Onwards flight ticket?

No need for any of the two.  Immigration hardly ever asks for return flight  ticket.
Only one member once posted on forum, he was asked to show a return ticket.
If they ask just tell them you'll go to Cambodia by bus.

In my experience, nothing like this has ever happened. Just have your money ready for the stamping fee, a photo and fill in the form. There's a sign saying it must be filled in completely, but it seems that's not the case. Once the visa has been put into your passport, you still need to join the queue and get your entry stamp.

Is this your first trip? I think you'll find that VN is somewhat different from Thailand.

robsamui wrote:

Hi - can you tell me please, if I turn up at HCMC with a letter of approval for a 3-month tourist visa, if they will want to see evidence of either either financial support (money) or an onwards flight ticket?

If they need to see an onwards ticket, can I show it on my phone, or should I print it out?

Thanks.

One more vote for no (based on my one experience last August, with a one way ticket).

Very important, at your departing Airport, they will very likely keep you from boarding your plane if you don't have a physical copy of the Visa approval letter, and enough time to cover the visa on your passport.

In San Diego, I had to leave all luggage with skycaps, go into the terminal, and have my approval letter for a 1 Year DN Business visa and my passport validated by a supervisor, even though I have a known traveler number.

johnross23 -

Thanks for the info on arrival procedure.

Hmmm, yes. Very different, as I am discovering

In Thailand people's command of English is so poor that there are totally separate Thai and expats' Facebook groups, whereas the Vietnam expats' groups are 50-50 mixed. In just one month I have attracted some quite aggressive responses from English-speaking Vietnamese men, most of whom have misunderstood my posts and replies.

(In one group I politely put a one-liner in there and asked people to please read my post and not reply if they were trying to sell condo rentals on the beach . (I had asked if anyone had a  house inland on the river and got a barrage of unthinking replies from young people trying to get commission from renting beach places.) One Viet guy was subsequently quite unpleasant, calling me a rude name, and ended by telling not to be so bossy.)

I was thinking of going to Vietnam to live (I am retired now) but I am now reconsidering my options. I have been living in a tourist area of Thailand for 22 years and never once encountered this kind of unpleasantness from Thai men (or women). The irritating thing is that although the Viet (men) who have been replying to the Facebook posts can speak English, they don't understand the nuances and seem very quick to take offence. (One 18 year-old messaged me and said when I came he would track me down and kill me. Really! Not a happy prospect. And the reply I had written was, in Western terms, quite a normal response and was non-confrontational - or so I thought!)

So now I'm thinking about other places to look at. Ho hum.

double post - apologies - please delete.

robsamui wrote:

johnross23 -

Thanks for the info on arrival procedure.

Hmmm, yes. Very different, as I am discovering

In Thailand people's command of English is so poor that there are totally separate Thai and expats' Facebook groups, whereas the Vietnam expats' groups are 50-50 mixed. In just one month I have attracted some quite aggressive responses from English-speaking Vietnamese men, most of whom have misunderstood my posts and replies.

(In one group I politely put a one-liner in there and asked people to please read my post and not reply if they were trying to sell condo rentals on the beach . (I had asked if anyone had a  house inland on the river and got a barrage of unthinking replies from young people trying to get commission from renting beach places.) One Viet guy was subsequently quite unpleasant, calling me a rude name, and ended by telling not to be so bossy.)

I was thinking of going to Vietnam to live (I am retired now) but I am now reconsidering my options. I have been living in a tourist area of Thailand for 22 years and never once encountered this kind of unpleasantness from Thai men (or women). The irritating thing is that although the Viet (men) who have been replying to the Facebook posts can speak English, they don't understand the nuances and seem very quick to take offence. (One 18 year-old messaged me and said when I came he would track me down and kill me. Really! Not a happy prospect. And the reply I had written was, in Western terms, quite a normal response and was non-confrontational - or so I thought!)

So now I'm thinking about other places to look at. Ho hum.

If I were you, I wouldn't come to Vietnam.

Cheers!

Hmmm, yes. Very different, as I am discovering

Well, your online experiences are quite unfortunate; however, I was trying to compare VN favourably to TL in terms of immigration, visa situation, cost of living, economic progress and development, political stability and the positive attitude toward foreigners of the majority. Of course, you can make a long list of negatives in VN as well. In many ways, Thailand is better.

If you have never been here, then maybe a one-month visa might be enough for a short trip to get a feel for the place by visiting at least a couple of different places/regions. No one should move without checking it out first. Not sure if the 15-days visa free option is still available.

Anyway, having lived in Bangkok and environs, Phnom Penh and Vientiane, living at the beach in Viet Nam seems to be the best option for me. It's not perfect (far from it), but what place is?

johnross23 wrote:

Hmmm, yes. Very different, as I am discovering

Well, your online experiences are quite unfortunate; however, I was trying to compare VN favourably to TL in terms of immigration, visa situation, cost of living, economic progress and development, political stability and the positive attitude toward foreigners of the majority.

Chuckle - yes of course . . . all of these things are the reason(s) I had chosen to move to Vnam. The observations I made about the Vnam men came as a surprise addendum.

If you have never been here, then maybe a one-month visa might be enough for a short trip to get a feel for the place by visiting at least a couple of different places/regions. No one should move without checking it out first. Not sure if the 15-days visa free option is still available.

Quite agree. My plan is to come to HCM city to absorb the bustle for a week, then head south and hop between AirBnbs for a week or so in each

Anyway, having lived in Bangkok and environs, Phnom Penh and Vientiane, living at the beach in Viet Nam seems to be the best option for me. It's not perfect (far from it), but what place is?

What are the beach locations like in the Vũng Tàu, Ba Ria - Vung Tau area, do you know? On the beach would be nice but no doubt in demand and expensive - I don't mind being a km inland.

"What are the beach locations like in the Vũng Tàu, Ba Ria - Vung Tau area, do you know? On the beach would be nice but no doubt in demand and expensive - I don't mind being a km inland."

Depends what you call expensive.

Take my advice & give Vung Tau a miss.

n1tw1t wrote:

Take my advice & give Vung Tau a miss.

Can you elaborate a bit?

Just saying give it a miss without any reasons seems pointless.

Vung Tau is not a beach resort like you might expect, its like Vietnams version of the English resort of Blackpool. Its where Vietnamese from Saigon go for 1 or 2 days stay, no more & go home. The beach is littered with plastic & half eaten food. If you have never been here you will get a shock I think even compared to the worst of Thai beaches like Pattaya Vung Tau is worse & compared to the best beach resorts in Thailand on a rate of 1 to 10 it rates a 1. My advice for what its worth head further North to Da Nang area.

n1tw1t 's description of Vung Tau above is quite accurate. As a result, the vast majority of international tourists shun the place and those few who do find themselves in VT leave after a day or two.

The town is somewhat comparable to Cha-am/Hua Hin, as a fishing village with a long stretch of sand close to the big city where they decided to build a bunch of hotels and condos, the main difference being that VT is located on a narrow peninsula with several low mountains.

With the surplus accommodation, rental costs are fairly low, around 6 mil vnd/250 usd/200 gbp (1 BR furnished) and up (and lower as well).  So, there are plenty of retirees/pensioners, a bunch of ETs (English teachers), some oil workers, some restaurant/bar owners and a few Russians, etc. As mentioned above, on certain weekends, the place is packed with Saigonese.

Also, because VT "is a resort city that has a lot of bars", some people get the idea that it is "kind of like Pattaya", a notion which is quite laughable.

johnross23 wrote:

n1tw1t 's description of Vung Tau above is quite accurate. As a result, the vast majority of international tourists shun the place and those few who do find themselves in VT leave after a day or two.

The town is somewhat comparable to Cha-am/Hua Hin, as a fishing village with a long stretch of sand close to the big city where they decided to build a bunch of hotels and condos, the main difference being that VT is located on a narrow peninsula with several low mountains.

With the surplus accommodation, rental costs are fairly low, around 6 mil vnd/250 usd/200 gbp (1 BR furnished) and up (and lower as well).  So, there are plenty of retirees/pensioners, a bunch of ETs (English teachers), some oil workers, some restaurant/bar owners and a few Russians, etc. As mentioned above, on certain weekends, the place is packed with Saigonese.

Also, because VT "is a resort city that has a lot of bars", some people get the idea that it is "kind of like Pattaya", a notion which is quite laughable.

Mate do you really think VT is like Hua Hin as a comparison?

OP didn't say he was looking for a resort, Mr Kranky. I like Vung Tau. I'm glad it isn't some chic resort. I like the slower pace, wide roads, light traffic, fishing boats. I'm glad it isn't Hua Hin or Pattaya. It reminds me more of Cha Am, with more hotels, if we're using Thailand for reference. @Robsamui might like to visit.

Refer to what OceanBeach92107 replied.

I’ve been to VN 3 times this last year...my last trip I wasn’t exactly sure how long I would be staying maybe 3 or 4 or 5 months. Even though VN doesn’t require onward travel (because they date stamp your passport on travel visa and write a date of 90 days from entry that you must leave) I booked on open ended return flight. The airlines will not let you board the plane if you don’t have a return ticket of some kind. “In recent years, most countries have passed the responsibility onto the airlines entering their country to enforce these laws. That means that before you board your flight, the airline will ask for proof of an onward ticket”

The airlines does not want to incur the cost of getting you out of the country. One of my friends went online and booked a bus ticket from HCMC to Pnom Penh and they accepted that. It was a bus ticket he was never intending to use and cost him I think 15USD

As memntioned above, it's not so much immigration that's the worry but pedantic ground crew who will deny you boarding that's the concern. A paper printout from www.bookmebus.com for a $10 bus ticket to Phnom Penh that you can discard later is your cheapest choice and will allow you to board.

DirtyPierre wrote:

As memntioned above, it's not so much immigration that's the worry but pedantic ground crew who will deny you boarding that's the concern. A paper printout from www.bookmebus.com for a $10 bus ticket to Phnom Penh that you can discard later is your cheapest choice and will allow you to board.

Yah that’s the place where my buddy bought his buss ticket which he never used...and he got it from that website

Thanks for all the replies.
Since which time I've discovered that you can also "rent" an onwards flight ticket for $9.99. (valid for 48 hrs)
https://onwardfly.com/en/

Texan71 wrote:

Refer to what OceanBeach92107 replied.

I’ve been to VN 3 times this last year...my last trip I wasn’t exactly sure how long I would be staying maybe 3 or 4 or 5 months. Even though VN doesn’t require onward travel (because they date stamp your passport on travel visa and write a date of 90 days from entry that you must leave) I booked on open ended return flight. The airlines will not let you board the plane if you don’t have a return ticket of some kind. “In recent years, most countries have passed the responsibility onto the airlines entering their country to enforce these laws. That means that before you board your flight, the airline will ask for proof of an onward ticket”

The airlines does not want to incur the cost of getting you out of the country. One of my friends went online and booked a bus ticket from HCMC to Pnom Penh and they accepted that. It was a bus ticket he was never intending to use and cost him I think 15USD

Maybe be specific about which airline did this?

I flew Delta to Incheon and Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi last August.

Not a peep about needing an onwards ticket.

Of course, I was (am) on a one year business visa (category DN - US Citizen) so it might be that they are only hassling those on a tourist visa.

senwl wrote:

No need for any of the two.  Immigration hardly ever asks for return flight  ticket.
Only one member once posted on forum, he was asked to show a return ticket.
If they ask just tell them, you'll go to Cambodia by bus.

I don't agree at this point, and I saw when I was waiting in the counter the officer asked many tourists who come to Vietnam to show there return tickets. If you do not speak Vietnamese, then it's better to bring your onwards ticket or something to show that you will go out of the country.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

Texan71 wrote:

Refer to what OceanBeach92107 replied.

I’ve been to VN 3 times this last year...my last trip I wasn’t exactly sure how long I would be staying maybe 3 or 4 or 5 months. Even though VN doesn’t require onward travel (because they date stamp your passport on travel visa and write a date of 90 days from entry that you must leave) I booked on open ended return flight. The airlines will not let you board the plane if you don’t have a return ticket of some kind. “In recent years, most countries have passed the responsibility onto the airlines entering their country to enforce these laws. That means that before you board your flight, the airline will ask for proof of an onward ticket”

The airlines does not want to incur the cost of getting you out of the country. One of my friends went online and booked a bus ticket from HCMC to Pnom Penh and they accepted that. It was a bus ticket he was never intending to use and cost him I think 15USD

Maybe be specific about which airline did this?

I flew Delta to Incheon and Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi last August.

Not a peep about needing an onwards ticket.

Of course, I was (am) on a one year business visa (category DN - US Citizen) so it might be that they are only hassling those on a tourist visa.

EVA air from Houston to HCMC with stop in Taiwan

Almost any airlines leaving the US for international travel to various countries require round trip

“Basically, some countries want to make sure you aren’t attempting to move there on a tourist visa and never leave. It happens all the time here in the United States, and other countries too.

They are trying to prevent illegal immigration.

Government officials need to see proof that you plan on flying out, respecting the rules of their tourist visa. They want proof of onward travel to another destination.”

My brother just flew into VN 5 days ago on a one-way ticket, this is about the 6th time he has done it.

Immigration doesn't care whether you have an onward ticket or not, it's the airline agents who do.  We've never, ever been asked about returned tickets by Immigration -- and we go through it easily a dozen times each year.

OTOH, airline checked-in agents have always asked whether we had visa (no ticket agent wanted to go through our passports trying to find our visa among pages filled with stamps.  It even took Immigration at least 5 minutes each time to find it.)  As soon as I said "Yes, it's for 5 years", they were satisfied.

What Immigration in Vietnam asked me, and only me, not my husband, each and every time, was my place of birth (the city, not the country as it shows on the passport.)  I've wanted to know the reason behind this different treatment but didn't want to linger as those agents were not known for being warm or friendly.

Texan71 wrote:

Almost any airlines leaving the US for international travel to various countries require round trip

not in my experiences.  I have flown multiple airlines out of the USA 50+ times in the past 5 years and not 1 airline has asked for a return ticket and yes, most of those flights were 1 way tickets.  All they asked was proof of Visa or VOA authorization.

I was called out several times at the transfer airports, had to show my visa and was asked where my return ticket is.

Since I often booked multiple destination flights or single flights with different airlines, the airlines did not have the required information.

My last trip was one-way both ways. I had no problem whatsoever.

I was able to find tickets from DFW to SGN and SGN to DFW for less than $400 both ways by flying one-way.

I used a visa-on-arrival on the DFW to SGN leg. I did have to show my approval letter for the Chicago to Shanghai leg of the trip.

My only problem with the VOA was someone looted my luggage while I was waiting for the VOA to be processed.

vndreamer wrote:

Texan71 wrote:

Almost any airlines leaving the US for international travel to various countries require round trip

All they asked was proof of Visa or VOA authorization.

What kind of Visa do you hold?  Is it a VEC or other extended visa.  I think if you showed up with a 90 day single entry tourist visa, maybe not all but most airlines would demand a round trip ticket or firm proof of an exit plan such as a ticket on another airline.

Granted, things may have changed but when I entered Vietnam in 2012 on a 90 day, like Texan71 I could not find an airline that would sell me a one-way.  I believe, as he said, the airline liability per international agreement to haul you out is the reason and not VN immigration policy.  I wish I had known about the bus ticket site in 2012 as I forfeited half my ticket.  That is a good one to bookmark on your computer.  However, it is worth remembering that often one-ways cost nearly as much as round trips.  If making the big move as I was, excess baggage policy can also be a factor.  Just figure the bottom line either way.

Right after 9/11, one-way tickets were difficult to buy. Terrorists only need a one-way ticket.

Travel changed forever on that day from a chore to a royal pain-in-the-ass.

THIGV wrote:

vndreamer wrote:

Texan71 wrote:

Almost any airlines leaving the US for international travel to various countries require round trip

All they asked was proof of Visa or VOA authorization.

What kind of Visa do you hold?  Is it a VEC or other extended visa.  I think if you showed up with a 90 day single entry tourist visa, maybe not all but most airlines would demand a round trip ticket or firm proof of an exit plan such as a ticket on another airline.

Granted, things may have changed but when I entered Vietnam in 2012 on a 90 day, like Texan71 I could not find an airline that would sell me a one-way.  I believe, as he said, the airline liability per international agreement to haul you out is the reason and not VN immigration policy.  I wish I had known about the bus ticket site in 2012 as I forfeited half my ticket.  That is a good one to bookmark on your computer.  However, it is worth remembering that often one-ways cost nearly as much as round trips.  If making the big move as I was, excess baggage policy can also be a factor.  Just figure the bottom line either way.

100% of all Visas were tourist visas.  In the beginning, I was getting the 90 multiple entry visas and once they started with the annual visas, i got the annual tourist visas. 

I do not know if this is an answer, but I have global entry, which had my known traveler id on every reservation and always flew first class or business class.  In addition, I had the highest status in Star Alliance (when you fly as much as i did, it did not take long get that status).  I almost always found the best deals, either purchase or miles, with one way tickets.  Most of my trips were with ANA, but I have flown with many other airlines in the star alliance group and was never asked about a return ticket, not even with TRANSFERS. 

This was a typical experience.  I would book a 1 way ticket from the USA to VN and 1 way ticket from VN to USA and not always the same airlines, but always with Star Alliance carriers.   I would show up at the USA airport, usually Dulles, go to the first class check in, they would ask for my passport and visa or VOA letter, nothing more,  then give me my boarding pass and off I went to the turkish airline lounge because they had real food and free alcohol.

I always had to transfer as there are no direct flights to Saigon.  I usually transferred in Narita or HK.  Narita was the best, there is an express lane for passengers with status to go through the transfer checkpoint and never was a line, i walked right through, only asked to see my boarding pass for the next flight.  I would go straight to the ANA lounge, take a shower, eat some good sushi and drink some saki.  If i stopped in HK, the process was similar, but the line for transfers was usually longer and I would go to Singapore Airline lounge, got to know the bartenders well because i was there so often.  Again, nobody asked for a return ticket.

When I arrived in VN, if my visa was already in hand, I went straight to immigration, never asked a question.  If i had the VOA letter, would stop at their window, pay the fee, get my visa and go to immigration.  Again, nobody asked for a return ticket.

I also traveled east from the USA to VN via Germany, Bankgog and Seoul.  All experiences were the same, not 1 agent ever asked about a return ticket.  They just wanted to see my visa and current boarding pass.

The flights I am talking about are from 2013 to 2018

vndreamer wrote:

I do not know if this is an answer, but I have global entry, which had my known traveler id on every reservation and always flew first class or business class.  In addition, I had the highest status in Star Alliance (when you fly as much as i did, it did not take long get that status).

Ya think that could be it?     You are operating in the stratosphere while the rest of us are still on the tarmac.  As has been stated, this is an airline thing, not an immigration thing, and you are a favored customer. 

For the rest of us peons (just joking/not bitter  ) it sounds like DirtyPierre's terrific bus ticket to Cambodia website is the way to go.  They don't seem to have departures from Hanoi but, if you are arriving there, you should still be able to convince the airline agents that you are departing through HCMC.  The site that the OP robsamui found where you "rent" an airline ticket may work just as well but somehow it seems a little spooky to me.  Let us all know if it works.

@thigv - i know how lucky i was and my employer let me amass a ton of benefits.  I was fortunate in that I knew well in advance of most trips so I made sure I could have some amazing traveling adventures.  Yes, before all this started, I hated to fly, could not stand it.  But once I got status and knew how to get the benefits, it all changed.  I actually enjoy flying, would get to the airport early and looked forward to 12 and 14 hour flights.  Trust me, I appreciate all of it and take nothing for granted. 

You know you fly to much when you get on a trans pacific flight and as you pass the cockpit door, the pilot stops you and says, "I know and recognize you because you have been on my flights before and that is scary."