Just booked flight!!!!

[Mike n Huong 1]

As you all know, our petition has been affected by IMBRA. We have no idea how long before she has her interview now, because they are giving no information. If our petition was not recalled this trip would be to bring back my love, but due to USCIS error, it will be another great trip to spend time with her, but have another very sad ending at the airport. I can't wait until July 16th.

We might be taking a trip to Thailad for six days while I am there. I am really looking forward to visiting there, and I wouldn't mind going to see some Thai Kickboxing fights, but I know Huong would not enjoy it. My questions is in regards to the Visa. The application has two boxes, single entry or multiple entry, which should I check? I am not even sure if we will go until after I apply for the Visa.

Hopefully I will get the RFE before I leave and send it back and be processed before I come home.

[STL_HCMC 0]

Hi Mike,

Excellent that your taking another trip to Vietnam to see your fiancee! Just make sure that someone is attending to your mailbox back in the United States should you not receive the RFE before you leave and any important information arrives from the USCIS!

If you are planning to go to Thailand during your visit to Vietnam, than you would need a multiple entry visa. My business visa is multiple entry and I've never had any trouble getting back in after I left.

Best of luck to you!

STL_HCMC

As you all know, our petition has been affected by IMBRA. We have no idea how long before she has her interview now, because they are giving no information. If our petition was not recalled this trip would be to bring back my love, but due to USCIS error, it will be another great trip to spend time with her, but have another very sad ending at the airport. I can't wait until July 16th.

We might be taking a trip to Thailad for six days while I am there. I am really looking forward to visiting there, and I wouldn't mind going to see some Thai Kickboxing fights, but I know Huong would not enjoy it. My questions is in regards to the Visa. The application has two boxes, single entry or multiple entry, which should I check? I am not even sure if we will go until after I apply for the Visa.

Hopefully I will get the RFE before I leave and send it back and be processed before I come home.

[patricks 0]

Go For It Mike!

You definitely want "Multi" entry if you're going to T-land during your stay.

FYI: Huong won't need a visa (neither will you) to visit T-land.

Actually, the CO who interviewed my wife asked my wife about the Thailand stamp in her passport; he was impressed that she had already traveled outside of Vietnam AND we had pictures of our trip to show him (we said the pics were our honeymoon photos)......it was helpful during the interview.

FYII:Very few Vietnamese leave the country (That could be changing nowadays)

Just curious.....how much was your flight?

I just paid $1300 for Tet New Year (Feb 2007), BUT it's only 1 stop in Asia and doesN'T go through California. (pay more for convenience)

[STL_HCMC 0]

This is definitely changing as incomes rise in Vietnam and fares to Thailand and Singapore become lower due to fare wars between the airlines competing on those routes.

I just read an article related to this on the English version of VietNamNet.com.

Link: Emerging Middle Class Drives Consumer Trends

While this isn't directly related to travel, it shows the rising purchasing power of the Vietnamese. HCMC especially is full of high-end imported Honda motorbikes (i.e. $6,000USD to $8,000USD), luxury cars (i.e. Lexus, Mercedes, BMW) and global fashion brands (i.e. Prada, D&G, Burberry).

They are also traveling and enjoying the fruits of inexpensive multiple night tours to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

It is really quite interesting living/working here in this booming economy. It is also quite interesting to watch the government try to stay ahead of the growth and maintain infrastructure, real estate and inflation.

STL_HCMC

FYII:Very few Vietnamese leave the country (That could be changing nowadays)

[patricks 0]

It is remarkable!

It changed so much during my five year stay from 99' to 04', especially the consumer wealth.

It's both good and bad. I have very fond memories of my first 6 months there.

[STL_HCMC 0]

patricks,

I also read another article recently that quoted Vietnam as one of the most expensive places in Asia for foreigners to live. I found that very interesting. I know serviced apartments here run around $1,000+ per month. I choose to live the classic Vietnamese way and rent a small house with my fiancee in an outlying neighborhood (Q. Tan Binh) with the locals! I enjoy it - even with the stares that I continue to get no matter how many times I ride home on the same small streets to our house - and it gives me great appreciation for the lifestyle, culture and all that I have in the United States that I took for granted for so long.

Sorry to hog your post Mike!

STL_HCMC

It is remarkable!

It changed so much during my five year stay from 99' to 04', especially the consumer wealth.

It's both good and bad. I have very fond memories of my first 6 months there.

Mike,

I second patricks' comment regarding "no visa needed" for entry into Thailand.

STL_HCMC

FYI: Huong won't need a visa (neither will you) to visit T-land.

[MrsWhizz 0]

Gettin' ready to do the same, Mike. Godspeed to you!!!

[Vagina Journey 0]

Have a safe trip Mike....... And enjoy your time together

[Kevin&Loan 0]

Mike, for the time being, forget about all the headache and troubles with the K1 application. Go to VN, enjoy your precious time with your fiancee. She needs you now. Although you do not need visa to get back into VN from Thailand but for the heck of it, just apply for multiple-entry.

[Mike n Huong 1]

Go For It Mike!

You definitely want "Multi" entry if you're going to T-land during your stay.

FYI: Huong won't need a visa (neither will you) to visit T-land.

Actually, the CO who interviewed my wife asked my wife about the Thailand stamp in her passport; he was impressed that she had already traveled outside of Vietnam AND we had pictures of our trip to show him (we said the pics were our honeymoon photos)......it was helpful during the interview.

FYII:Very few Vietnamese leave the country (That could be changing nowadays)

Just curious.....how much was your flight?

I just paid $1300 for Tet New Year (Feb 2007), BUT it's only 1 stop in Asia and doesN'T go through California. (pay more for convenience)

Well, my parents were going to buy the ticket for me with their frequent flier miles, but the earliest they have a flight is May of next year. I went onto Orbitz last night, which I have used for my last two trips and since it is only one month advance I paid $1500. The trip to Thailand is only $300/person which includes airfare and 3 star hotel for 6 nights. I am so excited to be going, but I know the heat is going to be rough.

[chuckandkim 0]

Actually, the CO who interviewed my wife asked my wife about the Thailand stamp in her passport; he was impressed that she had already traveled outside of Vietnam AND we had pictures of our trip to show him (we said the pics were our honeymoon photos)......it was helpful during the interview.

FYII:Very few Vietnamese leave the country (That could be changing nowadays)

100% agree! Kim had to get a brand new passport just fot them to issue her K-1 Visa. All the pages in her last passport were filled with stamps and visas from Japan for 7 years of studying and living in Japan.

Traveling to a foreign country isn't a luxary that many vietnamese can affort, so a visa/stamp from a trip is a big plus!!!!

Keep it up guys!!!

Mike,

Enjoy the heat and rain in VN Wish i could be there

Edited June 20, 2006 by chuckandkim

[Matt_Stevens 5]

My fiance's passport is filled with stamps from France (been there 2 or 3 times) Germany (same) Great Britain and Japan. That has to be a plus. One would certainbly think so and Anh really believes it is her ace in the hole in stopping them from thinking she just wants out of Vietnam. I wish I could provide the Consulate recordings of conversations I have had with Anh where she tried to convince me to move to Vietnam. Only after realizing that I have no way of making money there did she decide to move here.

Of cours, no recordings exist, so this is just silly talk.

Edited June 20, 2006 by Matt_Stevens

[chuckandkim 0]

Amen to that Matt!

[Mike n Huong 1]

I definately think it is a plus for us. I emailed the embassy and they haven't emailed me the fee for the Visa yet. Does anyone know what the fee's are for single and multiple entry?

[menyoo 0]

I definately think it is a plus for us. I emailed the embassy and they haven't emailed me the fee for the Visa yet. Does anyone know what the fee's are for single and multiple entry?

Mike,

fees for VN visa if filing directly with the VN ambassy $65 plus fed express stamp prepaid. I would go the any travel agent that offer ticket to asia. They do for $40-$45 bucks.

Good luck to you and enjoy your adventure.