Originally Posted by
westcoastman
However, many of these immigration agents make way more than any of us on here. The families of government officials live some of the fanicest life styles in Vietnam.
You are right about government officials, but its not necessarily the case for the people that front up the immigration. They do extract bribes, but at the same time many of them have paid a bribe just to get the job. A few years ago, I heard that this was as much as US$20,000. (I find that amount incredible.) My informer told me that most of them are wildly optimistic in what they think they can get, so end up losing out. Anyway, whatever the amount they might have paid to get the job, the official concerned then feels licensed to extract bribes in order to recover his "investment". The officials at the top have the lifestyles you describe - the bribes, as with scum, float to the top.
Originally Posted by
westcoastman
I think we have determined that for Vietnam you must be originally from Vietnam. My partner carries a U.S. passport that says he was born in Saigon, Vietnam and speaks fluent English and Vietnamese. The perfect candidate to get bribes out of. From what I can tell simply being Asian is not enough.
I think your conclusion is accurate. Also it seems local Vietnamese don't get as much trouble... it is indeed ethnic Vietnamese with foreign passports that are the biggest targets.