"tip"? the gate guy who look at passport?

[imfromaoi 0]

i was drinking with my dad and he said that every time he goes vietnam...like 2 times a year, he would always put in 5 dollas in the passport to give to the gate guy. you know the one who looks at your passport and them stamp it before you go downstaris to get your luggage. this is in saigon by the way. now im heading there this friday 6/4, and my dad said i should do the same thing. so uhh should i?

[ScottThuy 140]

Many viet kieu do this as a way to avoid problems at the immigration desk... not much to worry about at that stage.. the customs guy sitting at the scanner may look for some coffee money if you are bringing gifts... if I recall they hit someone here up for a bunch of $ recently...

if you are not bringing gifts.. many say dont pay as you are just promoting the vn system of bribes and payoffs...

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I've brought gifts every time I've gone to Vietnam, and I've never been asked for "coffee money". On the other hand, I'm not Viet Kieu. Some of the Viet Kieu I know get hit up every time.

From what I've been told, the customs officer will let you know if he expects a little "something". If he starts bitching about something in your luggage, and holds your passport open toward you while motioning with his other hand, then he's expecting a payment. I've never heard of $5 being enough to satisfy them.

[lindal24 1]

I'm Viet Kieu and I've never had any problems NOT paying coffee money, even when they tell me that I have something wrong with my baggage.

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

I'm Viet Kieu and I've never had any problems NOT paying coffee money, even when they tell me that I have something wrong with my baggage.

Me too, I am VK, and never pay a dime to them. NO NO

[What's next 1]

you don't have to. if you don't mind being the guy that's holding up the the immigration line. It's more of a parnoid type of thing than anything. If you're clean, they're not gonna really do anything. I've been to VN 5 times, I gave it to them the first time (out of ignorance and paranoia), but no problems ever. I'm viet kieu. If i remenber correctly, it's takes like 3 minutes. They type in your info, ask you where you going and that's it.

Edited June 1, 2010 by What's next

[Kevin and 10]

I'm a VK and I never have given them 'tips'. I always get asked where I was born , but that's it.

[luckytxn 2,264]

My wifes Uncle told me he always puts a little bit of money in his passport when he goes through to get through quickly but when he and I went together he told me that he wasn't going to do so that time as I was with him. There were no probs at all and we got through quickly.