Sending money

[WeatherEmperor 21]

Hey guys,

Thu asked me to send her some money because she needs to buy new clothes. I have to admit, the clothes she has right now are starting to fade

I read at at the K1 Forum about members sending money to their fiance'. Since I will be dealing with the HCMC consulate later down the road when I file, I was wondering if any members here that have sent money to their fiance' in VN. Is this a good idea or bad idea? Also if I do send money to her, should I provide evidence of this with my I-129F petion? I am a bit worried that it is going to look bad if I send money to her just so she can buy new clothes. Anybody dealing with VN have any experience with this? The Walmart Visa Green Dot Cards are basically pre-paid cards. I can add funds to the cards here, and then mail the card with her name printed on it, to her home in VN. She can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted and at ATM machines to withdraw cash.

<CARRICK>

Edited October 8, 2009 by WeatherEmperor

[Huong and Phung 0]

She is your fiancee right? Even boyfriend can send money to girlfriend. I think it's okay to send money and I usually go to the vietnamese book store or audio place where they deliver the money straight to her door. They also cheap and secure too. They usually call her before they come. They will give you a receipt then you can include that in your petition. It's consider to be "buying presents for my fiancee" kind of thing.

[ScottThuy 140]

My friends mother has a market here in FM and she can wire the money and it gets there that night... its been a couple of months since I sent any but I think its like 2%... I have sent $ several times and no issues.. look for a VN market there..... I can ask around if anyone here knows a place there since I know many have friends living near you.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Used to use xoom.com but they stopped last month sending anything to Vietnam last month. A friend of mine wanted to send some to his fiancee but for spending money for her. We went to ABC to send it and they deliver it to her house at cheap prices. They are at many places all over the country and here is a link to their website to see if one is near you. Personally if my babe had asked for money to buy clothes she may not be my wife now.

The link is: http://www.abcmsb.com/

[b_weeks 6]

I sent money to my Fiance when she was in Vietnam. I was paying for her english classes and internet. Also bought her a motorbike.

I went to a local VN market here in town to send the money. Much cheaper than Western Union. They gave me receipts everytime. They charge $3 for every $100 sent. I actually used the receipts as evidence for our ongoing relationship and her interview at the consulate.

Nthing says love like MONEY :P LOL

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I sent money to my Fiance when she was in Vietnam. I was paying for her english classes and internet. Also bought her a motorbike.

I went to a local VN market here in town to send the money. Much cheaper than Western Union. They gave me receipts everytime. They charge $3 for every $100 sent. I actually used the receipts as evidence for our ongoing relationship and her interview at the consulate.

Nthing says love like MONEY :P LOL

I guess you haven't used Western Union in a while. Sending to locations in the US is very expensive, but it's very cheap to send money with Western Union to Vietnam. I pay $6 to send $200, and $8 to send $400. It's the same price to send the money online as it is in most Western Union agent locations. Once sent, the money can be picked up in any Western Union agent shop in the Vietnam within about 15 minutes.

[cavoi xanh1 0]

I sent money to my Fiance when she was in Vietnam. I was paying for her english classes and internet. Also bought her a motorbike.

I went to a local VN market here in town to send the money. Much cheaper than Western Union. They gave me receipts everytime. They charge $3 for every $100 sent. I actually used the receipts as evidence for our ongoing relationship and her interview at the consulate.

Nthing says love like MONEY :P LOL

I guess you haven't used Western Union in a while. Sending to locations in the US is very expensive, but it's very cheap to send money with Western Union to Vietnam. I pay $6 to send $200, and $8 to send $400. It's the same price to send the money online as it is in most Western Union agent locations. Once sent, the money can be picked up in any Western Union agent shop in the Vietnam within about 15 minutes.

I agree. I use moneygram (try any CVS). Its a flat rate $9.99 so sending $300 or more makes it compariable to other methods. All you do is walk in the the CVS and pick up the money gram phone. The operator asks you a couple of questions and writes a 10 word message an a confirmation code. You pay the CVS cashier and the money is avaiable in VN in about 10 minutes at numerous banks. you almost wish it wasn't so easy

[cavoi xanh1 0]

Hey guys,

Thu asked me to send her some money because she needs to buy new clothes. I have to admit, the clothes she has right now are starting to fade

I read at at the K1 Forum about members sending money to their fiance'. Since I will be dealing with the HCMC consulate later down the road when I file, I was wondering if any members here that have sent money to their fiance' in VN. Is this a good idea or bad idea? Also if I do send money to her, should I provide evidence of this with my I-129F petion? I am a bit worried that it is going to look bad if I send money to her just so she can buy new clothes. Anybody dealing with VN have any experience with this? The Walmart Visa Green Dot Cards are basically pre-paid cards. I can add funds to the cards here, and then mail the card with her name printed on it, to her home in VN. She can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted and at ATM machines to withdraw cash.

<CARRICK>

Sorry for the double post. Please don't send money cards in the mail it will either not make it, or if it was me I would say I never received it and keep asking for more cards

[Josephs 0]

I use western union. all you have to do is keep receipt and write the confirmation number down. it takes minutes and all she needs is her ID and the number. its like 10 bucks for 100 and like 15 for 200. I am not sure. but it always works.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I use western union. all you have to do is keep receipt and write the confirmation number down. it takes minutes and all she needs is her ID and the number. its like 10 bucks for 100 and like 15 for 200. I am not sure. but it always works.

Your agent is overcharging you. You should find another agent, or use Western Union online. It should only be about $4 for $100, and $6 for $200.

Also, get a Western Union "Gold Card" (no, it's not a credit card). Most agents will sign you up for free. Once you have it, they'll keep your recipients info in the computer. You can walk into any Western Union agent shop, hand them the card, tell them which recipient on your list you're sending to, and give them the cash. You won't have to fill out paperwork ever again, and you'll still get the printed receipts. A nice bonus is you get phone minutes with each transfer.

[wratran 0]

Go to to a local vietnam supermarket and ask about it.

They usually have office in HCM that can hand deliver the money. it's usually between 2-3% depends on much you are sending. They will hand deliver it to your fiance. They will call her and let her know they will be coming.

I just send $800 to HCM, it cost me $12 in fees...they gave her USD in $100 increment. It's better to receive in USD because of the exchange rate. Dont accept any company that will exchange to VND. They usually give you a lower exchange rate.

I send it in the afternoon our time...got there when i get up in the morning.

Dont use any of the american company..like western union...etc...very high...and not hand-to-hand delivery

Edited October 8, 2009 by wratran

[lindal24 1]

I use western union. all you have to do is keep receipt and write the confirmation number down. it takes minutes and all she needs is her ID and the number. its like 10 bucks for 100 and like 15 for 200. I am not sure. but it always works.

You may be doing money in minutes or something because transferring money to VN should only cost you $6.00 no matter how much you spend...

----------------------------------------------

But one thing that the OP and others should also consider is that when you send money, you should keep in mind that $100 is ALOT of money in VN. People with a good job over there only make an approximate average annual salary of $2,000 USD--if even that! If your SO is asking you to send money, you should ask why--not in the questioning way, but rather for what. Sure you love them and everything and you want a better life for them, and it's nice to send them money for special occasions or specific purposes, i.e. English Classes, Specialized Employment School, Weddings/Funerals/B-Day, etc. but people in VN are used to the lifestyles they've grown accustomed to.

In my opinion, I think that if a SO is asking for money, you should be very careful because she may have ulterior motives in your relationship...Clothes, going out, new stuff...IDK...smells fishy...again, Just my opinion.

Go to to a local vietnam supermarket and ask about it.

They usually have office in HCM that can hand deliver the money. it's usually between 2-3% depends on much you are sending. They will hand deliver it to your fiance. They will call her and let her know they will be coming.

I just send $800 to HCM, it cost me $12 in fees...they gave her USD in $100 increment. It's better to receive in USD because of the exchange rate. Dont accept any company that will exchange to VND. They usually give you a lower exchange rate.

I send it in the afternoon our time...got there when i get up in the morning.

Dont use any of the american company..like western union...etc...very high...and not hand-to-hand delivery

I don't know if I'd trust a hand-to-hand delivery service--especially in VN!

[Anh map 2,098]

Carrick, the issue regarding the interview and sending money is that it MAY cause some questioning about the intentions of the Viet beneficiary.

Most of us send/sent money at some time. How much you send and what it's for is between you and Thu.

My advice is that if you mention sending money that it is about gifts for holidays, birthday, etc.

[wratran 0]

from everyone opinion...

the money sent should be left out of the whole process...?

[lindal24 1]

from everyone opinion...

the money sent should be left out of the whole process...?

Depends on the point of view,

1.it helps in the case of proving a bona fide relationship where you're supporting the SO...

2. it may appear as if there are other intentions/motives...

Do it (send money) for honest reasons, not because you think it may or may not help your case...(but if you do, save the receipt for evidence!)

Edited October 8, 2009 by lindal24