Navigating HCMC airport

Suppobill Active member

85POSTS

6 years ago

Looking for some advice on clearing customs and immigration at the airport:

I applied for a "Visa on Arrival", but have no idea what to expect when I get there. I'm beginning to have visions of standing there alone, with absolutely no idea how to navigate my way through immigration. Am I correct in assuming the officials speak English? Are there typical problems I'll encounter? Should I expect to pay coffee money to get through the process? How long should I expect the process to take?

Thanks!

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GuestPoster1236 Guest

0POSTS

6 years ago

Easier than you think.
Just follow the crowd off the plane until you can see the Passport control entry points & people lined up.

Off to one side you鈥檒l look for a sign that says 鈥淟anding Visa 鈥� or something similar.聽聽You鈥檒l see a waiting area with lots of chairs & a counter behind glass , that鈥檚 the VOA landing visa office.聽聽 Just go up to the window & pass your forms & PP to the staff & take a seat.

Depending on how many people are there,,,is how long you wait.

They鈥檒l either call your name to collect your PPort & visa & pay your stamp fee.聽 Some airports like Cam Ranh have a screen with your name聽 & photo on it to call you.聽 Maybe Saigon has that done recently.

No coffee money , unless some 鈥渇ast lane鈥� service operators approach you.聽 You can actually book that service thru most VOA agents.聽 Not required really,聽聽I鈥檝e usually got thru in 15 minutes, but if there鈥檚 a crowd , maybe an hour.聽聽It鈥檚 getting quicker though.

If you prefer the shittiest experience of the lot,,,,arrive by land.

I did that yesterday at Moc Bai to renew a visa.聽聽 That place is an embarrassment to humanity.聽 Never been any different.聽聽Having said that,,that鈥檚 why these places are cheap.聽

Classless & shitty.....but the beers cold & cheap.馃槅

paulmsn Serial expat

511POSTS

6 years ago

The VOA area is on the left when you're looking at the passport control lines at Tan Son Nhat.聽 Make sure your form is filled and you have a passport photo and the cash to pay for the visa.聽 Last time it took me about 20-25 minutes, but I've also gotten it done in 10.聽 One time I used the speedy service from the VOA agency and it took 15 minutes, which was less time than the people who were there ahead of me-- maybe they have some kind of understanding with the staff.聽 The guy had a sign with my name on it at the entrance to passport control.