Any recent reports for SETV in Hanoi, HCMC and Penang?

[jellybunny]

Has anyone obtained a Single Entry Tourist Visa from Hanoi, Hochimin City or Penang recently? What are your experiences?

- For Penang :-
1.) Is the Royal Thai - Consulate at No. 1, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, 10350 Penang  or at 12 Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Penang 10350 ?
2.) Is it neccessary to use an agent to get a tourist visa or Can I obtain it myself?

3.) How long does it take to process the visa?

- For Hanoi and HCMC:-
1.) Between Hanoi and HCMC, which city is more pleasant?
2.) Both Hanoi and HCMC, Do I need to use an agent?

Thank you in advance.

 

[elviajero]

Penang is the most application friendly on your list. You don't need to use an agent. You submit the application on the morning of day 1 and collect it in the afternoon of day 2.

[jellybunny]

25 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Penang is the most application friendly on your list. You don't need to use an agent. You submit the application on the morning of day 1 and collect it in the afternoon of day 2.

Thank you, elviajero.

[BritTim]

In Penang, you are not required to use an agent, but it is worth the money to avoid two trips to a somewhat out of the way consulate. The requirements in Penang are usually easily satisfied. Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are OK, but they will want to see flights into and out of Thailand. They might also want to see copies of bank statements, though they did not request them from me last year. HCMC is a more lively city than Hanoi, but I like both for different reasons. One warning: the traffic in Hanoi has become horrible, unlike when I first visited about 15 years ago.

[jellybunny]

22 minutes ago, BritTim said:

In Penang, you are not required to use an agent, but it is worth the money to avoid two trips to a somewhat out of the way consulate. The requirements in Penang are usually easily satisfied. Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are OK, but they will want to see flights into and out of Thailand. They might also want to see copies of bank statements, though they did not request them from me last year. HCMC is a more lively city than Hanoi, but I like both for different reasons. One warning: the traffic in Hanoi has become horrible, unlike when I first visited about 15 years ago.

Thank you for the info., BritTim.
I was reading about scams in Vietnam from many sources but need to read and get more info. if decided to go to either Hanoi or HMCM rather than Penang.
 

[phetphet]

I emailed the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang two days ago.

 

They are still at their temporary address at No.12. In any case it is only about two mins away from their old address.

[IMA_FARANG]

I got a SETV from Ho Chi Minh in June.

I reported it on this forum then.

Not a bad experience, but they are strict with their requirements as they say on there website. on the internet.

They want you to pay for the Thai visa in U.S. dollars, they do not accept Viwtnamese Dong for payment.

They want you to show funds for "living expenses" in Thailand during that 60 days of the visa.

They also insist on you having a confirmed ticket out of Thailand or they will not isssue you a visa.

In my case i was able to show a Thai Bank passbook, which they accepted as proof that i could pay for my "living expenses" while in Thailand.

THey will want to see 20K baht per person, but as i said above they accepted my Thai bank passbook as proof o required funs to live.

I also bought an AIr Asia cheap ticket out of Thailand to KL in Malaysia which was accepted as an "exit ticket" from Thailand.

As I said they were friendly, but they were strict taht you must meet their stated requirements...no "give" in what they ask you to show.

Friendly but firm is the way I would put it.

I only know from my experience about Ho Chi Minh City, but i would guess Hanoi would be the same, as Haoi has basically  the same requirements on their website also.

In my opinion neither consulate in Viwtnam, whethr Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi will give you any "slack" in what they ask for.

Ho Chi Minh opens at 8:30 in the morning for applications and to pay the fee.

If accepted you czn pick up the visa the next afternoon at 4 p.m.

Once again, friendly but firm.

 

You can do the whole process yourself, no need for an agent in Ho Chi Minh. I did it all in two days.

 

 

 

[jacksam]

Good advice above. Also note that the flight into Thailand and out needs to be a print out (hard copy) cell screen shot or email not accepted. Also note Saigon consulate does not have long queues. Quick easy process. Handy to district 1 and very nice place to visit. Some countries do not require a visa to enter Vietnam. Most do.

 

[Ulic]

I did HCMC May 10th. Three minutes dropping of my application in the morning. 1 minute

picking it up the next day. I had all the forms printed and filled out before I left Thailand.

I was asked to show/submit an exit ticket. I was not asked to show proof of funds.

No agent needed, dead simple and fast other than the throwaway ticket. I found a

cheap 1 way Air Asia ticket, BKK to Vientiane. Mt DMK - HCMC was 2,320 baht booked

about three months in advance. No Vietnam visa required for UK passport holders.

( amongst others) HCMC was bot cheap and interesting. I enjoyed Vietnam so much

I took another side trip there in August before returning to Canada.   

[jacksam]

You can often buy tickets to places for around 1000baht AA. Vientiane and Saigon just 2 examples. Vietnam is a winner for UK nationals. 15 day visa exempt stamp.

Saigon green beer 400ml for about 20baht in cafes/bar. Say no more

[stephen tracy]

On 8/19/2016 at 8:04 PM, IMA_FARANG said:

I got a SETV from Ho Chi Minh in June.

I reported it on this forum then.

Not a bad experience, but they are strict with their requirements as they say on there website. on the internet.

They want you to pay for the Thai visa in U.S. dollars, they do not accept Viwtnamese Dong for payment.

They want you to show funds for "living expenses" in Thailand during that 60 days of the visa.

They also insist on you having a confirmed ticket out of Thailand or they will not isssue you a visa.

In my case i was able to show a Thai Bank passbook, which they accepted as proof that i could pay for my "living expenses" while in Thailand.

THey will want to see 20K baht per person, but as i said above they accepted my Thai bank passbook as proof o required funs to live.

I also bought an AIr Asia cheap ticket out of Thailand to KL in Malaysia which was accepted as an "exit ticket" from Thailand.

As I said they were friendly, but they were strict taht you must meet their stated requirements...no "give" in what they ask you to show.

Friendly but firm is the way I would put it.

I only know from my experience about Ho Chi Minh City, but i would guess Hanoi would be the same, as Haoi has basically  the same requirements on their website also.

In my opinion neither consulate in Viwtnam, whethr Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi will give you any "slack" in what they ask for.

Ho Chi Minh opens at 8:30 in the morning for applications and to pay the fee.

If accepted you czn pick up the visa the next afternoon at 4 p.m.

Once again, friendly but firm.

 

You can do the whole process yourself, no need for an agent in Ho Chi Minh. I did it all in two days.

 

 

On 8/19/2016 at 10:30 AM, BritTim said:

In Penang, you are not required to use an agent, but it is worth the money to avoid two trips to a somewhat out of the way consulate. The requirements in Penang are usually easily satisfied. Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are OK, but they will want to see flights into and out of Thailand. They might also want to see copies of bank statements, though they did not request them from me last year. HCMC is a more lively city than Hanoi, but I like both for different reasons. One warning: the traffic in Hanoi has become horrible, unlike when I first visited about 15 years ago.

 

I looked on both HCMC and Hanoi websites and the former says you must have proof of accommodation, but the latter doesn't mention it. Did you get asked for this?

I looked on both HCMC and Hanoi websites and the former says you must have proof of accommodation, but the latter doesn't mention it. Did you get asked for this?

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, stephen tracy said:

I looked on both HCMC and Hanoi websites and the former says you must have proof of accommodation, but the latter doesn't mention it. Did you get asked for this?

Did you notice that the post you quoted was done over 3 years ago.