Airlines and Visas

	The disadvantage of not being a travel agent is that we cannot book your flights or arrange your visa. However, we can give you some pointers on airline travel, and know where to send you to get your visa. And remember, if we were a travel agency, we would charge you a middleman fee and hire a guide to make the local arrangements. More chances for a mixup. Airline Reservations You can book directly with the airline, see our links page, or go to a travel agent. Travel agents are generally cheaper because they buy blocks of seats at a discount and pass some of the savings on to the traveler. Again, see our links page for some good agents.

	Visas A valid passport and visa are required for foreigners to enter Vietnam. The passport is issued by your own country. The Vietnam visa is issued by Vietnamese embassies and consulates around the world. You can apply for a visa up to six months in advance. A standard entry visa is good for 90 days. Visas are issued for single-entry, unless multiple-entry is requested. If you plan to take a side trip to a neighboring country during your visit to Vietnam, be sure to request a multiple-entry visa. Processing time for obtaining a visa is generally about 10 days, plus postal time. Many visa service companies are able to rush a visa through in one day, plus postal time, for an additional fee. Most travel agents also process visas. This is another reason for buying your airline tickets from a travel agent . . . so you can have them arrange your visa too. To obtain a visa, you must submit: Your passport (the visa is placed into the passport) Three original copies of the Vietnam "Application for Entry and Exit" Form Three (3) passport-size photos (one per form) money order (fee varies with location) Visa Application Form The form can be requested by sending a self-addressed envelope to Visa Section, Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in your country: Visa Application Form (PDF)" -- Official Form, Vietnam Consulate, San Francisco -- with instructions, phone number, fax number, and address Vietnam Embassy, Washington D.C. Address and phone of embassy visa sections worldwide Or download from the travel agents on the Internet: Visa Application Form (view GIF in browser) Visa Application Form (view HTML page in browser) Visa Application forms (for many countries, including Vietnam) Visa Service Companies If you are short on time, you can process quickly by visiting the Vietnam Consulate, San Francisco. If you cannot arrange your visa yourself, and have money to spare, we recommend a visa service in Chicago who processes visas in as little as 24 hours (3 week $35, 1 week $95, 24 hours $175, their prices are subject to change): AAA International Travel Domestic & International Airline Tickets 1004 West Argyle Street Chicago, IL 60640 Phone: (773) 275-0500 FAX: (773) 275-4771 tduong@aaagroupinc.com Other visa service agents which we found on the Internet: Visa processing service, Chicago and Virginia ($117 two week service; $145 one week service; $195 three-day service)