Visa for Australians

Not available right now, however, it may change. Only US passport holders can receive a one year business or tourist visa.

Safepeter wrote:

No, I'm not looking to get married to a VN lady just to obtain a long-term residency visa.

I'm definitely NOT well informed  about Aussie visas, but you might want to read this sticky thread:

Obtaining an Investor TRC

Thanks sgndep and OceanBeach. Any info is good. I shall sit and hope changes come soon.

Foreigners bring a lot of money to the local economies, you would think for a country like Australia they would make 6 month and 12 months visa an easy thing to get ! Instead they make you leave the country every 3 months ? A few years ago though getting an extension was as easy as seeing your local travel agent, paying $50 and picking up your passport 2 weeks later.

That would be great Panda7. Today a visa extension is nearly the same as a flight out and back.

Yes but fortunately flights are very cheap now. Its probably cheaper to go on a small trip and come back than get rorted by a travel agent.

Another thing Aussies get stiffed on is there is no International Drivers License. So unless you have a Vietnamese one you are not covered by Australian insurers. You can transfer your Aussie license to Vietnamese for a fee which is what you need if you tick the scooter / motorbike cover on an Australian insurers form. To be covered by Aussie insurers though you have to have the relevant license in Australia (eg automatic motorbike to 250cc) which transfers to your Vietnamese one.

Also I don't think they cover you on a Grab bike (with just general insurance). That said they are more dangerous than if you drove carefully yourself

panda7 wrote:

Another thing Aussies get stiffed on is there is no International Drivers License. So unless you have a Vietnamese one you are not covered by Australian insurers.

You speak as if the IDL restricts only Australian while allowing visitors from other countries the full privilege.

Ciambella wrote:

panda7 wrote:

Another thing Aussies get stiffed on is there is no International Drivers License. So unless you have a Vietnamese one you are not covered by Australian insurers.

You speak as if the IDL restricts only Australian while allowing visitors from other countries full privilege.

A lot of countries can get the IDL, Australia can't. Stuff like this needs to be sorted out as many Australians travelling here are not covered by insurance when they hire a bike or catch a Grab.

panda7 wrote:

A lot of countries can get the IDL, Australia can't. Stuff like this needs to be sorted out as many Australians travelling here are not covered by insurance when they hire a bike or catch a Grab.

Only citizens of the countries that signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic can.  USA, Canada, Australia, and China were some of the non-signatory countries, therefore their citizens can't use IDL.  That makes perfect sense to me.

I have ridden with Grab drivers that are very good and I have ridden with a few that were apparently Kamikaze pilots in a previous incarnation.

yes it’s pot luck...

Thanks Guys,
Yeah, I'm aware about the IDL bit and Grab bikes. I have used a couple of Grab bikes in HCM and one was great the led to a few drinks shortly getting off the bike.
I am researching the license side of things at the moment. I have an unrestricted Heavy (Tractor/Trailer or Semi) license unrestricted car, motor bike and boat licenses.
I'm kind of hoping that it is possible to convert these to a VN car and unrestricted bike license.
I will be returning to VN late this month, very early Oct and coming in via SGN, so a night or two in HMC is no problem to get the license.
Any advice very much appreciated.

Safepeter wrote:

Thanks Guys,
Yeah, I'm aware about the IDL bit and Grab bikes. I have used a couple of Grab bikes in HCM and one was great the led to a few drinks shortly getting off the bike.
I am researching the license side of things at the moment. I have an unrestricted Heavy (Tractor/Trailer or Semi) license unrestricted car, motor bike and boat licenses.
I'm kind of hoping that it is possible to convert these to a VN car and unrestricted bike license.
I will be returning to VN late this month, very early Oct and coming in via SGN, so a night or two in HMC is no problem to get the license.
Any advice very much appreciated.

whatever is on your Aussie license is transferred, it can take about 2 weeks to submit and get your new one back though. The best thing is to get a few quotes...

Thanks Panda7. Will start hunting around.
Cheers

Do you have to leave the country after the end of the 3 months?
How long is an extension?
Can I use a visa agency to get a second 3- month visa, or do I have to get another letter of invitation and leave the country and return?
I beleive I am in the same boat as the OP being Canadian, and I am a little unclear on the 3- month tourist visa. And how this can be used longer term.

It's been a while since I renewed one but from what I can tell now you can extend through an agent a couple of times but it is very expensive (ie they are ripping you off). Alternatively you can leave the country and come back in which is a cheaper option. Moc Bai can be done in half a day for $60 or for the price of renewal through an agent you could take a couple of days side trip in another Asian country. You get visa on arrival letter online for about $30.

Thank u to clear things up.