I didn't know about this when I booked the flights, now I'm worried I don't have time to arrange the visas.
2006-10-26 22:21:15 · 5 answers · asked by pumpkinitro 1 in Travel ➔ Vietnam ➔ Other - Vietnam
I've just discovered that -- YES -- you do need a TRANSIT VISA to travel via HANOI, even if you just stay on the plane while refueling!!
If you don't have a VISA, you won't be allowed to board the plane at your port of departure.
***I know this is true for Australians at least. Not sure about other nationalities.
2006-10-29 15:48:28 · update #1
Thankfully I didn't listen to the answers below, otherwise I might've blown $3,500 in airfares!!
2006-10-29 15:49:37 · update #2
Now I'm just totally confused. Our travel agent says we don't need a TRANSIT VISA!
Looking into it further, it seems that only if you fly via HANOI (NOIBAI airport) do you need a TRANSIT VISA. So the answer is still -- YES.
I rang the Vietnam embassy and they quoted a different price for the VISA than the travel agent.
I think I need to change my question to: What the heck is going on in HANOI ????
2006-10-29 16:15:29 · update #3
if you don't go out of the airport, that's ok
2006-10-27 06:44:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As soon as you get off the place in Hanoi there is a VISA counter where you can get one right there on the spot if you are required to get one. It is super cheap and fast (took me 10min to get one). You can actually do the same thing in Laos, just bring passport photos. You might be fine since you are not physically leaving the airport. My friend did this with a layover in China while heading to Vietnam (similar to what you are doing just different countries) and she was not required to get a china visa for the lay over. She also only had carry on luggage.
2016-05-22 00:17:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vietnam Airlines has an arrangement called a Travel Service for passengers transiting in Vietnam (say if you are going SYD->SGN->FRA). If the arrangements mean you will need to spend one night in Saigon (they often will pay for accomodation and transfers too), you will be issued with a kind of travel visa. No visa is required. Bring passport photos.
Be wary that Vietnam Airlines staff are usually quite disorganised. Lovely people though.
2006-10-30 01:48:47 · answer #3 · answered by Mardy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are just travelling through and not leaving the airport I don't think you would need a visa. I transfer through Hong Kong and Taiwan quite a bit and as long as you don't leave the terminal you are OK.
2006-10-27 06:07:06 · answer #4 · answered by flightmedicine 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are just transiting and have an onward ticket you do not need a visa.
2006-10-28 01:21:30 · answer #5 · answered by camsean73 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋