Getting one of the last flight tickets but cannot go anyway?

As things stand now, if you have a ticket you can travel to the airport.

Who knows what the situation will be next month?

I you do decide to buy a ticket, buy it directly from the airline - if you buy from a 3rd party, all communication has to go through them; the airline will not communicate with you. If you can, buy a refundable ticket.

cruisemonkey wrote:

As things stand now, if you have a ticket you can travel to the airport.

Who knows what the situation will be next month?

I you do decide to buy a ticket, buy it directly from the airline - if you buy from a 3rd party, all communication has to go through them; the airline will not communicate with you. If you can, buy a refundable ticket.

Excellent advice, as I understand the directive about "essential" travel, especially the point about actually having a ticket purchased.

Specifically, it's likely wise to have a paper printout of any electronic ticket.

Never a good idea to hand your mobile device to an 'authority' if you can avoid it.

So have more than 1 paper copy, as the person who stops you may want to keep one as a CYA record of why you were allowed to proceed (SWAG).

Also, if asked, probably best to say you are specifically traveling to Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport.

Don't give them room to think you might be planning a detour along the way (even if you are...maybe to locate a pharmacy 😉)

Ok, great answers and advice...I think you are correct of course...essential travel it is.
Also keeping several copies of travel itenary/ticket is a good idea.
Have had so many ideas spinning around in my head right now so it is difficult to think straight.

I think I will try to get a refundable ticket with my current travel agency if they still offer it during these timeswhich they really should. It costs $50 extra but then I can ask for a refund just 3 hours before takeoff, and I get it without having to have an excuse.

What I have understood is that they have closed the trains and buses between cities so if I eventually have to go myself that seems to be a big problem. Not exactly rich now. Hopefully Vietjet will fly again after the 15th as they have listed tickets from the 16th and forward. My idea is to travel at least 3-4 days before my flight to give me a chance to find alternative ways if the first attempt doesnt work. And if all goes well I can rest in Ho Chi Min a few days hoping my ticket wont be cancelled!

I will go over the information more to see what they say about what will happen after the 15th...if they will continue with this or if everything will open up again?

In my case the travel agency is very responsive and seems to be a great option for communicating.

Maybe you should ask HCMC authorities about staying there a few days before flying.  If you don't go directly from your transport to the airport, could that cause a problem, for example quarantine?

paulmsn wrote:

Maybe you should ask HCMC authorities about staying there a few days before flying.  If you don't go directly from your transport to the airport, could that cause a problem, for example quarantine?

Yes, there are so many things that could happen and rules that would probably create more problems than solutions. That is why this is so incredibly difficult to decide and all the Swedish emergency line told me was: go to the website all answers are there! And that was after near no time of me speaking about the situation.

I wanted possibly help with getting a statement from them so that I could get reasonable Visa fee instead of the super high fees of $320-$480 for extended Visa. 3 months  of Visa paid and then broke homeless in Vietnam, not looking good at all right now. I would rather be broke in my own country so that I could move in with a family member.

mix624 wrote:

I wanted possibly help with getting a statement from them so that I could get reasonable Visa fee instead of the super high fees of $320-$480 for extended Visa.

You are wasting your time if you are trying to get help from your country to get the cost of a visa extension lowered.  They have no jurisdiction here so there is absolutely nothing they CAN do on that problem.  You are here in the country so you are beholden to the Vietnamese government and visa agents here.

SteinNebraska wrote:

mix624 wrote:

I wanted possibly help with getting a statement from them so that I could get reasonable Visa fee instead of the super high fees of $320-$480 for extended Visa.

You are wasting your time if you are trying to get help from your country to get the cost of a visa extension lowered.  They have no jurisdiction here so there is absolutely nothing they CAN do on that problem.  You are here in the country so you are beholden to the Vietnamese government and visa agents here.

True, but it might be handy to have something official-looking to wave at the green goons en route to the airport. Perhaps provincial plod isn't likely to want to get mixed up in foreign embassy business. Any excuse to pass the buck...

@OP, as far as I know, there are still trains running from Nha Trang to HCM, but only two per day. At least, this was true according to my gf's inquiries on my behalf on the 2nd April. If needs be, you can just camp at the airport for a day or two. But I'm sure you'll be able to find some nearby hotel to stay in. My own situation and plans are running along a very similar track to your own haha.

I can afford the outrageous visa extension price but am loath to pay it  and I need to get back to Londonistan if I can for reasons that have nothing to do with the flu.

Brick23 wrote:

SteinNebraska wrote:

mix624 wrote:

I wanted possibly help with getting a statement from them so that I could get reasonable Visa fee instead of the super high fees of $320-$480 for extended Visa.

You are wasting your time if you are trying to get help from your country to get the cost of a visa extension lowered.  They have no jurisdiction here so there is absolutely nothing they CAN do on that problem.  You are here in the country so you are beholden to the Vietnamese government and visa agents here.

True, but it might be handy to have something official-looking to wave at the green goons en route to the airport. Perhaps provincial plod isn't likely to want to get mixed up in foreign embassy business. Any excuse to pass the buck...

@OP, as far as I know, there are still trains running from Nha Trang to HCM, but only two per day. At least, this was true according to my gf's inquiries on my behalf on the 2nd April. If needs be, you can just camp at the airport for a day or two. But I'm sure you'll be able to find some nearby hotel to stay in. My own situation and plans are running along a very similar track to your own haha.

I can afford the outrageous visa extension price but am loath to pay it  and I need to get back to Londonistan if I can for reasons that have nothing to do with the flu.

Under Vietnamese law, a tourist visa must be sponsored by a travel agent or tour operator.

From March 30 to April 30, they have amended this requirement for foreigners 'stuck' in Vietnam due the COVID-19 crisis to allow embassies and consulate generals to sponsor citizens of their country for an extension of an expiring tourist visa. If your embassy/consulate general will agree to sponsor you (it seems very few will), you assemble:
- Passport / Other travel documents equivalent to a passport;
- Application form (form NA5 according to the Ministry of Public Security's Circular number 04/2015 / TT-BCA dated January 05, 2015, stamped with the Embassy's or Consulate General's Seal) http://www.udn.vn/app/webroot/upload/files/NA5_Form.pdf
- Documents proving temporary residence declaration (from local police) and health declaration.
Go to Immigration, pay USD $10 and they will make a determination within 5 working days.

Perhaps people should have takin the advice from their governments, and left when they were advised to.
Now they wouldn't be in the predicament they are now facing.
I have friends in Philippines and Vietnam that assured me I was panicking when I left. That there was nothing wrong,
Sitting in Canada now I can assure them I made the correct decision by returning home.
They are questioning their decisions now!

Yes very good decision to back home...till the situation will return to normal...

mix624 wrote:

Ok, great answers and advice...I think you are correct of course...essential travel it is.
Also keeping several copies of travel itenary/ticket is a good idea.
Have had so many ideas spinning around in my head right now so it is difficult to think straight.

I think I will try to get a refundable ticket with my current travel agency if they still offer it during these timeswhich they really should. It costs $50 extra but then I can ask for a refund just 3 hours before takeoff, and I get it without having to have an excuse.

What I have understood is that they have closed the trains and buses between cities so if I eventually have to go myself that seems to be a big problem. Not exactly rich now. Hopefully Vietjet will fly again after the 15th as they have listed tickets from the 16th and forward. My idea is to travel at least 3-4 days before my flight to give me a chance to find alternative ways if the first attempt doesnt work. And if all goes well I can rest in Ho Chi Min a few days hoping my ticket wont be cancelled!

I will go over the information more to see what they say about what will happen after the 15th...if they will continue with this or if everything will open up again?

In my case the travel agency is very responsive and seems to be a great option for communicating.

All the reports coming out of Ho Chi Minh City are making it sound like a nightmare to go there.

I would think the best option would be to fly down on the same day as your departure flight, planning to never leave the airport.

It sounds as if they are going to have some quick testing available for all arrivals.

If you pass the test then it sounds as if you will be allowed to go to your departure flight.

If not, it's 14 days quarantine from everything I'm reading.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

If not, it's 14 days quarantine from everything I'm reading.

I REALLY hope this requirement goes away the 15th if the other restrictions get eased as well.

SteinNebraska wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

If not, it's 14 days quarantine from everything I'm reading.

I REALLY hope this requirement goes away the 15th if the other restrictions get eased as well.

I'm with you on that.

I think many people are avoiding reporting mild illness from fear of being locked up for 2 weeks

I think that they will keep this requirements for few weeks more till the situation in Europe & USA will be better (less cases & deaths).

SteinNebraska wrote:

I REALLY hope this requirement goes away the 15th if the other restrictions get eased as well.

The National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention will convene a meeting on Monday (April 13) to discuss whether to extend the social distancing duration, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, chief of the committee, said on Friday.

The committee will then tender a proposal to the prime minister for final approval, Deputy PM Dam added.

2 weeks more...

The Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control met today (April 13) and has opined -

"The social distancing rule, imposed by the Government since April 1, will affect people and businesses but it is necessary to be extended in order to protect public health, the Committee members agreed."

No word yet from the Prime Minister.

http://news.chinhphu.vn/Home/VN-needs-t … /39684.vgp

I'm in the same situation.
The point is that you have to have a kind of proof that you are allowed to travel to HCMC. Where do I get that?

RealPommy wrote:

I'm in the same situation.
The point is that you have to have a kind of proof that you are allowed to travel to HCMC. Where do I get that?

(See the following quoted posts previously posted in this thread)

Basically, have a paper copy of your flight ticket to show any authorities and travel as close to the date of your flight as possible.

Remember, the restriction against travel is for all but "essential" needs.

Don't plan a long layover or detour that will indicate you might be up to "non-essential" travel.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

cruisemonkey wrote:

As things stand now, if you have a ticket you can travel to the airport.

Who knows what the situation will be next month?

I you do decide to buy a ticket, buy it directly from the airline - if you buy from a 3rd party, all communication has to go through them; the airline will not communicate with you. If you can, buy a refundable ticket.

Excellent advice, as I understand the directive about "essential" travel, especially the point about actually having a ticket purchased.

Specifically, it's likely wise to have a paper printout of any electronic ticket.

Never a good idea to hand your mobile device to an 'authority' if you can avoid it.

So have more than 1 paper copy, as the person who stops you may want to keep one as a CYA record of why you were allowed to proceed (SWAG).

Also, if asked, probably best to say you are specifically traveling to Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport.

Don't give them room to think you might be planning a detour along the way (even if you are...maybe to locate a pharmacy 😉)

Thanks

Two weeks ? 😭

From March 30 to April 30, they have amended this requirement for foreigners 'stuck' in Vietnam due the COVID-19 crisis to allow embassies and consulate generals to sponsor citizens of their country for an extension of an expiring tourist visa. If your embassy/consulate general will agree to sponsor you (it seems very few will)

Two hopes of the UK embassy sponsoring you.. Bob Hope and No Hope.

I asked and they basically said go back to immigration who are closed.. bit like my last visit when I was helpfully told come back on the 20th which was yesterday.. still closed.

So looks like a costly visa extension for me, all for the sake of a 10USD stamp.

I shopped around and the figures are all high,, but more worryingly some agents didn't know what a VEC was... 🤔 So this now leaves me with which agent is genuine.. which one knows what they are doing..

So if and when the immigration opens next, back I go.. ask for extension... Knowing full well that after another thirty days if things haven't improved I'll be going back for another extension. Daft.... Same date stamp would solve my situation completely for 6 months.

Option to apply for TRC... But they are not accepting applications at present.

Red tape central...

Can still get a flight back to the UK, sure price is a little higher and usually indirect, but this looks like the best option