Some Visa Extensions Discontinued

paulmsn wrote:

"...If you are working here, you should do work permit ASAP to make sure that can stay here longer. Otherwise, must leave VN soon".

It seems like an odd time to do so, considering COVID, but could this be the hidden agenda?  We often see assertions that well over half of English teachers in the country don't bother to or can't get work permits.  Maybe this could be a way to sort that out, or at least kill two birds with one stone while getting rid of retirees unwanted by the government.

THIGV wrote:

paulmsn wrote:

"...If you are working here, you should do work permit ASAP to make sure that can stay here longer. Otherwise, must leave VN soon".

It seems like an odd time to do so, considering COVID, but could this be the hidden agenda?  We often see assertions that well over half of English teachers in the country don't bother to or can't get work permits.  Maybe this could be a way to sort that out, or at least kill two birds with one stone while getting rid of retirees unwanted by the government.

I don’t “teach” or need to work here, but I recently read an article that there’s over 500 unlicensed English schools in Saigon alone.   And that’s only what they could find.

A lot of the “teachers” that work there likely don’t have work permits( which the school has to organise)  & are paid under the table.
The schools likely don’t pay Tax either.   

And guess who operate these schools......usually the wives of cops & relatives of Govt staff.  It’s a good side hustle $$$ for them.   When the throw the “teachers” out , the school will either close or need to actually employ Qualified staff legally , pay tax & comply with all the red tape.    Then you’ve got the Visa agent “bag men” not meeting Immigration staff in Cafes to share the cash from inflated visa fees.

Let’s see what happens......do they keep taking the black money , or clean up their act.

Coffee money is the root of the problems here.   You can do anything you like provided you grease some palms.  It works well until the next bloke up the ladder says you can’t........then sticks his hand out for cash😆

Problem is....when you pay “overs” to a Visa agent ,who we assume is Govt licensed , and they tell you everything’s in order with your Visa ......and later on ,,,” Houston we have a problem” 😆.  You can’t believe anyone here , we all know that , the world knows that .   VN has a bad reputation for a reason & given the mindset here , sadly I can’t see that ever changing.    I often wonder what future awaits the young kids here . 

However , as a self funded retiree It’s a good life , I enjoy it here, BUT  you’ve got to have a plan B.   I’ve lived here on a very small percentage of my foreign income for over 10 years.   It’s been great, since you can’t OWN anything here , it’s hard to spend money.   Apart from an old bike to get around on , I don’t buy anything that won’t fit in a suitcase because you never know when it’s time to go.   I spend more on flights & hotels on my  90 day VISA runs , than I do actually living here.   But for 15 months I’ve been sitting on the beach waiting for travel to resume.....saved some cash there eh..😆

Provided you accept the uncertain tenure of being here & enjoy it while it lasts & have a plan B , alls good. 

Just for good measure....have a plan C as well.

Ontheroad57 wrote:

THIGV wrote:

paulmsn wrote:

"...If you are working here, you should do work permit ASAP to make sure that can stay here longer. Otherwise, must leave VN soon".

It seems like an odd time to do so, considering COVID, but could this be the hidden agenda?  We often see assertions that well over half of English teachers in the country don't bother to or can't get work permits.  Maybe this could be a way to sort that out, or at least kill two birds with one stone while getting rid of retirees unwanted by the government.

I don’t “teach” or need to work here, but I recently read an article that there’s over 500 unlicensed English schools in Saigon alone.   And that’s only what they could find.

A lot of the “teachers” that work there likely don’t have work permits( which the school has to organise)  & are paid under the table.
The schools likely don’t pay Tax either.   

And guess who operate these schools......usually the wives of cops & relatives of Govt staff.  It’s a good side hustle $$$ for them.   When the throw the “teachers” out , the school will either close or need to actually employ Qualified staff legally , pay tax & comply with all the red tape.    Then you’ve got the Visa agent “bag men” not meeting Immigration staff in Cafes to share the cash from inflated visa fees.

Let’s see what happens......do they keep taking the black money , or clean up their act.

Coffee money is the root of the problems here.   You can do anything you like provided you grease some palms.  It works well until the next bloke up the ladder says you can’t........then sticks his hand out for cash😆

Problem is....when you pay “overs” to a Visa agent ,who we assume is Govt licensed , and they tell you everything’s in order with your Visa ......and later on ,,,” Houston we have a problem” 😆.  You can’t believe anyone here , we all know that , the world knows that .   VN has a bad reputation for a reason & given the mindset here , sadly I can’t see that ever changing.    I often wonder what future awaits the young kids here . 

However , as a self funded retiree It’s a good life , I enjoy it here, BUT  you’ve got to have a plan B.   I’ve lived here on a very small percentage of my foreign income for over 10 years.   It’s been great, since you can’t OWN anything here , it’s hard to spend money.   Apart from an old bike to get around on , I don’t buy anything that won’t fit in a suitcase because you never know when it’s time to go.   I spend more on flights & hotels on my  90 day VISA runs , than I do actually living here.   But for 15 months I’ve been sitting on the beach waiting for travel to resume.....saved some cash there eh..😆

Provided you accept the uncertain tenure of being here & enjoy it while it lasts & have a plan B , alls good. 

Just for good measure....have a plan C as well.

Sounds like I was reading part of my life story on your post except been here nearly 14 years & do own (50 year lease) an apartment which I have no regrets on cos saved on rent &  even although its a 50 year lease I have had at least 5 offers on it that made me a good profit but decided to rent it out. Only thing is as you know getting the money out if I sell. But have a plan A,B & C on that too & as you know being here for a long time everything is possible. As far as getting thrown out Thailand is my next stop, from what I hear retirement visa is getting even more easy there if you have cash in the bank or steady income & just a short hop back if things get sorted here

Bali is opening “soon” as well.  Their vaccination programme is apparently going to plan for the island.
They have a retirement Visa for $800 PA.   
I go there on Visa runs , I like it , but too many Australians.😆😆😆

Got friends in Thailand & Mexico as well.   Thailand is getting desperate.....we’ll be seeing relaxed  Visa programmes coming since the days of regular scheduled Travel are long gone.   
Thailand have started Tourist arrivals in Phuket.....so far , as of yesterday only 20 customers have booked till July 9th.   Only  F*+kin 20......they’re budgeted for 2500 per day in the “soft” opening period.

They’re hoping for several MILLION tourists by Christmas. 😳😳

Mexico has the best option.  NO quarantine, No PCR test & 6 months visa for $40.   Provided you stick to the safe regions...Puerto Vallarta , Playa del Carmen, etc you’ll be good.   Great weather , reasonable cost of living & with a $5 ladder you can climb the wall into US & A as borat would say. 😆

Laurent futur Nha Trang wrote:

In which place do you live please ? Tourist visa ? Did you enter Vietnam before or after 1st March 2020 ?

Yes, tourist visa, in HCMC.  I last entered Vietnam the day before 01/03/2020, unfortunately.  I have been in Vietnam, though, since August, 2016.

colinoscapee wrote:

My cynicism comes from 14 years of doing visas and the fact a friend of mine has been doing visas for expats for the last 18 years. Lets wait and see what coffee money comes into play.

You are using anecdotal information, which often isn't very useful.  What happens to you may not happen to others.

paulmsn wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

My cynicism comes from 14 years of doing visas and the fact a friend of mine has been doing visas for expats for the last 18 years. Lets wait and see what coffee money comes into play.

You are using anecdotal information, which often isn't very useful.  What happens to you may not happen to others.

I do have a tendency to believe in things that actually happen, maybe you dont. You are either a troll or very misinformed, I have a feeling I know which one it is. Good luck to you.

This is another anecdotal story looking for confirmation or refutation, perhaps by Ciambella.

A good expat friend and his VN wife went to extend his VEC entry stamp this morning but were told his wife, originally from Go Vap in HCMC but living in Binh Duong the past 10 years, must go back to her original location to receive some official document.  This is insane if true.  Go Vap is a hotspot for COVID right now.

Ciambella or anyone with official news, please correct if not true.

Travelfar wrote:

This is another anecdotal story looking for confirmation or refutation, perhaps by Ciambella.

A good expat friend and his VN wife went to extend his VEC entry stamp this morning but were told his wife, originally from Go Vap in HCMC but living in Binh Duong the past 10 years, must go back to her original location to receive some official document.  This is insane if true.  Go Vap is a hotspot for COVID right now.

Ciambella or anyone with official news, please correct if not true.

Insane ??
Maybe if this document does exist , it can be scanned & emailed to Binh Doung.  Since it’s in a Covid hot spot , you’d think that’s the logical thing to do & keeps you away from there.

Maybe some $$ incentive should be offerred to try that.

Best of luck with it.

Travelfar wrote:

This is another anecdotal story looking for confirmation or refutation, perhaps by Ciambella.

A good expat friend and his VN wife went to extend his VEC entry stamp this morning but were told his wife, originally from Go Vap in HCMC but living in Binh Duong the past 10 years, must go back to her original location to receive some official document.  This is insane if true.  Go Vap is a hotspot for COVID right now.

Ciambella or anyone with official news, please correct if not true.

A guy here in Vung Tau recently had the same thing happen with his VEC extension. His wife was told to return to her hometown in the Mekong Delta to get a certain document. Local police there said the document was unnecessary.

colinoscapee wrote:

I do have a tendency to believe in things that actually happen, maybe you dont. You are either a troll or very misinformed, I have a feeling I know which one it is. Good luck to you.

Ah, the resort to insult. 

Things that happen to you are not necessarily things that happen to everyone.  I suggest you educate yourself on why anecdotal information is not sufficient in most cases instead of insulting people because they disagree with you.

paulmsn wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

I do have a tendency to believe in things that actually happen, maybe you dont. You are either a troll or very misinformed, I have a feeling I know which one it is. Good luck to you.

Ah, the resort to insult. 

Things that happen to you are not necessarily things that happen to everyone.  I suggest you educate yourself on why anecdotal information is not sufficient in most cases instead of insulting people because they disagree with you.

I will stick to my last assumption, as all you are doing is arguing without presenting any facts. Maybe you should do some research instead of being a troll. According to you coffee money doesnt exist because you have never paid it.  Great logic.

colinoscapee wrote:

paulmsn wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

I do have a tendency to believe in things that actually happen, maybe you dont. You are either a troll or very misinformed, I have a feeling I know which one it is. Good luck to you.

Ah, the resort to insult. 

Things that happen to you are not necessarily things that happen to everyone.  I suggest you educate yourself on why anecdotal information is not sufficient in most cases instead of insulting people because they disagree with you.

I will stick to my last assumption, as all you are doing is arguing without presenting any facts. Maybe you should do some research instead of being a troll. According to you coffee money doesnt exist because you have never paid it.  Great logic.

Not many ex pats here can honestly say they have never paid any kick back I would think, suppose it depends if you dont drive a bike, never needed an Agent to get your visa etc, never come into contact with the authorities.
I remember even going back to 2008 out in the village (Trang Bang) my misus had to go see the local head cop & bun him 5usd & a packet of fags for my 30 days stay. Ahh them were the days!

goodolboy wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

paulmsn wrote:

Ah, the resort to insult. 

Things that happen to you are not necessarily things that happen to everyone.  I suggest you educate yourself on why anecdotal information is not sufficient in most cases instead of insulting people because they disagree with you.

I will stick to my last assumption, as all you are doing is arguing without presenting any facts. Maybe you should do some research instead of being a troll. According to you coffee money doesnt exist because you have never paid it.  Great logic.

Not many ex pats here can honestly say they have never paid any kick back I would think, suppose it depends if you dont drive a bike, never needed an Agent to get your visa etc, never come into contact with the authorities.
I remember even going back to 2008 out in the village (Trang Bang) my misus had to go see the local head cop & bun him 5usd & a packet of fags for my 30 days stay. Ahh them were the days!

That cant be true. Just because it happened to you doesnt mean it happens to everyone,lol. 

I wonder how those rich immigration guys and gals made their money, must be very astute investors on their 5k a year.

Next thing, someone will be telling us that those 2000 usd  business TRC and 4000 usd sponsored business  visas are all above board.

goodolboy wrote:

Not many ex pats here can honestly say they have never paid any kick back

I would like to add "and locals" to your sentence.  It would be extremely rare to find anyone, either expat or local, who has never paid any kick back.

Ciambella wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

Not many ex pats here can honestly say they have never paid any kick back

I would like to add "and locals" to your sentence.  It would be extremely rare to find anyone, either expat or local, who has never paid any kick back.

Exactly. I remember my VN friends, who are quite poor,being asked by the local green mafia to pay him a bribe so he would give them the paperwork that by law he was supposed to issue for free.

Travelfar wrote:

This is another anecdotal story looking for confirmation or refutation, perhaps by Ciambella.

A good expat friend and his VN wife went to extend his VEC entry stamp this morning but were told his wife, originally from Go Vap in HCMC but living in Binh Duong the past 10 years, must go back to her original location to receive some official document.  This is insane if true.  Go Vap is a hotspot for COVID right now.

Ciambella or anyone with official news, please correct if not true.

Do you happen to know what kind of document was required? 

For a VEC holder, the only two documents he needs are the proof of relationship and the register of residence. 

As he's married, the certificate of marriage is the proof. 

As his wife has been living in Binh Duong for 10 years, her official temporary residence is in Binh Duong even if her family book is still in Go Vap.  If the landlord registered him with the ward in Binh Duong, that's the second and last requirement.

If Immigration asked her to go back to Go Vap, the only reason I can think of is that she has never registered herself with the ward in Binh Duong, thus her presence is not acknowledged there. 

Last year, partly due to Covid and partly to comply with the new ID program, the government cracked down on Vietnamese who didn't register their residence (not the residence indicated on the family book). 

The Residence Law of 2020, 68/2020/QH14 gave them an extension to register their absence from the main resident (tạm vắng) and register their presence in another residence (tạm trú).  The new deadline is July 1, 2021.  After that date, the violators will be erased from their family book (something to avoid at all costs) and will be sent to "compulsory education institutions".
------
Edit to add:  Definition of compulsory education institution in Vietnam: 

"Compulsory education institution is a facility that implements administrative handling measures against people who violate the law [where they must go through] labor, cultural and vocational training."

Ciambella wrote:

The Residence Law of 2020, 68/2020/QH14 gave them an extension to register their absence from the main resident (tạm vắng) and register their presence in another residence (tạm trú).  The new deadline is July 1, 2021.  After that date, the violators will be erased from their family book (something to avoid at all costs) and will be sent to "compulsory education institutions".

Will it really be practical for the government to go to every household and ask for proof of the physical presence of individuals?  I am concerned that my wife could be removed from her book as she is the probable inheritor of the property.  Of course there are always jealous neighbors.  Still it seems like a huge task to cover the whole nation. 

For the government to say that you are not living at your permanent residence is sort of like proving a negative.  It seems like the main way a Viet citizen could be caught is if they initiated some kind of contact with the government as in the examples mentioned.  Either that or they were arrested for something else.  I know that my wife registered her temporary residence but I expect that was only because she had to register mine.  Before that I think she lived for long periods in HCM without registering as many citizens do in fact.

One other thing:  I though it was mandatory that every Viet citizen had to be in a book.  if people are removed, how will that work?  Will they become non-persons in the eyes of the law?  If anything, standardizing the ID system should allow for dumping the hộ khẩu system altogether.

Ciambella wrote:

Definition of compulsory education institution in Vietnam: 

"Compulsory education institution is a facility that implements administrative handling measures against people who violate the law [where they must go through] labor, cultural and vocational training."

Sound a bit harsh and something like the post war "reeducation" camps for low level people who were not found to be guilty of serious "crimes."   A friend of mine who was an ARVN sergeant told me that his time was not too bad because of his relatively low rank.  No physical abuse, only a lot of boring lectures.  Still it seems a bit much in today's circumstances.

THIGV wrote:

I am concerned that my wife could be removed from her book as she is the probable inheritor of the property.

1- Your wife's name will be erased from the family book starting July 1 because she belongs in one of the 9 categories indicated in the Residence Law 2020.  Her category is #2, moving to reside abroad.

2- The fact that she's no longer in the family book doesn't affect her right to inherit.  To create favorable conditions for heirs who are Vietnamese residing abroad to legalize their land use rights and ownership of residential land, the Housing Law 2014 stipulates that starting July 1, 2015, Overseas Vietnamese can not only inherit the value of the estate but can also be named on the Certificate of Rights and Ownership.

Thank you very much.  Just curious what are the other 8 categories of persons to be removed.

Have you considered my question of whether a citizen can be in no residence book at all?  I posed this to my wife once and she felt it was incomprehensible.  Of course her reaction was based on what she saw as normal, not on law.

THIGV wrote:

Thank you very much.  Just curious what are the other 8 categories of persons to be removed.

Have you considered my question of whether a citizen can be in no residence book at all?  I posed this to my wife once and she felt it was incomprehensible.  Of course her reaction was based on what she saw as normal, not on law.

I do know a few people who are not in any residence book. Here are the important things they cannot do or have very difficult time acquire:

- Unable to acquire ID card;
- Having difficulties in buying, selling, renting properties or dividing inheritance;
- Having difficulties in obtaining passports, marriage registration, birth and death registration, and vehicle registration;
- Cannot enroll themselves and their children in public schools;
- Cannot take exam for civil service jobs;
- Having difficulties getting bank loan or applying for social programs from the government.

Here are the 9 categories as indicated in Article 24 of the Law on Residence 2020 effective July 1, 2021.  The original writing is rather convoluted; I've tried to clean it up and move the words around to make it easier to read, but the result is still not satisfactory:

1. Death or being declared missing by the court;

2. Moving abroad to reside;

3. Cancelling of permanent residence registration as specified in Article 35 of this Law;

4. Absence from the place of permanent residence for 12 months or more without registering at new residence.  Exceptions: going abroad (not for residency), serving a prison sentence, being in a compulsory education institution, being in a compulsory detoxification institution, being in a reformatory;

5. Having been granted Vietnamese citizenship by a competent authority or being revoked of Vietnamese nationality;

6. Persons who have registered their new permanent residence but not reporting the change after 12 months from the date of moving out of such residence, except for the case specified in Point H of this Clause;

7. A person who has registered his permanent residence but has subsequently transferred the ownership of such place to another person who, after 12 months from the date of transfer of ownership, has not yet registered his permanent residence;

8. [Same as #7]

9. Persons who have registered their permanent residence but the place of residence has been demolished or confiscated under a decision of a competent state agency.

THIGV wrote:

One other thing:  I though it was mandatory that every Viet citizen had to be in a book.  if people are removed, how will that work?  Will they become non-persons in the eyes of the law?  If anything, standardizing the ID system should allow for dumping the hộ khẩu system altogether.

No, they will not become personae non gratae, but it'll be much more difficult for them to deal with bureaucracy.

The new law (effective July 1, 2021) is making it easier for them to join new hộ khẩu.  A while ago, I received the content of the new law and a legal article on making hộ khẩu obsolete (not gonna happen but will become electronic).  I haven't got the time to read them yet.  If you need the details, let me know and I'll try to get to them sometime next week.  If you don't, I won't bother as I'm behind on my own obligations.

Ciambella wrote:

1- Your wife's name will be erased from the family book starting July 1 because she belongs in one of the 9 categories indicated in the Residence Law 2020.  Her category is #2, moving to reside abroad.


I do know a few people who are not in any residence book. Here are the important things they cannot do or have very difficult time acquire:

- Unable to acquire ID card;
- Having difficulties in buying, selling, renting properties or dividing inheritance;

I combined two of your posts.

She has a current ID card that she got a year or so ago.  Is it still valid? 

So we won't be able to buy property after July 1 if my wife gets removed from her family's house book since we live in US?  Or, what do you mean by difficulties?


We had planned to come back each year and buy one new property each year for investment in the future.

SteinNebraska wrote:

She has a current ID card that she got a year or so ago.  Is it still valid?

Yes.  It's valid until the expiration date shown on the card.

SteinNebraska wrote:

So we won't be able to buy property after July 1 if my wife gets removed from her family's house book since we live in US?  Or, what do you mean by difficulties?

Only the locals who live here have to face those difficulties.  Your wife and THIGV's wife are exempted.  Article 7 of the Law on Housing 2014 stipulates that Overseas Vietnamese (dual nationality) have the right to own houses and land in accordance with the law.

SteinNebraska wrote:

We had planned to come back each year and buy one new property each year for investment in the future.

Buy as many as you wish.  As long as she maintains her Vietnamese nationality, she has the same rights as the locals regarding buying, selling, and inheriting properties.  Having her name removed from the family book doesn't affect those rights at all.

paulmsn wrote:

This is her view of Immigration's stance, and that's it.  There is nothing to indicate that they want money from me.  It's OK to be cynical, but cynicism without any basis is not credible.

I asked her for more info about Immigration, but it was past closing time, so I received no response.

Reputable agent wouldn't wanna lose you as a customer for a few greenbacks in the back pocket.

Talk about him jumping to conclusions

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

Don't trust ME on this.

Contact your own visa agent to discover IF:

...you are in Vietnam from ANY country--on a category DN business visa--and you don't have a legitimate employer with a work permit--you will not be able to do any more 3-month extensions.

Or,

...you entered the country on a tourist visa on or after March 1st, 2020, your free automatic extension for this month (May, 2021) will be your final free automatic extension.

To quote my visa agent:

"It is said that automatic extension is ended this month and that all foreigners must find a way to leave Vietnam".

She also said this is brand new news, as just last week she was able to process 3 month extensions of business visas without a work permit.

She also said it's possible to get a paid 1-month extension of both types of visas, to allow for making plans to depart the county.

Don't shoot the messenger.

If you have proof that my agent is incorrect, by all means, please correct me with official data.

And this is official data you provide?

THIGV wrote:

Jlgarbutt wrote:

MINISTRY OF LABOR - INVALUATIONS AND ELECTRIC SOCIALITY :

Is this the new Google Translation for DOLISA?   Where can we find some of that "ELECTRIC SOCIALITY?"  It sounds like fun.   

Just copied and pasted into google.. 🤪

Diazo wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

Don't trust ME on this.

Contact your own visa agent to discover IF:

...you are in Vietnam from ANY country--on a category DN business visa--and you don't have a legitimate employer with a work permit--you will not be able to do any more 3-month extensions.

Or,

...you entered the country on a tourist visa on or after March 1st, 2020, your free automatic extension for this month (May, 2021) will be your final free automatic extension.

To quote my visa agent:

"It is said that automatic extension is ended this month and that all foreigners must find a way to leave Vietnam".

She also said this is brand new news, as just last week she was able to process 3 month extensions of business visas without a work permit.

She also said it's possible to get a paid 1-month extension of both types of visas, to allow for making plans to depart the county.

Don't shoot the messenger.

If you have proof that my agent is incorrect, by all means, please correct me with official data.

And this is official data you provide?

He very emphatically stated that it was not.  Several people, though, have reported that their agents can only do 1-month extensions now, and my agent was a bit doubtful that Immigration will give me another one.

THIGV wrote:

Jlgarbutt wrote:

MINISTRY OF LABOR - INVALUATIONS AND ELECTRIC SOCIALITY :

Is this the new Google Translation for DOLISA?   Where can we find some of that "ELECTRIC SOCIALITY?"  It sounds like fun.   

Electric sociality sounds like a euphemism for karaoke   

Jlgarbutt wrote:

THIGV wrote:

Jlgarbutt wrote:

MINISTRY OF LABOR - INVALUATIONS AND ELECTRIC SOCIALITY :

Is this the new Google Translation for DOLISA?   Where can we find some of that "ELECTRIC SOCIALITY?"  It sounds like fun.   

Just copied and pasted into google.. 🤪

paulmsn wrote:

Diazo wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

Don't trust ME on this.

Contact your own visa agent to discover IF:

...you are in Vietnam from ANY country--on a category DN business visa--and you don't have a legitimate employer with a work permit--you will not be able to do any more 3-month extensions.

Or,

...you entered the country on a tourist visa on or after March 1st, 2020, your free automatic extension for this month (May, 2021) will be your final free automatic extension.

To quote my visa agent:

"It is said that automatic extension is ended this month and that all foreigners must find a way to leave Vietnam".

She also said this is brand new news, as just last week she was able to process 3 month extensions of business visas without a work permit.

She also said it's possible to get a paid 1-month extension of both types of visas, to allow for making plans to depart the county.

Don't shoot the messenger.

If you have proof that my agent is incorrect, by all means, please correct me with official data.

And this is official data you provide?

He very emphatically stated that it was not.  Several people, though, have reported that their agents can only do 1-month extensions now, and my agent was a bit doubtful that Immigration will give me another one.

Yes I understood OB was simply propagating a rumor. I presume that is why he wanted anyone that replied not to simply add to his rumor but state official facts. Seemed rather funny to me. Maybe Trumpism is catching on.

Diazo wrote:

Yes I understood OB was simply propagating a rumor. I presume that is why he wanted anyone that replied not to simply add to his rumor but state official facts. Seemed rather funny to me. Maybe Trumpism is catching on.

No, Trumpism is the propagation of known lies.  Rumors can be true, and since Immigration does not often tell us anything, it's all we have to go on most of the time.

Rumours, hearsay, fake news etc….

The whole Visa situation in Vietnam has become little more that a pathetic “dog & pony” show.   

We are dealing with a supposedly internationally recognised legal “document” in a Visa stamped in a passport that is the property of the Issuing country’s government.    Here in Vietnam,,anyone from Taxi drivers to table wipers & hairdressers can advertise to sell a Visa……AND the Immigration works hand in hand with them to stamp that Visa into your passport.

The goal posts & visa policy seem to change overnight,..what you were told yesterday is no longer Legal .   

You go to immigration to sort it out correctly & they generally turn you away to see an Agent.   The agents are really just the “bagmen” for immigration staff. 

It’s a circus . 

Recently on a FB site “Vietnam Visa Advice” there a lot of toxic hate , bile & bickering about the whole situation.

There’s only ONE post on there worth reading.   And that is in future….anyone thinking about coming to Vietscam  …get your visa from the VN embassy in your OWN country before leaving. 

OR…..forget VN & just simply go to most countries that have free Visa & simply walk thru Passport control , collect your bags & enjoy your stay.

Thailand, Bali, Malaysia, Phillipines etc….are all nearby on similar air routes.

IF & when foreign tourism resumes, travellers will follow the path of least resistance with documentation.

But for those who’s goal in life is to come here & “teach” English for peanut money ………ya get what ya pay for huh..🤓

Ciambella wrote:

Travelfar wrote:

This is another anecdotal story looking for confirmation or refutation, perhaps by Ciambella.

A good expat friend and his VN wife went to extend his VEC entry stamp this morning but were told his wife, originally from Go Vap in HCMC but living in Binh Duong the past 10 years, must go back to her original location to receive some official document.  This is insane if true.  Go Vap is a hotspot for COVID right now.

Ciambella or anyone with official news, please correct if not true.

Do you happen to know what kind of document was required?

As it turned out, later, after pleading with the local rep, she managed to get to the "chief", who promptly and openly(!) asked outright for USD155 to overlook the issue.  She negotiated the bribe down to only VND1,000,000 by pleading near poverty (claiming to be a noodle soup seller).  She is registered here for many years, and this is not the first extension she has requested and gotten for her expat husband.  However, the "chief" is new to this posting.

Travelfar wrote:

Ciambella wrote:

Travelfar wrote:

This is another anecdotal story looking for confirmation or refutation, perhaps by Ciambella.

A good expat friend and his VN wife went to extend his VEC entry stamp this morning but were told his wife, originally from Go Vap in HCMC but living in Binh Duong the past 10 years, must go back to her original location to receive some official document.  This is insane if true.  Go Vap is a hotspot for COVID right now.

Ciambella or anyone with official news, please correct if not true.

Do you happen to know what kind of document was required?

As it turned out, later, after pleading with the local rep, she managed to get to the "chief", who promptly and openly(!) asked outright for USD155 to overlook the issue.  She negotiated the bribe down to only VND1,000,000 by pleading near poverty (claiming to be a noodle soup seller).  She is registered here for many years, and this is not the first extension she has requested and gotten for her expat husband.  However, the "chief" is new to this posting.

Money solves all problems in Vietnam.

Duct tape seems to fix everything else …..holds motorbikes together, leaky plumbing  , suitcases, footwear & bus seats …to name a few.
Probably even mend a broken marriage with it.😆😆

paulmsn wrote:

Diazo wrote:

Yes I understood OB was simply propagating a rumor. I presume that is why he wanted anyone that replied not to simply add to his rumor but state official facts. Seemed rather funny to me. Maybe Trumpism is catching on.

No, Trumpism is the propagation of known lies.  Rumors can be true, and since Immigration does not often tell us anything, it's all we have to go on most of the time.

Understand all that. But then why can not others reply to that mans information with their own rumors or not. No he says the replies must be factual. I thought it was just an odd demand. Heck, it is hard to get factual information at any government agency here as it is. Get more done with money then facts. But OB only excepts facts from others. Get I was the only one who thought it odd. And I think there would be some that would disagree that Trumpism is propagation. No in many cases he starts it then others chime in and propagate it ( meaning to spread).

Under normal circumstances, this would absolutely not be a very big deal as people would simply be able to get their stuff together and pop over to their favorite neighboring country in ASEAN quite easily. 

Unfortunately, that's not the case now. See Ocean Beach's post #30 in this thread about getting into Thailand for an example. AFAIK, Cambodia's and Indonesia’s current requirements are quite similar. Not sure what's up with the Philippines. Anyway, this is what is causing people to panic, not so much the getting-expelled-from-Vietnam part. You can’t just jump on a plane these days. 

I strongly considered moving to southern Laos in late 2019, but thought, "Hey, how about one more year in Vung Tau?" I kind of regret that now   
Less than 200 active cases there currently with internal restrictions being eased. If they were open, I'd be on my way.   

As Ontheroad57 mentioned, everybody’s talking ‘bout Mexico, which is very open, as is all of Central America and most of South America. Kind of on the other side of the planet though. 

Doesn’t seem to be anything open like this throughout Asia. However, most of the countries in the Balkans seem to be open, with Albania reportedly allowing Americans to stay *one year* with no visa. It has a Mediterranean climate, sea coast with beaches, low cost of living, etc. Other countries may include Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Georgia, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya… 

So, it’s just not a very good time to have to move to another country. 

johnross23 wrote:

As Ontheroad57 mentioned, everybody’s talking 'bout Mexico, which is very open, as is all of Central America and most of South America. Kind of on the other side of the planet though. 

I didn't see the original comment that you referenced but people should think twice about Mexico.  COVID is at Level 3 of the CDC's four level system.  By contrast, Vietnam is Level 1, of course that's if you can find a way to enter.  Mexico may be open and you can enter without either tests or vaccination but you may not come back to the US quite that easily.  If you are planning to transit through the US, it would probably be best to take a month and get vaccinated first.  Major cites may be a lot worse than resort towns where expats may be going, but it's still a crap shoot if you aren't vaccinated.

CDC Mexico

CDC Vietnam