Ho Chi Minh Immigration Fast Track: Affordable Usage Tips, Reviews, Time Required, and Discount Codes!

The infamous Ho Chi Minh immigration clearance, how to pass quickly

If you travel to Vietnam, you have likely heard a lot about Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Especially during peak hours when morning and evening flights from Korea are crowded, the waiting time for immigration clearance often exceeds one hour.

To reduce this long waiting time, many travelers choose the 'fast track' service. Through this service, one can experience a quick immigration clearance, making it popular among travelers.

In this post, I would like to share my experience using the economical fast track service 'Peaktime'. I will provide detailed explanations about prices, reservation procedures, the process, time taken, the atmosphere on-site, and useful tips for departures and transfers. Some images have been generated as photography is prohibited in the immigration hall.




Price comparison – Peaktime, free for children under 5 + lowest price

There are many companies offering fast track services, but when you actually compare, Peaktime is the most economical option. Notably, children under 5 years old can use the service for free, making it a truly cost-effective choice for family travelers.

The costs for entering Ho Chi Minh from Korea are as follows. The fee for adults is 17,100 won, and for children, it's 7,300 won. Infants under 5 years old are exempt from the fee.

Many companies tend to charge an extra fee for infants.

In this regard, Peaktime's price competitiveness is certainly outstanding.

Previously, I mentioned another company while introducing fast track in Ho Chi Minh, but in reality, I recommend using Peaktime more.

Reservations are made through KakaoTalk; by sending flight details, arrival time, and English names, the registration is immediately confirmed. There's no need to print or present a separate voucher; confirmation can be easily done through KakaoTalk conversations.

Arrival on site – Confirming 'Peaktime' staff holding a sign

At 1 PM local time, I arrived in Ho Chi Minh. The immigration clearance waiting line was already filled with many passengers.

Visible from afar were staff holding various vendor signs. 'Peaktime Fast Track' and 'Dokkaebi Fast Track' are examples. These staff check the arrival lists for each flight and guide the applicants to a special passage next to the immigration clearance waiting line. Thanks to this efficient system, travelers can complete their immigration procedures more quickly.

Interestingly, although various brand names exist, the same operating company manages them. The agency checks the number of people and then opens additional 'fast track exclusive lines' next to the general waiting line.

Actual process – Separate line operation, takes about 30-40 minutes

During the Chuseok holiday, many Koreans used the service, and dozens of people applied for fast track. After checking the number of applicants, a line leading to three open counters was created, allowing fast track immigration to occur.

The fast track service is primarily used by Koreans, so if multiple flights from Korea arrive simultaneously, the waiting time may be long.

Following the staff's instructions and waiting for one's turn, the officer will check the passport and stamp it after.

The immigration system in Vietnam tends to process slowly, including manual input tasks. Overall, the inspection process isn't fast, but it is definitely shorter compared to the general waiting line.

Actual perceived time: About
30-40 minutes
Expected waiting time for general line: About
over 1 hour 30 minutes

Consequently, the fast track service was very helpful during peak season; however, I believe there is no need to apply during off-peak times or quiet hours.

Summary of the fast track immigration procedure in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh

It is advisable to make a reservation at least 2 days before your travel. After reserving through the Peaktime website, just send your flight information and name via KakaoTalk channel.

Upon arrival, you should find the staff holding a 'Peaktime' sign at the immigration hall. The staff will verify your flight information and name before proceeding with guidance.

You will then move to the fast track line. The assigned staff will form groups according to the number of travelers and guide them through an unofficial passage. The authorities will open vacant counters for quick passage.

Finally, after verifying your passport and receiving a stamp, you need to collect your luggage and exit. This simple procedure enhances the smooth enjoyment of your trip.




Feelings about Vietnam fast track – Essentially a local practice rather than an official system

Observing the situation on-site, there is no formal procedure called 'fast track'. The staff pays a certain fee to the authorities, and the system operates by temporarily opening empty lines.

The practice of rapidly processing arriving visas for money seems to have evolved into a business model under the guise of 'fast track'. This has established itself more as a local service practice rather than an official system.

As for Vietnam's passport visa procedure, it's evident that time is consumed in the processes of stamping and manually entering information. This appears to be due to either insufficient computerization or the slow actions of the examiner. In contrast, Japan’s immigration inspections utilize a quicker process involving sticker placements.

However, Vietnam's visa process is operated as a legitimate service, and from a user's perspective, it may be a good choice to save time and energy. Considering this aspect, utilizing this service during a visit to Vietnam wouldn't be a bad decision.




Perception during departure and transfer – Midnight departures are unnecessary

The departure from Phu Quoc occurred during a transfer. I arrived at Tan Son Nhat Airport close to midnight, but I did not separately request the fast track service.

The immigration clearance around 10 PM to 12 AM was crowded with passengers on night flights, so everyone had to wait in the same line without a separate distinction between general and exclusive lines. With no empty lines, the advantages of fast track were not felt at all.

Around 1 AM, after waiting for over an hour, the number of people decreased. By then, there were no lines, and I could pass quickly. Therefore, it seems unnecessary to arrive early when departing from Ho Chi Minh in the early morning.

Conclusion:
Using fast track for night departures during peak season is meaningless, while recommending selective use for arrivals.

For a review of immigration procedures after departing from Ho Chi Minh on Vietnam Airlines from Phu Quoc, please refer to the post below.

Summary of Vietnam fast track reservation and use

CategoryItem
Service NameHo Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport Immigration Fast Track (Peaktime)
Reservation MethodPeaktime Site → KakaoTalk Reservation (Recommended 2 days before arrival)
Price (for entry)Adult 17,100 won / Child 7,300 won / Infant free
Time Taken (actual perception)About 30-40 minutes (reduced compared to general 90 minutes)
Payment·VoucherMobile KakaoTalk reservation / No separate printout needed
Peaktime Discount Code32A94429CE / 3H9520 (usable at reservation)
CautionEntry and departure are separate products / Must apply for each round trip
Recommended forTravelers during peak season, accompanying infants or the elderly, travelers with tight transfer schedules



Conclusion – Peaktime fast track, affordable yet effective

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh, immigration clearance generally takes more than one hour during peak seasons. However, if you can reduce that time by about 30 minutes, it can be quite significant.

There are many advantages to the Peaktime fast track. First, the price is economical. Adults pay 17,100 won, and infants can use it for free. Second, reservations are easy through KakaoTalk. Third, the onsite staff manage lists and organize lines, making it convenient. Finally, it is especially beneficial for family travelers.

However, a downside is that it operates more based on local practices than an official system. This means that processing speeds can vary based on circumstances. Nevertheless, during peak seasons such as the Chuseok holiday, efficiency was quite high.

If you want to avoid facing long waiting lines upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh airport, Peaktime fast track would be the most realistic and affordable alternative.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (International terminal) : Vietnam Ho Chi Minh



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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What is Ho Chi Minh Fast Track Service?
It is a rapid entry procedure service at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, aimed at reducing long immigration clearance waiting times.

The waiting time for immigration clearance at Tan Son Nhat Airport often exceeds one hour, especially during peak times when morning and evening flights from Korea are crowded. The fast track service operates to alleviate this, allowing travelers to proceed with the immigration process much more quickly than the usual waiting line. Particularly, using the Peaktime service allows for fast immigration clearance at a reasonable cost.

Q. What is the price of Peaktime fast track service and how can I make a reservation?
The price is 17,100 won for adults, 7,300 won for children, and infants under 5 can use it for free. Reservations can be easily made via KakaoTalk.

The Peaktime fast track is priced economically, with free service for infants under 5 years old. Reservations can be made by sending the flight number, arrival time, and the name in English via KakaoTalk, which confirms the reservation immediately without needing a separate voucher. This is particularly cost-effective and convenient for family travelers.

Q. How is the immigration process conducted when using fast track?
The Peaktime staff holds a sign and verifies the waiting individuals, then guides them through a separate line to complete the inspection in about 30-40 minutes.

Upon arriving at the immigration hall, Peaktime staff will hold a 'Peaktime' sign to verify the names and flight information. Afterward, they will escort travelers to a special line created by opening three vacant counters. Due to the characteristics of the Vietnam immigration system, the inspection speed is not rapid, but it is decidedly faster compared to the general waiting line, taking about 30-40 minutes during peak seasons.

Q. Is the fast track service an official system?
No, it's an unofficial service based on local practices where a fee is paid to authorities for using vacant counters.

The fast track service at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh is not an official system but instead functions as a localized practice where the operating staff pays a fee to authorities to temporarily open vacant immigration counters. It appears to have evolved from a past practice of rapid processing for arriving visas, becoming a convenience rather than an official service.

Q. Is it necessary to use fast track for departures and transfers?
The necessity for fast track services is low during night departures or transfers due to fewer waiting lines.

Particularly from 10 PM to 1 AM, the waiting lines for departures are lighter, so passing through without using fast track is smooth. Around 1 AM, the lines are nearly non-existent, leading to almost zero waiting time, so there’s no need to apply separately for early morning departures. Therefore, fast track doesn't have a significant effect during transfers or nighttime departures.

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