Originally Posted by IAN-UK

Probably best to accept that Vietnem doesn't always run on rigidly applied written rules. There's just occasionally room for interpretation ......

The agency is certainly supplying a service to assist in organising your trip: and who's to say your journey isn't urgent? OK, the funeral angle might be more troublesome.

The system is as described in this thread. It's a work-round, but it works well. I've received my confirmation letter within 24H: clearly a response to an urgent application