Seeking Travel Partner for Vietnam

[ilovevietnam 0]

Hi, I am a Vietnamese American seeking a travel partner/friend for a trip to Vietnam.

It may seem odd for me to be posting here, but hey, I figured it's worth a shot.

I was born in VN and left as a child with my family as part of the exodus known as the boatpeople. Indeed, we did leave on a boat under perilous conditions.

Thirty years (!) has passed since I last saw Vietnam and 2010 is a good year to see Vietnam again.

I am seeking one or more people to join me for a two to three week trip, but it's all up in the air and I'm open to discussion.

For what it's worth, I am a 30something professional male living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Write me if you're interested! Tell me a little about yourself as well. You don't necessarily have to be from America. I'm open to meeting up with people from other countries in VN as well.

Thanks for reading this.

Edited November 11, 2009 by ilovevietnam

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I'm not Viet Kieu, but I have friends who are. I live in the East Bay. I'm going to VN on December 8th for my fiancee's visa interview. I'll be in Saigon until the 16th, and then we're going up to Hue for a week or so.

Do you speak Vietnamese?

[ilovevietnam 0]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for replying. I do speak rudimentary Vietnamese but I'm sure I will pick it up pretty fast once I am in VN.

It looks like you have some experience with travel to and in VN. Is the process pretty painless? I'm a complete newbie at this. I have not even applied for my passport yet. What are the costs like?

I'd like to go to VN in January or February.

Good luck with your interview.

I'm not Viet Kieu, but I have friends who are. I live in the East Bay. I'm going to VN on December 8th for my fiancee's visa interview. I'll be in Saigon until the 16th, and then we're going up to Hue for a week or so.

Do you speak Vietnamese?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for replying. I do speak rudimentary Vietnamese but I'm sure I will pick it up pretty fast once I am in VN.

It looks like you have some experience with travel to and in VN. Is the process pretty painless? I'm a complete newbie at this. I have not even applied for my passport yet. What are the costs like?

I'd like to go to VN in January or February.

Good luck with your interview.

I'm not Viet Kieu, but I have friends who are. I live in the East Bay. I'm going to VN on December 8th for my fiancee's visa interview. I'll be in Saigon until the 16th, and then we're going up to Hue for a week or so.

Do you speak Vietnamese?

You'd better apply for that passport pronto. Unless you pay for expedited processing, it can take around 6 weeks to get. You'll need proof of citizenship (in your case, a naturalization certificate), passport photos, and the appropriate forms completed. Once you get the passport, you'll need to send it to the VN Embassy in San Francisco to get a visa, which takes another week. If you use a VN specialized travel agency then they'll take care of getting the visa for you, but they'll still need your passport.

Entry/exit for me is pretty painless. You're Viet Kieu, so it may be a little different. It's far more common for the customs people to jack around Viet Kieu for a little extra "coffee money", from what I've been told.

"What's this in your bag? A laptop computer? Well, you are supposed to pay a gazillion VN dong customs fee on this!"

...holds passport open in your direction, gesturing that he wants you to put 'something' inside it...

Entry is slightly more cumbersome right now, thanks to H1N1. You'll get some health related forms to fill out on the plane. Everyone bunches up in a rope line "funnel" in the open area before the customs counters to hand in their health declarations, while IR cameras scan for people with a fever. Not a big deal, but it adds 10 or 15 minutes to the time needed to get to the customs counters. If you've got a fever then you're essentially screwed - you will be going to a quarantine hospital at YOUR expense until you've been cleared.

Coming in on a big international flight, like a 747, can mean waiting up to an hour for your luggage. Those big planes hold a LOT of people and luggage, and it takes a long time to offload it. This is where checking in early can work against you. The earlier you check in for your flight, the farther back into the cargo hold your luggage goes, and the longer you wait for it to come out. Not a big deal if your final destination is Saigon, but if you've got a connecting flight on VN Airlines in the domestic terminal then allow yourself 1 to 1.5 hours to get out of the international terminal and walk over to the domestic terminal.

If your incoming flight from SFO connects to your HCM flight in Taipei, then pay attention to the connecting flight they schedule you on. Depending on which gate you come into Taipei, it can take 30 to 45 minutes to walk through the terminal, go through another security check, walk through the terminal some more, and get to your connecting flight gate. If your flight to HCM is schedule to depart 1 hour after your flight from SFO arrives, you'll have to hustle to make it. If your flight from SFO is even 10 minutes late, your luggage probably won't make it to the other plane on time, and you'll have to wait an extra hour or so in Saigon for your luggage to arrive. The good news is that the restaurant on the second floor of the international terminal has windows overlooking the baggage claim area, so you can see when your luggage comes in, and they make a pretty good bowl of Pho Hue!

Even before you speak, the locals WILL know that you're Viet Kieu. Cabbies and hotel clerks will likely try to rip you off because they'll presume you're carrying lots of cash to bring to family in VN. If you've got family in VN or friends in VN, it would be good to have them meet you at the airport. They'll take care of you, and make sure you don't get screwed. My fiancee's cousin owns a hotel in Saigon. It's modest, but very clean and comfortable. If you need a reasonably priced place to stay, or even a guide around Saigon, I'm sure he'll help you out. He'll even meet you at the airport. Just remember - you're the American, so you WILL be expected to pay for meals and beer for everyone! Don't worry - you can get a feast, including beer, for the price of a few meal combos at McDonalds!

[ilovevietnam 0]

Thanks Jim. That was very helpful information. There's nothing better than first hand experience. I wouldn't have known a thing about the airplane transfers. You should write an article!

I'll be applying for my passport within the week. Expedited. Does your fiancee's cousin's hotel have a website? I would be interested in the hotel's contact info.

It's odd that Viet Kieus would have more hassles getting into Vietnam. I'm not above paying the "bribes" (which is exactly what it sounds like), but I get a little miffed when it's dished out only to a certain group.

Thanks again and feel free to throw any other info my way. I'm sure others that read this thread will enjoy the info as well.

-Nathan

Hi Jim,

Thanks for replying. I do speak rudimentary Vietnamese but I'm sure I will pick it up pretty fast once I am in VN.

It looks like you have some experience with travel to and in VN. Is the process pretty painless? I'm a complete newbie at this. I have not even applied for my passport yet. What are the costs like?

I'd like to go to VN in January or February.

Good luck with your interview.

I'm not Viet Kieu, but I have friends who are. I live in the East Bay. I'm going to VN on December 8th for my fiancee's visa interview. I'll be in Saigon until the 16th, and then we're going up to Hue for a week or so.

Do you speak Vietnamese?

You'd better apply for that passport pronto. Unless you pay for expedited processing, it can take around 6 weeks to get. You'll need proof of citizenship (in your case, a naturalization certificate), passport photos, and the appropriate forms completed. Once you get the passport, you'll need to send it to the VN Embassy in San Francisco to get a visa, which takes another week. If you use a VN specialized travel agency then they'll take care of getting the visa for you, but they'll still need your passport.

Entry/exit for me is pretty painless. You're Viet Kieu, so it may be a little different. It's far more common for the customs people to jack around Viet Kieu for a little extra "coffee money", from what I've been told.

"What's this in your bag? A laptop computer? Well, you are supposed to pay a gazillion VN dong customs fee on this!"

...holds passport open in your direction, gesturing that he wants you to put 'something' inside it...

Entry is slightly more cumbersome right now, thanks to H1N1. You'll get some health related forms to fill out on the plane. Everyone bunches up in a rope line "funnel" in the open area before the customs counters to hand in their health declarations, while IR cameras scan for people with a fever. Not a big deal, but it adds 10 or 15 minutes to the time needed to get to the customs counters. If you've got a fever then you're essentially screwed - you will be going to a quarantine hospital at YOUR expense until you've been cleared.

Coming in on a big international flight, like a 747, can mean waiting up to an hour for your luggage. Those big planes hold a LOT of people and luggage, and it takes a long time to offload it. This is where checking in early can work against you. The earlier you check in for your flight, the farther back into the cargo hold your luggage goes, and the longer you wait for it to come out. Not a big deal if your final destination is Saigon, but if you've got a connecting flight on VN Airlines in the domestic terminal then allow yourself 1 to 1.5 hours to get out of the international terminal and walk over to the domestic terminal.

If your incoming flight from SFO connects to your HCM flight in Taipei, then pay attention to the connecting flight they schedule you on. Depending on which gate you come into Taipei, it can take 30 to 45 minutes to walk through the terminal, go through another security check, walk through the terminal some more, and get to your connecting flight gate. If your flight to HCM is schedule to depart 1 hour after your flight from SFO arrives, you'll have to hustle to make it. If your flight from SFO is even 10 minutes late, your luggage probably won't make it to the other plane on time, and you'll have to wait an extra hour or so in Saigon for your luggage to arrive. The good news is that the restaurant on the second floor of the international terminal has windows overlooking the baggage claim area, so you can see when your luggage comes in, and they make a pretty good bowl of Pho Hue!

Even before you speak, the locals WILL know that you're Viet Kieu. Cabbies and hotel clerks will likely try to rip you off because they'll presume you're carrying lots of cash to bring to family in VN. If you've got family in VN or friends in VN, it would be good to have them meet you at the airport. They'll take care of you, and make sure you don't get screwed. My fiancee's cousin owns a hotel in Saigon. It's modest, but very clean and comfortable. If you need a reasonably priced place to stay, or even a guide around Saigon, I'm sure he'll help you out. He'll even meet you at the airport. Just remember - you're the American, so you WILL be expected to pay for meals and beer for everyone! Don't worry - you can get a feast, including beer, for the price of a few meal combos at McDonalds!

[NArocks 13]

I am sorry how is this realted to immigration??

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I am sorry how is this realted to immigration??

It's not, but it IS related to:

VisaJourney.com > General Discussion Area > Regional Discussion > Asia: East and Pacific (Except China)

See the link bar at the top of the page.

Thanks Jim. That was very helpful information. There's nothing better than first hand experience. I wouldn't have known a thing about the airplane transfers. You should write an article!

I'll be applying for my passport within the week. Expedited. Does your fiancee's cousin's hotel have a website? I would be interested in the hotel's contact info.

It's odd that Viet Kieus would have more hassles getting into Vietnam. I'm not above paying the "bribes" (which is exactly what it sounds like), but I get a little miffed when it's dished out only to a certain group.

Thanks again and feel free to throw any other info my way. I'm sure others that read this thread will enjoy the info as well.

-Nathan

I don't think he's got a website. He just finished building the hotel earlier this year. The first time I saw it in January it was still under construction. I stayed there in April and August, and will be staying there again next month.

Khách Sạn Tam My

19 Độc Lập

P. Tân Thành, Q. Tân Phú

T.P. Hồ Chí Minh

(08)38 107176

The owner's name is "Men".

The bribery doesn't just apply to Viet Kieu. It also applies to VN nationals who live there. If you want to get a government official to do their job, it's almost expected that a little 'extra' is going to be required.

A good friend of mine who is Viet Kieu, and also one of the "boat people", thought the bribery applied equally to everyone. He was with me on my first trip to VN, and he told me to expect to pay some "coffee money" because he's had to pay it just about every time he's been to Vietnam. Both of us had stuff in our checked bags that we were bringing for people who lived there. He was stunned when he had to put a little 'something' in his passport and I didn't. I've made three more trips since then, and I've never had to pay any "coffee money" to anyone. I've since learned on this website that it's not unusual for western tourists to be left alone, while Viet Kieu are often hit up. Maybe it's because they don't want to scare the tourists away, but figure the Viet Kieu are going to come regardless.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

I am sorry how is this realted to immigration??

Regional forums are dedicated to discussion on the major regions around the world. Topics of discussion may include travel, moving, what to eat and any other experience you may wish to share or inquire about.

[ilovevietnam 0]

I didn't mean to stir up anything here. It was a "shot in the dark" to see if by chance someone perusing these forums may be able to help me. I hope my presence is okay.

I am not specifically seeking to go to Vietnam to find a wife and subsequently to delve into to whole immigration ordeal, but I AM a single male so hey, the possibility is there!

Jim, I'll save the hotel's info and will try to check it out when I am in VN. I dibble dabble with websites so may even approach "Men" about doing a website for the hotel.

This is all very exciting. I can't wait to set foot in VN.

[lindal24 1]

I've never had to pay any "bribes" and have never had trouble getting through immigration or baggage check... I'm a girl though so maybe it's like a "cop" situation where they don't want you to start crying or making a big scene...haha..

[Matt_Stevens 5]

I'll be in Vietnam January 17 to Feb 7. My first few days there Anh will be working (meeting with clients she has only talkd to over the phone up to now) so I will have time by myself.

[Teacher Mark 53]

I've never had to pay any "bribes" and have never had trouble getting through immigration or baggage check... I'm a girl though so maybe it's like a "cop" situation where they don't want you to start crying or making a big scene...haha..

It's never helped me!

[lindal24 1]

It's never helped me!

You're also not a female...lol

[Dau Que 6]

Hi, I am a Vietnamese American seeking a travel partner/friend for a trip to Vietnam.

It may seem odd for me to be posting here, but hey, I figured it's worth a shot.

I was born in VN and left as a child with my family as part of the exodus known as the boatpeople. Indeed, we did leave on a boat under perilous conditions.

Thirty years (!) has passed since I last saw Vietnam and 2010 is a good year to see Vietnam again.

I am seeking one or more people to join me for a two to three week trip, but it's all up in the air and I'm open to discussion.

For what it's worth, I am a 30something professional male living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Write me if you're interested! Tell me a little about yourself as well. You don't necessarily have to be from America. I'm open to meeting up with people from other countries in VN as well.

Thanks for reading this.

My following post is NOT intended for anyone in particular, simply a general statement. Please be sure to know well your travel buddy. I've known in the past people who got into trouble with the local authority because they inadvertently carried suitcases for other "buddies" with illegal substances like cocaine.

Be "extremely" careful! In some countries, Vietnam included, cocaine trafficking can result in the death penalty ..........