Welcome to Vietnam! Imagine the feeling: you’ve just landed after a long flight, and the adventure is about to begin. However, standing between you and your first bowl of pho is one final, often frustrating hurdle: a sprawling queue at airport immigration.
Long queues at immigration are a universal travel pain point. After a lengthy flight, the last thing you want is to spend hours in a slow-moving line. This is especially true for Vietnam’s bustling airports.
This guide is your essential companion for navigating the brand-new Long Thanh International Airport (IATA: LON, ICAO: VLON). We will walk you through every step, from pre-flight preparations to breezing through the final checks. More importantly, we’ll reveal how you can use a premium Immigration Fast Track at Long Thanh International Airport to bypass the queues entirely, ensuring your Vietnamese adventure starts the moment you land.
Before You Fly: Your Essential Long Thanh Arrival Checklist
A smooth arrival begins long before you board the plane. Proper preparation is not just recommended; it’s crucial. Here’s your comprehensive checklist to ensure you have everything in order.
✅ Passport Validity
This is the most critical check. Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months from your date of entry into Vietnam. Airlines will deny boarding if your passport does not meet this requirement. Ensure you also have at least two blank pages for the visa and entry stamps.
✅ Visa Requirements: E-Visa, Visa-Free, or Visa on Arrival?
Understanding your visa status is paramount. Vietnam offers several options depending on your nationality.
Visa Exemption (Visa-Free): Citizens of several countries can enter Vietnam without a visa for a specified period (typically 15 to 45 days). Check the latest official list from the Vietnam Immigration Department to see if your passport qualifies. For the latest news, please visit https://www.vietnamimmigration.org/vietnam-visa-information/.
Electronic Visa (E-Visa): This is the most popular and recommended method for travelers. Citizens from a wide range of countries can apply for an e-visa online through the official Vietnam Immigration portal. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days, can be for single or multiple entries, and allows you to enter through numerous international checkpoints, including the future Long Thanh Airport.
Visa on Arrival (VOA): This option is available for travelers who have obtained a “Visa Approval Letter” from the Vietnam Immigration Department before their trip. This letter is typically arranged through a trusted agency. You cannot simply arrive and request a visa; the pre-approved letter is mandatory.
💡 Pro Tip: Secure Your Visa the Easy Way
Whether you need an e-visa or a Visa Approval Letter, the application process can be confusing, and small mistakes can lead to delays or even rejection. To ensure a smooth start to your trip, consider applying through an expert.
Using a trusted service provides a hassle-free process with a simple application form that saves you time and prevents errors. With a fast turnaround time and a 100% success rate guarantee (or your money back), you can have complete peace of mind.
Proof of Accommodation: Printouts of hotel or Airbnb reservations.
Return/Onward Flight Ticket: Proof that you intend to leave Vietnam within your permitted stay.
Travel Itinerary: A general outline of your plans in Vietnam can be helpful.
Digital and Physical Copies: Keep photos of your passport info page, visa, and other key documents on your phone and carry a few physical photocopies separately from the originals.
✅ Understanding Vietnam’s Customs Regulations
To avoid fines or confiscation of goods, you must be aware of what you can and cannot bring into the country.
👉 Currency Declaration: You must declare cash amounts if you are carrying over US$5,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) or over 15,000,000 Vietnamese Dong (VND).
👉 Duty-Free Allowances:
Alcohol: 1.5 liters of spirits (over 20% alcohol) OR 2.0 liters of fortified wine/aperitifs (under 20% alcohol) OR 3.0 liters of beer.
Tobacco: 200 cigarettes OR 20 cigars OR 250 grams of loose tobacco.
Personal Effects: Items for personal use with a total value not exceeding 10,000,000 VND.
👉 Prohibited Items: Do not bring weapons, explosives, narcotics, anti-government cultural materials, or certain types of wildlife products into Vietnam.
About Long Thanh International Airport (IATA: LON, ICAO: VLON)
Poised to be one of Southeast Asia’s premier aviation hubs, Long Thanh International Airport is an ambitious project designed for the future.
Location: The airport is located in Long Thanh District, Dong Nai Province, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Ho Chi Minh City’s center.
Vision & Capacity: Phase 1 is designed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually. Future expansions will increase this capacity to 100 million passengers per year.
Transport to Ho Chi Minh City:
Upon opening, you can expect several modern transport links connecting the airport to the city center and surrounding regions:
Expressways: Direct links via the Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh–Dau Giay Expressway.
Airport Taxis & Ride-Sharing: Mai Linh and Vinasun are popular taxi companies, and Grab is the leading ride-sharing app.
Shuttle Buses: Dedicated, air-conditioned buses will likely run frequent routes to key districts in Ho Chi Minh City.
Future Rail Link: A high-speed rail line is part of the long-term plan for seamless connectivity.
How to Navigate Long Thanh Int’l Airport
Once your flight lands, the clock starts ticking. Here’s a breakdown of the standard arrival process for different types of travelers.
For E-Visa Holders and Visa-Free Visitors
If you have your e-visa printout or are from a visa-exempt country, your path is the most straightforward.
Step 1: Arrival Immigration Checkpoint
Follow the signs for “Arrivals” and “Immigration” (Khu Nháºp Cảnh). You will join the queue for foreign passport holders. When it’s your turn, present the immigration officer with:
Your passport (valid for at least 6 months).
Your printed e-visa (if applicable).
Step 2: Baggage Claim
After the immigration officer stamps your passport, proceed to the baggage claim area (Khu Trả Hà nh Lý). Check the overhead screens for your flight number to find the correct carousel.
Step 3: Customs Check
With your luggage, proceed towards the exit through the Customs area (Khu Hải Quan).
If you have nothing to declare, walk through the Green Channel.
If you are carrying goods or currency that exceeds the duty-free limits, you must go through the Red Channel to make a declaration.
Step 4: Exit and Enjoy Vietnam!
You’ve made it! You are now free to exit the airport and begin your journey.
Note for E-Visa/Visa-Free Visitors: The primary challenge you will face is the queue at the Arrival Immigration Checkpoint. During peak hours, wait times can easily exceed an hour or more. This is where the Immigration Fast Track Service becomes invaluable.
For Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) Holders
If you are traveling with a Visa Approval Letter, you have an extra, crucial step at the beginning of the process.
Step 1: Landing Visa / Visa on Arrival Counter
DO NOT go to the main immigration checkpoint yet. First, you must find the “Visa on Arrival” or “Landing Visa” (Cấp Thị Thá»±c Tại Chá»—) counter. This counter is located before the main immigration hall. At this counter, you must submit:
Your original passport.
Your pre-approved Visa Approval Letter (printout).
A completed NA1 Form (entry/exit form). You can often download and complete this beforehand to save time.
One passport-sized photo (4×6 cm), attached to your NA1 form.
Cash for the Visa Stamping Fee. This is paid directly to the officer. The fee is typically US$25 for a single-entry visa or US$50 for a multi-entry visa. You must pay in USD or VND, and there are no ATMs in this area.
You will then wait for the officers to process your application and call your name to return your passport with the visa sticker inside.
Step 2: Arrival Immigration Checkpoint
Once you have your visa-stamped passport, you can proceed to the main immigration hall and follow the standard procedure for entry.
Step 3: Baggage Claim & Customs Check
These steps are the same as for e-visa holders.
Note for Visa-on-Arrival Holders: You face two potential bottlenecks: the queue at the VOA counter and the queue at the Immigration Checkpoint. Imagine trying to juggle your passport, cash, and loose photos in a crowded, noisy hall after a long flight. Any small hiccup—a forgotten photo, not having the exact USD cash, an error on your form—can turn your arrival excitement into anxiety and lead to significant delays.
The Ultimate Solution: How to Skip Queuing at Long Thanh Int’l Airport
Tired just reading about those queues? There is a simple, elegant, and efficient way to bypass them completely: the Immigration Fast Track Service at Long Thanh International Airport.
This premium service is designed for discerning travelers who value their time and prefer a seamless, stress-free arrival. It allows you to be met by a professional agent who escorts you through exclusive priority lanes, turning a potentially hour-long wait into a five-minute breeze.
How Does the Immigration Fast Track Service Work?
The process is designed for maximum convenience and efficiency.
For E-Visa and Visa-Free Travelers (Immigration Fast Track):
As you disembark and walk towards the immigration hall, a professionally dressed agent will be waiting for you, holding a welcome sign with your name on it.
They will greet you warmly and lead you away from the crowded general queues.
You will be escorted to the priority immigration lane, reserved for diplomats and flight crews.
The agent will assist you in presenting your documents to the officer for a quick, hassle-free stamp.
You will be through immigration in minutes, well ahead of everyone else from your flight.
For Visa-on-Arrival Travelers (VIP Fast Track with Visa Stamping Assistance):
An agent will meet you with a welcome sign as you enter the terminal.
Instead of you waiting at the VOA counter, the agent will take your documents (passport, approval letter, photo, and stamping fee) and handle the entire visa stamping process for you.
While they handle the paperwork, you can relax in a comfortable waiting area.
Once your passport is stamped with the visa, the agent will return it to you and escort you through the priority immigration lane for your final entry stamp.
This all-inclusive service completely removes the two biggest stressors for VOA travelers: the VOA queue and the immigration queue. It also provides a solution if you forget your photo or don’t have exact change for the stamping fee, as the service can handle these minor crises for you.
What are the Benefits of Using the Fast Track Service?
Save Significant Time: This is the primary benefit. You can save anywhere from 30 minutes to over two hours, especially during peak season or when multiple flights land simultaneously.
Eliminate Stress and Confusion: Navigating a new airport’s procedures can be overwhelming. The Fast Track service provides a guiding hand from the moment you arrive.
Avoid Hassles: No need to worry about having the correct forms, photos, or cash for the VOA stamping fee. The service team takes care of it all.
Start Your Adventure Immediately: While other passengers from your flight are still waiting in line, you could already be in a taxi on your way to check in, ordering your first Vietnamese coffee, or relaxing by the hotel pool. It’s the ultimate head start to your vacation or business trip.
Ideal for Everyone: This service is perfect for business travelers on a tight schedule, families with young children, elderly passengers, or anyone who simply wants to start their vacation with a touch of luxury and efficiency.
Booking and Trusting Your Fast Track Service
Booking your Immigration Fast Track at Long Thanh International Airport is incredibly simple.
How to Book the Service
Step 1: Fill out the online form. Provide your flight details, arrival date, and the names of the passengers.
Step 2: Pay for the service. Secure payment is usually handled online.
Step 3: Receive confirmation. You will get an email with the service details and clear instructions on where to meet your agent upon arrival.
Can I Trust Vietnamimmigration.org for this Service?
Absolutely. When choosing a service provider, trust and reliability are paramount. Vietnamimmigration.org stands out as a leader in the field for several verifiable reasons:
Over 15 Years of Experience: The domain vietnamimmigration.org has been active and serving travelers since 2008. This long track record demonstrates stability and deep expertise in the field of Vietnamese immigration services. You can verify this record at whois.com.
100% Money-Back Guarantee: They stand by their service with a clear and public Refund Policy. This confidence in their service provides you with complete peace of mind.
Secure Payments with Buyer Protection: They accept payments via PayPal, which includes PayPal’s robust Buyer Protection policy. This ensures your financial transaction is secure and protected.
Proven Customer Satisfaction: Don’t just take our word for it. You can see hundreds of positive reviews from real customers on independent review platforms like Sitejabber, attesting to their professionalism and efficiency.
Additional Tips for a Flawless Arrival at Long Thanh
SIM Cards and Wi-Fi: The arrivals hall will have kiosks for major Vietnamese telecom providers like Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone. Buying a local SIM card is affordable and gives you instant data access.
Currency Exchange: While you should have some USD or VND for visa fees if needed, it’s best to exchange larger amounts of money at a bank in the city for better rates.
Pre-Book Your Transport: Arrange your airport transfer in advance, whether through your hotel or a reputable car service, to avoid haggling after a long flight.
Your journey to Vietnam should be filled with wonder and excitement from the very beginning. By being well-prepared and leveraging the power of the Immigration Fast Track service at Long Thanh International Airport, you can ensure your arrival is as smooth and pleasant as the rest of your incredible trip will be.
Welcome to Vietnam! Your journey to this vibrant and beautiful country is about to begin, and for many, the first point of entry will be the new, state-of-the-art Long Thanh International Airport (IATA: LON, ICAO: VVLT). While a new airport brings modern comforts, it also brings the familiar challenge faced by international travelers everywhere: queues.
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This comprehensive guide provides essential information for international travelers arriving at Long Thanh International Airport (IATA: LON, ICAO: VLON). The objective is to facilitate a seamless entry into Vietnam by outlining requisite preparations, detailing airport navigation procedures, and presenting the benefits of expedited arrival services.
Infographic: Your Fast Track Guide to Long Thanh Airport Escape the Queue at Long Thanh Airport Your Vietnam adventure shouldn’t start with a long wait. See how the Fast Track service transforms your arrival.
Long Thanh Airport Arrival Guide: Fast Track Your Entry VietnamImmigration.org Book Fast Track Arriving at Long Thanh Airport? Tired of long flights? Don’t spend more time in long queues.
Infographic: A Smoother Arrival at Long Thanh Airport Your VIP Arrival at Long Thanh Airport Don’t waste the first hour of your incredible Vietnam trip waiting in line. Discover the fast-track secret to a smooth, stress-free start.
Long Thanh Airport Interactive Arrival Guide Arrive in Vietnam Stress-Free This interactive guide shows you how to navigate Long Thanh Airport (LON) like a pro. Choose your visa type below to see your personalized arrival process and learn how to skip the queues.