Planning to fly to Vietnam on a weekend or a public holiday only to realize you haven’t sorted out your visa? Don’t panic! While the Vietnam Immigration Department, Embassies, and Consulates are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, you can still obtain legal entry permission within hours through the “Visa on Arrival Approval Letter” emergency channel. This guide breaks down the emergency process, costs, and precautions for weekends and holidays to ensure you board your flight and arrive in Vietnam stress-free.
Why standard channels don’t work during holidays
- E-visa: The system does not process applications during weekends or Vietnamese public holidays. Any application submitted will be postponed to the next business day.
- Embassy / Consulate: These offices follow both the host country’s and Vietnam’s public holiday schedules; they do not accept or issue documents on non-business days.
- Vietnam Immigration Department: As a government administration, they follow official holiday schedules and do not handle new cases during these times.
However, the “Visa on Arrival” counters at Vietnam’s international airports operate 24/7, 365 days a year. As long as you have an “Approval Letter,” you can clear immigration and get your visa stamped at any time—even in the middle of the night, on a weekend, or during the Lunar New Year.
The Only Solution: Emergency Approval Letter
The Approval Letter is a document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department. With this letter, you can collect your official visa sticker upon arrival at Vietnam’s five major international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hai Phong) by providing photos and paying the stamping fee. Airline staff will verify this letter before boarding, so it is essential to have it before you fly.
Emergency Weekend/Holiday Application Steps (Mobile-Friendly)
Step 1: Fill out the online application form Click the dedicated link to enter the secure form. It takes only a few minutes to complete: 👉 https://www.vietnam-visa.in/apply-vietnam-visa/
Step 2: Choose the appropriate emergency service time The system offers three levels of urgency. Please calculate the time based on your “flight departure time” and choose the safest service option.
Step 3: Complete online payment Pay the service fee for the Approval Letter via credit card or PayPal (Note: This fee does not include the airport stamping fee).
Step 4: Receive the Approval Letter via email Within the promised timeframe, you will receive the Approval Letter (PDF) issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department. It is highly recommended to print it in color. If you are in a rush, a clear image on your phone may work, but some airlines prefer physical copies, so it’s better to be prepared.
Step 5: Prepare required documents for arrival
- Two 4×6 cm photos (white background). (If you forget, airport photo services are available for about 3-5 USD).
- Original passport (valid for at least 6 months).
- A copy of the Approval Letter.
- Stamping fee: 25 USD for single entry / 50 USD for multiple entry (Please bring cash in USD, as credit cards are not accepted at the counter).
Step 6: Collect visa at the Vietnamese airport Upon arrival, proceed to the “Visa on Arrival” (Landing Visa) counter, submit the documents, and you will receive your sticker visa within minutes.
Emergency Service Processing Times and Fees
The table below lists the time you will receive your Approval Letter based on the time you submit your request (Vietnam time, GMT+7). Note: This schedule applies to weekends and holidays as well.
| Service Type | Processing Time | Submission Deadline (Weekend/Holiday) | Receive Letter By | Reference Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-Hour Service | 8 Hours | Before 08:00 AM | Before 06:30 PM same day | 230 USD |
| 4-Hour Service | 4 Hours | Before 08:00 AM | Before 12:30 PM same day | Click link for query |
| 4-Hour Service | 4 Hours | 08:00 AM to 02:00 PM | Before 06:30 PM same day | Click link for query |
| 1-Hour Service | 1 Hour | Anytime (24/7) | Within 1 hour of submission | Click link for query |
| Super Urgent | < 1 Hour | Anytime | Contact Support (LINE/WeChat) | Quote upon request |
💡 Pro-Tip: Actual fees may fluctuate based on current exchange rates and urgency. Click the button below for the latest quotes. 🔗 👉 https://www.vietnam-visa.in/apply-vietnam-visa/ (Select “Rush Service” to view all emergency options and real-time pricing)
Important Precautions for Holiday Emergency Visas
- Airline verification is key: Even if you can land in Vietnam, airlines will deny boarding if they cannot verify your Approval Letter at the departure airport. Ensure you receive the PDF before your flight.
- Only for the 5 Major International Airports: Land borders (e.g., Laos or Cambodia borders) or non-international airports do not support Visa on Arrival. Please do not choose this method for those routes.
- Fast-Track Service (Optional): If you don’t even have time to print the letter, add the “Fast-Track” service. Our staff will print the letter for you, meet you at the airport arrival hall, and guide you through a dedicated fast lane to save significant waiting time.
- The Letter is not the Visa: The Approval Letter is a “permission letter.” You must complete the stamping procedure at the airport counter and pay the cash stamping fee.
- Passport validity and blank pages: Ensure your passport has at least one blank page and is valid for more than 6 months.
Super Urgent Situation? Contact Us Directly
If you need an Approval Letter within 1 hour or encounter special circumstances during non-business hours (e.g., midnight or New Year’s Eve), contact our specialists immediately:
📧 Email: info@vietnam-visa.tw 💬 LINE/WeChat: vietnam-visa
Why we still recommend preparing in advance
While emergency visa services for weekends and holidays are 100% feasible, the costs are significantly higher than regular business days (which are about 5-10 USD). For example, the 8-hour service is 230 USD—approximately 20 times the cost of a regular E-visa. Therefore, if your plans are set, we strongly recommend applying for an E-visa or through an Embassy at least one week in advance. However, if you have an unexpected situation or simply forgot, this emergency channel is your ultimate savior.
Summary: Steps to Get a Vietnam Visa on Weekends or Holidays
- Fill out the emergency Approval Letter application online.
- Select the 1 / 4 / 8-hour rush service.
- Pay and wait for the letter to arrive in your email.
- Print the letter (or use phone display + Airport Fast-Track assistance).
- Bring photos and cash to the airport.
- Collect your visa sticker at the Vietnamese airport and enter.
As long as you choose the right service and time it correctly, you can fly to Vietnam by noon on Sunday, even if you apply late on Saturday night!
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