dongbathin
American looking for information about Vietnam
Forum posts
48
Contacts
7
About me
American
Lives in Edmonds, WA State, USA
Registration: 01 June 2010
Visa extension/renewal - anybody got a 1 year visa renewal before? by AlegreViajero
Yes, I know it is an old recurrent topic, but we all have to face this ongoing changing issue every three months or so. Here in Nha Trang, I went to the immigration office to be told that my 3-month DN (business) visa (issued after 1/1/15) cannot ...
The VN National Assembly is to possibly allow a one year tourist visa for Americans this month or shortly after. It would make things so less difficult if such happens. The USA already allows a 1 yr tourist visa for Vietnamese and the push is to ... Read More
How much to pay in-laws? by Vagabondone
Just curious how much other expats pay their wives parents. While I was dating we discussed this and I agreed to pay $300 a month to my mother-in-law ( No father). However, this money has always been a contentious issue and she now wants $500 a ...
I married my wife in Vietnam during the war years while I served with US Army doing 4 years there and never was asked to contribute money to mom & dad. Guess I really did marry the right kind of girl. We have been married 44 years and live in ... Read More
Visa Extensions - Nha Trang & Khanh Hoa Province by dongbathin
So many stories of how to acquire a visa extension thru-out VN and how local jurisdictions handle them. I can see how an extension may be gotten in Nha Trang at least if you live in Nha Trang. How about if you live in Cam Ranh 35 mi south of Nha ...
Wild_1, my wife indeed is a Viet Kieu (overseas vietnamese) which doesnt make her a VN citizen, anyway she came to USA in 1972. If she was citizen of VN living in Cam Ranh then I could apply for a 5 yr residency permit otherwise we have traveled to ... Read More
Visa Extensions - Nha Trang & Khanh Hoa Province by dongbathin
So many stories of how to acquire a visa extension thru-out VN and how local jurisdictions handle them. I can see how an extension may be gotten in Nha Trang at least if you live in Nha Trang. How about if you live in Cam Ranh 35 mi south of Nha ...
Wild_1 R U female? No disrespect only a bit in awe if you are and in Can Tho. running a cosmetic shop is a bit different but if it moves for you, great. How did U choose Can Tho? A few mosquitoes too? Vern Read More
Visa Extensions - Nha Trang & Khanh Hoa Province by dongbathin
So many stories of how to acquire a visa extension thru-out VN and how local jurisdictions handle them. I can see how an extension may be gotten in Nha Trang at least if you live in Nha Trang. How about if you live in Cam Ranh 35 mi south of Nha ...
13ully (Olaf) Thanks for the info but I didnt understand what you meant by "Check PM...) Vern Read More
Visa Extensions - Nha Trang & Khanh Hoa Province by dongbathin
So many stories of how to acquire a visa extension thru-out VN and how local jurisdictions handle them. I can see how an extension may be gotten in Nha Trang at least if you live in Nha Trang. How about if you live in Cam Ranh 35 mi south of Nha ...
Are you speaking of the Visa Exemption re: spouse of a Viet national? My wife wont qualify right now is she is a Viet Khieu (overseas Viet) in the USA. With such I believe it gives me a 5 yr residency permit if that is what I think it is Vern Read More
Visa Extensions - Nha Trang & Khanh Hoa Province by dongbathin
So many stories of how to acquire a visa extension thru-out VN and how local jurisdictions handle them. I can see how an extension may be gotten in Nha Trang at least if you live in Nha Trang. How about if you live in Cam Ranh 35 mi south of Nha ...
I expect I can get a visa extension of 90 days each thru a travel agency in NTrang. I hope to spend 6-9 months in Khanh Hoa with my wife's sister acting as sponsor since we would live at her house. Is there a good travel agency in NTrang that will ... Read More
Visa Extensions - Nha Trang & Khanh Hoa Province
So many stories of how to acquire a visa extension thru-out VN and how local jurisdictions handle them. I can see how an extension may be gotten in Nha Trang at least if you live in Nha Trang. How about if you live in Cam Ranh 35 mi south of Nha ... Read More
Pregnancy in Nha Trang
Now that's really planning ahead and not a bad idea either for any woman who may be in Nha Trang area Read More
Child care in Nha Trang by Armand
Hi, when settling in a new country, working parents are mostly concerned about finding child care services for their children. What can you share with us about the child care system in Nha Trang ? How much is daycare in Nha Trang? Is the ...
Reagstar, Nice to hear someone living in Cam Duc. Your son attends the church in Hau Nghia there? my wife is Viet whom I met during the war when I was based at Dong Ba Thin (1968 thru 1972) located next to the now Khanh Hoa sugar factory. Wife's ... Read More
water sports
There area off Cam Ranh Bay (south of Nha Trang) north peninsula might do the trick, just stay north of the airport there Read More
banks by Guestposter822
Hi, just wondering if the banks over there have safety deposit boxes which you can hire to store passport etc...
Yes, the hotel is required to keep your passport. Be sure to have a few copies of it for safekeping and to carry one copy with you whenever u are about for ID purposes when needed and to facilitate getting a new passport if it comes up missing/lost Read More
VIsa by Guestposter822
Hi, I just had a question about visa extension in Nha Trang. Are there places in Nha Trang where you can get a 3 month tourist visa extension without having to travel to say HCMC and how much does it cost. Thanks
Yes, the diffference in how we conduct our personal lives may well rub against what a local may wish. i have tried to get my ex-pat friend to move out from that family in Ban Me Thuot as the length of his stay has prob worn out his welcome no matter ... Read More
VIsa by Guestposter822
Hi, I just had a question about visa extension in Nha Trang. Are there places in Nha Trang where you can get a 3 month tourist visa extension without having to travel to say HCMC and how much does it cost. Thanks
It makes sense then if a local Viet head of household sponsors you that you can then stay with that person/family otherwise police make you move to a hotel. I suspect the Viet friend of this ex-pat did not sponsor him as usual. From info I have, I ... Read More
VIsa by Guestposter822
Hi, I just had a question about visa extension in Nha Trang. Are there places in Nha Trang where you can get a 3 month tourist visa extension without having to travel to say HCMC and how much does it cost. Thanks
I think the real problem is that each local gov actually decides what the rules are and how they would be applied rather than from the central gov. Odd I think for a communist government? Read More
VIsa by Guestposter822
Hi, I just had a question about visa extension in Nha Trang. Are there places in Nha Trang where you can get a 3 month tourist visa extension without having to travel to say HCMC and how much does it cost. Thanks
For Info: I have a USA ex-pat friend who lives in Ban Me Thuot. He has been there for about 3 yrs and is able to get a 90 day extension repeatedly, so indeed there is a way to continue getting 3 month extensions. He did experience a recent setback ... Read More
English Corner by garyww
We have recently started an English Corner in Nha Trang. We meet every Sunday Morning at 09:30 at the Vien Dong Hotel coffee shop. It is forum where Vietnamese can come and practice speaking english with foreigners. It is free for everyone. You ...
I was only joking about the drinks, It looks like a great opportunity to meet people Read More
English Corner by garyww
We have recently started an English Corner in Nha Trang. We meet every Sunday Morning at 09:30 at the Vien Dong Hotel coffee shop. It is forum where Vietnamese can come and practice speaking english with foreigners. It is free for everyone. You ...
Gee, and maybe they might spring for an occasional drink for the english speaker too. What a deal Read More
VIsa by Guestposter822
Hi, I just had a question about visa extension in Nha Trang. Are there places in Nha Trang where you can get a 3 month tourist visa extension without having to travel to say HCMC and how much does it cost. Thanks
I too am interested in Nha Trang as a location to acquire a visa extension. It seems no matter where you are in VN, the rules differ from place to place. I usually visit Cam Ranh/Nha Trang and am looking to make an extended visit over 3 - 6 months. ... Read More
LIVING COST by traveller07
hi i am new here, we would like to move to nha trang, how is living cost there?approx montly one family with 1 kid. Is there any international school/english school?and how much per annum? how about the weather, food cost? thank you
After all the words on Visa lengths - it seems like 90 days is the usual tourist Visa length. I have a friend who gets a 90 day extension each time and he has been getting these for over 3 yrs Read More
Presentation of members in Nha Trang by expatblog
Hello dear Members, Welcome on 天美麻豆 We launched this discussion so that members living in Nha Trang present themselves while hoping this will help you to widen your social network. Are you living in Nha Trang since sometime or have you just ...
It certainly helps to live outside Nha Trang city where the costs are lower and you are not subjected to "tourist rates". I enjoy Cam Ranh town 35 km south of Nha Trang. Presently I am in the US again but anxious to get back home to Cam Ranh. ... Read More
new strict visa rules?? by crille30
Hi everybody. I read on some blog that there are more strict visa rules now. before u could get 3 or 6 month pretty easy(pay extra)but now its hard and much more difficult, is this so? You who lives here maby know? I want to stay very long time.How ...
I have heard various stories from US Ex-Pats and it seems to be that different parts of the country do things their way. In Nha Trang it is said visa extensions can cost $30.00 USD and another crossed into Cambodia and made quick return. Cost $150 ... Read More
new strict visa rules?? by crille30
Hi everybody. I read on some blog that there are more strict visa rules now. before u could get 3 or 6 month pretty easy(pay extra)but now its hard and much more difficult, is this so? You who lives here maby know? I want to stay very long time.How ...
I still hear that crossing the border into Cambodia is the trick. Just a walk into cambodia and then a quick return thru the border gate does it with a new visa issued at the border, not an extension. I hear many stories but they seem to all say ... Read More
Moving to Nha Thrang. Advice? by crille30
Hi everybody. Im len,swedish, lived in Thailand for many years but i want to move to vietnam, Please need help. what area is good for expacts to rent apartment/house in Nha Thrang? what is rent level for a 1-2 bedroom apart,/house in good ...
You might connect with Owee, the owner of the Tide Hotel in Nha Trang. He is quite helpful and is a Canadian Ex-Pat. He and his Viet wife will be most helpful. His hotel is listed on a number of web sites for tourists, etc in Nha Trang & Khanh Hoa ... Read More
Ban Me Thuot by dongbathin
Are there any Ex-Pats living in Ban Me Thuot area? I know one older US guy who is retired and been living there about 3 yrs now and he never seems to find any other ex-pats up his way. Vern
I am happy you had a good visit in BMT and Buon Don. Many elephants are now gone. Years ago there were many but so many are killed each year by poachers. It is sad to know these elephants one day may all be gone. It is so wonderful of animal. I have ... Read More
Ban Me Thuot by dongbathin
Are there any Ex-Pats living in Ban Me Thuot area? I know one older US guy who is retired and been living there about 3 yrs now and he never seems to find any other ex-pats up his way. Vern
I visited BMT in 2008 and rode on an elephant. It was great fun and experience for me. I love the VN elephants but fear they will all die soon. So many people hurt them in Dak Lak & Lam Dong. Some are killed for the tusks and others for the tails ... Read More
Ban Me Thuot by dongbathin
Are there any Ex-Pats living in Ban Me Thuot area? I know one older US guy who is retired and been living there about 3 yrs now and he never seems to find any other ex-pats up his way. Vern
Glad you seem to enjoy Ban Me Thuot. It is so big now. I was there in the war 1968 and now so many people. I have some family in Buon Don from my wife. Have you been there also? Always I enjoy the countryside and the everyday people in VN. They are ... Read More
Ban Me Thuot by dongbathin
Any one living up in Ban Me Thuot? For some, BMT may be a ways off the beaten path but it is in the Highlands among the coffee plantations. Remember there is a Coffee Festival scheduled for March in town and of course the locals would be glad to see ...
Dan, I figure you had prob been to BMT. Pleiku isnt what it used to be I heard since it mostly burned down in 1975 during the retrest from the city. Am told most of the houses were replaced with those ugly Russian style block apts, very sparce. My ... Read More
Ban Me Thuot
Any one living up in Ban Me Thuot? For some, BMT may be a ways off the beaten path but it is in the Highlands among the coffee plantations. Remember there is a Coffee Festival scheduled for March in town and of course the locals would be glad to see ... Read More
Ban Me Thuot
Are there any Ex-Pats living in Ban Me Thuot area? I know one older US guy who is retired and been living there about 3 yrs now and he never seems to find any other ex-pats up his way. Vern Read More
Living in Cam Ranh by dongbathin
Any Ex-Pats living in Cam Ranh? Do you intend to stay there, or...???
Owee, you are quite right about sleepy Cam Ranh. It has its flavor for those who want a quiet time and a bit of exploring into the mtns around Khanh Son and Khanh Vinh districts too. Some fantastic views enroute up there after the valley going west ... Read More
Living in Cam Ranh
Any Ex-Pats living in Cam Ranh? Do you intend to stay there, or...??? Read More
Nha Trang by perry88
Looking for some expats in Nha Trang for some advice for a future expat from the US.
Perry88, welcome to the group. There are a number of Ex-Pats about in Nha Trang. Owee lives there, runs a hotel. I am in WA State but planning further trips to the area esp Cam Ranh, south of nha Trang. Seems like a great group of guys onboard and ... Read More
driving a scooter by kaneda80
what requirements are needed to drive a scooter in vietnam?
Normally a driver license, proof of insurance, helmet, vehicle registration all go hand in hand. seems many foreigners get away as most police dont speak english and it becomes a hassle. Doesnt hurt to have a bit of cash to hand over for breakfast ... Read More
My Vietnam visa experience by Ryan4
This weekend I went on a trip to Vietnam. I really enjoyed the trip but one thing I did find hard to get information on was the visa application process. Therefore I thought I would do a write up here of my experience. As I was not keen to visit ...
I have had good experience in Seattle USA where I live in gaining a visa thru local travel agency. Paid the fee upfront, agent sent passport to Vn consulate and in a week I had pasport and visa in hand. Cost approx $50 USD total, no hassles. Friends ... Read More
Tourist Type Visas and Extensions by dongbathin
I have heard a number of stories about Tourist type Visas. I understand a 3 month visa is avail with two 30 day extensions. Is that correct now? Also, if my visa is expiring is it OK to travel across border to Cambodia or Laos, remain a couple hrs ...
Kevin, did you get the website address for the map I sent? Also did you get my sister-in-law's Cam Ranh address and cel phone number for contact? Keep in touch Vern Read More
beach living
I would not recommend you going to the big cities which are more expensive and tourist traps if you arent careful. How about trying Cam Ranh town in Khanh Hoa Province, approx 250 mi/300 km north of Saigon/HCM City? Cam Ranh is along Hwy 1 and ... Read More
denture adhesive by Guest45
can anyone tell me where in HCMC I can purchase polident or an equivalent denture adhesive please? Thanks.
I would check out one of the local pharmacies or even a dentist office. Cant say I ever saw Polident, etc in the markets. Read More
Tourist Type Visas and Extensions by dongbathin
I have heard a number of stories about Tourist type Visas. I understand a 3 month visa is avail with two 30 day extensions. Is that correct now? Also, if my visa is expiring is it OK to travel across border to Cambodia or Laos, remain a couple hrs ...
Actually what I was speaking of is to leave Vn near the expiration of my Visa and then return to the bordergate approx 24 hrs later where I then would request a new tourist entry visa with it lasting 90 days. If this is done then I would be able to ... Read More
Tourist Type Visas and Extensions by dongbathin
I have heard a number of stories about Tourist type Visas. I understand a 3 month visa is avail with two 30 day extensions. Is that correct now? Also, if my visa is expiring is it OK to travel across border to Cambodia or Laos, remain a couple hrs ...
I have found there are so many different rules that various Vn gov agencies apply. Much depends on whether you are living in HCM City as the other provinces seem to run differently. In most cases it seems travelling into Cambodia and then returning ... Read More
Tourist Type Visas and Extensions by dongbathin
I have heard a number of stories about Tourist type Visas. I understand a 3 month visa is avail with two 30 day extensions. Is that correct now? Also, if my visa is expiring is it OK to travel across border to Cambodia or Laos, remain a couple hrs ...
I have visited Vietnam 3 times so far and quite enjoy the Cam Ranh area of Khanh Hoa Province on the coast since it is somewhat rural and far less crowded. It is a beautiful place and I would like to stay in Vietnam for an extended period. These ... Read More
Tourist Type Visas and Extensions
I have heard a number of stories about Tourist type Visas. I understand a 3 month visa is avail with two 30 day extensions. Is that correct now? Also, if my visa is expiring is it OK to travel across border to Cambodia or Laos, remain a couple hrs ... Read More