ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Asia: East and PacificLater
Sorry, my wife is Buddhist......

and

I will have a couple glasses of wine with dinner before I drive home.

Thanks for sharing your beliefs and advice :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-11-22 13:45:00
Asia: East and PacificLater
I want to understand
.
.
.
.
.
It's better for a person to be a refugee from their native country, breaking up the family and then relocated to a totally different foreign country (mostly on dangerous voyages & waiting in refugee camps) with little money and limited English ability. As a result, 30 years later, they have a better lifestyle than their former countrymen.

"So, looking back, most southerners better thanks them!"........"them" refers to the NVC
.
.
.
.
.
I never really thought of the situation this way, interesting. :huh:
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-11-22 11:18:00
Asia: East and PacificLater
*Living and working in VN can be a very trying experience. (VNs dealings are not always black & white)

*Personal and working relationships with the Vietnamese people can very disappointing at times.

*You must dot your i's and cross your t's PLUS not have any "red flags" in your past, or else, the marriage visa process in HCMC is a great challenge.


Sometimes, it's just NOT a pretty sight, period! Therefore, if you're expecting people to always be positive and supportive, that just isn't realistic, just like the Vietnam experience itself...............




However, VN can be GREAT too....
it's a Love 60/Hate 40% relationship for me :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-11-19 18:28:00
Asia: East and PacificCo-Sponser
Sounds like you are petitioning from the USA and "waiting" in Vietnam?

They only ask for your recent USA Tax statements?

Your fiancee can just state your former position and leave it at that?

Don't open up a can of worms........
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-11-28 08:46:00
Asia: East and PacificCo-Sponser
FYI:

When I petitioned directly in HCMC, I had to:

Go to the Dept of Homeland Security on Le Loi street, and provide written PROOF:


I had been workng the prior year in Vietnam

and also

I had to prove my prior year's residency in Vietnam; therefore, I had to get a police report. Plus, I'm sure they did a background check on me in the US>

This all happened BEFORE, I could apply to petition my wife directly in HCMC ( No K1 visas allowed)



Note: these were the rules, 2 years ago. You've already submitted your petition at the ACS section of HCMC Consulate, just curious?
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-11-27 08:16:00
Asia: East and PacificWhy don't vietnamese people like Mexican food?
zerovoltz

What Vietnamese food does your wife cook at home?


Yes, my wife likes Popeye's also, occasionally.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-11-28 09:50:00
Asia: East and PacificWhy don't vietnamese people like Mexican food?
Zerovoltz,

Yes, I've had the same situation with Mexican.

and

Now, Thuy doesn't even go to the Burrito places either, ie Chipotle, Moe's, etc

She says, "I'm bored with Mexican food"




It's another bowl of spicy soup for me :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-11-26 22:33:00
Asia: East and PacificMoving - File AOS Now, Or Wait?
Arkansas :)

Troi Oi..............

For her, it's like a foreigner living in Buon Ma Thuot.

Good Luck



1.) Mail from Missouri
2.) Do a simple Change of address with USCIS afterward, after you're settled (what happens if Arkansas doesn't work out?)
3.) Don't worry about income situation
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-12-11 08:37:00
Asia: East and PacificIt's the New Year, how about....
Congratulations Mike :)

Once she makes it past her first Tet New Year (2/18/07) away from her family and she survives her first cold Pittsburgh winter,

then

It's all downhill (easier)......job, driving, etc.....

Keep us posted.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-01-02 10:15:00
Asia: East and PacificIt's the New Year, how about....
1.) Download Visa form from VN Embassy
2.) Fill it out, inc. destination POC
3.) Paste or staple 1 picture to completed Visa form
4.) Procure a $40 money order (from post office) & fill out.
5.) Fill out self address envelope, insert passport, have post office weigh and apply postage.
6.) Using a second usually larger envelope, fill out with VN Embassy address, and insert the following:
* completed Visa form with picture attached
* USA passport
* return postage paid self addressed envelope
* Post Office money Order for $40 made out to "The Embassy of Vietnam"
* pay for postage to Vietnam embassy & address
Mail & pray for a safe return :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-01-01 12:51:00
Asia: East and PacificIt's the New Year, how about....
We all know Chuck & Kim are doing well in Philly :)

How about our friends in St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Arkansas, North Carolina and of course the Orange County/So. Cal. people. Any news from America? I guess everyone now communicates via private email?
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-12-31 11:33:00
Asia: East and Pacificnew year, new rumours
I took my wife, then Girlfriend, to Thailand for a holiday.....

The neighbors got wind of our holiday and said....."That foreigner is taking Phuong to Thailand to make her a prostitute to make money"

Another classic example of totally absurd thinking towards foreigners.... :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-01-10 22:31:00
Asia: East and PacificPreparing Document Order For Interview
I gotta chime-in on this one:

I made the big mistake of putting our documents inside plastic sleeves then I put them into a 3 ring binder (30 pages of plastic sleeves).

My wife went to the window and the CO said politely, "Can you please take all those documents out of the plastic sleeves and we'll call you back up to the window in a little while...."

If I had to do it all over again I would use a large "alligator clip" that holds at least 20 to 30 pages together. Live and Learn....:)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-01-20 17:17:00
Asia: East and PacificInterview date received
Chao My Le,

Yes, I was in VN when my wife was granted her visa, about 1 month before the Tet New Year 2005, and we decided to stay in VN for a couple of more weeks to prepare for her move and, most importantly, she was able to say goodbye to ALL her extended family members during the actual Tet New Year.

Looking back, the decision to stay a couple extra weeks so my wife could experience Tet with her family before changing her life and moving to America, was a vey very good decision. It was sort of a final goodbye and NOW a fresh new year in a new country.

Just my experience.....:)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-12-13 12:26:00
Asia: East and PacificAn update on me and the Mrs... All is well.
Northern Virginia, much closer to your location, has over 20,000 Vietnamese folks.

My wife doesn't want to live anywhere else, she dreads going into the Midwest America

Check out this link: www.edencenter.com plus there's two www.hmart.com (awesome Korean markets) and if that's not enough, there's always
www.greatwallsupermarket.com, a chinese/american style market

Check out: www.city-data.com to assess different cities.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-01-15 20:35:00
Asia: East and PacificPostcard from Vietnam
Sunny and 80 plus degrees

Freshly squeezed Orange Juice

Awesome strong coffee

Loads of soup, seafood and delicious fruit......

Actual customer service

Nice New Year's decorations (flowers etc)

Excitment of driving into the intersection first and hopefully the others will give way?

Finally, just a little traffic, very quiet, clean air :) Sao...........
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-02-08 21:28:00
Asia: East and PacificThink long and hard about everything you do
Firstly, Hello from the Nam :)

I first arrived in VN in 1999 and it took me 9 months to meet a suitable partner (in-person) and then it took another 2 years for me to totally trust her, be accepted by her family and have confidence should would have the common sense to adapt to American culture, etc. Personally, I think meeting a VNs partner for a life-long commitment (in America) online is a very risky proposition because of the culture differences and potential communication gaps.

With that said, on my current visit to VN, The VNs have come a long way in their urban sophistication and their awareness of the outside world. This next generation of VNs is definitely better read about foreign influence than the previous.

Finally, In my opinion, the "Viet Kieu", overseas VNs who were maybe born, raised & live in America, they should have better luck with the native VNs women from their own upbringing in a VNs family in America.

end

I'm off to Phu Quoc tomorrow :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-02-10 03:19:00
Asia: East and PacificTo those who have had no interview, yet.
Hello from the Nam, the day before the BIG day. (Everyone is running around HCMC like a chicken with their heads cut off....) By the way, my wife's family has a live chicken in the back yard with one leg tied to the tree waiting for it's destiny tonight, poor fellow......

OK, the visa, I used numerous sources:

Visa Journey

HCMC Consulate's web site

USCIS web site

The State dot Gov web site

The Chinese version of Visa Journey ( I forgot the name )

Go to the 9th floor of the Dutch Bank building on Le Loi street for US Citizens section walk in, just say hi and ask some casual questions, they're all connected to the US Consualte on Le Duan street and they know the ends and outs. (the walk up window usually isn't busy)

Finally, numerous local people gave my wife advice, and I made sure, she told me everything they told her and then I gave her my opinion if this "unsoliciated" advice was accurate or not.

Use Common Sense! (Sorry, I don't recommend a lawyer.......it's not necessary, if everything is NORMAL)

Chuc Mung Nam Moi

Patrick
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-02-15 22:45:00
Asia: East and PacificTrash it?
At least, save it!

I returned to my wife's family house for the Tet holidays, after living 2 years in America, and I was looking through the photo albums that I created for the interview in 04' and the pages of evidence (non countable noun). It's awesome! I'm going to take all this "stuff" back to America and save it for future generations :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-02-17 22:36:00
Asia: East and PacificLanded
Help! I'm stuck in Tan Son Nhat Airport until 2:00am (flight delay)......

Hien, That's very funny, you're in Seattle?

HCMC: The heat has definintely increased for a Tet Holiday, April 07' will be really bad here...

Good Luck in America, 3 weeks until Spring! (Mua Xuan)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-02-23 12:31:00
Asia: East and PacificLurker's review
I was speaking with a close friend this week in Sai Gon who knows the Consulate first-hand:

Fact:

The COs are over worked and have a tight schedule to maximize interviews (only 1 hour lunch break)
The COs definitely prefer to pass the applicants vs. having a person (usually female) crying in front of them.
The COs must receive 100% of required paperwork, or the applicant must return with all correct forms.
The COs interpeters, who are provided as a convenience, do make mistakes (Unfortunately) so it's best to speak English.
Finally,
The Applicant needs to answer the CO's questions correctly, The VNs people (inc. my former students) seem to change the subject, provide a very very general answer, reply is too confusing or they are too "long winded" and don't get to the point.

Feedback from a credible source :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-02-18 04:27:00
Asia: East and PacificPoint Of Entry
Hien,

Very Good, it sounds like you'll be OK :)

Yes, my wife's cooking is much better than the local restaurants and actually the restaurants in VN. I'm surprised Seattle doesn't have all the fruits and veggys? Here in Northern Virginia, near DC, my wife can find everything. In addition to the Vietnamese stores, look for Korean and Chinese markets/shops too.

Good Luck
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-03-03 14:48:00
Asia: East and PacificPoint Of Entry
My wife and I waited 7 weeks before we departed together on 2/27/05: We went to the country-side to visit family grave sites & say goodbye to the extended family members & friends, she gave a 2 week notice at work, and we fully experienced the Tet Holidays before leaving Vietnam. (no hurry)

Separately, Hien Oi, how's your first 3 weeks in "Nuoc My". Are you cold? Is America like you imagined before you left? How about the food? Do you feel comfortable?

My wife didn't like America during her initial 6 months, but she never told me until afterward. Now, she's OK. It takes time to feel "at home"

Good Luck,

Patrick
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-03-03 12:00:00
Asia: East and PacificAOS Approved!
Watch Out! Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Thuy is on the loose......and it's finally Spring-time too.

Good Luck
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-03-16 20:17:00
Asia: East and PacificMy I-129F is in the mail
Lucas,

Do you plan to get married "on paper" officially on December 24th also (In addition to ceremony for her father)? That official paper will change your status in the minds of the USA Consulate folks, FYI.......

Good Luck
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-05-25 20:57:00
Asia: East and PacificUpdate!
Hien, that's a well stated response, good luck :)

Yes, all n all, fruits in VN are better, due to it's location. However, my wife finds very similar tasting fruits in the Korean (H mart) & Vietnamese markets in Northern Virginia. We eat sweet Mango, pineapple ( a little sour) and small bananas similar to VN. Plus, my wife's Bun Bo Hue is better than "Nam Giao" restaurant near the Binh Thanh market in HCMC. I really believe, it's relative to where you live in America.....

see ya,
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-04-30 23:36:00
Asia: East and Pacificcant find a tickit out of vietnam
I agree with ridejewel....

Actually, VNs passport holder doesn't need a entry visa if she wants to leave BKK airport.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-06-04 21:21:00
Asia: East and PacificMatt Stevens, Where are You?
Any Updates?
We hope ALL is well...........?
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-06-23 20:46:00
Asia: East and PacificJust passed AOS!
All due respect to Anna, Maybe those Consulate Officers have been drinking too much rice wine (ruou nep) or the motor bike fumes are going into their heads.

Good luck in Nuoc My :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-07-20 20:02:00
Asia: East and Pacificairfare from BKK to USA
In Bangkok I always go to STA Travel, on the 9th floor in a nice office building, near patpong area. I've booked one-way flights to USA before.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-07-24 10:15:00
Asia: East and Pacificairfare from BKK to USA
I use Washington Dulles also....

Note: ANA Nippon and Korean Airlines are the only two airlines that fly NONSTOP from Asia (fly over north pole). It costs more, but flying nonstop from the Asian gateway city directly to DC, without stopping in another North American city, makes a BIG difference.

Good Luck
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-07-21 20:30:00
Asia: East and PacificTravel to Vietnam -- Travel Agent?
Hello HCMC_Arkansas :)

Please keep us posted how much you paid, just curious?

I always fly Korean Air because they fly nonstop to Asia from Washington DC (only 1 stop to VN) I pay extra for the convenience.

Does anyone have travel/flight ticket advice for bringing my wife's mom to USA for a visit?

Good Luck
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-06-01 20:40:00
Asia: East and Pacificflying to 'Nam
Hien Oi

Why would you want to worry about renewing your passport during your special trip to Vietnam while visiting your family during the Tet Holidays, plus your passport won't be expired and what if, the VNs gov't passport agency doesn't have your new passport ready when you're due to fly back to the USA? ( I feel stress already.....) Simple, June 2008, download the correct forms from the VNs Washington DC Embassy, fillout papers, cashiers check, certified envelope & return envelope and wait, wait and wait....... it took my wife's "5 year renewal VNs passport" about 2 months to be processed :)

Chuc Mai Man O nuoc My :)
Good Luck Live America

P
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-08-15 20:04:00
Asia: East and PacificUsing a credit card in Saigon
I used to use my Vietnamese/Korean bank ATM frequently, no problem and I really never heard of others having problems either. Finally, you can take your credit card into the HSBC (other intl Banks also) to get cash advances. (pay fee for convenience)
Just bring lots of $$$$ with you....most families have a big safe in their house? (that's what I do....)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-09-04 19:31:00
Asia: East and PacificThings to do in Saigon?
Good Question?

Here are some blogs that may help?

http://www.mekongesl.com/
http://chrisfharvey....vey_in_vietnam/
http://itsthefinalwo...gon-update.html

1.) Run the weekly "Hash" on Sunday afternoons (don't have to drink afterward.....)
2.) Many Volunteer Opportunities (on a temporary basis)
3.) Thanh Da resorts
4.) Swim, Bowl, and Tennis, golfing is expensive
5.) Amusement Parks: Suoi Tien and that place near "pho tho" race track, in district 10...

I used to have the same problem when I lived in HCMC, now I live in boring suburbia DC :-)

Good Luck,
P
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-10-06 13:32:00
Asia: East and PacificI'm wondering - anyone moved to the US LONG after being married?
My wife and I lived 4 1/2 years in Vietnam before moving to America.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-10-11 18:57:00
Asia: East and PacificPhoto "blog" from Vietnam
Very Good Pictures, NeverSeen

You also have a lot of patience, wait till Tram "learns the ropes" over here in the USA, it'll be interesting for you smile.gif

Please keep us posted......

P
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-10-30 19:47:00
Asia: East and PacificAre you married to a Vietnamese Citizen, then
My friend paid $20usd (twenty) only.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-11-07 17:56:00
Asia: East and PacificAre you married to a Vietnamese Citizen, then
Very Good Chuck,

One last comment, it's amazing how the travel agent located inside Eden Center (Falls Church, VA) strongly advised my friend NOT attempt to get this visa and it's probably untrue, it's just a rumor........Now, Seeing is Believing!
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-11-06 19:49:00
Asia: East and PacificAre you married to a Vietnamese Citizen, then
A multi-entry, 5 year, Visitors Visa to Vietnam.
Go to the Washington DC Vietnamese Embassy Web Site.

Here's the introduction: http://mienthithucvk.mofa.gov.vn/
It's in Vietnamese Language, but if your wife reads carefully, it also applies to the American husband too. My friend got one!
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-11-05 18:57:00