At least some of this interlining thing involving VN Airlines (but not transit in SGN) has worked for me albeit on a different route. I did a "bout" of SGN[VN]BKK[BR]TPE and HAN[VN]BKK[BR][TPE] flights a while back and the interlining worked fine.

I was pretty impressed because it's rather unusual to fly these long-winded routings since both VN and BR fly direct SGN-TPE and HAN-TPE. Also in both cases the BKK-TPE flight was the BR68 continuation flight which started in LHR (perhaps makes no difference, but the plane isn't on the ground for long).

Nothing ever went missing. I did have to pick up a BP in transit at BKK.

TO THE OP: You could get a second entry/visa added once in Vietnam. The cost used to be pretty small (was about $10 to $20, but I'm not sure now) - most hotels/travel agencies can arrange this and they're pretty used to doing it. People often run in to this when once in Saigon they fancy a couple of days in PP and realise they need another entry in order to return. You might have to be in one place for a couple of days so it can be organised.

Interlining: good to know that at least VN can get it right when they are originating the check-in. There's hope for the OP yet, though it's always best to have the fetch-and-recheck plan in the hip pocket in case things head into the weeds. If I was in OP's shoes, I'd be tempted to try and transit SGN--VN visa-less.

Visa 2nd Entry in-country: Thanks for info, I wish I'd known this was possible 6 months ago when in Saigon, I had the exact scenario you mentioned and it sure would have made things easier! Will file this for future use....

I tried the link for Mr. Diep, adventures indochina, Is his website still active? I couldn't get access.

Must have been temporary. It's working now.

Go to the SFO consulate directly.
Fill out the form, 2 (not 1 as the website says - this is when you send the passport) passport pictures, copy of your passport detail page, return envelope. Check for current pice. No need to send the passport. Do this all the time and recommended it for friends - never a problem - even for non US passports.
The website says you need to send the passport but we never do.
http://www.vietnamconsulate-sf.org/ecms/

I will have about 5 hours at SGN, coming from BKK (TG) going to PVG (FM).

As I understand from Kiwi's post, I won't need a visa to transit. But I'm still a little confused about the "someone has to go landside to check you in" part. Does this mean that you have to give your passport to some person and they will go to check-in counter and get you a boarding pass?

I remember that there's a contract lounge that's accessible by *G with an invite. Will I be able to get this invite from the "landside" check in person?

Thanks in advance.

Sorry to bump this thread. But, I have exactly the same question as TerryK. My feeling is that as long as I show them my itinerary out of SGN, they will have no problem of letting me on a flight to SGN. I have done this type of stuff many times, just not through an airport where I will need a visa if I am actually terminating there.

Just want to confirm that my assumption is correct so that I would not be denied boarding. Thanks!

How Odd
 

How odd it is: going back several years now, so many of you keep asking the same question yet no one returns to the board to post an update. Did the previous travelers actually return, or are they languishing in a Viet prison somewhere on the outskirts of the airport? How odd.

I agree - not just for this thread but FT in general. It's a pity when people don't post back the outcome.

I'm guessing in this case it might be that people just change their travel plans or get a visa in the absence of a definitive answer.

FWIW I'm sure we've seen at least a couple of posters saying it's been no problem in SGN even where they've had to collect luggage and re-check it in. In this case they get escorted. But I have no personal experience or know personally of anyone who's done it. I could never enter Vietnam without sticking around a bit, if only for a bowl of pho!

Posting from Vietnamese prison, no just kidding.:p

There is no issue with transit without a Visa. You just need to show your onward ticket to check in agent. They need to do a lot of typing to document your transit status. At SGN, you can find a small transit desk where you can get your boarding pass, go through security and go upstairs for departure.@:-)

MyVietnamVisa: Severe Personal Identity Theft Risk
 

Vietnam is issuing approval letters which contain bulk approvals of multiple unrelated travelers. These include their names, birth dates, and passport numbers of all travelers.

It is unclear whether Vietnam is combining the names in their approval letters, or whether it is because they are submitted together.

Hopefully a solution can be found, such as separate approval letters to each traveler or the ability to black out all names except the individual traveler receiving their own copy of the group approval letter.

But this is an identity theft risk that you should be aware of.

Yes, I noticed this new pattern of multiple names,
entered last night at HCMC,
hadn't considered the risk angle, I guess you are right,
but I am not worried enough to hassle with an advance
visa by mail or in embassy as long as VOA is offered..

A loss of privacy, maybe, but the information shown is not really enough to steal your identity IMHO.

From my experience of living in Vietnam, there really isn't much privacy. Data and other information is shared all the time. This is partly political, partly cultural. It can work for you as well as against you.

The way visas are processed is just a reflection of Vietnamese attitudes.

Legit?
French and German embassy says: no, it's not.

So I'm responsable and avoid it.

Imagine:
What do you do after a 15 hours flight (and after costs over 3000$) when refused to enter just because you wanted to save some 30$? -

Really :rolleyes:

And then again, I worry as well about giving away my passport for a week to them in order to get a visa. And you can read it all over the web, sometimes, passports get lost. But then again: is there really any choice? Beeing refused at their border, having all those hotel reservations over amex. No. If it's just for 30 $, I don't even think about it.

FTers on this site have used the service so the issuing of pre-approved visas on arrival are legitimate.

A check of the lonely planet website says they have been discussing it for years and people continually come back and say 'oh, it might not be legal.'

Of course they are.

It is not a matter of 'saving $30' - it is a time and effort saving. The letter of invitation, which is exchanged for the visa at the airport, is simple and easy to complete on-line. Letter sent to you on-line. So is the arrival form (so you can complete that at home and not queue at the airport on arrival).

It's the convenience rather than saving $.

Perhaps the embassies are getting confused with people who think they can just turn up at the airport in Vietnam and get a visa... you can't... you do need to apply for the letter of invitation before you arrive.