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FTV MKT • March 23, 2025

How to Avoid Common Vietnam Visa Scams – A Complete Guide (2024)

Vietnam is a popular destination for travelers, but visa scams have become a major issue for tourists applying online. Scammers often operate fake visa websites, charge inflated fees, or issue fake approval letters.

To ensure a safe, hassle-free entry into Vietnam, this guide will help you:
Identify common Vietnam visa scams
Learn how to verify a legitimate visa provider
Know what to do if you get scammed

📌 Related Article: How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa

Contents

Top Vietnam Visa Scams to Watch Out For

1. Fake Visa Websites

❌ Many fraudulent websites pretend to be the official Vietnam Immigration website and charge high fees for fake visas.

🔹 How to Avoid This Scam:
✔️ Only apply through the
official Vietnam Immigration website:
📌
Vietnam E-Visa Portal

✔️ Check if the website has HTTPS security and real customer reviews.

2. Overpriced Visa Fees

❌ Some unauthorized agencies charge tourists double or triple the official visa fees.

🔹 How to Avoid This Scam:
✔️ Standard
Vietnam E-Visa fees:

  • Single Entry (30 days): $25 USD
  • Multiple Entry (90 days): $50 USD

✔️ Compare fees before paying.

📌 Check Official Visa Fees: Vietnam Immigration Fees

3. Fake Visa Approval Letters

❌ Some unreliable visa agents issue fake Visa on Arrival (VOA) approval letters. If the letter is fake, you’ll be denied entry at the airport.

🔹 How to Avoid This Scam:
✔️ Only use
trusted visa providers like Friends Travel Vietnam.
✔️ Check the
email sender domain—official letters come from Vietnam Immigration.

📌 More Details: Vietnam Visa on Arrival Guide

4. Airport Visa Bribery Scams

❌ At some Vietnam airports, unofficial “agents” may approach tourists, demanding extra fees for visa processing.

🔹 How to Avoid This Scam:
✔️
Ignore anyone who offers “fast visa service” at the airport.
✔️ Pay your
official visa stamping fee at the correct counter.

📌 Pro Tip: Vietnam Airport Arrival Process

5. False Urgent Visa Services

❌ Some online agents promise a 1-hour visa but fail to deliver, leaving travelers stranded.

🔹 How to Avoid This Scam:
✔️ Use a
trusted urgent visa service with a guaranteed timeframe.

📌 Apply for a Legitimate Urgent Visa Here: Fast-Track Vietnam Visa Services

6. Fraudulent Travel Agencies

❌ Some travel agencies claim to offer visa services but simply take your money without processing your visa.

🔹 How to Avoid This Scam:
✔️
Verify the agency’s credentials before booking.
✔️ Check for
real customer reviews on Google or TripAdvisor.

📌 Read Verified Reviews Here: Customer Testimonials

How to Safely Apply for a Vietnam Visa

🔹 Recommended Visa Options:
✔️
E-Visa (Electronic Visa) Safest option, applied directly via government website.
✔️
Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Requires pre-approval letter from a trusted provider.

📌 Apply for an E-Visa Here: Vietnam E-Visa Official Website

📌 Apply for a Verified VOA Here: Friends Travel Vietnam

Vietnam E-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival – Which Is Safer?

Feature Vietnam E-Visa Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Application Process Fully online Pre-approval letter required
Safety Government-run website Risk of fake approval letters
Processing Time 5 working days 3 working days
Where to Apply Vietnam E-Visa Portal Trusted visa agency

📌 Pro Tip: If applying for a VOA, only use licensed agencies like Friends Travel Vietnam.

How to Verify a Legitimate Vietnam Visa Provider

✔️ Check for a Vietnam business license (real visa providers are registered).
✔️
Look for real customer reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and TripAdvisor.
✔️
Confirm direct communication with Vietnam Immigration (email from .gov.vn).

📌 Read More: How to Check If a Visa Agency Is Legit

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

🔹 If you paid for a fake visa:
✔️
Dispute the payment with your bank or credit card company.

🔹 If you arrive with a fake visa:
✔️
Immediately contact your country’s embassy in Vietnam.

📌 Vietnam Embassy Contacts: Vietnam Foreign Affairs Site

Why Choose Friends Travel Vietnam for Your Visa?

Government-Registered Visa Provider – 100% authentic services.
24/7 Customer Support – Speak directly with visa experts.
Transparent Pricing – No hidden fees, guaranteed approvals.
Fast Processing – Get your visa in as little as 4 hours.

📌 Read Our Customer Reviews: Verified Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I check if my visa is real?

Use the Vietnam E-Visa Check Portal

Is Visa on Arrival still safe?

Yes, but only with a verified visa agency.

Contact Friends Travel Vietnam

📩 Need a secure Vietnam visa? Apply now!

📞 WhatsApp: +84 904 329 289
📧 Email: info@friendstravelvietnam.com

🌍 Travel stress-free—let Friends Travel Vietnam handle your visa!

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Thanks for reading & supporting our blog, we really hope you enjoyed it! At "Friends Travel Vietnam" it is our mission to make your stay in our beautiful country as unforgettable as possible. One of the ways we do that is by providing high quality and informative blogs, like the one you just read! 


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Enjoy your holiday preparation for Vietnam & we do hope you fail in Love of Vietnam as we do? 


Thanks & Greetings,
Sidney and Thao Van Meenen
Owners & Founders

Friends Travel Vietnam

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Though Vietnam looks small on the map, you could easily spend weeks exploring this fascinating country. From the jagged mountains in the north to the tropical beaches in the south & central Vietnam – and all of the history and culture in between. The country is developed enough to offer most comforts but still wild enough to provide off-the-beaten-path adventure for travellers who love trekking into the Northern mountains, Vietnam will not let you down in anyway. Welcome to Vietnam, a land of staggering natural beauty & cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities & hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is both exotic and compelling.


Moreover, as Vietnam is safe, welcoming solo travellers & all other travelers from walks of life!

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We do More Crazy Stuff...

We don't believe in going the extra mile at Friends Travel Vietnam, we believe in completing the entire journey. That’s why we offer our guests an entire host of extra services, ensuring their stay is as hassle free experience. We take pride in the wide variety of destinations in Vietnam that we offer. Each and every destination in Vietnam on offer is carefully selected, sourcing and visiting personally by our team of destination specialist as service providers and accommodation that meets our exceptional standards, it's all about the details!

Experience an unforgettable escape
and discover more what to do & how to get around in Vietnam, with our special "Destinations" section, or wonder around great detailed articles on our "Travel Blog", or you are more interested to find the right "Travel Package" for your group or family, perhaps you like Lego and would like to build your own holiday with our "Holiday Travel Building Blocks" yourself, you like to know what great "Excursions & Tours" you can do together, or you sitting with your hands in your hair to find your way to your next destination but not sure which "Transportation" for sure jump on the backseat of the motorbike with our Easy Riders for the adventures travellers. From amazing hotels selections to stay, romantic day or overnight cruises and last and no least train tickets or bus ticket to get around Vietnam, you see it's enough to choose from for a successful Vietnam Holidays with us. No worries, we got you! 

In short, there isn’t a destination in Vietnam
, sight or experience out of reach for our team of travel experts . Whether you are traveling solo, with friends or with your family; whether you are young or old; whether you want adventure and excitement or rest and relaxation, we’ll have single tour options or complete tailored travel package for you!.

FAQ's

Got Questions? Great, cause we’ve got the answers for you! We’ve put together commonly asked questions to give you more information about “traveling in Vietnam" and the cover we offer. Follow the link below and we bring to FriendsTravelVietnam.com our booking website. Feel free to contact us if any question that you can’t find the answer to.

We Got The Answers?

Planning on Booking Your Trip To Vietnam?

Friends Travel Vietnam got you, ashas been inspiring travellers with curious-minded love & passion for Vietnam since 2013. With our on-the-ground-secret destinations & our netwerk of human-human partners and our passionate knowledge team of our "Real Local Travel Experts" on the office and in the field you can book unique, authentic experiences with ease. We’ll take you off the beaten path in no time as all you wish!  Let us us help you? We've done tons of homework & experiences just create the ultimate trip for you!  Just simple, all as you wish!“


This is what we do! Making your holiday dreams in Vietnam coming true with us! Is the excursion, tour or trip of your choice not listed? No worries, our Team of local destination experts will be happy to assist you.
Sidney
and Thao Van Meenen
Owners & Founders

Friends Travel Vietnam


Dreaming of your very own adventure in Vietnam? 

We don’t blame you! Just don't follow the crowd - find your own path in with us in Vietnam for your next holiday. 

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