vietnam one month visa for us citizens.

[yogavnture]

i understand the rules for us citizens have changed but im in states and am trying to get a one month visa. they say it can be done. im suspicious. am i the only one who feels this new law is discriminatory and unfair. no backpackers are going to go to vietnam anymore. this is silly. i give it till christmas before they change the law again. 200 dollar for a visa to go to vietnam for a few days. silly

[gk10002000]

well, looking at the vietnam visa embassy the first line says :"

I/ A VISA to Vietnam can be applied for by mail or in person at the Embassy. The  Government of Vietnam will now only issue 1 year multiple entry visa for US citizens from September 1st, 2016.".  But may just mean to refer to that type of visa and not other short term tourist types of visas.  But I can't see any other options on their site.  My co worker is a USA citizen and while born in vietnam.  She and her family just returned from a two week visit there.  I will ask, because only a one year multiple entry visa option seems just wrong.  I just chatted with an online rep that does visa processing and yep, seems like usa people have to go through this.  Can't see how this will help.  Sure if none makes a lot of short term trips, but that is not what many tourists want. 

 

http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consular/visa-application-process

Edited October 29, 2016 by gk10002000
confirmation

[gk10002000]

even worse, their website doesn't list the fees!  you have to send them an email!  Screw that.  That is not what I call easy shopping or good customer service.

[jacksam]

I'm not USA but travel Saigon often. I just applied for letter of approval. There was a new notice below the option box. Words to the effect ...USA pp holders will only be issued one year multiple. 

OP I agree not fair. Nor fact USA and AU along with many others countries do not get 15 visa exempt such as UK.

its all weird. One year multiple perfect for me (I go every 7 weeks) but useless for backpackers. 

[gk10002000]

11 minutes ago, jacksam said:

I'm not USA but travel Saigon often. I just applied for letter of approval. There was a new notice below the option box. Words to the effect ...USA pp holders will only be issued one year multiple. 

OP I agree not fair. Nor fact USA and AU along with many others countries do not get 15 visa exempt such as UK.

its all weird. One year multiple perfect for me (I go every 7 weeks) but useless for backpackers. 

Yep.  It makes little sense.  But it depends on what they were trying to do.  If the goal is to discourage short term stayers, one time visitors, casual tourists, then this certainly will do that. I was considering hopping over there on my next trip for a look see.  That ain't going to happen now.   If the goal is to offer some sort of multi entry do paperwork once type of thing, then it is OK.  I think it is ridiculous.

[LongTimeLurker]

4 hours ago, jacksam said:

I'm not USA but travel Saigon often. I just applied for letter of approval. There was a new notice below the option box. Words to the effect ...USA pp holders will only be issued one year multiple. 

OP I agree not fair. Nor fact USA and AU along with many others countries do not get 15 visa exempt such as UK.

its all weird. One year multiple perfect for me (I go every 7 weeks) but useless for backpackers. 

 

Like you I travel to VN every 2 months so a multi entry 1 year visa would be ideal if they would issue them to UK passport holders

 

[tonray]

4 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

Yep.  It makes little sense.  But it depends on what they were trying to do.  If the goal is to discourage short term stayers, one time visitors, casual tourists, then this certainly will do that. I was considering hopping over there on my next trip for a look see.  That ain't going to happen now.   If the goal is to offer some sort of multi entry do paperwork once type of thing, then it is OK.  I think it is ridiculous.

The one year visa was a reciprocal agreement with the USA who is also issuing 1 year Visas to Vietnamese citizens. It is supposed to boost tourism, investment and economic ties between the 2 nations. They never envisioned it being a negative.

[cnx355]

2 hours ago, tonray said:

The one year visa was a reciprocal agreement with the USA who is also issuing 1 year Visas to Vietnamese citizens. It is supposed to boost tourism, investment and economic ties between the 2 nations. They never envisioned it being a negative.

An American friend of mine told me that when they started the new agreement for the 1 year visa they removed the 30 days visa. Possibly a mistake that should be eventually corrected. I guess nobody want to pay that price for a weekend in Vietnam.

[phkauf]

I went to the consulate on Wireless and spoke with the woman in charge just when the new 1-year Visa was finally ready in August, six-months after the VN authorities in Hanoi approved it. She acted as if Americans were getting a BIG favor with this new $200 visa and how nobody else had this special deal. Meanwhile most EU countries have 15 days no visa required (some have 30). Hmmm, let me think which is the better deal??

Mostly I think this is just tit-for-tat with the high cost of a Visa to visit the USA. I believe China charges US citizens more as well. It's still ridiculous relative to every other country in the region. I nixed a trip back in August because I didn't want to deal with the hassle at the time, so Malaysia got my $$$ (no visa required at all).

[phkauf]

9 minutes ago, andy said:

Anyone know if the visa agents in Phnom Penh can still get short term visas for Americans?  I asked about this in another thread but I guess no one has tried yet.  As much as I enjoy visiting HCMC (been going on and off for the past 13 years or so), I'm not dropping $150+ on a visa for a few days stay.

Andy, Back in August I called one of those visa on arrival shops my buddy used with great success. The fellow on the phone told me he wasn't doing them anymore for US citizens since the new 1-year visa was finalized. I think it was myvietnamavisa.com  or something like that.

Not sure if they are tied in with the guys in PP though. I have to admit it sounded very fishy to me at first, but my buddy swore by them for multiple trips.

[csabo]

I'm from the US but just talked to an Aussie who said he had to cancel his trip from Thailand to Vietnam because he had no visa (apparently thought he didn't need one, yes foolish of him not to check the requirements). He went on to explain the main gist of this thread until now I had not heard of. The general consensous is that Vietnam does not want Americans or Aussies in their country. My solution is to comply with their request. Maybe Hanoi Jane can cool tensions.

[hdkane]

I will be heading to vietnam from bkk next month, staying for 3 days...

 

can i obtain entry upon arrival?  or must i complete an applicaton for entry here in bkk at the vietnam consulate?

 

it's been so long since i went anywhere but thailand i stupidly did not consider what i must do...

 

thanks for the advice...

[Timebandit]

I just returned from Vietnam two days ago and here's the new law concerning Visas for the USA only. You get an application letter and a form from any number of Vietnamese Visa brokers such as  "[email protected]" . they will send you theses forms and you pay the broker $35 to submit them to Vietnamese Immigration for OK. When you get to the airport you submit your filled in forms at the desk marked for online visas with the picture attached to your form and your passport with $135 for a total fee of $170 for a multientry for one year whether you want it or not. This is a " retroprosity fee" brought on by the USA doing the same thing to them first. The USA immigration dept has found a cash cow with countries all over the World. i.e. Argentina---- . Do not blame Vietnam for this high fee. Your State dept. did this for themselves. When a country is completely insolvent their subjects pay greatly. I next see a travel fee coming from the US.

Edited October 29, 2016 by Timebandit
Correct wording

[yogavnture]

I phoned up washington dc vietnam embassy. lady on phone said they give one month visas. OF COURSE OF COURSE RULE JUST CHANGED IS WHAT SHE SAID>  this is screwy. guesthouse owners in vietnam suffer for this craziness

[MyFriend You]

17 hours ago, jacksam said:

I'm not USA but travel Saigon often. I just applied for letter of approval. There was a new notice below the option box. Words to the effect ...USA pp holders will only be issued one year multiple. 

OP I agree not fair. Nor fact USA and AU along with many others countries do not get 15 visa exempt such as UK.

its all weird. One year multiple perfect for me (I go every 7 weeks) but useless for backpackers. 

Its called "Visa Reciprocity"  kinda like "Do unto others as they do unto you"  we charge them $150 for a tourist visa, they charge us $135 for a multiple entry/exit tourist Visa  -  it is fair in their eyes, and I agree.

 

[MyFriend You]

I have a six month multiple entry/exit Visa - last time I went in - I was told this was the last time they will honor my old Visa - I have to apply to get a one year Multi Visa  -  my Visa still has almost two months left on it..............but Nothing surprises me  -  not near as bad as my first trip there in 1998 - I needed a Visa from Bangkok to get on the plane, then had to apply for another visa at Ton Son Nhut to enter the country - about ten out of around 75 passengers were refused and escorted back on the Thai Airways flight back to Bangkok., all were Viet Kieu's returning to Vietnam.....guess they didn't trust them back then...so it is all a matter of perspective.

[alex8912]

7 hours ago, TunnelRat69 said:

Its called "Visa Reciprocity"  kinda like "Do unto others as they do unto you"  we charge them $150 for a tourist visa, they charge us $135 for a multiple entry/exit tourist Visa  -  it is fair in their eyes, and I agree.

 

 

Comparing a third world countries Visa allowance to a first world one is simply not fair. The chance of someone overstaying in the USA from Vietnam is waaaaaay higher than the reverse and everyone including you knows this.  I here this same crap when guys on here whine about their Thai girlfriend having trouble getting a USA OR UK visa. Give me a break!!  This new insane visa will hurt Vietnam much more than the USA.  I was planning a one week trip with my friend in Feb and we would easily have spent $2500+.  We will not go now and thousands of others won't. I'm sure this visa system will change but my new plans will not change as well as others.  Very stupid on Vietnam.  

[Jai Dee]

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[nemrut]

On 10/29/2016 at 10:07 AM, jacksam said:

...One year multiple perfect for me (I go every 7 weeks) but useless for backpackers. 

 

 

Because VN is trying to attract those with more disposable income not the cheap charlies  looking to party on a budget and often get into trouble.

[jacksam]

2 hours ago, nemrut said:

 

Because VN is trying to comet those with more disposable inaot the cheap charlies  loking to party on a budget usand often get into trouble.

 

Agree on one point, being that young folk do generally do not have my income. However the young folk providea vibe and interest to places like district 1 saigon and old quarter han oi. Without them it would be very boring for some. Tourists have many spin offs. Mind you the is under very few USA  tourists for country that population. Only bit more than AU yet pop 11 times au

[Ulic]

Sounds like a great visa if you want to stay for a year, but not so good if you want

to stay for a month or less.

[yogavnture]

On ‎10‎/‎29‎/‎2016 at 10:58 PM, alex8912 said:

Comparing a third world countries Visa allowance to a first world one is simply not fair. The chance of someone overstaying in the USA from Vietnam is waaaaaay higher than the reverse and everyone including you knows this.  I here this same crap when guys on here whine about their Thai girlfriend having trouble getting a USA OR UK visa. Give me a break!!  This new insane visa will hurt Vietnam much more than the USA.  I was planning a one week trip with my friend in Feb and we would easily have spent $2500+.  We will not go now and thousands of others won't. I'm sure this visa system will change but my new plans will not change as well as others.  Very stupid on Vietnam.  

I suspect the law for americans is going to change very very very soon. they want tourists. and I think they like americans. somebody just dropped the ball in Hanoi.  I give it a few weeks. once all the americans start whining. Hanoi will give in

[yogavnture]

I went to Vietnam embassy Bangkok. they give one month visas to americans for about 2800 baht. easy.  its the visa on arrival companies that are creating havoc for Vietnam immigration