General Info

[Captain Solo]

This info from US Embassy is old.

Vietnam is reported to fully open for international visitors after March 1, 2022.

There is no mention of any test upon arrival.

https://vn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen...9-information/

Beginning January 1, 2022, passengers entering Vietnam are only required to self-isolate at their residence for three (3) days if they meet certain conditions specified by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health. Quarantine is not required for visitors staying in Vietnam for less than 14 days. Detailed instructions, including information for entrants who have not been fully vaccinated, are available on the Vietnamese government's website. The 14-day quarantine period applies to confirmed COVID-19 patients in Vietnam and any individual considered high-risk (e. G. Those with recent contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases or with recent travel history to outbreak areas identified by the Vietnamese government). Please also note that the Vietnamese government may extend quarantine periods or impose post-quarantine movement restrictions if deemed necessary to minimize the spread of an outbreak. USA Citizens with questions about this issue should contact the Vietnamese authorities directly. The USA Mission in Vietnam may not intervene in these policies in any way.

[Captain Solo]

Fully vacc tourists still have to isolate for 3 days.

But where? How?

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vi...t-4423349.html

Vietnam, which has been resuming aviation, tourism and education activities after nearly two years of restrictions due to Covid-19, is set to lift more restrictions after Tet.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has restarted flights to and from nine cities: Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Singapore, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, San Francisco and LOS Angeles.

Chinese authorities have yet to approve requests for flights to Beijing and Guangzhou.

In recent weeks Vietnam airlines has also been organizing flights to Australia, the U. K, France, and Germany.

Next week Bamboo Airways will start flying to Germany, the U. K and Australia.

Foreign visitors to Vietnam are required to furnish negative PCR Covid-19 test results, and rapid tests are no longer required on arrival.

People who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 have to self-isolate at home for three days.

A seven-day isolation period is applicable for those who have not got two shots.

Tourists are also required to have medical insurance cover for Covid treatment worth at least $50,000.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is gradually resuming inbound tourism.

Localities that have given its people a third shot or are identified as "green" zones can allow in foreign travelers.

On March 31, Vietnam plans to fully reopen to tourists, with the tourism ministry considering the timing appropriate since by then the entire adult population would have received three doses.

The government gingerly reopened to international tourism last November when 29 travelers arrived in Hoi An Town.

Since then the country has received 8,500 tourists, mostly from Russia, South Korea, Singapore, the U. K, and the USA.

The government is also set to let 17.1 million students, or 75.7 percent of everyone from kindergarten to 12th grade, return to school next week.

Tran Dac Phu, a senior consultant at the Vietnam Public Health Emergency Operation Center, said after the Tet holidays, which end Sunday, is a good time to resume socio-economic activities since 96 percent of the population has been administered two vaccine doses.

Though restrictions have been relaxed the pandemic remains under control, which allows further opening, he said.

The country should make it easy for foreign travelers to enter to boost tourism, he added.

[JohnIsFun]

For anyone visiting Vietnam for the first time, get yourself a sponsor that can help you with necessary paper work to enter the country, most importantly before you take off make sure you have a visa / evisa. A friend of mine had trouble at customs where they basically tried to extort him in order for him to get into the country.

I agree with getting a visa before getting on the flight. Here in Australia the visa process is simple and only takes 3 days. All you need is travel itinerary, details of hotel. You do not need to make the booking. You also don't need a sponsor for tourist visa. Mind you the rules may be different for different countries. It's best to check their Embassies web site the country you are in. There was however a warning about a fraudulent visa site. Booking hotels and travel plan is easy. The only problem in Vietnam is not everyone will speak English. So if you are patient and put some effort you can have a good holiday. The internet is quite good and is free in lot of places.

[Qeast]

For anyone visiting Vietnam for the first time, get yourself a sponsor that can help you with necessary paper work to enter the country, most importantly before you take off make sure you have a visa / evisa. A friend of mine had trouble at customs where they basically tried to extort him in order for him to get into the country.

On my first visit to VN, I traveled alone and had no issues entering. In fact, I had my carry on bag and two large boxes (check in) which I was sure customs would want to open and inspect. (Since I travel light, friends asked if I would use my allowance of two check in bags to bring goods to their relatives.) My paperwork was in good order, and I was just waved through immigration. I think the only issue the previous traveler had was that they arrived in country without a visa in hand. If you know you are going to travel to VN, why wouldn't you plan ahead and get a visa before leaving?

[Jny88]

For anyone visiting Vietnam for the first time, get yourself a sponsor that can help you with necessary paper work to enter the country, most importantly before you take off make sure you have a visa / evisa. A friend of mine had trouble at customs where they basically tried to extort him in order for him to get into the country.

[Jingo10]

Thanks for the advice GD, naz, DG, AB and nut, and the PMs, it is much appreciated.

I've got PayPal so will try this and Xoom.

It's tough out there for some of our 'ahem' friends who are struggling. It's easy to be sceptical but I'm sure we all know deserving cases.

Thanks jingo.

[ABoneDaddy]

From USA you can do it online. You will need to make sure she has the proper ID to pick up the money. Get her exact name on the proper ID, address and cell number to send to her.

remitly.com

riamoneytransfer.com

Also, Paypal is instant with text confirmations to both parties. If you send USD it is $8.99 vs. 2.99 if you send VND. If the receiver has a paypal account it is free to send and receive.

To paypal account. If you send VND the exchange rate is close but they skim a little. Send it to yourself if travelling and it waits to be picked up at any large bank with no other fees. Cancel transactions anytime within 90 days if not needed. You tie to a bank account or CC to send via paypal with no US bank fees. 10 minutes to open paypal and xoom accounts.

[Amanut]

I'm not sure what country your living in, but I looked at trying to wire $50 US via Western Union. The logistics were an obstructive pain in the a. And getting it delivered was prohibitively expensive. I finally spoke to a local Vietnamese tailor that I deal with and asked for her advice. She in turn put me in touch with a local Vietnamese business, part of who's services include wiring money point yo point. The service was perfect. It took about two days to be received in HCM and was personally delivered to my ummm friend's home. The cost of the transfer was $3. 00. Copies of her ID were not needed. I simply gave them her name and address.

On that note, messages requesting assistance from Vietnam are certainly becoming more and more frequent. Frequent enough that I double check to make sure I am not logging onto a Filipino web site.

Good luck.

Nut.

[ABoneDaddy]

Hi guys, I have a 'ahem' friend in Nha trang and she has lost her job, I've never given her or sent her money before.

Do you know of the best way to send money there, I'm not sure if she has a bank account as she has not asked for money. Any advice is appreciated, it won't be a large amount, about 100 GBP (120 USD).

Paypal using Xoom is quick and easy. In HCMC they will deliver it to your house free. Need ID. To receive or pick up at bank with no accounts needed. 2. 99 USD per transaction if you send VND via Xoom / Paypal.

[Dg8787]

Hi guys, I have a 'ahem' friend in Nha trang and she has lost her job, I've never given her or sent her money before.

Do you know of the best way to send money there, I'm not sure if she has a bank account as she has not asked for money. Any advice is appreciated, it won't be a large amount, about 100 GBP (120 USD).

From USA you can do it online. You will need to make sure she has the proper ID to pick up the money. Get her exact name on the proper ID, address and cell number to send to her.

remitly.com

riamoneytransfer.com

[Nazgylg15]

Hi guys, I have a 'ahem' friend in Nha trang and she has lost her job, I've never given her or sent her money before.

Do you know of the best way to send money there, I'm not sure if she has a bank account as she has not asked for money. Any advice is appreciated, it won't be a large amount, about 100 GBP (120 USD).

Hello,

I tried to transfer money via.

Bank to my 'Ahem' friend's bank account when.

She was in a similar crisis. The money neither got.

Deposited in her account (her words) nor did it get credit back as a result of faulty transaction. A similar transaction to my travel operator failed but money got credited in my account. They are details like ABN number / routing number you need for proper bank transfer along with account details. It's frankly a pain in rear. And there is long wait for the transfer to happen. Paypal worked fine for me and money got transferred within minutes to my travel agent in Vietnam.

Bottomline: banks are the hard way to do. Try Paypal / western union etc. Transferwise sounded like a scam from what I read but might be legit.

[GDreams]

Hi guys, I have a 'ahem' friend in Nha trang and she has lost her job, I've never given her or sent her money before.

Do you know of the best way to send money there, I'm not sure if she has a bank account as she has not asked for money. Any advice is appreciated, it won't be a large amount, about 100 GBP (120 USD)

Transferwise is reasonable but only to a bank account. Western Union for cash pickup. If you haven't used them before they have fee free incentives for the first transaction.

[Jingo10]

Hi guys, I have a 'ahem' friend in Nha trang and she has lost her job, I've never given her or sent her money before.

Do you know of the best way to send money there, I'm not sure if she has a bank account as she has not asked for money. Any advice is appreciated, it won't be a large amount, about 100 GBP (120 USD).

[Pinchitter]

I'm debating whether to extend my post Convid19 trip to Philiipnes or add a side excursion to Vietnam.

I've been to Vietnam before and had a great time but it was over 10 years ago.

So far research has identified:

Philippines has a greater opportunity for BBFS, LT, part timers and I already know my way around, have contacts etc.

Vietnam has generally better looking girls at all price points, copious opportunities for very cheap 45 minute HJ / BJ / FS sessions, more expensive and less common LT options and it would be something different.

Anyone else care to compare or contrast the two options? Any major points that I may have missed?

Thanks. G.

No contest mate. Give the Nam a miss. But let's examine your assumptions:

PH= nothing to disagree with there.

VN= First point I would say NOPE to "at all price points", though I agree in better lookers overall. If you're comparing prices then again, it's hands down Phils, especially if you care to factor in performance at all. At each and every price point, you're much more likely to get shit service here.

Therefore I take issue most of all with the phrase "copious opportunities for very cheap 45 minute HJ / BJ / FS sessions". It's probably true that this can be accomplished with non-pros if you are young, fit, and handsome. And have some game. Even then it often takes a bit of time, better for residents than tourists. The only thing that rings true about this statement is NPK street and other blow-and-go's, but overall the quality is lower than what you can find with minimal effort in the islands.

Trust me, I'm not the only one who's been wishing I was there instead of here over the last month!

[Goferring]

I'm debating whether to extend my post Convid19 trip to Philiipnes or add a side excursion to Vietnam.

I've been to Vietnam before and had a great time but it was over 10 years ago.

So far research has identified:

Philippines has a greater opportunity for BBFS, LT, part timers and I already know my way around, have contacts etc.

Vietnam has generally better looking girls at all price points, copious opportunities for very cheap 45 minute HJ / BJ / FS sessions, more expensive and less common LT options and it would be something different.

Anyone else care to compare or contrast the two options? Any major points that I may have missed?

Thanks. G.