Gotta love crooked airport customs ppl lol

wonder what would happen with the "2000" Dollar. Great coffee money

Which is why I just would not declare anything. They're not going to search you for money. If you've got varying amounts stashed in different parts of your carry-ons, and the rest in your wallet, chances are slim that all of it would ever be found even if you were searched. You thought you were doing a good deed by being honest and declaring your cash. But have you ever heard the phrase, "No good deed ever goes unpunished"?

yeah thats vietnam. they didnt let me pass through immigration because i didnt give them coffee money. It took them 15 min! or more just to stamp and i refuse to pay.

I came in wearing 10 lượng around my neck, and 7 lượng on my wrist, crude hastily-made "jewelry" that looked like it'd been cast in a machine shop.  Buttoned my shirt, wore long sleeves.  Passed right through.

ChrisFox wrote:

I came in wearing 10 lượng around my neck, and 7 lượng on my wrist, crude hastily-made "jewelry" that looked like it's been cast in a machine shop.  Buttoned my shirt, wore long sleeves.  Passed right through.

They let foreigners through since they dont speak good English.
I'm a Viet Kieu so they expect me to pay them. Last time I travelled with family and they let all women through and stopped my dad. He had to hand them about 20 Dollars?

First time we came here in 1998 my partner put a twenty in each passport.

Next time I came, ten years later to the new airport, he said nobody does that anymore.

the $5000 is the limit for leaving VN not coming in. They don't expect you to read the sign carefully I already had this happened to me twice.

My mate who is married to a local lady, took her to Australia for her first overseas trip. Official at immigration refused to stamp her passport unless some cash was given, great system, as usual money is everything.

I'm surprised you didnt find the limit had been dropped from $7k to $5k as it was changed a while back can't recall if this year or last.
I through it into google and came up as $5k on the first hit.......

I thought it was $7000 too. And last time I went to Vietnam the custom guy blatantly asked me to help his buddies. I got mad and told him in English I have no money. I gave him the death stare so he stamped my passport and let me through.

Yes 10 years ago it was normal to slip in some USD into your passport. Now it's a wait and see if they ask especially for Viet Kieus.

well is it the same you can bring in 8 ounces of gold? With gold being sold in Vietnam at a higher premium than the current market of about $1250/ounce you can bring double what you are allowed in currency.

The law has changed awhile back over 6 months ago which reduced the limit from 7,000 US down to 5,000 US bringing into Vietnam.

yes after some google searches it is indeed $5000 USD so for Canadians does that mean we can bring $5300.

And it's funny they point you to a sign that says $5000, Like are we suppose to see the sign all the way from Edmonton, Canada before boarding the plane.

This is where I got my info:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t … quirementshttp://travel.gc.ca/destinations/vietnam

"Currency:  There is no limit to the amount of U.S. dollars or other foreign currency you can import into Vietnam or export from Vietnam. However, upon arrival and departure, you must declare to customs foreign currency (including cash and travelers' checks) in excess of US$7,000 (or its equivalent), cash exceeding Vietnamese Dong (VND) 15,000,000, and gold exceeding 300 grams. If you do not declare the amounts noted above, officials may arrest or fine you at the port of entry or exit and confiscate your currency."

"Cash in excess of US$7,000, or the equivalent in any other foreign currency, must be declared upon arrival. Anyone arriving in the country with more than 300 grams of gold, including jewellery, gold bar and raw gold, must also make a declaration."

saigonmonkey wrote:

Which is why I just would not declare anything. They're not going to search you for money. If you've got varying amounts stashed in different parts of your carry-ons, and the rest in your wallet, chances are slim that all of it would ever be found even if you were searched. You thought you were doing a good deed by being honest and declaring your cash. But have you ever heard the phrase, "No good deed ever goes unpunished"?

You're a bit wrong about that, they searched me after asking if I had money, and I didn't even mention anything about having $.  I didnt even declare anything cuz according to Canada/US websites, they said you dont have to.  But they just suddenly asked me if I had money on me, and I have to tell the truth of course, otherwise they would've just searched me anyway and found out I was lying, then I'd be in big trouble. 

Anyway, look at the above two links, and what are the odds both US and Canada govts were wrong?  I think I did my due diligence.

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/VN-Viet … etails.htm

I was going to bring $7000 too. As someone that doesn't travel regularly to Vietnam and keep up to date on what's happening in Vietnam I would think lots of people make the same assumption of $7000 being undeclared.

Do what the old viet kieu ladies do: strap that cash to your thigh and put $15 in the passport.

If people keep putting money in passports, corruption will never stop. I give them squat, same as when police  pull me over and try and get money, I tell them to get lost.

mikeymyke wrote:

You're a bit wrong about that, they searched me after asking if I had money, and I didn't even mention anything about having $.  I didnt even declare anything cuz according to Canada/US websites, they said you dont have to.  But they just suddenly asked me if I had money on me, and I have to tell the truth of course, otherwise they would've just searched me anyway and found out I was lying, then I'd be in big trouble.

Mikey, I'm not trying to intentionally give anyone bad advice here. Most everything I post is based on my own personal experience. Apparently, I do not look like the kind of guy who carries around more than $7000, so that's probably why I've never been questioned or searched. But I've heard too many horror stories from people who did try to do the right thing and make declarations. That's why I've never done it, and have never had a problem. Call me lucky, I guess....

Here's a question for the group. All the posts mention $7000 or $5000 as the upper limit, but what if I am bringing in other country denominations like CNY and VND. Is the upper dollar limit specific to USD or the combination of all currencies?

Thanks

Corrupt or not, the US and Canada do not regularly update entry and update requirements for other countries. Whatever the officer in Vietnam says, or the sign for that matter takes precedence. They probably use disinformation purposely.

This should answer your question

http://www.customs.gov.vn/Lists/English … px?ID=1053

There you have it. The answer directly from the source.

colinoscapee wrote:

This should answer your question

http://www.customs.gov.vn/Lists/English … px?ID=1053

I saw many links like that one before coming to vn, and i didnt think they were accurate cuz they were dated 2011

Well at least you did manage to get your funds in/back without much trouble. I on the other hand during my first few trip here also brought an amount that exceeded the limit for the same reasons. Lets just say i had to pay quite a bit for the "fine/help" for them to release me with my cash but i do admit my amount was a lot more than what i was expected to carry. The following trips i just split the bundles in between my check ins and hand carry upon arrival and haven't got any problems till date.

I am a white boy and my wife is Vietnamese, they gave us no trouble coming in since they knew she was with me... I was polite when they asked me any questions.

When we left, my wife told me they would ask for "coffee money", so when the Agent asked in Vietnamese, I said
"please let me buy you some coffee" in English and handed him a 2,000 dong note.  The look on his face was priceless and he 'politely refused' the money...   

mikeymyke wrote:

Came into Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon for my upcoming wedding and before I came, I searched the net, as well as the Canada and USA official govt websites, and all indicate u can bring $7000 max without declare.  so i decide bring $7000 even.  Now when i got to customs, they said to me the limit is $5000 and even pointed to a sign outside that said so.  They then said they might have to confiscate some cash, but I said to them I got $7000 info from canada and us websites so its their fault for not updating.  then they said its my fault for not researching properly.  then i finally asked them to give me their computer so i can show where i got my info, then they said, "no no its fine, just dont bring in more than $5K next time"

The money was for the wedding by the way.   Anyway just a heads up for u guys, the "limit" is $5000

SWEET!  Julien un-banned me just in time to help other Expats.  I read this thread, verified the confusing "directions" and believe our diplomats need to sort this out.  So I wrote both the Canadian Embassy and the American Embassy an email detailing your problem.  I think this will help out many Americans as well as Canadians so 1) they either get the correct dollar figure right, $5,000 USD for both websites or 2) the Vietnamese customs will change their $5,000 USD sign to $7,000 USD.  One side is right and the other is wrong. 

Here's the email I just sent off and I would suggest others also email the embassies and consulates as well.

Date:12/17/2013
To: acshanoi@state.gov, hanoi@international.gc.ca
Cc: acshcmc@state.gov, hochi@international.gc.ca


To Whom It May Concern:

My name is (my real name), a US Citizen, and I am writing to inform you of an incident that happened with a Canadian colleague coming into Vietnam that warrants your attention.

He brought with him US $7000 in cash, which per the US's DoS's website

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t … rcumstance

Currency:  There is no limit to the amount of U.S. dollars or other foreign currency you can import into Vietnam or export from Vietnam. However, upon arrival and departure, you must declare to customs foreign currency (including cash and travelers' checks) in excess of US$7,000 (or its equivalent), cash exceeding Vietnamese Dong (VND) 15,000,000, and gold exceeding 300 grams. If you do not declare the amounts noted above, officials may arrest or fine you at the port of entry or exit and confiscate your currency.

states that $7,000 is the max that does not require declaration. 

This $7,000 USD figure is also repeated per the Canadian's travel website, 

http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/vietnam

Cash in excess of US$7,000, or the equivalent in any other foreign currency, must be declared upon arrival. Anyone arriving in the country with more than 300 grams of gold, including jewellery, gold bar and raw gold, must also make a declaration.

However, per the Customs official, both websites are WRONG.  The limit is $5,000 USD.  The Customs official cites the Vietnamese Circular:

15/2011/QD-NHNN of State Bank of Vietnam on bringing foreign currency and Vietnam Dong in cash when entering, leaving Vietnam: Individual entry, exit through Vietnam’s border gates by passport carrying foreign currency in cash and Vietnam Dong in cash exceed amount of money in the following provisions shall be declared with customs office at border gates: - 5,000 USD or foreign currency equivalent value. - 15,000,000 VND

I tracked down the original circular in Vietnamese from the Ministry of Justice and it reads as such:

http://moj.gov.vn/vbpq/Lists/Vn%20bn%20 … emID=26865

Điều 2. Mức ngoại tệ tiền mặt, đồng Việt Nam tiền mặt phải khai báo Hải quan cửa khẩu khi xuất cảnh, nhập cảnh

1. Cá nhân khi xuất cảnh, nhập cảnh qua các cửa khẩu quốc tế của Việt Nam bằng hộ chiếu mang theo ngoại tệ tiền mặt, đồng Việt Nam tiền mặt trên mức quy định dưới đây phải khai báo Hải quan cửa khẩu:

a) 5.000 USD (Năm nghìn Đôla Mỹ) hoặc các loại ngoại tệ khác có giá trị tương đương;

b) 15.000.000 VNĐ (Mười lăm triệu đồng Việt Nam).

google translated to English as:

Article 2. The level of foreign currency in cash, Vietnam dong in cash must declare the customs gate upon exit or entry

1. Personally when entry and exit through the gate of Vietnam by international passport carrying foreign currencies in cash, Vietnam dong in cash on the following provisions must be declared to Customs gate:

a) $ 5,000 (five thousand U.S. dollars) or other currency equivalent value;

b) VNĐ 15,000,000 (Fifteen million Vietnam dong).

As this circular was written in 2011, I would assume that both the Canadian Embassy and the US Embassy had updated information that pertains to the $7,000 figure?  If so, please provide it AND contact the Customs at the airports to inform them of the new limit.
-----
Here is the original statement from "mikeymyke" at https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=327184

Came into Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon for my upcoming wedding and before I came, I searched the net, as well as the Canada and USA official govt websites, and all indicate u can bring $7000 max without declare.  so i decide bring $7000 even.  Now when i got to customs, they said to me the limit is $5000 and even pointed to a sign outside that said so.  They then said they might have to confiscate some cash, but I said to them I got $7000 info from canada and us websites so its their fault for not updating.  then they said its my fault for not researching properly.  then i finally asked them to give me their computer so i can show where i got my info, then they said, "no no its fine, just dont bring in more than $5K next time"

The money was for the wedding by the way.   Anyway just a heads up for u guys, the "limit" is $5000
----

Please look into this matter as the correct maximum amount without declaration is needed to assist both Canadians as well as Americans entering and leaving Vietnam.  Thank you and have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,

(my real name)

glad to c u again

nana91 wrote:

glad to c u again

g8 2 c u 2.

I like the Canadian automated reply the best:


----- Original Message to HOCHI ( G) /Message d’origine à HOCHI ( G) -----
RE: Max USD allowed in Vietnam without declaration - CONFIRMATION

Thank you for your message, which will be forwarded to the appropriate division at Headquarters or Missions abroad. Disclaimer:
============================
Nous avons bien reçu votre message, qui sera transmis la direction appropriée l’Administration centrale ou dans les missions l’étranger.  Dégagement de responsabilité
-----
Disclaimer:  http://www.international.gc.ca/disclaimer.htm
Dégagement de responsabilité http://www.international.gc.ca/dispense.htm

GOL/SSC/DFAITvH10

Thank you for your recent inquiry to the U.S. Citizen Services of the Consular Section, U.S. Embassy Hanoi.

Please note that answers to the most common questions and inquiries can be found on our web-site at http://vietnam.usembassy.gov/fqa2.html.  You may also find general information on U.S. Citizen Services on the Embassy web-site at http://vietnam.usembassy.gov/service.html, or the Department of State web-site at http://travel.state.gov/ or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/usembassyhanoi.  If our website resources do not address your question, please be patient for a specific response, generally within one to five working days.


Emergencies
The American Citizen Services section provides emergency services to Americans in the event of an emergency such as a death, arrest, illness, injury, missing persons, destitution and other circumstances.  However, the types of services provided are limited. For more information on crises and emergency assistance overseas, please see the State Department website on Emergencies and Crises (http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips … _1212.html).

If you are contacting us after our normal business hours (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., GMT + 07:00 hour) regarding a life or death emergency involving the safety or security of a U.S. citizen, please call the Embassy’s emergency line at (04) 3850-5000 within Vietnam, or 011-84-4-3850-5000 from the United States.  The Embassy Duty telephone number is 090-340-1991 within Vietnam, or 011-84-90-340-1991 from the United States.

We acknowledge the receipt of your email at acshcmc@state.gov.

This is the mail-box of the American Citizen Services unit. We provide
certain services for U.S. citizens travelling to Vietnam, but not visa
applications. If you are asking about a U.S. visa you must submit your
question via the inquiry form on the Consulate's website.
For immigrant-visa question please use this link:
https://hochiminhcity2.cms.getusinfo.co … ries.html.
For non-immigrant visa inquiries, please use this link:
https://hochiminhcity2.cms.getusinfo.co … iries.html
Please do not reply to this one-time administrative e-mail. All
visa-related inquiries must be submitted via the above links for a
specific response, otherwise your questions will go unanswered.

If your e-mail concerns services for American citizens in Vietnam please
follow the corresponding link to obtain general information:
After-hour an emergency such as arrest, death, illness, missing person
please call our hotline at: (04) 3850-5000/3850-5105 within Vietnam,
or 011-84-4-3850-5000 from the U.S.
Office hours: http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/office_hours3.html
Death of an American Citizen:
http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/death_ … tizen.html
Passport application: http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/passports.html
Consular Report of Birth Abroad:
http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/report … broad.html
Notary: http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/notarials.html
Registration while you are in Vietnam:
http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/registration.html
Specific information about Vietnam:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t … _1060.html
Marriage Requirements:
http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/marria … etnam.html
Medical assistance or legal advice:
http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/medica … dvice.html
Visa to Vietnam: http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/services
For other assistance regarding services for American citizens but not
visa matters please send us an e-mail to:
acshcmc@state.gov

Thank you,

American Citizen Services Unit
Consular Section
U.S. Consulate General
4 Le Duan, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: (84-8) 3520-4200
Fax: (84-8) 3520-4231

khanh44 wrote:

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/VN-Vietnam-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm

I was going to bring $7000 too. As someone that doesn't travel regularly to Vietnam and keep up to date on what's happening in Vietnam I would think lots of people make the same assumption of $7000 being undeclared.

Carry 2K on your person, wire the rest once you get in country.

I'll just split the amount and get my parents and family members to bring in the rest.

Why not just declare it? The form is easy enough to fill out and they don't take anything above the limit. They just want to know how much your bringing into the country. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the rule when you fly into or out of any country in the world? They have limits coming in and going out, you declare what's over, do the formalities and your on the way.

They used to pass out declaration forms on the plane.  They don't anymore.  Like anyone is going to say yes, I'm carrying heroin.

ChrisFox wrote:

I came in wearing 10 lượng around my neck, and 7 lượng on my wrist, crude hastily-made "jewelry" that looked like it'd been cast in a machine shop.  Buttoned my shirt, wore long sleeves.  Passed right through.

Don't get any ideas.  It's not in my house.  I sold it all and invested in land.  Damned good thing, too, I got twice what I bought it for and have done really well on the land, too.

ChrisFox wrote:

They used to pass out declaration forms on the plane.  They don't anymore.  Like anyone is going to say yes, I'm carrying heroin.

True they used to but nowadays from what I've been told all you do is ask the attendants on the plane for one. You can still fill it out inflight.  BTW where did heroin come in to play on the OP?

Feeling lucky. I brought a crapton of electronics/camera gear and had well above the limit of VND in my pockets at the time. The official asked no questions and let me on my way. Guess it helped that I arrived well past midnight.

Budman1 wrote:

Why not just declare it? The form is easy enough to fill out and they don't take anything above the limit. They just want to know how much your bringing into the country. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the rule when you fly into or out of any country in the world? They have limits coming in and going out, you declare what's over, do the formalities and your on the way.

Yep, just so a person doesn't get any funny ideas like  'money laundering'.

"Why don't people just declare it?"  Well, old habits are hard to break. Vietnamese have been doing their best to hide their assets from the Court and local lords (Trinhs, Nguyen's, whatever) ever since the (legendary) Hung Kings. The general theory is: The more you have, the more the government can steal from you. Or extort: Don't forget Thuy Kieu's father. Even Nguyen Du warned the public.

Hey, at least the Binh Xuyen aren't running the police anymore. ANd you don't have to worry about river pirates between Vung Tau and Saigon.