biggish data

Cards for Christmas and New Year

QUOTE (Jack & Xuan @ Nov 28 2008, 09:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (DPNH @ Nov 28 2008, 07:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Jack & Xuan @ Nov 28 2008, 07:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is getting near that time of year and I wanted to send a card to my soon to be In-Laws (Mother and Father). Any suggestions of what may be ok for the card to say and more importantly what may be offensive if anything? And is there someone on here that can translate a phrase that I would write on each card?

Be yourself and write just like the way you would to your own. Personally, being a VNese, I know the "older" generations only give hard time with their own kind "in-laws". In other words, double standard.

You're another race, so whatever you do, they expect your behavior to be "acceptable". All they care is getting their daughter outta that place ASAP, aka getting the Green card.

Intresting. I was hoping to learn more about custom. I have never thought about Xuan or her family as "another kind". I have only thought of us as the same with only different customs. You are also the very first to point out that we are different "races". Guess I never thought about that either. You comment is very intresting to me, it appears that while I did not learn anything about custom from you comment, I have learned something about perception.

Thank you

Nice reply Jack.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-03 02:25:00

I think I see a trend

QUOTE (don2008 @ Nov 29 2008, 11:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i took care of mine on my own. i paid the consultation fee to ME to look over my case and they told me for $1400 they would get my wife the pink. that was after her first blue slip. i decided to study up and do it on my own. i learned ALOT from people right here in VJ. i think hiring an attorney is not really needed on the most part, im sure there is some cases that might need thembut im pretty confident now that i can take can of any of my wifes immigration needs. as of now we are still waiting for the GC, i dont think we will have any problems..

I seriously doubt ME guaranteed a pink. I know he never guaranteed us one. In fact he told me what I know he has told others here. "You've got a 50/50 shot initially".

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-03 05:59:00

Visa Denial - Don't act like this idiot

Wow. Could this be considered evidence of a bona fide relationship? I would say yes.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-06 08:41:00

newbie ready to file I-130

QUOTE (2x2y2z @ Dec 5 2008, 05:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi, YuAndDan,

Being at the end of the yellow brick road to hell, I would suggest you send them everything that you can, just like if you were bringing those exact things (evidence) to the interview. Seriously, send them very little and pay for it later -like me.

Make sure you have a copy of everything; send them copies if you have to. Lots of photos! Load them up with stuff; send them a huge box.

After you do that, make sure you plan trips together and so on, including documenting your communication very well.

Oh, if you were introduced by a relative or anything resembling that, consider changing your story. Please, please read this forum very well before shipping that I-130 off. Take it very seriously, not as a preliminary to the rest. I did that and I would not advise it.

Good luck!

Getting caught lying about something like that will result in a 3 to 10 year ban for your Wife.

Edited by Joe Six-Pack, 09 December 2008 - 04:58 PM.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-09 16:57:00

How Free is Vietnam?

QUOTE (Jack & Xuan @ Dec 3 2008, 08:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Joe Six-Pack @ Dec 3 2008, 08:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well look what you've done now James! You've got the natives all riled up!

Vietnam is what it is. It's their Country. If the people want change they will bring it (see Thailand). I'm pretty sure we tried to impose our will in Vietnam a few years ago. It didn't work out too well for us.

Remember, when in Rome.......

Now now, Don't blame James. I am the one that wrote this on another thread. James just "plucked" if off that thread and did the right thing and started a new thread. I should have been so courtious as to do that myslef. I do think it would be intresting and fun to all meet on messenger and debate this. And I agree with you completely Mr. Six-Pack. It is their Country and I think they have some things right. We have many things right here in America too though.

My comment at the top of this thread or any of the others is not ment to rile anyone up. It is only my observations and opinion. I do love and respect the debate though.

O.K., dual credit then!

I remember standing in front of a picture of "Uncle Ho" when I was there. I thought "Boy you certainly showed us what for, but who really won"?

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-03 20:55:00

How Free is Vietnam?

Edited by Joe Six-Pack, 03 December 2008 - 08:44 PM.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-03 20:44:00

How Free is Vietnam?

My poor, misguided Brother in law just had his bike impounded because of the helmet law! I think they threw him in jail for a night too. $60.00 to make the problem go away.

The corruption is definitely a problem, unless one uses it to their advantage! I've often wondered how dangerous it could actually be there though. I mean if I really pissed someone off, how easy would it be to make me "go away"?

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-03 10:33:00

QUOTE (Hiep & Thao @ Dec 10 2008, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Take a look at http://www.everydaysaigon.com/
The map is a little outdated but users can enter their own places, and review others
You can search for district and cross-streets, but no address lookup

That one is pretty cool too. Thanks.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-13 01:38:00

QUOTE (patricks @ Dec 10 2008, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sorry, interesting perspective

I only briefly looked at my wife's house and my old place.

Find the Zoo at the end of Le Duan Street, look directly across the river, there should be two or three high rise new tower blocks there now, they just started constructing those buildings when I left Vietnam in early 2005, so I guess these maps were made in 2003 or 2004.

I look more closely this weekend for more observations.....makes me sort of homesick for Vietnam.

They're using Google images, which are usually a few years old.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-13 01:35:00

QUOTE (patricks @ Dec 9 2008, 08:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Joe, interesting prospective, a little out of date though

:-)

Out of date? Please explain.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-09 20:59:00

I just found this website. I looked for one last year and gave up. The site I found it on (Craig's List) said it only works with Internet Explorer, but I just opened it with Firefox.

http://diadiem.com/

There is an English option at the top and satellite views as well. According to their site it will soon be available for mobile phones.

Edited by Joe Six-Pack, 09 December 2008 - 02:35 PM.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-09 14:32:00

4 YEARS LATER!

Don't be a stranger! Your experience can benefit all the little VJers that have yet to come.

Congratulations!

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-10 09:09:00

HCMC interview

1.) Interviewer : do you have engagement ceremony?
Me : no, we don’t

I'm shocked this wasn't an issue.

2.) Interviewer : how many times does he visit you?
Me : 2 times, one was on Feb and second was on Aug, it was 31st July to 10th Aug

I'm surprised that the length of the visits wasn't brought up.

3.) Interviewer : how much?
Me : 2500$ excluded tax

Is it too late for me to learn how to be a Camera assistant for films and TV shows?

Congrads again. Maybe they are starting to loosen up a bit there.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-11-25 01:18:00

running out of time, needs help...

Here's the closest locations to Laguna Niguel, CA:

http://www.angelfood...p;search=search

If nothing else you can save some money on your food bill.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-13 23:13:00

running out of time, needs help...

I've been thinking about this post today and I have to say that I would hate to be in your situation. Have you thought about the possibility of HCMC not re-issuing the Visa because of your finances? I don't know if they could, but I wouldn't put it past them. What about the boy? I think he would feel angry, like he's being left behind.

I really think you should get him here. Reach out to your local charities for help. You may be surprised. People want to help, but you have ask!

Here is a post about Angel Food Ministries:

http://www.visajourn...food ministries

http://www.angelfood...ries.com/about/

They could provide food assistance. Good luck.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-13 23:04:00

How to let them know I'm living in Vietnam until my wife is able to get the visa to come.

Yeah, just living there isn't good enough for them. One of the members that's been around a while invited the C.O. to dinner because they were insisting the relationship was a sham. Don't think they took them up on the invite, but the member prevailed eventually. I can't find the post now, but I'm sure someone will be along eventually to confirm.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-19 10:03:00

How to let them know I'm living in Vietnam until my wife is able to get the visa to come.

There are members that have lived there that can advise you on how to do that. I think ChuckandKim and STL_HCMC both lived there for a while. You may want to PM them if they don't reply. I would register with the State Department and at the Consulate as LuckyTxn suggested. I'm sure it would come up at the interview as well. Here's the State Department link if you don't have it already:

https://travelregist...te.gov/ibrs/ui/

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-19 05:26:00

You guys are nuts! I spilled some on my pants and it ate a hole in them!

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-23 09:44:00

QUOTE (Icarus @ Dec 22 2008, 03:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

or this....

IMG_0290.JPG 476.9KB 27 downloads

taken at the local market.

#######? Look at the middle one and you tell me!

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-22 16:08:00

If this sh!t doesn't make you sick I don't know what will.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-22 04:58:00

"Your case is being sent back, so what are you laughing at"?

Edited by Joe Six-Pack, 19 December 2008 - 12:02 PM.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-19 12:00:00

QUOTE (hieumin nguyen @ Dec 8 2008, 11:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

what happen if i have a new number, and what i have to do w/ proof of the old number

No one knows! You can't really say for sure one way or another. I would weigh how many calls I have -vs- the chance they would make an issue out of it. Otherwise you will just have to submit them and take a chance.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-08 11:27:00

QUOTE (Eric and An Thuy @ Dec 8 2008, 12:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

An and I used a printed copy of our webcam image for our proofs

That's good advice. I posted a while back on how to do it:

http://www.visajourn...h...screen&st=0

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-08 11:25:00

QUOTE (RalphandHanh @ Dec 6 2008, 09:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had all my phone records with a pinless phone card company as well as skype phone service. The CO looked at the first page and determined that my phones were not long enough as part of the white paper we received. So yeah... it depends on the CO, what mood they are in, how our fiance answers the questions, if she is nervous... blah blah blah. These people have no soul... good luck

This is the kind of BS that drives me nuts. Make sure you can support them but waste money on something you get free online.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-06 21:35:00

The actual answer to the question is yes, no or maybe. It depends on the C.O.. Every time I think I've heard all of the reasons for a denial they come up with something new. The best thing to do is not give them anything to work with. Have everything in your name if possible.

Good luck.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-06 18:00:00

I use this company for my calls:

http://www.vnlisting.com/vnphones/

They are only around .08 a minute. You call 888.666.8845 and their computer recognizes your cell number. They can then provide you with the phone transcripts in your name. I would make sure and pay for the service with my credit card. This way the actual cell bill shouldn't come into question. If it does I would just say that you're trying to save money with a family plan.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-06 17:52:00

Vietnam Devalues Dong

QUOTE (STL_HCMC @ Dec 26 2008, 11:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Currently at 17,450 on Xe.com

I'm a Dong Millionaire!

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-26 11:57:00

Vietnam Devalues Dong

Dec. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Vietnam’s central bank devalued the dong by 3 percent to help exporters after the Southeast Asian economy expanded at the slowest pace in nine years and the trade deficit widened.

The State Bank of Vietnam fixed the reference rate at 16,989 dong per dollar, versus 16,494 yesterday, according to its Web site. Policy makers maintained a currency band that allows the dong to rise or fall 3 percent a day, said Nguyen Quang Huy, director of the regulator’s foreign-exchange department.

Export growth slowed in the past three months as stagnating global economies cut demand for Vietnam’s garments and coffee and the country became less competitive after currencies in neighboring markets weakened more than the dong. Vietnam’s currency has dropped 5.5 percent this year against the dollar compared with an 18 percent slide in India’s rupee, 14 percent decline for Indonesia’s rupiah and a 13 percent slump in the Philippine peso.

“The devaluation is necessary as the government is trying to increase exports,” said Do Ngoc Quynh, chairman of the Vietnam Bond Forum in Hanoi and head of currency and debt trading at Bank for Investment & Development of Vietnam, the nation’s second-biggest lender by assets. “Other currencies in the region have considerably declined against the dollar, but the dong hasn’t dropped that much.”

The dong traded at 17,300 to 17,450 a dollar as of 3 p.m. in Hanoi, according to Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development, the nation’s biggest lender by assets.

Ensuring Stability

“The new reference rate will help increase exports, narrow the trade deficit, and also ensure the stability of balance of payments,” the central bank said on its Web site today.

At money changers, or the so-called black market, the currency traded between 17,270 and 17,350 to the dollar in Hanoi, according to a telephone directory information service, known as 1080, run by state-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications. The dong has tumbled 35 percent since the end of 1994 as the central bank devalued the currency every year.

Vietnam’s VN Index of stocks fell 0.6 percent to 302.19, the lowest level in more than a week. The measure has declined 67 percent this year, the worst-performing benchmark index in Asia.

Gross domestic product grew 6.2 percent in 2008, after expanding by a record 8.5 percent last year, the government said in a statement yesterday.

Trade Deficit

Vietnam’s trade deficit widened to a record $17 billion in 2008, from $14.1 billion last year, according to preliminary figures provided by the government today.

The shortfall in the current account may grow to $12.1 billion in 2009, or 12.3 percent of GDP, from an estimated $10.5 billion this year, or 11.7 percent of GDP, according to a Credit Suisse Group research report dated Dec. 17.

“The Vietnamese dong is facing downward pressure due to the current-account deficit,” said Yuichi Izumi, an economist at Nomura Securities Co. in Tokyo. “The State Bank wants to guide the dong lower to support the export sector.”

Slower gains in consumer prices may have also provided more room for the central bank to weaken the dong. Inflation cooled for a fourth month in December to the slowest pace in nine months, with consumer prices rising 19.9 percent from a year earlier, the government said today. The rate touched 28.3 percent in August, the highest since at least 1992.

The devaluation followed five interest-rate cuts by the central bank this quarter to help bolster the economy. Policy makers last lowered the benchmark rate on Dec. 19 by the most ever this year to 8.5 percent, from 10 percent. The new cost of money became effective Dec. 22.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen in Hanoi at uyen1@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: December 25, 2008 03:12 EST

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2008-12-25 20:48:00

Tet (Lunar New Year)

Make sure not to buy any new clothes for at least a few months after Tet. Evidently this is considered bad luck. Thuy bought a new towel (not sure why this was bad) when she was a child and a plague of locust descended on Tien Giang. The entire season's rice harvest was destroyed.

Edited by Joe Six-Pack, 25 January 2009 - 02:24 PM.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-25 14:23:00

Taxes and a Vietnamese Non Resident Spouse

QUOTE (tom&tata @ Jan 26 2009, 01:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (bryonm4 @ Jan 26 2009, 09:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toan_thi @ Jan 20 2009, 06:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (IgnatiusJ.Reilly @ Jan 20 2009, 01:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Has anyone who is married to a Vietnamese National done this? It appears to be possible. I see that a ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is required and any income the spouse made in thier home Country would have to be counted towards the total income. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, you can file your tax return as married. The new law has changed for spouse without social security number. In order to get the ITIN for your wife, you will need your wife original vietnamese Passport or Vietnamese Identification card ( Chung Minh Nhan Dan ), copy of your marriage certificate license. Then file your tax as married joint return, just leave your wife social security number blank, sign your tax returns with both signature, you and your wife. You can sign for your wife. Make sure you include all documents as I stated with your returns and send it to Philadelphia. I don't remember the address but you can look it up under IRS.gov. After they received your tax returns they will process your tax and issued ITIN for your spouse as same time. Good Luck.

Do you send her original Passport or Identification card to the IRS along with the W7? I assume the IRS will send them back so I can return them to her in Vietnam. I just worry about them getting lost in the mail even if I send it Fed Ex.

If she lives close to US consulate, make a copy of valid passport & have it certified/notarized there at the consulate. This notarized copy is what you sent along with W-7 form

You're right. I thought they only accepted the actual passport as a stand alone document, but they will take a notarized copy.

If you submit an original valid passport (or a notarized or
certified copy of a valid passport), you do not need to submit
any other documents. Otherwise, you must submit at least two of
the documents listed below. The documents must be current, verify
your identity (that is, contain your name), and support your claim of
foreign status. At least one document must contain your photograph,
but a photograph is not required if documents are submitted for a
dependent under age 14 (under age 18 if a student). Do not attach
expired documents.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-26 18:16:00

Taxes and a Vietnamese Non Resident Spouse

I wouldn't send the I.R.S. a passport. Get her a copy of her I.D. and her Birth Certificate notarized at the Consulate and a Power of Attorney.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-26 10:05:00

Taxes and a Vietnamese Non Resident Spouse

Well it's true. I took my taxes to Block Head and confirmed it. The only drawback is having to mail in the return. It will take 5 to 7 weeks (allegedly) with direct deposit.

To future readers:

You need form W-7 and verifying documents. Here's the link:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf

You also need a Power of Attorney to sign for your Spouse.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-25 15:03:00

You know you're Australian when . . .

When you leave your house there's a 1 in 100 chance you'll get eaten by a Croc before the day is through (if you stay in the house it goes down to 1 in 500).

Edited by Joe Six-Pack, 25 January 2009 - 07:25 PM.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-25 19:22:00

I-134 - notarized or no?

QUOTE (CK&Tydi @ Jan 17 2009, 02:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (LilLoveBug @ Jan 16 2009, 10:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So the USCIS has changed the I-134 instructions saying you don't need it notarized. But on the HCM consulate website it says notarized I-134 ... anyone know about this?

Also, if you guys don't know, do you think it would it be too pestering if I emailed the consulate and asked this question?

Thanks
Bug

You need to have it notarized or else you will regret it. :=) Make sure have to have your bank verified and give you a summarize letter of your account for the past year. 3 years of Tax return transcript. Goto IRS website and request for the past 3 yrs. They will either fax it to you or send to you by snail mail. HCM consulate want to make sure that you can able to support your love one.

I would go with the info. on their website. You shouldn't hesitate to email or call them either. It is your Consulate.

If the IRS asks you if you own the fax machine/number the transcripts are being sent to tell them yes. They won't send them otherwise. Be prudent though. It is your personal information after all.

Edited by Joe Six-Pack, 27 January 2009 - 03:07 PM.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-27 15:03:00

QUOTE (aaron2020 @ Jan 27 2009, 03:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The safest route may be to have the US consulate notarize your documents. Generally, I need to see the original in order to certify the copy as a true copy. I don't do translation. That may be an issue for you and the only notary that the IRS may rely upon is one where they can drag into court, i.e. an American notary. The rules that other have mentioned involves the State Department. I wouldn't rely on these rules applying to the IRS. The IRS may have their own rules on notaries.

Thanks for the reply. Looks like the wife is going to be taking a trip to the Consulate. She'll be thrilled.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-27 15:28:00

QUOTE (aaron2020 @ Jan 27 2009, 03:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As a California Notary Public, I am licensed to notarize only within California. I cannot notarize a California birth certificate if I am physically in another state. I presume other states have similar rules so they can have local court jurisdiction over the notaries.

Thanks. Would I be able to get the copies of the documents I mentioned notarized myself? I'm assuming I wouldn't be able to.

Edited by Joe Six-Pack, 27 January 2009 - 03:15 PM.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-27 15:14:00

QUOTE (payxibka @ Jan 27 2009, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

here is a cite from the DOS that might give you added ideas on where to look..

Recognition of Notarial Acts Performed Abroad in the United States:

The laws of states in the United States also make specific provision for the recognition of documents executed outside the United States. Most states have enacted legislation similar to the Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgements Act, the Uniform Acknowledgments Act and the Uniform Law on Notarials which recognize the admissibility of documents executed outside the United States before an ambassador, minister, consul general, consul, vice consul or consular agent of the United States.

http://travel.state....o/info_630.html

Thanks. Looks like Melrose Plant might get himself in a little trouble!

Possible Repercussions of American Notaries or Other Persons Notarizing Documents Abroad: Notarizing documents by a person not empowered by treaty or local (foreign) law to perform such acts may result in the arrest of a commissioner of deeds of American notary, even through the act is authorized by the laws of the commissioner or notary''s home state. The Department of State is concerned that, in the exercise of their powers, state commissioners of deeds or notaries public may unknowingly violate the judicial sovereignty of a foreign country by usurping the functions of duly authorized foreign officials. All U.S. Foreign Service posts are therefore instructed to advise the Department of State of the operation of any American commissioners of deeds or notaries public in their consular districts.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-27 10:12:00

QUOTE (tom&tata @ Jan 27 2009, 09:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think for the IRS it has to be public notary with US jurisdiction or foreign notary under The Hague convention.

We got the copy of valid passport & notarized it with US consulate & no need to send additional document.

Linky

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf

No passport for her yet.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-27 09:28:00

QUOTE (Dave_Thao @ Jan 27 2009, 09:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tidbit:
I believe I paid $30 to have my timeline notarized at the HCMC consulate.

Yeah, they're a bit steep. I'm researching it now and I don't see anuything that says a Notary has to be physically located in the State where they are licensed. Somebody should set up shop next to the Consulate and charge $15. I nominate Melrose Plant.

Edited by Joe Six-Pack, 27 January 2009 - 09:19 AM.

Teacher Mark

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-01-27 09:18:00