VietNam entry scam
Jul 24, 2023, 8:20 pm
#47
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,366
Your bad. The visa agencies are all very specific about checking your passport number carefully. BTW - the going rate is $20 which will get you into the country even with NO visa as long as you offer compensate the guy at the booth for his trouble. Once it gets escalated to the visa issuance window, the price goes up.
Jul 25, 2023, 11:43 am
#48
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Gold Star, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,714
While I did not get scammed per se, I can report with the following:
I flew EWR-HND-SGN last month on a trip I booked way in advance. I knew that as Finnish passport holder I can enter Vietnam 15 days visa free. Then, a few weeks before departure I thought better to apply for the eVisa as EWR agents usually make up their own rules. Nothing was asked for at EWR, agent who had to approve the kiosk check in (sad that this is the process in the Polaris check in area) wasn't even reading the travel requirements screen. HND didn't care either.
When I landed at SGN and went thru there was a Norwegian (also visa free) guy in front of me, he was asked for an eVisa. Agent was adamant that a visa was required, while the guy tried to convince her that he is correct. This argument continued for about 10 minutes before the agent finally relented and stamped him in.
Surprise surprise I was also asked for the eVisa, I gladly presented a printout and was thru in no time so my $25 wasn't totally wasted. No issues at exit immigration.
I flew EWR-HND-SGN last month on a trip I booked way in advance. I knew that as Finnish passport holder I can enter Vietnam 15 days visa free. Then, a few weeks before departure I thought better to apply for the eVisa as EWR agents usually make up their own rules. Nothing was asked for at EWR, agent who had to approve the kiosk check in (sad that this is the process in the Polaris check in area) wasn't even reading the travel requirements screen. HND didn't care either.
When I landed at SGN and went thru there was a Norwegian (also visa free) guy in front of me, he was asked for an eVisa. Agent was adamant that a visa was required, while the guy tried to convince her that he is correct. This argument continued for about 10 minutes before the agent finally relented and stamped him in.
Surprise surprise I was also asked for the eVisa, I gladly presented a printout and was thru in no time so my $25 wasn't totally wasted. No issues at exit immigration.
Jul 25, 2023, 1:56 pm
#49
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,472
While I did not get scammed per se, I can report with the following:
I flew EWR-HND-SGN last month on a trip I booked way in advance. I knew that as Finnish passport holder I can enter Vietnam 15 days visa free. Then, a few weeks before departure I thought better to apply for the eVisa as EWR agents usually make up their own rules. Nothing was asked for at EWR, agent who had to approve the kiosk check in (sad that this is the process in the Polaris check in area) wasn't even reading the travel requirements screen. HND didn't care either.
When I landed at SGN and went thru there was a Norwegian (also visa free) guy in front of me, he was asked for an eVisa. Agent was adamant that a visa was required, while the guy tried to convince her that he is correct. This argument continued for about 10 minutes before the agent finally relented and stamped him in.
Surprise surprise I was also asked for the eVisa, I gladly presented a printout and was thru in no time so my $25 wasn't totally wasted. No issues at exit immigration.
I flew EWR-HND-SGN last month on a trip I booked way in advance. I knew that as Finnish passport holder I can enter Vietnam 15 days visa free. Then, a few weeks before departure I thought better to apply for the eVisa as EWR agents usually make up their own rules. Nothing was asked for at EWR, agent who had to approve the kiosk check in (sad that this is the process in the Polaris check in area) wasn't even reading the travel requirements screen. HND didn't care either.
When I landed at SGN and went thru there was a Norwegian (also visa free) guy in front of me, he was asked for an eVisa. Agent was adamant that a visa was required, while the guy tried to convince her that he is correct. This argument continued for about 10 minutes before the agent finally relented and stamped him in.
Surprise surprise I was also asked for the eVisa, I gladly presented a printout and was thru in no time so my $25 wasn't totally wasted. No issues at exit immigration.
Jul 25, 2023, 2:26 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Gold Star, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,714
One would think that an eVisa would be viewable on their computer by scanning the passport, similar to the US and ESTA. Meanwhile agent looked at my passport and compared it to the printout while using a pen to mark each detail.
Jul 25, 2023, 2:43 pm
#51
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,472
As it took a while for the guy in front of me to be processed it could be that the agent would’ve tried to pull the “emergency visa” scam if the Norwegian was completely clueless and didn’t stand his ground.
One would think that an eVisa would be viewable on their computer by scanning the passport, similar to the US and ESTA. Meanwhile agent looked at my passport and compared it to the printout while using a pen to mark each detail.
One would think that an eVisa would be viewable on their computer by scanning the passport, similar to the US and ESTA. Meanwhile agent looked at my passport and compared it to the printout while using a pen to mark each detail.
So it very well could be an attempt to get something out of it. But the Vietnamese authorities are fairly strict with lowly officials.
Jul 26, 2023, 9:04 am
#52
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SE Asia
Programs: Thai ROP GOLD, SIA Silver Kris, QANTAS FF, Velocity Rewards, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 353
Could be that. It happened to me once in BKK a while back when I had to apply for a visa on arrival. It was called fast track and you had to pay a certain amount officially at the counter and you get it immediately. This guy who was conducting the queue send me to the immigration officer and told him the amount for me to pay in Thai. I can understand a bit and knew the amount was more than what was official. The immigration officer told me the official amount and the other guy told him the higher amount. The Officer looked surprised but I paid the higher amount ( I think it was an extra 200 baht, 6 USD) just to get out of the queue.
So it very well could be an attempt to get something out of it. But the Vietnamese authorities are fairly strict with lowly officials.
So it very well could be an attempt to get something out of it. But the Vietnamese authorities are fairly strict with lowly officials.
No Fast Track for Visa On Arrival
Jul 26, 2023, 9:21 am
#53
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,472
Sorry this was a few years back and this was a visa on arrival. I had to apply then for a visa after I arrive to Thailand or get a visa at a Thai Embassy. Now it is visa exempt entry. Yes there was no issues in getting a visa apart from the extra payment. Yes they had a fast track those days to apply for a visa after you land. It was there for a short time and then they got rid of it.
Jul 29, 2023, 4:39 pm
#55
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,472
Agree with you but I think with the Vietnam visa is not manual so it is what the applicant enter on the online application.
Aug 30, 2023, 7:55 pm
#56
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 63
Fireman, I did see a discrepancy (inserted 1) between what was written and my actual passport number but it's anyone's guess as to whether
I made the original mistake. You'd think today's software would catch something like that, and you assume everything is kosher after they approve the evisa.
I'm not so opposed to a 10 or 20 dollar fine, but "Emergency" suggests some kind of extreme event like boiling water falling in someone's lap
or heart attack. $170 seems like a lot of money for a simple clerical error in a country where a 3 or 4 star hotel would cost about $12, and the
fact that they would not accept a credit card or give a receipt suggests they were trying to avoid a paper trail of the event...
Anyway, time to move on to Nha Trang. If I had to do it over I would have stood in line again rather than walk over to the special services line.
What are the chances the second clerk would even notice the error?
I made the original mistake. You'd think today's software would catch something like that, and you assume everything is kosher after they approve the evisa.
I'm not so opposed to a 10 or 20 dollar fine, but "Emergency" suggests some kind of extreme event like boiling water falling in someone's lap
or heart attack. $170 seems like a lot of money for a simple clerical error in a country where a 3 or 4 star hotel would cost about $12, and the
fact that they would not accept a credit card or give a receipt suggests they were trying to avoid a paper trail of the event...
Anyway, time to move on to Nha Trang. If I had to do it over I would have stood in line again rather than walk over to the special services line.
What are the chances the second clerk would even notice the error?
Aug 31, 2023, 5:42 am
#57
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,472
I was in HAN and would love to know where I can get a 4 star hotel for 12 dollars. Let alone 12 dollars I do not mind even paying 25 dollars for a 4 star hotel in HAN.
Feb 18, 2024, 1:47 am
#58
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 1
Yes this is a big visa scam
Do you not have a copy of your evisa to compare with your passport??
Was this customs or immigration?
Unfortunately in VN there is the odd soul who likes to supplement their income, whether this was the case or not I am unsure, but I definitely would have stood my ground more and asked for a supervisor and evidence of the extra number.
Was this customs or immigration?
Unfortunately in VN there is the odd soul who likes to supplement their income, whether this was the case or not I am unsure, but I definitely would have stood my ground more and asked for a supervisor and evidence of the extra number.
while there for hours we see at least another 20-35 people mainly Australians and Kiwis with the same issue, a missing name, a letter missing or a digit . . a complete scam. A Australia couple we spoke to had to pay $1000 cash, a NZ guy paid $200 cash, everyone’s different amounts we noticed. Full on scam getting into Vietnam !
Feb 18, 2024, 7:44 am
#59
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,472
we got scammed too, they ‘claim’ we didn’t put our daughters middle name in but we did. They send back your visa knowingly you will get rejected at the passport control. They threaten my 2 daughters deportation if I did not pay cash of $600 Australian with no receipt, no paper work.
while there for hours we see at least another 20-35 people mainly Australians and Kiwis with the same issue, a missing name, a letter missing or a digit . . a complete scam. A Australia couple we spoke to had to pay $1000 cash, a NZ guy paid $200 cash, everyone’s different amounts we noticed. Full on scam getting into Vietnam !
while there for hours we see at least another 20-35 people mainly Australians and Kiwis with the same issue, a missing name, a letter missing or a digit . . a complete scam. A Australia couple we spoke to had to pay $1000 cash, a NZ guy paid $200 cash, everyone’s different amounts we noticed. Full on scam getting into Vietnam !
So why should you get rejected at the passport control when you already have your e visa without the middle name? Should you not have corrected it as soon as you receive it?
I have gone to Vietnam many times and never had I this problem on names or anything. I am not saying that there are people demanding money at the airport but millions of people go to Vietnam and the staff in the immigration and the staff at the HQ to be in cahoots is impossible.
Feb 18, 2024, 4:45 pm
#60
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Land of Oz
Posts: 965
Agreed, the thought that this is some huge concocted scam is just plain nonsensical. On my last flight into SGN at boarding there were 2 people with evisas that had incorrect information on them that was put in by them and they were being boarded with the idea that they would need to rectify it in SGN.
Are officers in SGN taking advantage of people mistakes in their visas? Absolutely?
is it wrong? Absolutely.
Is it hurting their tourism? Without a doubt.
But it all comes back to people being completely thorough with their visas before coming to avoid this happening.
The amounts of money you say they are asking for is insane, sometimes it takes some very heated bargaining to get them to a fraction of what they're asking for, but unfortunately they know people will pay.
This is the one thing I despise the most about my wife's home country.
Are officers in SGN taking advantage of people mistakes in their visas? Absolutely?
is it wrong? Absolutely.
Is it hurting their tourism? Without a doubt.
But it all comes back to people being completely thorough with their visas before coming to avoid this happening.
The amounts of money you say they are asking for is insane, sometimes it takes some very heated bargaining to get them to a fraction of what they're asking for, but unfortunately they know people will pay.
This is the one thing I despise the most about my wife's home country.
Last edited by Firemansam; Feb 20, 2024 at 2:57 pm