How should I take the engagement ring into Vietnam?

[chuckandkim 0]

I am pretty sure the ring won't fit even onto the tip of my pinky. But from what I am reading here I think I can relax a bit.

The issue now is my jeweler. I just heard some exceptionaly bad things about him and will be talking to him today to make sure he is not trying to pull a fast one on me. A fast one would be to try and sell me a "Clarity Enhanced" diamond without disclosing that is what it is. CE diamonds are rocks of lower quality that are inserted with a substance to hide the inclusions. They will look much better, but it does not change the fact that they are sh!t.

If this is the case the deal is off and I am searching for another ring with not much time to do so.

Hi Matt,

Relax... big time... relax!!!

Guess how i brought my ring to Vietnam for our engagement? I put it inside the jewelery box that comes with the ring, pair of stud diamond earings, pandent necklace, bracelet, all in their original jewel boxes. all sitting in my backpack. Never put down the custom form anything in regarding of the "PERSONAL" jewelry. Nobody every asked me at the custom counter in Saigon either.

Even if they ask you, you tell them i'm getting engaged with a vietnamese girl, these are my gift to her. They will NOT be bothering you with it... Key point here is: Personal jewelery... You don't plan to bring in 1000 diamond rings, but one. Same thing goes with electronic equipments (laptop/digital camera/camcorder/cellphone) they let you bring in ONE of each, anything extra, you must put down the form including your first one.

Good luck,

Chuck and Kim

P.S.: Do not, i mean, do not leave that ring out of your sight... guard it with all your life man Plus, don't relax/loose up the ring... if you have the band/setting fitted for her finger already, just leave it. Any "expansion" of the band will weak the ring, after awhile the stone will get loosen and fall out from the setting... or breakage! (Personal experience)

[Landy 0]

I realize that the choice of a ring is a personal decision but this is what Lan and I did:

We bought the ring together in Vietnam at a reputable jewelry store. This way Lan could help select a ring that she really liked. It's also quite a bit cheaper this way. Just something to think about.

Let me add a follow-up. The ring is going back. They lied. It is that simple. But they will give me a full refund, so I will be satisfied when that happens.

In the meantime I have ordered a ring that I was going to go with in the first place and will have it by Thursday afternoon, which is just one week before I leave.

[Matt_Stevens 5]

I realize that the choice of a ring is a personal decision but this is what Lan and I did: We bought the ring together in Vietnam at a reputable jewelry store. This way Lan could help select a ring that she really liked. It's also quite a bit cheaper this way. Just something to think about.

Landy, I asked Anh about this, but she did not know of a good jeweler and said she wanted me to get her something from my heart and surprise her. I sent her a number of pictures for her to say "Yes, that is nice" and "No, that is not for me" and she did oblige me on that for a while. Finally she asked for me to choose and not tell or show her any more pictures.

Another question: I have purchased a watch for her brother and also for her father. I will have two watches with me (one casual and one for dress), so that means I will have FOUR WATCHES. What is the best course of action for me on this?

I have about 25 bottles of lotion from Bed Bath & Beyond for Anh and her mother. Do I need to list all of that? I assume no on this one.

Edited May 1, 2006 by Matt_Stevens

[chuckandkim 0]

The watches,just throw away the boxes, keep them in your toiletry bag. Why? Masking those watches as if they are USED items, if those clowns at the Customer Border in VN ask, just say they are yours to wear. Don't even worry about them or list them. I bought 3 watches home with me all the time. One for dinner with the family, one to wear when i'm out partying, one when I go diving. What's up Vietnam !

No need to list them!

Lotions and stuff, no need either, those are for personal use. I told the custom officer once that i do need a lot of lotions because of the weather in VN, i have sensitive skin! So what's up You are worrying too much about the little thing. Relax and again, enjoy your trip. I wish I were there right now

[STL_HCMC 0]

I kept my fiancee's ring in my carry-on backpack.

All of my experiences through immigration and customs in HCMC have been smooth sailing. I've come in two times with suitcases of snacks I stocked up on in the USA before coming back to HCMC, personal toiletry items (i.e. several hand lotion bottles, several shaving gel bottles, etc.) and electronics (i.e. laptop, DVD player, digital camera, etc.). I've never had any problem at all.

The only trouble I find in HCMC is the darn luggage carrousel scene after getting through immigration. I've never seen such chaos retrieving bags in my life - although I'm quite used to it now after living here. It is a shoving match at times to get your bag. However, once you conquer that mess, than just plop your bags down on the x-ray machine at customs, hand them your yellow arrival form and proceed to the other side to pick them up.

Do beware that officials at Tan Son Nhat (HCMC Airport) do enforce carry-on baggage weight requirements heavily on departure. I think it is somewhere around 15 kg for the maximum.

STL_HCMC

Edited May 4, 2006 by STL_HCMC

[patricks 0]

I hear "ya" STL_HCMC:

It's a free for all, roll up your sleeves, Let the games begin.

Actually, I've had reverse culture shock in America, I find myself being less polite in public crowded situations. Then I realise, these people are more civilized. (and bigger)

Seperately, I can't believe gas costs 11,000/lit Dong in VN, (I can manage $3/gallon). 50k to fill up the tank, have the locals resorted to bicycles again? Maybe VN will now be quieter?

Sorry Matt to change the subject................(Matt, No worries, you'll be fine)

[STL_HCMC 0]

Gas is DEFINITELY 11,000VND/liter - I just filled up my scooter this morning!

Ho Chi Minh City will NEVER be quiet! With the May 1st lift of the ban on imported used cars, these streets are going to get even more jammed and the exhaust fumes will continue to cloud the air we breathe. Car is king in Vietnam. I wear a mask everyday when I ride, but I don't believe for one minute that I'm NOT inhaling anything.

The only bicycles I see are the ones I'm trying to dodge in traffic!

STL_HCMC

I hear "ya" STL_HCMC:

It's a free for all, roll up your sleeves, Let the games begin.

Actually, I've had reverse culture shock in America, I find myself being less polite in public crowded situations. Then I realise, these people are more civilized. (and bigger)

Seperately, I can't believe gas costs 11,000/lit Dong in VN, (I can manage $3/gallon). 50k to fill up the tank, have the locals resorted to bicycles again? Maybe VN will now be quieter?

Sorry Matt to change the subject................(Matt, No worries, you'll be fine)

[patricks 0]

Troi Oi, the boys in green lifted the ban on imported autos. That's got Los Angeles/Bangkok gridlock written all over it! That's like 5 years ago, when the cheap Chinese motor bike imports invaded the market ($500). One day the school parking lot had 50 % motor bikes and 50% Bicycles, within a couple of months, there were about a total of 10 bicycles in the parking lot and the parking attendants couldn't find enough space for the motor bikes.

Yes, I remember the mask, rain "poncho" and my extra loud horn! Now, I have controlled interior comfort. But, I do miss the excitment of thinking to myself "Gosh I hope that other guy will stop while I go through this GREEN light" "I hope he's not drunk, etc"...........Oh life in VN?

[3AD 0]

Matt,

I'm in Vietnam now. Not sure if you've left, but need your help. Connection is not good here, but I'm wondering how you found out DHL had sent your package from NVC to HCMC consulate? In other words, how did you track it? And did you get a case number? If so, how?

If you can write me back, that would be great.

Have a great trip. I think this is your first time to VN. Don't worry about the ring. As they've said, just carry it in your carry-on, don't even put it in a special box (or separate them).

3AD

[Matt_Stevens 5]

Actually, it was another member here who found out about mine by pure chance. So I never bothered to try and find out since I figured he was right.

Oh, I did send HCMC an email and they responded after a while confirming it was there.

[woodgc 0]

I got all the jewelry in HCMC were her mother supervised the operation if you change your mind and go that way let me know and I will email you the jewelers address, they were very good and reasonable price.

Keep in mind they still use jewelry as a bank account in a lot of cases and also as an appropriate gift from the husband’s side to the wife. So I would lean on the side of getting a less expensive engagement ring and then when you have your engagement party present her with a necklace and earrings this seems to work really well and be more along the line of what they anticipate.

I assume you realize you’ll might be giving a speech at your engagement party I learned this online myself not knowingly and when I brought it up with my fiancé she laughed and said of course as if it was common knowledge for everyone so good luck on that speech. If you’re artistic you may want to recite a poem. One of her uncles spontaneously wrote a poem for us so all in all it was a very pleasant enjoyable time.

The lotion is a really good Idea.

By the description your lady seems quite sophisticated so I would suggest some high-end facial creams. their kind of expensive down ther. In the states it’s about 50 bucks for a bottle and it lasts them a good six months or more. I got Shiseido and also much cheaper but something I noticed they seem to use daily is Olay total effects

Remember they don’t have the manufacturing capabilities and we have so certain things it don’t seem like a lot to us they really like. A female friend of mine suggested those disposable hand wipes to take on the plane so I could clean myself up before I met them at the airport. I got a couple packages and they just love them and now I always send some down. If you can spare the change pick up a half a dozen to a dozen Centrum Silver and also regular. They’re considered extremely high-quality there and her folks will probably really appreciated them , they will keep some and the extras they’ll hand out to their friends as gifts.

if you have not traveled much third world here's a tip.

Carry 2 sea bags buy 4 5gal buckets, get ones with screw on lids, 2 each per bag, they are indestructible and 5 gal American buckets are really loved in Third World areas where their quality is unsurpassed; on your return leave the buckets were keep one or two if you have some breakable items they will really appreciate the buckets I promise you.

It’s funny my first trip to Vietnam I bought luggage, almost never in my life for the last few decades have I use anything but sea bags or those nice Air Force flight bags;. I thought I would get good luggage so I don’t look like a bum at the airport and two nights before I left I had dinner with a friend who was helping me learn Vietnamese; an extremely sharp guy who definitely thinks outside of the box. I expressed my joy of going with luggage and he told me I was crazy and explained his trick with 5 gal. Buckets. The next day I took the luggage back bought the buckets and got on the plane following morning. they are efficient for space perfect for protection and Iwill never travel anyother way.

well best of luck with your engagement ring hunting and your trip I hope I don't sound as if I'm talking from a podium but the bucket thing is just as such a neat idea I wanna pass it on and all credit goes to a gentleman named Surfmonk one of the finest people I have had the honor of knowing.

[patricks 0]

Sorry, I'm Lost on the Lugguge tip........ 5 gallon buckets?

[jordanianprincess 0]

LOL, the ring caught my eye. Very nice. By the way when I went to Jordan I took 24 pairs of shoes, LOTS of gifts, includuing a playstation, gameboy, jeans, lots of stuff. When I left I had ALOT of jewelry with me. All of it was 21K gold, no one even opened my suitcases.

On the way back we brought some nuts/seeds etc, and went throught th agriculture line..WAY FASTER! They are so concerned with the food they don't look at anything else. I never declared one thing on my form.

[woodgc 0]

I am sorry I didn’t explain it well.

A sea bag is a green duffel bag that almost all the military services use I should use duffel bag but I’m Navy so Sea Bag. you can store all your items to carry in the buckets. They are probably much tougher than hard shell luggage. Two buckets with lids will stack on top of each other and fit perfectly into a duffel bag.

There’s a couple benefits you get

1. if you’re traveling as you use up or handout your items you can collapse the buckets in the each other thereby making your bags smaller.

2. when you get ready to leave their a very sought-after item the 5 gal. pales/buckets all over the world people use these things and they would be very happy for you to leave them all behind. You may need to take one or two with you if you have fragile items your returning with but the reality of it is I think most of the breakable stuff goes that way you’re probably bringing non breakable stuff back home. You still have room to stuff close around the outside and that sort of thing.

Since I’ve expounded so much there are three items that I thought I should mention that aren’t necessarily obvious.

Sometime in late December 2005 TSA change the hazmat requirements for items carried on aircraft and it is now legal to carry 118 ml or 4 oz. of Mace or pepper spray it must be of a design that covers the spray trigger. And it must be carried in checked luggage; I interpret that to mean you may carry one per checked luggage as it says you may have one item in checked bag up too 118 ml or 4 oz.. Once again the ladies seems to like this item for their purse and it’s not available in Vietnam. I prefer the foam which is less likely to blow back on you and it has a longer-range probably 20 ft. no matter where you hit them their body heat will evaporated it off of them in seconds and start causing them physical distress I’ve used it on a few wild people and it puts him down pretty darn good. Please note at least in United States you’re not supposed to kick them when they are down. Also note that 4 ounces is quite a bit and makes a great for home defense personally I get something somewhat smaller for their purse but I don’t like those little pencil things I think they’re worthless.

The second item is tipping. Surf monk told me to take down a few hundred in nice new one dollar bills everybody loves them, they’re great for taxis; gives them a perfect tip normally, a great handout for little kids or to leave as tips. One dollar doesn’t sound like much but for a lot of folks of course it’s a day’s wage so it really makes them smile

Another gem from Surf monk that I should know, most men probably due, but I was grateful he pointed out to me women all over the world love American jeans and they are quite pricey anywhere else a good pair of $50 jeans is really appreciated and of course very expensive for them I bring some for my sister-in-law and my fiancé they really like it and of course we have the absolute pleasure of watching the lovely lady walk in a good set of tight jeans what more could a man ask for.

Anyway I hope these help you decide what to take down.

I should add Customs has been a snap both times for me I had quite a bit a cash travelers checks bottles of Ice wine some reasonably expensive cosmetics chocolates-they love Godiva chocolates-also Hawaiian macadamia nut chocolates-and a bunch of other stuff customs and give me any problems whatsoever.

immigration was also a snap somehow I was on a six-month multiple entry business visa that I got from the San Francisco consulate I applied for a multiple entry visa not knowing it was a business visa the first time to Vietnam when they asked me what I was doing their I said visiting the woman I shall marry they said but what business do you have and I said the business of fiancé's and this guy said no you have a business visa what business are you working with I said man that's a big mistake I had no idea it was a business visa since I don't read Vietnamese but I had asked for a multiple entry tourist visa. I asked him if it was a problem and if I needed to redo a while I was in Vietnam he laughed and said no we don't care what you do the second trip I was not questioned at all and since I do travel a lot and don't have time to be sent in my passport back-and-forth have a six-month visa though expensive to acquire was well worth it.

[Matt_Stevens 5]

I actually have the ring. The second ring. The first one went back because it was not as described. Anyway, this ring is stunning. She saw a picture of one like about two months ago and her eyes popped out of her head, so this will make her very happy.

She told her family that there will be no other jewelry because she does not want it and says this is her choice and everyone must deal with it. Thank God!

Speach? What speach!? No one told me about a speach! Good God. I'm a writer, not an orator!