News just in

colinoscapee wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

Expat42inVN wrote:

The immigration department will move the visa process online.  This will mean that people wanted to stay in Vietnam for a long time as a tourist will be able to renew their visa without using those pesky greedy lying agents.  Border runs will not be necessary.

However, the government will continue to try to strangle the use of tourist visas for people who use them as a way of skipping their responsibilities regarding working in Vietnam.

There are very few countries in the world with immigration policies that allow foreigners to stay in a country and work without paying taxes and social/health insurances. As Vietnam steadily increases the social services available to the population (let us include services such as vaccinations, policing, emergency ambulances, etc) then they increasingly want to be sure those services are funded by the people who use them.  That seems reasonable.

And I think all of us would like to see the thieving agents disabled.

And I think all of us would like to see the thieving agents disabled........"all of us", speak for yourself & dont make out your views are for "all of us"  ...........I for one am quite happy for my agent to take care of my visa, driving licence etc & am more than happy to pay them for it!!

I think he is referring to the agents that are charging way above the going price. Eg., a lady gave me a price of 13 million to do a A2 license that I can do myself for 400k.

You talking about buying a fake one or renewing an existing one? Mine only cost 130k to renew at HCMC licence dept

Andybris2020 wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

And I think all of us would like to see the thieving agents disabled........"all of us", speak for yourself & dont make out your views are for "all of us"  ...........I for one am quite happy for my agent to take care of my visa, driving licence etc & am more than happy to pay them for it!!

I think he is referring to the agents that are charging way above the going price. Eg., a lady gave me a price of 13 million to do a A2 license that I can do myself for 400k.

You talking about buying a fake one or renewing an existing one? Mine only cost 130k to renew at HCMC licence dept

Renew is different. Im talking about obtaing one. She obviously was doing it under the table and out to make a killing.

colinoscapee wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

I think he is referring to the agents that are charging way above the going price. Eg., a lady gave me a price of 13 million to do a A2 license that I can do myself for 400k.

You talking about buying a fake one or renewing an existing one? Mine only cost 130k to renew at HCMC licence dept

Renew is different. Im talking about obtaing one. She obviously was doing it under the table and out to make a killing.

13 mill you could have bought the licence and the table for that lol
I did mine at the test center first year I got here.

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietn … 22182.html

Another one of them for what there worth.
Rick

Expat42inVN wrote:

I too have a good agent. She never overcharges.

But when agents (especially in my area) charge 11 million for doing something that costs 2 million, then I feel justified in using words like thieving.

We have one individual here who even told me how he rips off foreigners. I couldn't believe my ears!

I can even show you proof of an agent holding 30-40 Gmail accounts and using them to boost his ratings.

more fool anyone who uses them then................. fools & their money are easily parted.

Andybris2020 wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

And I think all of us would like to see the thieving agents disabled........"all of us", speak for yourself & dont make out your views are for "all of us"  ...........I for one am quite happy for my agent to take care of my visa, driving licence etc & am more than happy to pay them for it!!

I think he is referring to the agents that are charging way above the going price. Eg., a lady gave me a price of 13 million to do a A2 license that I can do myself for 400k.

You talking about buying a fake one or renewing an existing one? Mine only cost 130k to renew at HCMC licence dept

my agent charged me 1 million, she did the lot, all I had to do was meet her at the place, sign on the dotted line, get my photo taken & go to her office a week later to pick it up......... job done & 1 million well spent.

goodolboy wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

I think he is referring to the agents that are charging way above the going price. Eg., a lady gave me a price of 13 million to do a A2 license that I can do myself for 400k.

You talking about buying a fake one or renewing an existing one? Mine only cost 130k to renew at HCMC licence dept

my agent charged me 1 million, she did the lot, all I had to do was meet her at the place, sign on the dotted line, get my photo taken & go to her office a week later to pick it up......... job done & 1 million well spent.

So you didnt go to test center do test? Does it show on database?

Andybris2020 wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

You talking about buying a fake one or renewing an existing one? Mine only cost 130k to renew at HCMC licence dept

my agent charged me 1 million, she did the lot, all I had to do was meet her at the place, sign on the dotted line, get my photo taken & go to her office a week later to pick it up......... job done & 1 million well spent.

So you didnt go to test center do test? Does it show on database?

Ah sorry my mistake it was a new Vietnamese A1 I got for 1 million (up to 175cc) my UK licence is A but yes I would have to do the practical test here to get A2

goodolboy wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

my agent charged me 1 million, she did the lot, all I had to do was meet her at the place, sign on the dotted line, get my photo taken & go to her office a week later to pick it up......... job done & 1 million well spent.

So you didnt go to test center do test? Does it show on database?

Ah sorry my mistake it was a new Vietnamese A1 I got for 1 million (up to 175cc) my UK licence is A but yes I would have to do the practical test here to get A2

I was asking because I did the test for A1 in HCMC test center I was told if not done there it would not show on Gov database https://gplx.gov.vn but i'm going off-topic so ignore.

Andybris2020 wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

So you didnt go to test center do test? Does it show on database?

Ah sorry my mistake it was a new Vietnamese A1 I got for 1 million (up to 175cc) my UK licence is A but yes I would have to do the practical test here to get A2

I was asking because I did the test for A1 in HCMC test center I was told if not done there it would not show on Gov database https://gplx.gov.vn but i'm going off-topic so ignore.

My license was done by a transfer of my aussie license. It shows up on the data base. No test taken.

Looks like its not Feb it's still April for International tourists

Regarding the reopening of tourism , on January 29, the Government Office announced the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, requesting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Health to decide on the reopening of welcoming guests. , at the latest on the occasion of April 30. The Prime Minister stated that the spirit of opening the door is not massive, organized, routed and safe.

Currently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed to the Government a roadmap to open up international tourism, in which from now until March 30, it will continue to pilot welcome guests, expand the number of visitors and the range of welcome. The locality has finished covering the third cape or green area to welcome guests.

Tourists coming to Vietnam need to be tested at the hotel, then can go to places that are already open, regardless of domestic and international visitors; Unlimited travel time.

From March 31, Vietnam will fully open to welcome international tourists and bring domestic tourists to travel abroad through all international border gates.

From VNExpress news

Andybris2020 wrote:

Looks like its not Feb it's still April for International tourists

Regarding the reopening of tourism , on January 29, the Government Office announced the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, requesting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Health to decide on the reopening of welcoming guests. , at the latest on the occasion of April 30. The Prime Minister stated that the spirit of opening the door is not massive, organized, routed and safe.

Currently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed to the Government a roadmap to open up international tourism, in which from now until March 30, it will continue to pilot welcome guests, expand the number of visitors and the range of welcome. The locality has finished covering the third cape or green area to welcome guests.

Tourists coming to Vietnam need to be tested at the hotel, then can go to places that are already open, regardless of domestic and international visitors; Unlimited travel time.

From March 31, Vietnam will fully open to welcome international tourists and bring domestic tourists to travel abroad through all international border gates.

From VNExpress news

It appears that your translation missed something that my translation got from Google:

Visitors to Vietnam must be vaccinated with a full dose of vaccine or used to be F0 to recover from the disease; negative PCR test in 72h; buy health insurance that covers Covid-19 treatment at a minimum of $50,000

That's the first official figure I've seen quoted regarding health insurance requirements.

(Just as you edited your post ex post facto, it would seem that the website also updated their article)

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

Looks like its not Feb it's still April for International tourists

Regarding the reopening of tourism , on January 29, the Government Office announced the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, requesting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Health to decide on the reopening of welcoming guests. , at the latest on the occasion of April 30. The Prime Minister stated that the spirit of opening the door is not massive, organized, routed and safe.

Currently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed to the Government a roadmap to open up international tourism, in which from now until March 30, it will continue to pilot welcome guests, expand the number of visitors and the range of welcome. The locality has finished covering the third cape or green area to welcome guests.

Tourists coming to Vietnam need to be tested at the hotel, then can go to places that are already open, regardless of domestic and international visitors; Unlimited travel time.

From March 31, Vietnam will fully open to welcome international tourists and bring domestic tourists to travel abroad through all international border gates.

From VNExpress news

It appears that your translation missed something that my translation got from Google:

Visitors to Vietnam must be vaccinated with a full dose of vaccine or used to be F0 to recover from the disease; negative PCR test in 72h; buy health insurance that covers Covid-19 treatment at a minimum of $50,000

That's the first official figure I've seen quoted regarding health insurance requirements.

(Just as you edited your post ex post facto, it would seem that the website also updated their article)

That was next para,,, it was the 31 March that caught my eye in between getting ready to go to the temple, TET celebration preperations etc.
Most members read the news so it was just a heads up that a date was mentioned, no doubt the minutiae will be posted when all official arrangemets are sorted out.

It was first day of TET in a busy house,  it's the viet version not the global site, most members read the news, it was just a heads up that a date was mentioned.

Which translation is used frankly I don't look or care, it's "news just in" for members to check as they are looking at the site.

We have expat members which are much better at the in depth analysis.

"as you've done with your other posts" so you know my vnexpress links always go to viet version and i've never mentioned who, what, how it was translated so why start now.

Another day in sunny Vietnam

Vietnam reopens all international routes
From February 15, Vietnam Airlines began to reopen all international regular routes to countries after nearly two years of closure.

In order to prepare for the reopening of international tourism before March 31 under the direction of the Government, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam decided to lift the restriction on operating frequency with international routes. All flights are back to normal as before the Covid-19 pandemic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waiting to hear from gov about visa's etc
Please post if have any aditional news

Link to story

I saw this too (It's all over YouTube) and my first reaction is that they have the cart before the horse.   Remove, or minimize,  the regulations for tourist entry and then allow the flights.   The way it is now, it's like they are asking the airlines to fly half full from now until 31 March.

THIGV wrote:

I saw this too (It's all over YouTube) and my first reaction is that they have the cart before the horse.   Remove, or minimize,  the regulations for tourist entry and then allow the flights.   The way it is now, it's like they are asking the airlines to fly half full from now until 31 March.

Yep they have opened up so they can get the ball rolling with all the other countries, which is needed before Gov opens borders and re-starts visa's.

"After receiving feedback from the aviation authorities of other countries on the frequency of flights, the Department will grant flight permits for domestic and foreign airlines to bring passengers in and out of Vietnam according to the airline's needs."

It's great news that they have got the ball rolling instead of talking - some time in early 2022 - soon as all the paperwork for flights between routes iron out and stamped then they can get the aircraft out of moth balls get staff for ground services, check - in, plus all the hundreds of staff behind the scene they have to get back in place after not flying to other countries for a long while - it's a huge task to get an airline back to where it can accept the passengers and get Vietnam opened back up.
Just think of all the staff they will have to re employ or strain from scratch it for each destination they get the red light for.

Andybris2020 wrote:

Vietnam reopens all international routes
From February 15, Vietnam Airlines began to reopen all international regular routes to countries after nearly two years of closure.

In order to prepare for the reopening of international tourism before March 31 under the direction of the Government, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam decided to lift the restriction on operating frequency with international routes. All flights are back to normal as before the Covid-19 pandemic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waiting to hear from gov about visa's etc
Please post if have any aditional news

Link to story

THIGV wrote:

I saw this too (It's all over YouTube) and my first reaction is that they have the cart before the horse.   Remove, or minimize,  the regulations for tourist entry and then allow the flights.   The way it is now, it's like they are asking the airlines to fly half full from now until 31 March.

Maybe.

But I finally found an official site (not a Visa agency) that very clearly explains the process for tourists to come to Vietnam now as part of a group:

vietnam.travel/things-to-do/information-travellers-novel-coronavirus-vietnam

It will be interesting to see how many people will fly over on those upcoming non-stop Vietnam Airlines' flights from the west coast of the USA.

The volume of tour group passengers, Việt Kiều, sponsored business travelers and experts might just surprise us.

Besides, it's the logical thing to do to authorize the flights before the Visas are sorted.

If they had done it in reverse, imagine the confusion that would have created.

(Rumor: Our friend Ciambella says she has it on good authority that April 30th is the day for fully opening the borders).

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

(Rumor: Our friend Ciambella says she has it on good authority that April 30th is the day for fully opening the borders).

I will take her word over any of those YouTubers.   

@michaeldouglasgroner

If you link using the "chain icon" delete the http part up to the domain name it posts then and does not get put under review

here is the link that didnt show:-
Link to story

The story of opening all international flights makes sense now they have said march 15th that gives them a month to hire everyone and get all the time slots etc in place, hopefully ticket sites will start posting tickets prices soon.

Skyscanner and scoot have started advertising flights Brisbane/Gold Coast to HCMC is less than 300 bucks?

THIGV wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

(Rumor: Our friend Ciambella says she has it on good authority that April 30th is the day for fully opening the borders).

I will take her word over any of those YouTubers.   

I woke up at 2 AM and saw new messages from her and Andy with the new date

Andybris2020 wrote:

Skyscanner and scoot have started advertising flights Brisbane/Gold Coast to HCMC is less than 300 bucks?

That sounds great, although personally I wouldn't buy any non-refundable ticket until my Visa was confirmed.

I predict that a month or more from now we will get people posting that they had a really good ticket but they couldn't get their visa to cover the dates.

Cart before horse?

Andybris2020 wrote:

Skyscanner and scoot have started advertising flights Brisbane/Gold Coast to HCMC is less than 300 bucks?

At 300 bucks I bet there is a long stopover and several stops...no thanks.

colinoscapee wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

Skyscanner and scoot have started advertising flights Brisbane/Gold Coast to HCMC is less than 300 bucks?

At 300 bucks I bet there is a long stopover and several stops...no thanks.

Looks like a 3 hr stop

Andybris2020 wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

Skyscanner and scoot have started advertising flights Brisbane/Gold Coast to HCMC is less than 300 bucks?

At 300 bucks I bet there is a long stopover and several stops...no thanks.

https://i.postimg.cc/Zqj09Z6D/Screensho … -06-31.png

Looks like a 3 hr stop

Yeah, Scoot is cheap. If you want two flights with no food, no drinks, no blanket, no entertainment its a good deal.

colinoscapee wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

At 300 bucks I bet there is a long stopover and several stops...no thanks.

https://i.postimg.cc/Zqj09Z6D/Screensho … -06-31.png

Looks like a 3 hr stop

Yeah, Scoot is cheap. If you want two flights with no food, no drinks, no blanket, no entertainment its a good deal.

For 20 bucks you can take your ownfood & drink  hahaha

I'm guessing it wouldn't have made a difference if they'd had work permits?

- @OceanBeach92107

I'm guessing it wouldn't have made a difference if they'd had work permits?

- @OceanBeach92107

Can you connect this post with a prior post?   What is the context?  It doesn't seem to be tied to the posts that immediately precede it.
- @THIGV