ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
VietnamMy Vietnamese girlfriend and me need help

Well, that's the first time I've heard it. Of course, this just means that the US part of the mental exam CANNOT and SHOULD NOT be skipped. Hopefully the OP reads this.


Another way to find out would be to have the fiancee call or go to the local authorities and ask them. If she's in HCMC they're located at 141-43 Pastuer. Here's a link to their site.

http://www.sotuphap.....vn/web/tintuc/

Edited by Mr. Saigon, 05 August 2010 - 02:10 PM.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-08-05 14:09:00
VietnamMy Vietnamese girlfriend and me need help

Let me see if I understood you correctly - for the documents I send to the VN embassy in the US, I can omit the "mental exam" document and just get that done when I am in VN? The website seems to imply that I need to send all of the documents listed, but it seems like most people end up having to take the mental exam in VN even if they do get a "pass" in the usa.


That appears to be the case. I haven't known anyone in the 3 years that I have been posting here that has not had to have it done in Vietnam.

Here's another thread. I wrote a little about my experience in this one.

http://www.visajourn...age-in-vietnam/
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-08-04 18:31:00
VietnamMy Vietnamese girlfriend and me need help

Just saying the fraud will happen either way doesn't prove that we should remove immigration controls. Why should it be difficult to immigrate to the US? How about to preserve our way of life? If anyone could come here by filing a paper and paying a small fee then what would happen to the US Job Market?

By your lowered standards someone could open a "Green card marriage" business legally.

Bottom line is you aren't applying for anything at the Embassy and won't even be allowed to attend the interview.

Where in the constitution do you have any of these "rights" of immigration?




Being proud of my WIFE and linking to her profile is nothing like you referring to "your girl" like she's a blow-up doll who doesn't even deserve a name or respect.

Good luck with your petition since you seem to know everything about the process and how to get it done with the least possible amount of evidence & resources. Ironically it seems that "Know it all even though I've never done it before"s like you seem to be the ones who come back crying about how horrible the interview went.


9 whole months to get an approval Bob? That must have been rough.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-07-27 04:39:00
VietnamBest Airlines for Traveling to Vietnam

I'd like to be were your at, I'm 7 hours south of Saigon and there making a meal out of me. I do have off and she lights some sort of repellant at night.


District 3 in Saigon is clear. I have been bitten in D7/Phu My Hung though. They couldn't pay me enough to live in the Mekong, just because of the mosquitos.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-08-07 05:09:00
VietnamBest Airlines for Traveling to Vietnam

err if you gona stay in saigon then you dont need bug repellent that bad , my bad for not reading your post cleally . last few trips that i went to vietnam mosquito tried to murder me .


Agreed. I have 2 bottles of Off that I've never had to use. In a year and a half I've only been bitten a few times.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-08-05 05:35:00
VietnamBest Airlines for Traveling to Vietnam

Not sure if AA still flight in VN??? Anh Chim please confirms.


They do. They even have an office on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, but I wouldn't recommend going there. I went there and they quoted me $3000, when itickets were available through their website for $1100.

Edited by Mr. Saigon, 05 August 2010 - 05:34 AM.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-08-05 05:33:00
VietnamFor Whites Only

So I take it Mr. Saigon that you have no probs at all.Posted Image


Nope, I've been real lucky. I obviously don't agree with the practice, but it certainly hasn't hurt me.

I tell the kids about my driving days and how all I really wanted was to get out of that truck and come here to be with my ex and teach. I'm batting .500, which is good enough for me.

Edited by Mr. Saigon, 08 August 2010 - 08:09 AM.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-08-08 08:06:00
VietnamFor Whites Only

This isn't really my topic of interest but I'll take a stab.

First of all, when it comes to the economy, the business world, and ESL, which relates to all of that, Vietnam is sort of like the old West of America's 1800s in terms of rules and regulations. Things are changing but physical culture is always ahead of mental culture. In other words, there may be Internet and good hotels and so on in larger cities in Vietnam, but the mental thinking for many of the locals is still stuck in the 80s.

So, what does that mean for the ESL industry? "White dude" sells. There was a recent article (on CNN, I believe) that said in China some companies hire Caucasians to give their company a good image. China, like Vietnam, is still way behind the mental culture calendar.

I used to teach ESL for years, so I know the industry.

The bottom line here is that problems like this do exist but they do not blanket the entire ESL industry in Vietnam. For example, it's really tough for anyone of African decent to get a job teaching English in Asia and there are plenty of horror stories out there. But you know what? I've met plenty of black teachers in Asia to know that those who take it upon themselves to blaze a new trail do achieve their aims. Cultural barriers can be broken and backward thinking changed.

Is there a problem? Yes. But like the old West, it needs taming and it will get done one day.


Comparing life here to life in the old west is a good analogy. I have a friend that uses it reguarly.

It will take at least another generation, if not two, for the stereotypes to go away.

Anyone from Africa now faces a visa problem, as well as a problem finding a job teaching English in Vietnam. They may get a 3 month tourist visa, but a renewal would be difficult from what I understand.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-08-07 23:42:00
VietnamFor Whites Only
The school I'm with will employ non-native speakers, with very thick accents, over a Viet Kieu who was raised in America. We need 4 teachers right now and they told a buddy of mine not to bother having a VK friend apply. This is more about marketing than anything else.

My French teacher was an old hag and my German teacher was an old white dude. I don't remember ever thinking about the fact that they weren't native speakers.

Edited by Mr. Saigon, 07 August 2010 - 11:48 AM.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-08-07 11:46:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
QUOTE (Melrose Plant @ Feb 28 2009, 08:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Joe Six-Pack @ Feb 28 2009, 03:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Melrose Plant @ Feb 27 2009, 09:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Craneman @ Feb 27 2009, 11:12 AM)
Why do you complain about a multiple entry visa?
5 year with multiple entry is what mine is for, but then I plan to make many more trips, and the wife will make at least 2 trips a year.
Brasil is a great place to visit and live eventually.
I made one trip to Viet Nam and that was enough for me too.

Thank you very much for your very nice and well thought out comments on the SE Asia forum. Thank you AND the horse you came in on.


No sh!t. I didn't notice the slam on Vietnam. I've always heard that if God gave the Earth an enema Brazil is where the tube would be inserted.

Now, now, now, now......I'm not going that far. Remember, they grow a lot of sugarcane down there. But I do object to somebody wandering in here, having no idea what he's talking about, basically saying you're stupid, and then making a negative comment about the whole country. All on the East Asia Forum.


I'm not surprised at all really. I've had enough rude comments from people associated with that region to know that I never want to go anywhere near it.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-03-02 03:25:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
QUOTE (Melrose Plant @ Feb 27 2009, 09:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Craneman @ Feb 27 2009, 11:12 AM)
Why do you complain about a multiple entry visa?
5 year with multiple entry is what mine is for, but then I plan to make many more trips, and the wife will make at least 2 trips a year.
Brasil is a great place to visit and live eventually.
I made one trip to Viet Nam and that was enough for me too.

Thank you very much for your very nice and well thought out comments on the SE Asia forum. Thank you AND the horse you came in on.


No sh!t. I didn't notice the slam on Vietnam. I've always heard that if God gave the Earth an enema Brazil is where the tube would be inserted.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-28 04:45:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
QUOTE (Craneman @ Feb 27 2009, 01:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (andrew va thuy @ Feb 27 2009, 12:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I used myvietnamvisa.com & they seemed quite helpful & responsive. But I have not used my arrival visa yet...the journey is not complete




Why do you complain about a multiple entry visa?
5 year with multiple entry is what mine is for, but then I plan to make many more trips, and the wife will make at least 2 trips a year.
Brasil is a great place to visit and live eventually.
I made one trip to Viet Nam and that was enough for me too.


Because I asked for a 3 months single entry. We are not leaving Vietnam while i am here, so it would have been $25 wasted.

I am actually visa exempt but I didn't get the paperwork to them on time.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-27 18:19:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
QUOTE (andrew va thuy @ Feb 27 2009, 01:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I used myvietnamvisa.com & they seemed quite helpful & responsive. But I have not used my arrival visa yet...the journey is not complete


When you get to HCMC just follow the sign for Landing Visas. The window is to the left of the Immigration checkpoint. They will have you fill out another form with your basic information and pay the fee.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-27 18:17:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
In the end they came through. I got in O.K. and paid $25 for a Single Entry. good.gif
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-27 01:33:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
Actually it's correct now. The information is listed above my name on the paper.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-23 12:20:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
Well they fixed the birth date and adjusted the visa to a one month beginning on the 28th. I requested a 3 month from the 26th. #######?

Edited by Joe Six-Pack, 23 February 2009 - 11:41 AM.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-23 11:37:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
QUOTE (Dai_VN @ Feb 21 2009, 01:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That just Vietnam for you.. The place where you can get any college degree you want if you pay them a lot of money, and work where you want as long as you give the right kick backs to the right people. Everything is just down right corrupt.


I know. I'm slowly getting myself into Vietnam mode. My Wife had a drunk guy grab her rear end tonight. I'm sort of glad I wasn't there for that one.


The fact that they have a .org address is wierd. .org's are usually reserved for non profits.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-21 13:29:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
Oh, I forgot to mention they aren't responding to emails now. They answered every one before they got my money.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-21 13:21:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
Now I've noticed they got my year of birth wrong by a year. The fact that Orbitz sent me an itinerary that was a day off may make the multiple entry visa a good thing. I told them I was getting there on the 25th, turns out I'll be there the 26th. My visa approval letter says I can come and go for 3 months. They may have redeemed themselves on that count. I would never use these guys again though.


Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-21 13:14:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org


"He said Bangkok!"
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-18 17:33:00
Vietnamvisa-vietnam.org
http://www.visa-vietnam.org/

Everything was fine until I got my pre-approval letter. I noticed that it was for a multiple entry visa, when I had clearly requested a single entry. When I emailed them for an explanation, the only response I got was that it was for a multiple entry. I asked for them to correct it and received no reply. The net result is $25.00 extra for the stamp ($50 instead of $25).
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-02-16 23:20:00
VietnamGot pink at HCMC?
QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Aug 23 2009, 09:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
huh.gif


laughing.gif
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2009-08-25 09:29:00
VietnamAnyone doing medical in HCMC week of Jan 4?
I just happened to be there today getting a physical for work. What a madhouse. :blink:
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-01-05 05:42:00
VietnamCR1 or K3

I am the husband :whistle: been here for 6 months. And you can get permanent residency right after you get married here now. They changed the law.

Again... my question is - what is the Difference between the two. Thanks.


:rofl:

Sorry I haven't been there in a while Ralph. I'll try to pay a visit soon.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-01-22 21:07:00
VietnamBig Problem
Tell your family you have a bodyguard here. My fee is $200USD a day. I'm available from Feburary 7th through the 23rd, or so. :thumbs:
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-01-10 10:39:00
VietnamElectronics
I've seen lots of people in Vietnam get laptops with universal power supplies, and a US style AC power cord. They just rip off the ground pin with a pair of pliers!

Count me in that number. I run the cord into a power adaptor. I figure, unwisely I'm sure, that since the adaptor has a fuse I should be OK.

This is like the one I use.

Posted Image
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-01-29 06:43:00
VietnamThuy's Interview @ HCMC
I'm sorry to hear this Scott. Take a breath and get them what they want.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-01-26 08:41:00
VietnamWhere to notarize for form w-7
Gotta' go to the Consulate in HCMC, or the Embassy in Hanoi. They're the only option in Vietnam. I can't comment on sending the passport because I'm not sure.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-02-01 06:42:00
VietnamIt's Easy to Get a Marriage Visa in HCMC

What did you say?


I told her they were sadly mistaken, in so many words.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-01-31 11:48:00
VietnamIt's Easy to Get a Marriage Visa in HCMC
It's a girl. I've heard a few Vietnamese say that though. It seems to be a popular misconception.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-01-31 11:28:00
VietnamIt's Easy to Get a Marriage Visa in HCMC
That's a quote from a conversation I had with a Vietnamese friend today. Anyone disagree?

Edited by Mr. Saigon, 31 January 2010 - 11:15 AM.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-01-31 11:15:00
Vietnamwedding in vietnam
4.Medical Certificate (I got this done in the US, but I had to get a mental exam in Vietnam too...this also needs to be specially notarized 2xs)

I also had my family doctor fill my medical paperwork out only to have them tell me it had to be done here in Vietnam now. They never even looked at the one from my doctor.

Edited by Mr. Saigon, 31 January 2010 - 08:42 AM.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-01-31 08:40:00
VietnamKevin & Tuyen's big day
Great news! PM me if you're in Saigon Kevin.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-02-07 22:13:00
Vietnammedical in us,marrying in ho chi minh
My doctor worked at a hospital and it was still rejected. You're wasting your money if you get it done in the US.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-02-10 02:38:00
Vietnammedical in us,marrying in ho chi minh
Please ask your family doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist.

It's been 2 years and they still haven't corrected that. I wish I could say I was surprised.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-02-08 08:09:00
Vietnammedical in us,marrying in ho chi minh
You can't get it done in the US. It must be done in Vietnam.

Here's an old post from the other forum where I discussed my experience.

http://www.visajourn...h...&hl=mapping

Edited by Mr. Saigon, 07 February 2010 - 10:00 PM.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-02-07 21:55:00
VietnamCung Chuc Tan Xuan
Happy New Year...again!

Posted Image
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-02-13 20:35:00
VietnamI GOT PINK.

Thanks, I keft Vietnam 1 week already. Take care yourself my dear friend.


I'm both glad and sorry to hear that! You take care of yourself too.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-02-15 21:17:00
VietnamI GOT PINK.
Congratulations Nhi! I tried to send you at text the other day. Now I know why you didn't reply!

Edited by Mr. Saigon, 15 February 2010 - 08:41 PM.

Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-02-15 20:40:00
VietnamHCMC answered my questions....
Better be nice Scott or Jerome will go get a teacher. Wait a minute...we are the teachers!

Jerome, if you need something to do I would suggest taking a look at this site:

http://saigonesl.com...78b19c9e7951b3c

You can try to join, but I have never been able to get my memebership activated. I wouldn't suggest you post there anyway. Those guys are brutal.
Teacher MarkMaleVietnam (no flag)2010-02-14 19:43:00