For anyone who values convenience, flexibility, and time-efficiency, VOA is one of the easiest ways for Australians to enter Vietnam legally and without hassle.
To ensure a smooth process on arrival, Australian travellers should prepare a small but essential checklist of documents. First, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you enter Vietnam. This is a strict immigration requirement, and without it, your visa cannot be issued.
Second, you will need your Approval Letter, which you apply for online before departure. This document must be printed out (a simple black-and-white print is fine), and it must match your passport details exactly. Any spelling errors, mismatched numbers, or inconsistent dates may result in delays at the airport.
Next, prepare two passport-sized photos (4×6 cm) with a white background. These photos are required for the visa stamping process at the airport. While there are photo booths at some airports, relying on them is risky, so it’s better to bring your photos with you.
Finally, bring enough cash in USD to pay the stamping fee at the airport. For most short-term visas, Australians pay 25 USD for a single-entry visa. For multiple-entry visas, fees may range from 50 USD to 135 USD depending on the length of stay. You will also need to complete the NA1 entry form, which is available at the airport, though printing it in advance can speed up your process.
With these items ready, the VOA process becomes trouble-free and predictable.
The Approval Letter is the heart of the VOA process, and applying for it online is incredibly straightforward. To begin, visit VietnamImmigration.com, a trusted service with over 15 years of experience assisting travellers from Australia and around the world. Start by filling in your basic travel details: full name, date of birth, passport number, arrival airport, type of visa (single or multiple entry), and your intended arrival date.
Next, choose the processing time that suits your schedule. The standard processing service typically takes 3–5 business days, which works well for travellers planning ahead. If your trip is more urgent, there are fast-track options ranging from 8 hours, 4 hours, or even as quick as 2 hours, depending on availability and your travel needs.
After completing the form, submit your application and proceed to payment. Once everything is confirmed, the Vietnam Immigration Department will review and issue your Approval Letter. When it’s ready, you’ll receive it via email as a PDF file. Make sure to print out at least two copies and keep them with your travel documents.
Having your Approval Letter ready before boarding ensures you can check in smoothly and proceed through Vietnam’s VOA counters without any disruptions.
Once you land in Vietnam, the VOA process is simple as long as you’ve prepared your documents. After exiting the aircraft, follow the signs directing you to the Visa on Arrival or Landing Visa counters. This area is usually located before immigration, so don’t go straight to the passport control queue.
At the VOA desk, hand over your Approval Letter, your passport, two passport photos, and the completed NA1 form. The officers will review your documents and may ask you to take a seat while they prepare your visa. Processing times vary depending on the crowd, but it usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
Once your name is called, return to the counter to pay the visa stamping fee in USD. After payment, the officers will place the official visa sticker into your passport. Be sure to check all details — entry dates, passport number, visa type — before leaving the counter to ensure everything is correct.
From there, proceed to the immigration booths to have your passport stamped for entry. The process is simple, and once cleared, you’re officially ready to enjoy your time in Vietnam.
Australian travellers often face avoidable issues during the VOA process. One of the most common mistakes is entering incorrect passport information when applying for the Approval Letter. Even a single character error may lead to delays or require a new letter.
Another common issue is forgetting to print the Approval Letter, assuming a digital version is acceptable. Most airlines require a printed copy before allowing you to board, and immigration officers in Vietnam expect to see the hard copy as well.
Some travellers also bring the wrong photo size or forget photos entirely. Although some airports offer photo services, these can be slow or temporarily unavailable, causing unnecessary delays.
However, the most serious and frequent error is when Australians mistakenly believe they can arrive in Vietnam without an Approval Letter and receive a visa on the spot. This is not how VOA works — the letter is mandatory, and without it, the visa cannot be issued.
For Australians travelling to Vietnam, Visa on Arrival remains one of the most convenient and traveller-friendly visa options — as long as you understand the process clearly. By securing your Approval Letter ahead of time, preparing the required documents, and following the airport steps, you’ll enjoy a smooth, hassle-free arrival every time.
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