Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Asia: East and Pacific	Airfares to VN	I have found booking your flight 30 days in advance, staying between 10 days and 22 days, flying out on Wednesday or Thursday have been the cheapest flights. However I have flown different airlines for each trip, because of price. Trip 1-United, trip 2-EVA and trip 3-China Airlines each had the cheapest price for each of my trips. I have to say I liked EVA the best so far in the Economy class because their planes are newer (777) than United (I flew on 474-400 that were old), China Airlines had both new and old 474s. The old 474 don't have the entertainment centers. The 474 that Thi and I flew back on was so old that the window seats still had ash trays........ I paid $861(15 days), $962 (17 days), $1068 (10 days) for each round trip ticket LAX to Saigon (one stop on EVA, China Airlines, two stops on United). I found my tickets online, EVA was cheapest thru Expedia, the others I booked their website. I found cheaper flight on Phippine Airlines but the flight times were longer. All my flight were in the 16 hours time (Ex United which had a flight delay in Hong Kong for 6 hours due to mechanical problems, they gave me a $100 voucher for domestic travel for my time) Also always use flexible times when looking for a flght. I found that the same flight one day eariler or later would be as much as $300 more. Most systems will give a 3-5 day either way (departing and arriving) grid so you can see the cheapest flight without having to research every combination of days. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Edited by PeterFB, 26 March 2008 - 11:20 PM.	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-26 23:15:00
Asia: East and Pacific	After 53 days in AP, finally got the pink!	QUOTE (Guy&Hoa @ Mar 26 2008, 11:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi all, Hoa just called me, the consulate called her and told her she got the pink, and for her to come down to the consulate this afternoon and bring her passport! WooHoo! Man, waiting on AP was so not fun.......I was getting worried Kudos and props to Marc Ellis, after he submitted additional documents for me on March 13, he emailed the chief immigration officer and the vice consul on my behalf, and today it has paid off. I feel like the obligatory 900 pound gorilla has been lifted off my back... Thanks to PeterFB and Thi, and everyone else who had kind words when I was down in the dumps.. will post updated info soon.. R/ -Guy&Hoa Guy&Hoa Thi and I are very happy to this good news. We're both thankful to you and Hoa for your help with Thi's interview and we were hoping you'd get your pink slip soon. We're hoping you and Hoa are together in the US soon! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-26 23:28:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Looking for a minster who knows Buddhist/Christian Weddings	Hi Vjers Thi and I want to have a small backyard wedding with a combination Christian/Buddhist ceremony in April. I was born Christian but haven't been to a church in years. The closest religious affiliation I have is with the Self Realiztion Fellowship based in LA. (They do only SRF tradition weddings) Thi of course is a Vietnamese Buddhist. The internet hasn't been much help in finding someone to perform the ceremony so far. The conbination weddings explain the traditions but not describing Vietnamese Buddhists. Most listings are about Thai or Japanese Buddhists and I don't know what the differences are. The Vietnamese Christian churches in the area don't have any info about weddings on their sites. I was wondering if anyone here has any ideas. I live in Sherman Oaks/LA,Ca. Thanks Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-30 15:32:00
Asia: East and Pacific	MY POE	Congrats! Good luck and enjoy your wedding! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-31 00:34:00
Asia: East and Pacific	this is new "U.S. Consulate General Introduces Online Appointment System For Nonimmigrant Visas"	It's too bad they don't do this for K1/3 visas......or at least set up a system where we can use our USCIS or case number to check status of what is going on at HCMC Consulate....... Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-31 02:38:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Asking US Consulate for Interview's Date	You can call or email them whenever you want. I had planned to call after 4 weeks if we hadn't recieved the Packet 4. I had emailed them about a problem we found in our original G325a when they emailed me about the problem and informed us about our interview date so I didn't have to call. My phone calls to the Consulate have found them to fairly open to talking to the US citizen Petitioner. You do have to make sure they understand that you expect them to listen to you. One of my calls, I found the person wanted to answer only question then hang up. Once they understood that I had more questions they were polite, answered my questions and waited for me to say I had no more questions before they hung up. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-04 04:39:00
Asia: East and Pacific	WOOOHOOO!!! She got Pink!!!	QUOTE (Phuong @ Apr 1 2008, 10:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> All- thanks for all the kind words .. She'll pick up the visa on 4/8/08 .. she's currently calling around for flight info .. can someone please steer me to the right section/forum as to where I can post the interview experience? Thanks, Phuong Phoung You can post here but I would suggest posting a "short one" here and put all the details in the "Reviews:Embassy/USCIS*POE. There is a link at the top of the page below the photos of people. The Reviews section is divided into countries so others looking for info about HCMC Consulate inverviews can look there and find them easily. What you post here will require people to search. If your fiancee hasn't already checked, China Airlines and EVA seem to offer good fares. China Airlines partners with Delta so that might make connections easier but I don't know for sure. Again, Congratulations!! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-04-01 16:46:00
Asia: East and Pacific	WOOOHOOO!!! She got Pink!!!	Phoung That's great news! Congrats and may the POE and AOS be as smooth! Have a great life together! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-04-01 01:01:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	QUOTE (Haonie @ Apr 7 2008, 11:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (LuckyDucky @ Apr 7 2008, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I spoke with my fiancee and she said that they did not mention a Single Certification with her packet 3. I guess, it missed on package 3, but who knows, it may changes. However, I asked my fiancée included on the interview’s date. That follows our experience, that the Packet 3 didn't mention it. However they did ask for it at Thi's interview. It doesn't hurt to include it and it may keep you from getting a blue slip. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-04-07 14:53:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	QUOTE (LuckyDucky @ Apr 2 2008, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Congratulations! Happy to hear the news! So ultimately did both of you have to provide a single certificate or just the beneficiary? We're preparing for our interview as well ... LuckyDucky Only the Beneficiary needs a single certificate. It would be interesting to know when you got your Packet 3, did it say you need a single certificate? Thi's Packet 3 didn't mention requiring one. But they wanted it at the interview. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Go to the top of the pageReport Post +	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-04-02 14:13:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	Great News, Congrats!! We hope her flight, AOS, etc goes smoothly! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-04-01 16:38:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	I wouldn't get marriage with a marriage certificate in Vietnam now that you have a K1 visa at the interview stage. It would void the K1 visa if she got her visa with what you sent in even after adminstrative review. It's more important that you get her the evidence that the Consualte asked for so she gets her visa now. If you tried to use the K1 visa after you are legally married, you will make a big mess of things. You and your fiance(e) now wife could be barred from ever coming to the US or find yourself in immigratation court with her maybe getting deported. If you get married legally in Vietnam, you have to first get permission from the Vietnamese Government, that will take some time. WideAwakeIntheUSA recently did that so he can tell you more about how long that takes. I don't know if you can get all the necessary paperwork done in time for May. Once you are marriage, you then have to start the K-130 process from the beginning. That'll take another 8-10 months. You still have to meet the same requirements for the most part, ie if they don't believe the relationship is real, you still will be denied. Getting married doesn't prove your relationship is real to the Consulate. The evidence you sent, does it cover everything possible the Consulate could object to? I mentioned several things, I thought would be good to have to support your case in my previous post. The HCMC Consulate operates more like your guility not innocent of fraud so you have to prove to them you're legit. Good luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-21 20:59:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	I don't know why but the quick edit and complete editor of the board isn't working with Netscape so I reposted my answer with the edits. Sorry if it confuses anyone. Thi didn't have to submit a notarized statement of how we met. Our I-129f petition made it pretty clear since I had plane tickets to Vietnam to meet her, we got engaged during our first meeting, etc. I included lots of evidence with I-129f showing our first meeting as well as our on going relationship. Our I-129f petition weighed 3 lbs 4 oz. Since you met by concident, you need to try to get your cousin and anyone else who may have been at your first meeting to write statements in support of your statement. You need to be as clear as possible about how it came about and why you both decided to pursue a relationship. For example, did you start to date right away or was it several months before you had a date? If you didn't include those things in your original I-129f, the CO may be curious why you and your fiancee are together. Unforunately, HCMC Consulate is very suspect of Vietnamese Americans having Vietnamese fiancees when relatives have anything to do with meeting. At least that's what I sense from the posts I've seen here. Just pick up the phone and call. They may not tell you who interviewed your fiancee, so you should ask her if she remembers his/her name, or anyway to describe them so you can ask to speak to the same CO. Be polite but firm with the Vietnamese staff so they understand how important it is to talk to an American CO. Good luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-21 02:35:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	Sorry to hear you got the blue slip. I don't understand why you need a notarized statement of how you meet. If the USCIS approved your petition with your statement of how you met, then the Consulate should accept it. There must be something about how you met that the Consulate thinks is fishy or incomplete. Did you sign and date the Statement #18 in your I-129f? What evidence did your fiancee have at the interview? When Thi had her interview I did see many women with little evidence in their plastic folders and many of them left with a blue slip. You should contact the Consulate to ask them to explain better what they are asking for. Make sure to talk to an American CO (the American who interviewed her would be best), the Vietnamese staff with probably try to give you a stock answer that won't help much. Also you could read my Consulate review of Thi's interview. Also in the Wiki I have started an article about I-129f visas thru the HCMC Consulate. You could find some ideas that may help you there. Good luck and we hope you get a pink slip soon. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-21 02:14:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	Sorry to hear you got the blue slip. I don't understand why you need a notarized statement of how you meet. If the USCIS approved your petition with your statement of how you met, then the Consulate should accept it. There must be something about how you met that the Consulate thinks is fishy or incomplete. What evidence did your fiancee have at the interview? When Thi had her interview I did see many women with little evidence and many of them left with a blue slip. You should contact the Consulate to ask them to explain better what they are asking for. Make sure to talk to an American CO (the American who interviewed her would be best), the Vietnamese staff with probably try to give you a stock answer that won't help much. Also you could read my Consulate review of Thi's interview. Also in the Wiki I have started an article about I-129f visas thru the HCMC Consulate. You could find some ideas that may help you there. Good luck and we hope you get a pink slip soon. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-21 01:59:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	QUOTE (VKOL @ Mar 11 2008, 02:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (PeterFB @ Mar 10 2008, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (mbv @ Mar 10 2008, 10:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> dang it, fiance just called she says her dad ask the local police if they do single cert and apparently they don't. she from song cau so i told her to ask her dad to try tuy hao instead? could u guys do me a favor and maybe ask your fiance/wife if this is right? thnx for the help They say a picture is worth a thousand words, I can send you our edited Single Certificatie. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Hi Peter and Thi Can I have a copy of your edited Single Certificate as well? Thanks in advance. By the way...CONGRATULATIONS for uniting with your fiancee in the states. Best wishes to both of you Thanks. I can send it to you, I just need your email address, you can send me an email with it. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-11 02:55:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	QUOTE (mbv @ Mar 10 2008, 10:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> dang it, fiance just called she says her dad ask the local police if they do single cert and apparently they don't. she from song cau so i told her to ask her dad to try tuy hao instead? could u guys do me a favor and maybe ask your fiance/wife if this is right? thnx for the help They say a picture is worth a thousand words, I can send you our edited Single Certificatie. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-11 01:09:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	QUOTE (violet18ac3 @ Mar 10 2008, 05:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> sorry to hijack the thread, but does it has to be translate to English? Thanks Thi didn't have a translated copy of her Single Certificate so I don't think it matters, just have one....... I think the USCIS wants translated documents, HCMC Consulate has many Vietnamese working there and many of the US officiers also speak Vietnamese from what I've read on posts. Also the Packet 3 and 4 letters didn't say translations were required but then it doesnt say you needed the Single Certificate either...... Thi didn't know if her American CO at her interview spoke or not as there was a Vietnamse translator who immediatedly translated the English questions into Vietnamese and she answered all the questions in English. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-10 20:11:00
Asia: East and Pacific	single cert	I don't understand what is going on either. Thi's Packet 4 didn't include it either but she was asked for it at her interview on February 27, 2008. Someone had posted a Packet 4 contents from a few months ago. In that one it was listed as needed. But the ones since the first of the year that I'm aware of like Thi's didn't include it. Neither did it include the correct price for the MRV ($131) or medical exams ($100 per adult). The Single Certificate is gotten from the local authorites in Vietnam according to the old Packet 4 letter. Thi got hers from W.A.R. in Saigon (HCMC). She says the fee is 3,000VND but she paid the man there 10,000VND. She was given a form that she filled out and came back 5 days later to pick up her Single Certificate. Your fiance should know where to get it, if not the Consulate "should" be able to tell her where to go in her local area. If Thi hadn't been talking to Hoa (GuyandHoa) about her interview, she would have gone to the interview without it. You also need to have 5 passport photos, not four. The Consulate wants a current passport photo attached to the photocopy of your fiancee's Vietnamese passport in addition to the 4 asked for in the letter. Thi didn't have one on her photocopy of her passport and the woman who was inspecting/accepting her documents before her interview at the Consulate wasn't happy that she didn't have it but that didn't stop her from getting a pink. Not having the Single Certificate may not make a difference either since it's not listed in the letter but just to be safe, you should have one if they ask for it. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-03-10 01:18:00
Vietnam	Another blue slip	Congrats!! Best of luck in your new life together!! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-09-18 01:00:00
Vietnam	Viet TV in the USA	Don't know about other areas but since Digital TV, there's more local Vietnamese TV in the LA Ca are. Here's a list of some of the channels you can get for free. 18.7 Vietnamese 44.4 Little Saigon TV 57.2 VIETFACE TV (Paris by Night) 57.4 SET 57.5 SGTV 57.6 VBS TV Peter and Thi July 6th Biometrics for 10 year resident card	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2011-07-03 18:12:00
Asia: East and Pacific	California USCIS problems	Pete, Chuck said it well. It is way too early in this game for you to loose it. There will be a long journey ahead of you. How long? It is all depend on your particular situation. However, prepare yourself and your fiance mentally for what lies ahead of you. Have plenty of patience, Pete. Like Chuck said, once your petition leaves the States heading its way to Vietnam, you will have lots of headache then. Good luck. We are help to help you. Please stick around Thanks What I meant about running out of patience was, after a knowing that they had received the I-129f and cashed my check, I figured within a month I should have my NOA1. Since I hadn't, I was going to call to see what had happened. I've found that taking some action is better than just waiting because sometimes you get lost in the shuffle. I want to avoid getting lost...... I know it's going to take months and months. Also I was curious if anyone else was wondering why USCIS decided not to say anything about the delay until June 26. Thanks for your answers and support Peter	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-06-30 03:49:00
Asia: East and Pacific	California USCIS problems	Hi everyone I was chatting with Thi tonight and decided my patience was running thn. I told her I was going to call he USCIS tomorrow and see what was going on. Had they lost my petition? No NOA1 in the mail, no email notice. On the petition I had included my emal address so I figured they could send me an update based on that. I only knew that they cashed my check on June 12, 2007. I know the government can be slow but....... So I logged on to Visajourney and saw the news items about California USCIS problems. I have my checking account online so I checked for the receipt number on the back of the check. It was there so I went to USCIS's website and typed it in. There was my petition! That's a relief. I also signed up for email updates while I was there. I got the automated response that I'm signed up. Has anyone else had a problem getting their NOA1 from California? The USCIS press release says some notices may be delayed...... Now if this problem has been going on since April, why wait until June 26 to let people know about the problem? Oh well at least I know now things are happening.... Thanks to Visa Journey. Peter	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-06-29 05:13:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Any recommendations on airlines to Saigon?	Thanks all for your input. I did some internet searches and found mostly favorable comments. But most of them weren't to Saigon . I'm glad to know that it's a good airline and VJs like it enough to use often. It looks like that how I'm going to fly to Saigon. Thanks again. Peter NOA1 June11, 2007 on their site but still no paper notice..........	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-08-04 05:26:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Any recommendations on airlines to Saigon?	Hi I'm going to Saigon in September for 14-20 days to see Thi. The last time I flew it was on United. Now United's flights are more expensive so I've been looking for a low cost flight. I've found EVA. I'm not familiar with them. Their coach flight is about $100 less then United. Since I'm in LA. the cheapest Untied flight has me leaving LAX at 5am for San Francisco. There I wait until noon to fly to Hong Kong then to Saigon. EVA flight leaves LAX at 1am with a stop in Taipei then Saigon. The total travel time is shorter on EVA. Has any VJs flown this airline? Or any other ideas of how to get best coach flight to Saigon from LA? Thanks! Peter NOA1 June11, 2007 on their site but still no paper notice..........	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-08-02 04:47:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Using a credit card in Saigon	QUOTE (jasman0717 @ Sep 4 2007, 08:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Make sure you notify your credit card company that you will be using the card overseas and you might let them know what countries you plan to use it in. I did this when I went to the Philippines and had no problems in most places. I would think you shouldn't have problems in Siagon either. Good luck Thanks, I forgot to do that. On my first trip I told AMEX but not the others. Since I used my Amex only once, it worked fine. That was in a jewelery shop to buy her engagement ring. This time I plan on using a Visa and Mastercard since it looks like more places in Saigon accept them. Peter	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-09-05 03:23:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Using a credit card in Saigon	QUOTE (Kevin&Loan @ Sep 4 2007, 07:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Pete, it is very hard for me to give you a list of shops, restaurants that accept credit cards in Saigon but I know for sure that the following shops do since I had shopped there and used my CCs: Diamond Plaza Shopping Center, Thuong Xa Tax (the one across the street from the Rex Hotel, I do not remember the new name so I gave you the old name, any Saigonese should know this place), the Duty Free Shop which is also across from the Rex Hotel, the shopping section inside the Caravelle Hotel, Saigon Square Shopping Center, Zen Plaza, An Dong Plaza and Thuan Kieu Plaza. The majority of jewelery shops around Ben Thanh Market do take CCs. Most upscale restaurants in District 1 and 3 take CCs. Other than that, look for shops that display the Visa/Master card logo. What I always do whenever I go to VN is to carry with me a combination of cash/traveller checks and ONLY 2 credit cards, one Visa and one Master and these cards are designated as my travel cards which has low credit limit. I do not carry my Amex at all. Have fun in Saigon. Thanks for your help. I did notice some places inside Ben Thanh Market with the Visa/MC logo. I've sent your post ot Thi so we can check them out when I get there. She and her sister left earlier to go shopping at An Dong Plaza but I hadn't seen your post yet so she doesn't know to look for the CC logos. Like most Vietnamese, she uses only cash. I'm going to take 3 cards, a Visa, Mastercard and AMEX plus cash/traveler's checks. The Visa and Mastercard have low limtis. I'm taking the AMEX just in case. Peter	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-09-05 03:19:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Using a credit card in Saigon	Hi Does anyone know any resuraunts, shops, etc in Saigon will accept credit cards? I'm flying to Saigon (EVA arilines) on September 11th to see Thi. When I was there in March, I didn't see any places that accepted credit cards except the jewelery shops (and some of them didn't). So I was able to buy her engagement ring with my AMEX card. We went to a member only warehouse called Metro. I thought I was in Costco except everything was in Vietnamese. While I did find lots of American products, including apples from Yakima, Wa (where I grew up!), they didn't take credit cards. I've tried searching the net and this forum but I hven't found much. I stay with her sister's family. They have an extra room I can use so I didn't get around the hotels, etc. I'm sure they accept credit cards. We went to places she or her family liked and knew so there it was cash. I'd like to have credit card receipts as much as possible because that would be the best evidence to support any gifts, taking her and her family out to dinner, etc. Any recommendations or ideas would be great. Thanks Peter Our current timeline: May 26,2007 Sent I-129f June 11, 2007 Web site confirms petition (Still no NOA1 in the mail) June 14, 2007 Touched (Web site update)	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-09-04 05:54:00
Asia: East and Pacific	My Recent Trip To Saigon to See Thi	QUOTE (CK&Tydi @ Oct 10 2007, 12:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (STL_HCMC @ Oct 9 2007, 07:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey CK&Tydi, Unfortunately, the near 2 years that I lived in HCMC, there was no Bank of America. Is this recently that you saw a Bank of America in Vietnam? Was this in HCMC? STL_HCMC QUOTE (CK&Tydi @ Oct 9 2007, 01:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Currently there are a few US banks in Vietnam, Bank of America, Citibank, and HSBC bank. You can withdraw cash from Bofa, Citibank, HSBC bank ATM. STL_HCMC, I am not quiet sure,, maybe i made a mistake from BofA, but i did use my BOfA ATM at Diamond Plaza and Parkson to withdraw money...... Got no problem at all. For sure will be 2 banks, like CitiBankd and HSBC right accross from Nha Tho Duc Ba..... Best just bring Cash and withdraw or use Credit Card if you have too When I was getting a cash advance for buying my curtains, the Vietnam Eximbank teller told me to use the ATM because I wouldn't be charged their 3% fee. But when I tried to get the cash from the ATM, my Wells Fargo credit card wasn't set up to get money from ATMs. Next time I'll get my cards set up before I go so I can see it that actually works and save that fee. I had to gp back to the bank since I didnt have extra cash, the curtains were ready and I was leaving the next day. Otherwise I could have used Xoom to send me money from my US bank, their money transfer fees are very low. Also the bank required me to show them my passport not a photocopy so I had to go get it. The rest of the time, my photocopy was my ID if I needed one. Peter	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-10-10 06:02:00
Asia: East and Pacific	My Recent Trip To Saigon to See Thi	QUOTE (chuckandkim @ Oct 9 2007, 07:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thank you for sharing your lovely story and a good time in Saigon Peter! It brings back memories! I like your idea of going back when she has her Visa, you would do yourself and her entire family a HUGE favor and respect for coming back picking her up. That's the proper way to handle it! Not sure why you didn't carry cash with you? Credit Cards are being promoted by the local banks and national ones, but it's NOT favored by the merchants for the 3% fee by Visa/MC/AMEX plus the issued banks, plus your bank in the US. Crazy! I used to bring a few grands in cash while travelling oversea, it's a habit after going oversea for business for awhile. Credit Cards work in big cities, cash works EVERYWHERE! Flight Ticket: Contact your local and friendly Asian Travel Agent They can beat any online deals at least $200-$600USD per ticket. Especially if you're in California, the price could be even cheaper! Restaurant: is this your first trip? Recommend to let her family to call the shot in dinner and all other food related matters They live in Saigon, should know good cheap place to eat, plus, was someone in her family there to foot the bill in CASH and You would reimburst them later in USD? That should be normal and better way to handle it, instead of running around try to find a place that takes CD. NGON is a good tourist restaurant but they "CHEM" hard (chop your head off) for the foods and services, IMO! Mooncakes: I LOVE THEM. Too bad they tossed all your chicken mooncake.... Anyway, Welcome back I love her so I want to respect her, her family and Vietnamese customs as much as possible. Thi has never been on a plane and I want to have a small celebration of her getting the visa and wedding there since her family aren't able to come to the US for the wedding. Besides I like Saigon and I really miss her and her family. If I could I'd go back now...... The reason for wanting to use credit cards is to have additional evidence for the interview. In March I found that most shops and restaurants, especially the ones most Vietnamese go to, don't care about receipts. Now when I write that I bought the family dinner, curtains or bought her earrings, there's the proof of the credit card receipt and statement. The souvenirs I bought for my family and friends I didn't get. I did talk to a couple travel agents but they were actually more expensive. Maybe I need a better travel agent......That's why I booked my flight online. Whie I did find Ngon by searching online, the rest of the restaurants the family picked out. All of them were great and were the ones the local Vietnamese go to. Yes Using a credit card did add more to the bil (3%) but the credit card charge was in USD so there was no conversion charge. I asked the staff how much to tip and they said 5%...... In March I took the family out to local place they said was cheap but good and the bill was $65 and I paid cash. More expensive but where in the US can you take 25 people out to dinner for under $110? I'm sorry the mooncakes didn't make it thru because Dung, Thi's eldest sister, made them. I do like them,too. Peter	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-10-10 05:45:00
Asia: East and Pacific	My Recent Trip To Saigon to See Thi	Hi All I went to see Thi from Sept 11 to the 28th in HCMC. I flew EVA out of LA (Flight br0015). I booked the flight thru Expedia.com since that was the cheapest fare I could find. The flight to Taipei, on a Boeing 777 (VOD entertainment was great), was 13 hours with about a 3 hour wait for the flight to HCMC. That was also a 777. On the flight to HCMC I sat next to a Canadian doctor who has been living/working in HCMC for the last 3 years. He was very interesting to talk to. In March I flew into the old terminal, this time the new one was open. A great improvement. Better than LAX, easy to get off the plane, get thru immigration, get my suitcases and go thru customs. While the new airport still doesn't allow anyone inside, there is a good roof over their heads. (When I left it was raining a lot......) Thi was there waiting with roses for me. First time a woman ever gave me roses. I loved it. Several other members of her family were there too. We took a lot a pictures at the airport and throughout my stay. Seeing her again was wonderful. I see and voice chat with her everyday on a webcam but it's not the same...... Like March, I stayed with her sister's family and she stayed there too so we could have the most time together. We did a number of sightseeing trips, the post office, Diamond Plaza (a bowling alley, video games, KFC and Pizza Hut on the 4th floor), An Dong Market where I bought Thi diamond earrings (I used my credit card, while the shop had VISA MC signs, they didn't really take credit cards, the saleswoman and I walked over to a bank and got a cash advance. Be sure to look for a credit card machine otherwise you will get hit with 3% fee from the merchant/bank plus your credit card cash advance fees.), Thi and her sisters bought me material at Cholon Market so her brother made me 3 shirts . Got rained on at Suoi Tien and Dam Sen theme parks. Saw some good singers, magician and a hip hop dance troupe at Dam Sen. Went to a Cat Tuyen concert which featured several other singers including the same hip hop dance troupe. The live band only played about 5 songs, the rest was CD backing tracks or lipsynced. Being a musician I would have liked to hear the band more but it was still a good concert. Thi drove a motorbike so we got soaked on the way home even wearing raingear.....And there was more sightseeing that we did. Wanted to take the family out to dinner and use my credit card. Thi has a large family, 25 were able to go one time, 22 the second so finding an affordable place that accepted credit cards was a bit hard. Thi, one of her sisters and husband found a couple of good ones. Each dinner was a little over $100USD with tip and credit card fees. Quan an Ngon restaurant also had many tourists. The Liberty 1 hotel had a buffet but I think I was the only tourist in the place. At both restaurants everyone had plenty to eat and everyone liked the food. Bought some new curtains for my house while I was there, using a cash advance. There were a few problems because the measurements were in metric and inches which confused the shop but it worked out fine. Thanks to her brother in law Khanh who also speaks English. Thi and I had a great time. We found it very hard to leave each other. Now I'm home it's hard not to have her with me. The more time we spend together the more in love we are. I just hope the US government speeds up. (still nothing on our case since June 14th). A last couple of thoughts. While overall EVA Economy Class was good, I found that flying United meant you went thru their terminal which was easier to go thru immigration and customs on the return to the US (by the way no meat of any kind is allowed in the US from Vietnam. I bought back several mooncakes made of chicken which they threw away. The mooncakes that were made of sugar I got to keep). But United economy flights are longer and 747s don't have VOD. Depending on when Thi's interview is, I may go back one more time before I go for her interview. Peter Our current timeline: May 26,2007 Sent I-129f June 11, 2007 Web site confirms petition (Still no NOA1 in the mail) June 14, 2007 Touched (Web site update) Edited by PeterFB, 09 October 2007 - 05:55 AM.	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-10-09 05:53:00
Asia: East and Pacific	NOA2 on USCIS website	QUOTE (JeffMayeth @ Oct 29 2007, 04:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Congrats!!! Hi all Just wanted to add that I've gotten the written NOA2 on Oct 30. I never have recieved the written NOA1. Also the website has updated tiwce since Oct 26, Once on October 29 and now today, Nov 1. Any idea of what is going on? I think it's because they sent the notice on the 29th and maybe forwarded the petition to the NVC today? Also how and when do I know that NVC have it and what they are doing with it? Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-10-29 Touched: 2007-11-01	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-11-02 03:20:00
Asia: East and Pacific	NOA2 on USCIS website	QUOTE (Haonie @ Oct 28 2007, 02:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Congrats!!! Thanks for everyone's support!! Peter	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-10-29 03:32:00
Asia: East and Pacific	NOA2 on USCIS website	Hi All While I was chatting with Kim Thi and Thang, he asked what the status of the petiton. So checked the USCIS website and read this: Receipt Number: WAC0718751904 Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E) Current Status: Approval notice sent. On October 26, 2007, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service. Kim Thi and I have passed the first stage of the process now. Both of us are very happy. Now we have wait for the NVC to process the petition. That will take a few weeks or a month then the petition will be forwarded to the US Consulate. Thanks to everyone for their support Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-10-27 02:46:00
Asia: East and Pacific	11 Days until interview day!!!	The best of luck to you!!!! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-11-16 05:14:00
Asia: East and Pacific	timeline????????	QUOTE (MR2nice @ Nov 19 2007, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Peter and Thi, which automated system did you used to find out that they have no record of your file? If you use the NVC's automated system it will always tell you that they have no record of your file even if your file was received and sent out to the Consulate. Many VJ Members have confirmed the same. Yes, there's a waiting period (3-5 weeks) to get the NOA2 from CSC to NVC. Our case took 5 weeks. It's better if you speak to a live NVC operator. 603 334-0700, press 1 and then 5. Good Luck! Well guess what showed up today!!! A notice from NVC!. They have recieved the petition and within a week will be sending it to HCMC!!!!! I read somewhere about the automated system so I assumed it worked for K1 visas too! Oh well, I was going to call and speak to a live operator on Wednesday if it didn't arrive by then. The notice was dated Nov 16th, so that's 3 weeks. Now the wait to see when HCMC sends Thi her packet 3. Ohhhh I better get my I-134, etc together tooo!!! Now I have stuff to do...... Tungchau, you should be getting your notice from NVC soon! Hang in there. It is coming! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-11-20 05:41:00
Asia: East and Pacific	timeline????????	QUOTE (tungchau @ Nov 19 2007, 12:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> please help and explain *sent I-129 5-28-07 *NOA1 received 6-8-07 * no touched, no request whatsoever from USCIS *NOA2 ( approved I-129) 11-07-07, expired 3-7-08 and approved letter said that " your I-129 has been approved and forward to listed conlsulate" My question is that : do i have to worry about NVS sending receiving, or just wait for instructon package will send to my fiance' in HM city? thanks a bunch For me I'm not taking any chances. Waiting is no fun. The NVC is suppose to get your petition from USCIS but the USCIS doesn't always send it right away. My petiton got approved on Oct 26 but as of Friday (Nov 16) according to the automated system, they have no record of it yet. The USCIS website show a "touch" on Nov 2 which I'm assuming is when they sent it but......... I"m still going to check again this week. I don't want to wait and find out that 2 months have gone by and it's been "lost" at USCIS or NVC. They say to wait 4 weeks before contacting them by phone so I will if I haven't heard anything. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-11-19 05:02:00
Asia: East and Pacific	? About going to HCMC with Wife	QUOTE (MR2nice @ Nov 19 2007, 03:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Eric and An Thuy @ Nov 18 2007, 11:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I stayed with my Fiance at her family house her father took me to the local police and did the paper work we had no problems. Same here. For days that we are not out of town I stayed with my finacee and her family. The only night we stayed at a hotel in HCM was on Christmas Eve as we just gotten back from Nha Trang that same day. On my two trips to HCMC, I stayed with my fiance's sister's family since they had an extra room I could stay in. I got photocopies of the Temporary Residency Book which I inlcuded in the petition. However we haven't stayed anywhere else over night because she's more conservative. And there really is a law about a foreigner not being in the same hotel room with a natonal. Being I'm white it would be obivious. While I don't know how often they enforce it, I don't want to find out. The State Department says they can't do anything besides telling your family you're in jail and making sure you're being treated lawfully. When we go back after we are married, I plan on bringing our marriage certificate just in case. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-11-19 06:09:00
Asia: East and Pacific	The List	QUOTE (Vietnam @ Nov 23 2007, 01:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (PeterFB @ Nov 22 2007, 11:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Dalegg I want to thank you for your time and work on the Vietnam portal. I'm surprised more people haven't asked to be added to the pinned Vietnam Visa Seekers. Perhaps they aren't aware they have to ask. I think it's a valuable service. I know you can search the timlines but it's nice to just click and see what is happening with everyone. When I was waiting for my wife to come over and had lots of time on my hands, they didn't have to ask because I would go searching through the users list for members coming from Vietnam each week and add users who were updating their timelines. But a lot of those members would stop updating their timelines at the stage of interview, so we wouldn't even know if it was a success- they probably didn't know they were being watched! Then came the split of Vietnam with and without a Flag, which meant two groups I would have to search each week, and what with my wife being here already- *sigh* too much work, not enough time!! But I think it is valuable so that new members get a quick sense of how much time they have at each stage as well as the percentage of success, which believe it or not has varied over the months. Dalegg Being new to this process, I've found this site to be a great resource. I wasn't aware there a flag and no flag Vietnam groups. I know some Vietnamese in the US are very anti communist but I didn't think it would matter enough here to have two groups. I'm not a programmer but I know it is possible to have software that automatically updates the pinned list from main timeline list. Of course even if that was done, you're right, most people don't update their timelines. That's really the most important contribution anyone can do and it's not hard. It's a couple of minutes, here and there. I wonder if email reminders would help? I don't know the software this site is using but my shopping cart software allows me to target users with emails so I only have to write it once, tell the system how and when to do it then it does it. A monthly or some time interval reminder to update your timeline email. Having more accurate timelines would reassure us while we wait. Also more reports from those who have had their interview,etc would help everyone better understand the process better. A updated FAQ or a special pinned Vietnam FAQ would also help since searching the forums is time consuming. While I don't have the time to offer to take over for you, I hope several others who do will step forward to help. Your efforts have made this process better for many people. I for one will continue to update my timeline and post to the forums with as much helpful info as I can. Thank you And best wishes Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-11-25 05:18:00
Asia: East and Pacific	The List	QUOTE (Vietnam @ Nov 20 2007, 05:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hello fellow Vietnam VJers-- For those that do not know, I (Dalegg) have been keeping the list of Vietnam Visa Seekers for a couple years now. I've begun tapering down the list to include only people who actually ask to be added to the list, and it has been dwindling. Well, my wife (Nicolegg) just received her 10 year green card, so with the exception of applying for citizenshiip, our journey is pretty much over, and with the exception of an occasional pop in now and then, I'm not going to be spending a lot of time here. So.... I need to give up the user "Vietnam" to someone else who may want to keep it going. If you are interested in retaking the list, let me know and I will transfer the E-Mail address you choose to the account. By the way, since you will have the ability to edit a single post over and over, you need to be a little proficient in HTML and be a responsible enough member to not abuse your priveledges. I'll be checking with the Captain to see if anyone interested is worthy! Until someone actually takes it over, I'll keep it up. Good luck to everyone! Dalegg I want to thank you for your time and work on the Vietnam portal. I'm surprised more people haven't asked to be added to the pinned Vietnam Visa Seekers. Perhaps they aren't aware they have to ask. I think it's a valuable service. I know you can search the timlines but it's nice to just click and see what is happening with everyone. I'm glad your wife has her 10 year green card. Good luck to both of you. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2007-11-23 02:58:00