I have entered Vietnam many times. The immigration officers checking passports always look so mean and unhappy. Like they only need the smallest excuse to send you to the gulag. It really reminds one that they are entering a communist country.
You can make them smile and let you pass immediately by putting about $20 inside the passport! Most local folks do that trick to stay away from harassments!😅
@@TBara-e5e I always do! Never get a smile or even a word back. They usually won't even look at me. It has never been clear if they understand me when I greet them.
I thought you understood better than that. The Vietnamese government isn’t interested in your suggestions. They only aim to ensure a select group becomes wealthy while everyone else is forced to follow their rules. They don’t care if the country lags behind, as long as their inner circle maintains their wealth and power.
We understand your sarcasm. But we are afraid that it won't fix the issue either. If nobody talks about it, there won't be any change. So, suggestions are better than being silent.
The process to obtain a passport are designed for a brown envelope fast track. My partner has an issue with local land agent, she was offered join a queue of 51 other applications or pay 10000 USD to an independent 3rd party to have the application fast tracked. They will never adapt online processes as the brown envelopes are too embedded.
Communists do not care about you having to queue for 1 hour to pass immigration, they do not care about the country lagging behind other countries economically, they do not care if the people of Vietnam are impoverished. Communists only care about enriching themselves and their families. Do not waste time and energy making suggestions to these extremely greedy and corrupt communists on how to improve Vitnam's tourism or Vitnam's economy. But they will listen attentively if you could suggest to them how they could hide their ill-gotten money in tax havens and how to get a Western passports for their red princelings and red princesses.
The SGN airport is such a joke. Immigration took me less than a minute at autogates as a non-resident to enter Indonesia (CGK). In Vietnam, I’m a resident and had to manually apply for autogate use. And it doesn’t even work. Immigration is the first thing foreign tourists and business travelers encounter once they land here. And SGN lets elderly stand in line for 1+h?! After they’ve been traveling 20+h?
@@henrysehgal658 instead of complaining about 1 hour wait to get pass immigration why don’t you complain to the airline manufacturers to make faster airplanes to get you to Vietnam sooner
We arrived in Saigon last weekend and spent nearly 2hrs in the customs queue. I would have happily paid a small fee if I knew I could have skipped it. The kicker is when you get to the front of the line and the customs officer treats you like a criminal. I had my family with me so brought my children forward so we could get processed together, like most places allow, but the lady just waved her hand aggressively and said "One, one!". So I stayed and they stepped back. I asked, can't my children come with me? and she completely ignored me and just waved at my kids to go away. The thing is, I can speak Vietnamese and my wife said, "Why didn't you ask her why she was being rude in Vietnamese?" To be honest, I could not be bothered dealing with such a rude person after an 8hr flight from Australia, and I figured arguing the point could get me sent to the back of the line 😂. We visited America last year and I had heard terrible stories about the officers at LAX, but the guy we got was very direct but also charming when we messed up the fingerprint scanner. Once we were all done, he wished us a great trip, and said welcome to the USA. Such a huge difference in first impressions.
This are one of the reasons why I bribe them and also I won’t go back to Vietnam. And I’m Vietnamese. I’ll stick to the other SE countries. Currently in Thailand and when the trip is over. I will spend over 12K USD.
So what you're saying is you got lucky at LAX and got a nice person and I'm betting after seeing two or 3,000 people, And many of them don't have a clue. You wouldn't be overly chipper either.
I waited 2hrs! just to clear immigration in Saigon back in August. Other tourist have said the same as recently as last month I heard. Vietnam is packed with arrivals from neighboring Asean countries which have ST VISA free entry. Honestly I wouldn't mind paying the100k Dong rather than standing in line endlessly. It was never this busy even before COVID.
This is nothing new at all. My cousin went in 2007 and he said there was a man that refused to pay so he stood in line forever. My cousin got sick of it so he just gave them some money and he went through the line fast.
@@gregpowell1962 Actually, when everyone pays the line would flow smoothly and quickly like the Mekong River during monsoon season. They just work harder and more efficiently so they can push more customers through in order to make more money for themselves and to pay their bosses who got them their jobs in the first place. Everybody "eats" in Vietnam... and usually... from the bottom flowing up to the top!
Thank you for the critical analysis of the situation in Vietnam. As a regular visitor to the country, you hit the nail on the head. Vietnam is a wonderful country to visit; the people, landscape, etc. In fact, I was considering investing substantially in Vietnam a few months ago, but I had to put it off for now because of the complexity of the country's policies. Hopefully, the policy makers would watch your video and act on it sooner rather later. Great job!
Bạn thật ngu ngốc khi đi tin một người mỹ gốc Việt chê tổ quốc đâm đồng bào , ông ấy là một người ở chế độ Việt Nam cộng Hòa thua trận năm 1975 sau đó qua định cư ở Mỹ và trong lòng đầy thù hận với đất nước Việt Nam để bỏ lỡ cơ hội tốt đầu tư vào Việt Nam. Bạn hãy nghĩ mỗi năm Việt Nam thu hút từ 30-40 tỷ đô la vốn FDI, nếu tệ như ông này nói thì làm gì có chuyện thu hút nhiều tiền vậy. Chúc bạn sáng suốt để khỏi đánh mất cơ hội kiếm tiền ở Việt Nam chúng tôi.
Make sure you do the online entry card for Malaysia. They made me run around asking others to use their hot spot. It was unbelievable. They had no wifi available. Impossible to enter if you don't have a phone. The immigration seemed to enjoy watching me struggle. Took me over an hour to find someone who could help me. It was a land crossing but I am sure the same now applies at the airport.
Mình là người Việt Nam mình khẳng định người này nó nói xấu , nói không chính xác về Việt Nam. Ông ta là con cháu của chế độ Việt Nam cộng Hòa thua trận năm 1975 sau đó sang định cư ở Mỹ, trong lòng những người như ông này thù hận đất nước Việt Nam vì vậy ông ấy chuyên đưa ra những câu chuyện nói sai thực tế. năm 2024 Việt Nam đón gần 18 triệu lượt khách quốc tế, nếu mà tệ như ông ta nghĩ thì làm gì có chuyện khách quốc tế đến Việt Nam nhiều như vậy. Cảm ơn đã đọc bình luận của mình
As a Viet Kieu Canadian, it's more attractive and advantageous for Canadians to go to Thailand, especially now with direct flights to Bangkok. Very sad.
Vietnam have the worst visa and line for entering into vietnam is the horrible. They should take a look into Singapore and other countries around them.
Took me nearly 1 hour queuing just to find out i have to print my evisa, then queuing for another 2 hours to get of immigration, then 30 minutes to find my suitcase 😢😢😢😢
Remember that Vietnam is a communist country. Foreign tourists or Vietnamese people are all capable of being reactionaries, plotting against the Vietnamese communist government!
A few years ago Cambodia was a nightmare to get in. I wanted to visit the country but it was so much hassle, it left a “I never want to come back” feeling. Now, they have made it fast and efficient and they are now one of my go to counties. Vietnam on the other hand has made me reconsidered more than once about coming. First, the printout of visa… I don’t travel with a printer and going around trying to make one print in more trouble than it’s worth. Second, the visa process is has detoured me on more than one occasion. Vietnam has the is it worth it feeling now in Asia.
Well, the $3.95 fast lane charge wouldn't scare me away but a convoluted VISA and long wait lines might. I am starting to make my way through SE Asia, country by country and Vietnam is on my list, but I just moved it down and put Malaysia ahead of it. I have visited Thailand and Singapore so far and enjoyed both and they had easy immigration processes for tourists. Hopefully, Kuala Lumpur is next.
You'll like places like DaNang. I've never had a visa problem with Lynn Visa. I don't have an issue filling out the simple little form myself. My guess is the airport issue will be simpler in places like DaNang and Nha Trang. They are getting more direct flights now.
Spot on-it’s not the $3.95 fee, but the frustrating visa process and long waits that push travelers away. Destinations like Thailand and Singapore offer convenience, and Vietnam risks falling behind if it doesn’t adapt. We hope Vietnam improves so it moves back up your list. When you visit, the culture and scenery will be worth it-if only the journey matched the destination. Safe travels to Kuala Lumpur!
Landed in KL last August. I didn't see a single line, nor a customs officer. Everything was automated. I'd also add Malaysia, certainly KL, has infrastructure almost on par with Singapore and the price tag of Vietnam. Which was the reason why I chose Malaysia last year instead of Vietnam. Government equals endless bureaucracy. Communism is bureaucracy x 10,000.
@ktng3176 Malaysia outstripped Vietnam 10 fold. Better infrastructure. Public transport. Traffic management. People actually follow lane paths, use traffic lights, and follow a speed limit. All the while having the price tag of Vietnam without the chaos.
Subscribed, I appreciate your honest critical views on Vietnam’s red tape and tourism policies. I visit Vietnam about 4-6 times per year (business mostly) and each time the whole process of application for visa, arriving and departure at HCM airport, immigration, rude behaviour by any authority and the taxi scams, make it hard to enjoy the visits. It is the incredible beauty if both the people and the nature that make up for all the nuisance, but you are absolotely right: this needs to change and drastically improve. I live in Kuala Lumpur and travel intensively throughout Asia and I see Vietnam lagging behind more and more, where others are excelling in making you feel a welcome traveler in their country.
I was in Da Nang recently waiting in line at the Airport. It was a long line of people waiting to go through customs. One poor guy was anxious to get through the line to see his son that was critically ill in Hospital there. It sure was a long wait to go through.
I just landed tonight at Tan Son Nhat airport at midnight, the immigration line was an absolute joke. Took an hour and a half, and the workers had no clue how to deal with line traffic. I had to cut in line to save me a half hour so I could meet my paid taxi appointment.
2020 just before Covid I flew from BKK to Da Nang. Flight time 1 hour 20 min, getting though immigration 1 hour 30 min they had 10 gates and only 4 were open. Not going back.
Yeah saw the point you’re making in your plan= we all need a hassle free holiday, particularly three weeks flying by comes so fast. If you don’t have a lot of money to waste as a tourist = stick with a country that is likely to be more morally considerate towards tourists. ie- Southeast Asia -Thailand is pretty much straight forward for tourists even in reasonable pricing. For most Southeast Asia all taxi are the enemy of tourists and they are out to empty visitors pockets. Though, Singapore is just as pricey as in Europe as they have a higher economic standard. Unfortunately never been to Brunei and Les Timor-so no counting on the comparison. Must says Though = in Vietnam and Cambodia as well as Lao every other business sectors joined in with the taxi scamming quarter as soon as they found out you are a tourist. -even a smallest street stalls, who ritually would made you pay higher unnecessary price if you needs their services or buying their products. Vietnam may be beautiful but however much beautiful a country is = it also has to come with sincerity in services and fair pricing policies for foreigners visiting the country in order to get a returning business. In Thailand, most national parks and nature wonder reserve’s sighting cost of entrance fees made us unhappy because higher charges for all non Thai citizens must be paid - but- at least this is expected in advance under a country govern policy& noticed. + in clarifying = the Thai also explained good reasons on that extra fees which can be traced & checked on spending used if need be. There are also many Thai tourists police’s for visitors to report if things on public services pricing doesn’t seem to be fair and far too high from its original market price. Note that, every country have tourist criminals gangsters, no exception. This made tourists felt a little safer and knew that they are protected under visitors right which isn’t just based on personal safety but also on fair treatment. At the end of the day no human likes being con out of their pocket even if they have the cash. For this reason we don’t ever recommend Vietnam to anybody when asked about our experienced touring Vietnam tourist loops. And as a word of precaution = do not go to the Vietnamese biggest scamming floating market because it isn’t about the over charged amount the locals are asking for but there isn’t anything there to be seen at all in the first place.
I recently arrived in SGN for a couple of days of business. The flight from BKK was only 1h45min, but the immigration line in SGN was 2hr. It seems like it is getting worse every year.
Huge mistake indeed. As a Vietnamese American, I've been promoting Vietnam as a destination to all my friends and coworkers, not only b/c I love Vietnam so much and I know they will enjoy it too, but most of them skip Vietnam when they visit South East Asia. To these Americans they don't see the difference between visiting Vietnam or Thai or Malaysia. Most will never visit SEA and if they do they rather go to a visa free country. Vietnam is sacrificing thousands of tourist dollars for a measly $35 visa fee. Huge mis-opportunity indeed. Glad you're talking about.
I must admit I was surprised when I arrived at Ho Chi Minh Airport this month and had to wait in a long immigration queue, especially since just a few months earlier, I breezed through an automated gate at Bali’s airport in Indonesia within seconds. On the other hand, the cost of a 3-month visa for Vietnam is only about $30, whereas neighboring countries like Thailand charge two to four times as much.
This video is one of your must watch. Im here in Saigon from Seattle. The new evisa program has been changed and I've been using evisa since Covid hit Vietnam in 2020. The current evisa Vietnam sites (there are only 2 now to pick from ) form is very tedious and can be easy to make a mistake on. It resets your single entry/ multiple entry time in country and that easily leads to a problem if not discovered when you proof read it before sending it in. I had to go to Cambodia after 30 days to renew my vietnamese visa for the remaining 75 days multi entry. It basically cost me over $200 to do this including a $40 Cambodian visa that I used for 2 hours. The Moc Bai border was crowded with tourists that had to do the same thing due to difficulties with current evisa site.
When I entered Da Nang airport last September, I asked the security folks there HOW I can pay the fees to move through the PRIORITY lines. They didn't answer.....Waiting in line for Customs after spending 20 hours on the plane is TORTURE.
The queues at immigration in Saigon airport have become shockingly long to me. Twice last year i visited and either chose the wrong timing to land (in the evening), just when a bunch of other planes landed, or... the process is slow and inefficient. Or both. There had to be over 1000 people in the waiting hall (and they were queuing up just to get into the waiting hall) and everything was moving slowly. Very discouraging. Something has to be done with a much better system (roll out the new airport). Singapore is a breeze in contrast.
I have a 5 year entry visa thanks to my Vietnamese wife and spent an hour and a half in the Customs hall entering Saigon night. This duration is standard. I cannot use the autogates as a foreigner so my wife waits with me in the queue because she’d have to wait for me to come through anyway. If the new Metro line project delivery timeline is anything to go by, the new HCMC airport will be decades away, unless otherwise given some priority by the Government. It is possible to deliver an airport terminal quickly. They built the new Cam Rahn international terminal from scratch in 2 years.
Ken - probably one of your most important videos, especially if the right people in government take notice (however unlikely that is). I just returned yesterday from a trip to Thailand. Because I love Vietnam so much, I scheduled long layovers (22+ hours) in Saigon both coming and going. The differences in immigration policies could not have been more starkly contrasted. After the immigration circus at Tan Son Nhat, the ease of entering Thailand almost made me feel like I was doing something illegal. Technology investment is sorely needed, but probably most needed is a complete mindset change. Thank you for spotlighting this issue.
Jackie Chan is just at the 2nd level of Jumping Kungfu 😂🤣 if compared to Kenny Duong as the very best Jumping Kungfu Master in Vietnam 😂🤣❤️That is why I have loved his excellent News Channel Videos ❤️💜 , with his valuable updating informations 🤩about the latest ones!!
Some very good points. Arriving at Ho Chi Minh one month ago we were in line for about 30 minutes. But to be fair, we were in line for nearly an hour at Hongkong on a busy Saturday afternoon recently. Vietnam has so much to offer it’s still worth it, but the visa application and arrival experience could be made so much simpler.
It's better vietnam focuses on manufacturing and other aspects of its economy. Thailand has the easiest visa policies but attract the worst sexpats, pedophiles, etc the world has seen. Better vietnam doesn't deal with that stuff.
I agree with you one hundred percent. Vietnam has been doing a great job of not turning the country into a sex tourism destination. They have been doing a great job of attracting foreign investment. Invidia has just opened two AI research centers in the country and many other country has signed business deals with Vietnam.
Thailand marketed itself as free and easy long ago, sex party drugs. Malaysia marketed itself as family friendly. But alcohol in most places are expensive. Unless tax free islands. So young people who likes drinking partying will not enter malaysia.
It seems to get harder and harder to travel to Vietnam. Had major issues getting my latest evisa approved. First they rejected my Visa debit card. Then they ommitted my second name on the application causing another rejection. There was talk of visa free travel to Vietnam for Australians last year but nothing happened. Thailand & Malaysia are looking a lot better as future options.
This is totally relatable... I have tried many times to get a single entry visa to visit Vietnam but when I try to pay, the VN Visa website refuses to advance to their pay site. Luckily, I was able to still get a visa but I had to pay on my mobile phone. I wish the Visa and airport entry process was much faster because I want to visit this country more. This was a GREAT video. Cam on Anh!
Very little of the over development in Vietnam is for Western tourists. China, South Korea and Japan still make up over 80 per cent of tourists to Vietnam
I am south african and vietnam wants me to pay $200 for a visa and another $30 dollars at the airport. What a ripoff. I will never come to Vietnam again.
I think you got ripped off through your own ignorance And lack of due diligence. I just checked. The Visa should have been either $25 or $50 just like everybody else. Next time double check the website. I'm betting you were not on the official website. Best of luck. Next time. Wait there is no next time 🙂
Yes I'm afraid I think you were perhaps on a website which is appears official in getting visas but is not actually the country's visa website. Had the same thing for Korea and Australia so dont feel too bad about the mistake. If you think the fee is too high - Google further through the Embassy website - there usually is a link where the visa price is more realistic. Again - check and check again before actually going ahead and applying. Good luck for any future trips. PS the extra fee at the airport is something which one cannot always get around (always think it's an under-the counter-xmas-bonus!!) so be prepared but at least your entry visa would be a better price
I just passed through immigration at Saigon airport yesterday. While the lines were very long, it took maybe half an hour to gret through. While the officers all seemed serious, I encountered no problems. I never bribe as I am afraid that would neither fast track me and/or be downright illegal and get me into trouble rather than help me. I have a spousal visa that allows me multiple entries and stays up to 180 days per entry. Vietnam could improve the process and Ken puts the focus on those areas succinctly. I will be contacting you guys at Duong for a ‘permanent’ visa when the time comes in 2026 to move here permanently. Thanks Ken.
Malaysia and Thailand are by far easier to go enter, absolutely true. And the speed of these airports (even prior to auto-gates) are fantastic which makes it a much nicer process, especially after a long day of flying. BUT... I think that trust is the biggest issue for tourists (and business). There is so much conversation about scams (because they are common), and last time I went through the airport, I had the standard taxi scan where they wanted to charge me 10x what the normal cost is. It just tells you upon arrival that you really need to be careful with your money, it's not safe. Of course, the taxi situation isn't a massive problem in itself, but it causes people to look closer at the honesty of certain businesses and it doesn't encourage either tourism nor business. These issues are less of an issue in both Thailand and in Malaysia in my experience. Feeling safe is key to both tourism and business, and while VNs a physically safe country, financially it's more challenging without care.
@@DavidWilliams-qr5yj Yup, I haven't visited the country in person in over 40 years since immigrated to the US. I guess freedom of speech is much better these days.
I've been to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao, and Vietnam, and IMHO Vietnamese food is the most diverse and the best indigenous food of all, Thai at second, and third is Indonesian. Having said the above, to me Vietnam has the worst visa and entry/exit process of all SEA countries that I've been to with poor and uninviting immigration attitude.
@@youngphnx The message that is coming through is Vietnam is a beautiful country, safe , cheap , friendly people. A couple of hours waiting at immigration won’t change that for me or fellow Aussies.
You said common n sense and Vietnam in the same sentence. Vietnam visa policy is applied differently based on entey point, never going to change as this generates fees for officers. Terrible visa experience, useless, leaving months before planned based on fluid visa policies. Doubt i will return, digital entry in Malaysia so easy, a nightmare in Vietnam. Problems with visas for 20 years.
I am not having issues in Vietnam. I do the visa myself or have Lynn Visa in DaNang do it. I've never heard of anyone having an issue with a visa service like Lynn's. I guess it could happen.
Agree in that I've entered Vietnam through Da Nang twice and have had no problems. And even though The lines have been long. I've never waited more than 30 minutes they go very fast. I consider the wait and the small hassle well worth my time to stay in Vietnam.
Main thing for me is cleanliness. Everything is becoming much more polluted. Rubbish everywhere. People put rubbish under their tables in food premises. Visa process is such a small process. Yes i agree it is annoying, but not priority. Priority is to keep the place clean. You don't want to get into a nightclub quickly just to see an unclean venue.
The way you explain the problems and present possible solutions is fantastic! Too many countries are focused on preventing criminals from entering their country rather than implementing proper and convenient entry screening procedures. Automation alone isn't enough. Paperwork does nothing to keep the "bad foiengers" out. In fact, bureaucracy makes it easier for criminals to sneak through.
Also, there are websites that are not the official Vietnam visa site that will charge you 3 or 4 times as much for a visa. Make sure you're using the actual Vietnam visa site. They all look "official" so it's easy to get fooled.
Last October, I came to Ho Chi Minh City airport from Seoul at night and waited in line for over 30 minutes to have my passport checked. When it was my turn to present my passport the border guard asked for my boarding pass, I told him that Vietnam never has required one to show boarding pass and that lucky me I didn't throw away my boarding pass . The guy got angry and refused to stamp my passport, so I had to get into another line waited for another 30 minutes to have my passport stamped. This is what Vietnam hired to represent their country, I bet this border cop paid $50,000 in bribe money to get this job and now no one gives him bribe money he's angry like a little jerk. What a loser.
@@duongglobalbusinessconsulting I traveled to Vietnam many times and boarding pass was never a requirement until that time. Usually I would threw away my boarding pass but somehow not that time. Anyhow, the immigration guy was very immature and unprofessional.
Custom inspectors would lose travelers mandate tip money if they streamline the clearance process. It's not going to happen in Viet Nam. You can bet the house on that.
Thank you for the insight in regards to Vietnam tourism. I hope Vietnam listens to the tourists and caters to their needs; otherwise, tourists would just go to other neighboring countries like Thailand and Malaysia.
agree with most points but other countries also have fast track lane that you pay for or have premium ticket to access. I think Vietnam tourism will do fine if the Vietnamese change their mindset from rip them off where you can to honest quality service. Furthermore, the local shows very little respect to the natural beauty of the country everywhere and anywhere is a rubbish dump.
yup agreed on so many points. Arriving at the airport over the holidays and had to wait an hr to get my visa approved. Even while applying, I've heard of people getting their application rejected because of some typos, which takes 3-5 business days to hear back. Still love it out here tho
To be honest, I had a relatively easy time when I arrived at Saigon International airport and leaving across the bridge at Mon Cai just over a year ago. I printed my visa at home in Australia and the Vietnamese soldiers gave me no trouble at either point. I noticed that these soldiers did not tolerate Chinese aunties attempting to jump the queue. The Saigon domestic airport was a free for all with little control by the Police. Issues obtaining my boarding pass and no orderly line ups made it a shit show.
Vitenam is suck, first day i got out of the ho chi minh airport, i got scam by a red vest traffic controller, he changed me 200000 dong for a single bus drive to the city, I will remember this and never come visit Vietnam again.
Some years ago , had my bag scanned before entry to the airport and joined the line at the door . I got to check in at departure time . I was not the last in line .
If the Vietnamese govt wants to promote the country as a tourist destination, then start off by getting rid of the ridiculous Visa fees for Americans just to enter the country. The cost of obtaining the visa cost almost as much as my plane ticket. #2. Stop trying to rip off tourists, let alone your own citizens at the airport. Everything that is sold at the airport is in $USD. I bought 2 bottles of water because I saw that it was labeled 40 Duong. When I went to pay they charged me $8 for the 2 bottles of Aquafina. Once I finished the bottle, I wasn't about to shell out another $4, so went to the water refill station to only find it to either be broken or only a trickle with a queue of 20+ other traveller's. I Won't be going back anytime soon until they get rid of the extortious visa fees and highway robbery at the airport. I'll prefer to spend my tourist $$$ in Thailand, Philippines or any other SE Asian country.
Why do we come to USA with a difficult Visa and we must do visa free for AMERICAN, it”s ridiculous too.😂 We don”t want to promote country as tourist country because we are manufacture and industrial country, not as Thailand,tourism for Vn just contribute as a small part for country development.
@@NhatTran-hp9xo why can't you do both? The reason visas are hard for Vietnamese to obtain to the US or Australia is because 50% of you go and work illegally
Viet Nam is too special to compare to other countries that too liberal. Protect Viet Nam’s conservatism, purity, holiness, integrity, humility and peace.
Time changes many things. I lost my best friend from high school, my college roommate and several fraternity brothers in Vietnam. Now, all is forgotten and Vietnam is a popular tourist destination.😒🤷♂️
I mean in the grand scheme of things, I don't think a $4 airport fee is going to crush the tourism market. The biggest thing they need to do is to allow 3 month visa extensions to be done at the local immigration offices. I think having to do a visa run once a year isn't too big of a deal, but having to do one every 3 months is really annoying.
But if issues remain identical, you can add all the fees you want, they are not going to fix the problems. It is only adding an extra issue on the top of the existing ones.
I’ve travelled to most SE Asia countries, but 1st time to Vietnam. The country and people are amazing, tourism isn’t quite are polish as Thailand, but catching up fast.
You always need to pay to use fast track/priority lines at airports however all your suggestions are good. Saigon airport is the worst in terms of waiting time at arrivals/departures because the officers are slow af/not working at empty booths and the autogate has issues most times😢.
Never had any issue at airports when going to Vietnam. Only issue was double pricing for food or other stuff but if you r aware of it, easy to avoid it.
100% agreed.... Allowing other ASEAN countries' vehicles seemlessly like every other country in the region would be great too, rather than charging 1000 USD for a permit.
I have entered Vietnam many times. The immigration officers checking passports always look so mean and unhappy. Like they only need the smallest excuse to send you to the gulag. It really reminds one that they are entering a communist country.
That is not true. Try saying "Hello or Good Morning" for a change. Then smile and let them do their job.
You can make them smile and let you pass immediately by putting about $20 inside the passport! Most local folks do that trick to stay away from harassments!😅
@@TBara-e5e I always do! Never get a smile or even a word back. They usually won't even look at me. It has never been clear if they understand me when I greet them.
I have been to Việt Nam! 16 times and they are always grumpy and mean looking! Yes I’ve tried to smile say hello! They remain the same.
😂
I thought you understood better than that. The Vietnamese government isn’t interested in your suggestions. They only aim to ensure a select group becomes wealthy while everyone else is forced to follow their rules. They don’t care if the country lags behind, as long as their inner circle maintains their wealth and power.
We understand your sarcasm. But we are afraid that it won't fix the issue either. If nobody talks about it, there won't be any change. So, suggestions are better than being silent.
Unfortunately this is so true…
The process to obtain a passport are designed for a brown envelope fast track. My partner has an issue with local land agent, she was offered join a queue of 51 other applications or pay 10000 USD to an independent 3rd party to have the application fast tracked. They will never adapt online processes as the brown envelopes are too embedded.
Communists do not care about you having to queue for 1 hour to pass immigration, they do not care about the country lagging behind other countries economically, they do not care if the people of Vietnam are impoverished. Communists only care about enriching themselves and their families. Do not waste time and energy making suggestions to these extremely greedy and corrupt communists on how to improve Vitnam's tourism or Vitnam's economy. But they will listen attentively if you could suggest to them how they could hide their ill-gotten money in tax havens and how to get a Western passports for their red princelings and red princesses.
@@jimmyjones3547 yep it's not communism, it's corruption, although communism makes it easy for corruptions
This guy is not afraid of speaking the truth.
The SGN airport is such a joke. Immigration took me less than a minute at autogates as a non-resident to enter Indonesia (CGK). In Vietnam, I’m a resident and had to manually apply for autogate use. And it doesn’t even work. Immigration is the first thing foreign tourists and business travelers encounter once they land here. And SGN lets elderly stand in line for 1+h?! After they’ve been traveling 20+h?
A new and technologically advanced airport has been under construction and will likely be in operation in 2025
@@4klense Let’s hope you’re talking about HCMC. Long Tan has been on the books for many, many years.
@@4klense Everything is a wait, wait for the future. I want to visit now.
@@henrysehgal658 Try a border crossing .Milatary not Immigration are the first you see at the land borders ,
@@henrysehgal658 instead of complaining about 1 hour wait to get pass immigration why don’t you complain to the airline manufacturers to make faster airplanes to get you to Vietnam sooner
We arrived in Saigon last weekend and spent nearly 2hrs in the customs queue. I would have happily paid a small fee if I knew I could have skipped it. The kicker is when you get to the front of the line and the customs officer treats you like a criminal. I had my family with me so brought my children forward so we could get processed together, like most places allow, but the lady just waved her hand aggressively and said "One, one!". So I stayed and they stepped back. I asked, can't my children come with me? and she completely ignored me and just waved at my kids to go away. The thing is, I can speak Vietnamese and my wife said, "Why didn't you ask her why she was being rude in Vietnamese?" To be honest, I could not be bothered dealing with such a rude person after an 8hr flight from Australia, and I figured arguing the point could get me sent to the back of the line 😂. We visited America last year and I had heard terrible stories about the officers at LAX, but the guy we got was very direct but also charming when we messed up the fingerprint scanner. Once we were all done, he wished us a great trip, and said welcome to the USA. Such a huge difference in first impressions.
This are one of the reasons why I bribe them and also I won’t go back to Vietnam. And I’m Vietnamese. I’ll stick to the other SE countries. Currently in Thailand and when the trip is over. I will spend over 12K USD.
So what you're saying is you got lucky at LAX and got a nice person and I'm betting after seeing two or 3,000 people, And many of them don't have a clue. You wouldn't be overly chipper either.
Mike Honda implemented insane security measures after 9/11. These security measures are standard like the U.S.
So what was your first impression of LA's tent cities?
You shouldnt have to pay for basic services
I waited 2hrs! just to clear immigration in Saigon back in August. Other tourist have said the same as recently as last month I heard. Vietnam is packed with arrivals from neighboring Asean countries which have ST VISA free entry. Honestly I wouldn't mind paying the100k Dong rather than standing in line endlessly. It was never this busy even before COVID.
This is nothing new at all. My cousin went in 2007 and he said there was a man that refused to pay so he stood in line forever. My cousin got sick of it so he just gave them some money and he went through the line fast.
And when every one pays you stand in line there too
@@gregpowell1962 Actually, when everyone pays the line would flow smoothly and quickly like the Mekong River during monsoon season. They just work harder and more efficiently so they can push more customers through in order to make more money for themselves and to pay their bosses who got them their jobs in the first place. Everybody "eats" in Vietnam... and usually... from the bottom flowing up to the top!
Thank you for the critical analysis of the situation in Vietnam. As a regular visitor to the country, you hit the nail on the head. Vietnam is a wonderful country to visit; the people, landscape, etc. In fact, I was considering investing substantially in Vietnam a few months ago, but I had to put it off for now because of the complexity of the country's policies. Hopefully, the policy makers would watch your video and act on it sooner rather later. Great job!
You made a good decision probably.
Likewise, I was thinking of da nhang for a vietnamese soup cafe...
How Dare you criticize VN communist country. Red bulls are on to you
Bạn thật ngu ngốc khi đi tin một người mỹ gốc Việt chê tổ quốc đâm đồng bào , ông ấy là một người ở chế độ Việt Nam cộng Hòa thua trận năm 1975 sau đó qua định cư ở Mỹ và trong lòng đầy thù hận với đất nước Việt Nam để bỏ lỡ cơ hội tốt đầu tư vào Việt Nam. Bạn hãy nghĩ mỗi năm Việt Nam thu hút từ 30-40 tỷ đô la vốn FDI, nếu tệ như ông này nói thì làm gì có chuyện thu hút nhiều tiền vậy. Chúc bạn sáng suốt để khỏi đánh mất cơ hội kiếm tiền ở Việt Nam chúng tôi.
You are crazy to invest over there. Unless you don’t want to see your $$$$ again.
Scratching my planned Vietnam trip next year. Thailand and Malaysia here we go. Thanks for the tip!
You made an excellent choice.
Make sure you do the online entry card for Malaysia. They made me run around asking others to use their hot spot. It was unbelievable. They had no wifi available. Impossible to enter if you don't have a phone. The immigration seemed to enjoy watching me struggle. Took me over an hour to find someone who could help me. It was a land crossing but I am sure the same now applies at the airport.
Mình là người Việt Nam mình khẳng định người này nó nói xấu , nói không chính xác về Việt Nam. Ông ta là con cháu của chế độ Việt Nam cộng Hòa thua trận năm 1975 sau đó sang định cư ở Mỹ, trong lòng những người như ông này thù hận đất nước Việt Nam vì vậy ông ấy chuyên đưa ra những câu chuyện nói sai thực tế. năm 2024 Việt Nam đón gần 18 triệu lượt khách quốc tế, nếu mà tệ như ông ta nghĩ thì làm gì có chuyện khách quốc tế đến Việt Nam nhiều như vậy. Cảm ơn đã đọc bình luận của mình
@@chiefrow333hộ chiếu nào cũng được Việt Nam luôn chào đón các bạn
@@Hoathom25 I visited vietnam in October, after 40 years, happen to agree with Ken!
As a Viet Kieu Canadian, it's more attractive and advantageous for Canadians to go to Thailand, especially now with direct flights to Bangkok. Very sad.
Land at the airport in BKK, sim card 10 minutes later, through customs in 30. Tap with your Visa to get on the subway in the basement. It's amazing.
In your hotel in 30minutes if you don’t travel with checkin luggage.
Video is well done. Great analysis of the situation.
Thanks for watching
Vietnam have the worst visa and line for entering into vietnam is the horrible. They should take a look into Singapore and other countries around them.
That's why I haven't made another visit.
Vietnam don't explore tourist due to tourist not stable for develope. Tourist is reason inflation and destroy economy when crisis as Covid
It took more than 2 hours in the immigration line getting back into Vietnam after an hour and a half flight from Phuket. Very fustrating.
Welcome to the jungle
They do that on purpose, waiting to be bribed.
Took me nearly 1 hour queuing just to find out i have to print my evisa, then queuing for another 2 hours to get of immigration, then 30 minutes to find my suitcase 😢😢😢😢
I had printed it. The immigration guy made a point of elaborately ignoring it.
I didn't print my e-visa, but I was able to get through anyway. But I waited an hour in the queue.
Remember that Vietnam is a communist country. Foreign tourists or Vietnamese people are all capable of being reactionaries, plotting against the Vietnamese communist government!
I guess you shouldn't come back
They make you feel like you’re going to jail
Yes thailand and malaysia are king and queen of tourism
A few years ago Cambodia was a nightmare to get in. I wanted to visit the country but it was so much hassle, it left a “I never want to come back” feeling. Now, they have made it fast and efficient and they are now one of my go to counties. Vietnam on the other hand has made me reconsidered more than once about coming. First, the printout of visa… I don’t travel with a printer and going around trying to make one print in more trouble than it’s worth. Second, the visa process is has detoured me on more than one occasion. Vietnam has the is it worth it feeling now in Asia.
Well, the $3.95 fast lane charge wouldn't scare me away but a convoluted VISA and long wait lines might. I am starting to make my way through SE Asia, country by country and Vietnam is on my list, but I just moved it down and put Malaysia ahead of it. I have visited Thailand and Singapore so far and enjoyed both and they had easy immigration processes for tourists. Hopefully, Kuala Lumpur is next.
You'll like places like DaNang. I've never had a visa problem with Lynn Visa. I don't have an issue filling out the simple little form myself. My guess is the airport issue will be simpler in places like DaNang and Nha Trang. They are getting more direct flights now.
Spot on-it’s not the $3.95 fee, but the frustrating visa process and long waits that push travelers away. Destinations like Thailand and Singapore offer convenience, and Vietnam risks falling behind if it doesn’t adapt.
We hope Vietnam improves so it moves back up your list. When you visit, the culture and scenery will be worth it-if only the journey matched the destination. Safe travels to Kuala Lumpur!
Landed in KL last August. I didn't see a single line, nor a customs officer.
Everything was automated. I'd also add Malaysia, certainly KL, has infrastructure almost on par with Singapore and the price tag of Vietnam. Which was the reason why I chose Malaysia last year instead of Vietnam.
Government equals endless bureaucracy. Communism is bureaucracy x 10,000.
But, did you get the same value and experience as in Vietnam?
@ktng3176 Malaysia outstripped Vietnam 10 fold. Better infrastructure. Public transport. Traffic management. People actually follow lane paths, use traffic lights, and follow a speed limit. All the while having the price tag of Vietnam without the chaos.
Subscribed, I appreciate your honest critical views on Vietnam’s red tape and tourism policies. I visit Vietnam about 4-6 times per year (business mostly) and each time the whole process of application for visa, arriving and departure at HCM airport, immigration, rude behaviour by any authority and the taxi scams, make it hard to enjoy the visits. It is the incredible beauty if both the people and the nature that make up for all the nuisance, but you are absolotely right: this needs to change and drastically improve. I live in Kuala Lumpur and travel intensively throughout Asia and I see Vietnam lagging behind more and more, where others are excelling in making you feel a welcome traveler in their country.
I love how your videos always land on the perfect pitch for your legal services. It's very well done!
Thank you very much.
I was in Da Nang recently waiting in line at the Airport. It was a long line of people waiting to go through customs. One poor guy was anxious to get through the line to see his son that was critically ill in Hospital there. It sure was a long wait to go through.
Thanks!
I just landed tonight at Tan Son Nhat airport at midnight, the immigration line was an absolute joke. Took an hour and a half, and the workers had no clue how to deal with line traffic. I had to cut in line to save me a half hour so I could meet my paid taxi appointment.
2020 just before Covid I flew from BKK to Da Nang. Flight time 1 hour 20 min, getting though immigration 1 hour 30 min
they had 10 gates and only 4 were open. Not going back.
I guess I wont consider Vietnam when I go to visit Thailand, Cambodia and South Korea in a few months. Don't need a bunch of nonsense to ruin my trip
You might want to skip South Korea too.
Online visa is straight forward. If I can do it anyone can.
Yeah saw the point you’re making in your plan= we all need a hassle free holiday, particularly three weeks flying by comes so fast. If you don’t have a lot of money to waste as a tourist = stick with a country that is likely to be more morally considerate towards tourists.
ie- Southeast Asia -Thailand is pretty much straight forward for tourists even in reasonable pricing.
For most Southeast Asia all taxi are the enemy of tourists and they are out to empty visitors pockets. Though, Singapore is just as pricey as in Europe as they have a higher economic standard. Unfortunately never been to Brunei and Les Timor-so no counting on the comparison.
Must says Though = in Vietnam and Cambodia as well as Lao every other business sectors joined in with the taxi scamming quarter as soon as they found out you are a tourist.
-even a smallest street stalls, who ritually would made you pay higher unnecessary price if you needs their services or buying their products.
Vietnam may be beautiful but however much beautiful a country is = it also has to come with sincerity in services and fair pricing policies for foreigners visiting the country in order to get a returning business.
In Thailand, most national parks and nature wonder reserve’s sighting cost of entrance fees made us unhappy because higher charges for all non Thai citizens must be paid - but- at least this is expected in advance under a country govern policy& noticed. + in clarifying = the Thai also explained good reasons on that extra fees which can be traced & checked on spending used if need be.
There are also many Thai tourists police’s for visitors to report if things on public services pricing doesn’t seem to be fair and far too high from its original market price. Note that, every country have tourist criminals gangsters, no exception.
This made tourists felt a little safer and knew that they are protected under visitors right which isn’t just based on personal safety but also on fair treatment.
At the end of the day no human likes being con out of their pocket even if they have the cash. For this reason we don’t ever recommend Vietnam to anybody when asked about our experienced touring Vietnam tourist loops.
And as a word of precaution = do not go to the Vietnamese biggest scamming floating market because it isn’t about the over charged amount the locals are asking for but there isn’t anything there to be seen at all in the first place.
@drgta6 Unless ypu are Australian
@@gregpowell1962yo can you apply few months in advance?
I recently arrived in SGN for a couple of days of business. The flight from BKK was only 1h45min, but the immigration line in SGN was 2hr. It seems like it is getting worse every year.
Huge mistake indeed. As a Vietnamese American, I've been promoting Vietnam as a destination to all my friends and coworkers, not only b/c I love Vietnam so much and I know they will enjoy it too, but most of them skip Vietnam when they visit South East Asia. To these Americans they don't see the difference between visiting Vietnam or Thai or Malaysia. Most will never visit SEA and if they do they rather go to a visa free country. Vietnam is sacrificing thousands of tourist dollars for a measly $35 visa fee. Huge mis-opportunity indeed. Glad you're talking about.
@@CybertruckNick they don't care about tourists.
@@cnn787-i9e yes they do mate. just greed and dumb.
They don't want to end up like Spain and Italy, overcrowded with tourists 😅
I must admit I was surprised when I arrived at Ho Chi Minh Airport this month and had to wait in a long immigration queue, especially since just a few months earlier, I breezed through an automated gate at Bali’s airport in Indonesia within seconds.
On the other hand, the cost of a 3-month visa for Vietnam is only about $30, whereas neighboring countries like Thailand charge two to four times as much.
This video is one of your must watch. Im here in Saigon from Seattle. The new evisa program has been changed and I've been using evisa since Covid hit Vietnam in 2020. The current evisa Vietnam sites (there are only 2 now to pick from ) form is very tedious and can be easy to make a mistake on. It resets your single entry/ multiple entry time in country and that easily leads to a problem if not discovered when you proof read it before sending it in. I had to go to Cambodia after 30 days to renew my vietnamese visa for the remaining 75 days multi entry. It basically cost me over $200 to do this including a $40 Cambodian visa that I used for 2 hours. The Moc Bai border was crowded with tourists that had to do the same thing due to difficulties with current evisa site.
When I entered Da Nang airport last September, I asked the security folks there HOW I can pay the fees to move through the PRIORITY lines. They didn't answer.....Waiting in line for Customs after spending 20 hours on the plane is TORTURE.
The queues at immigration in Saigon airport have become shockingly long to me. Twice last year i visited and either chose the wrong timing to land (in the evening), just when a bunch of other planes landed, or... the process is slow and inefficient. Or both. There had to be over 1000 people in the waiting hall (and they were queuing up just to get into the waiting hall) and everything was moving slowly. Very discouraging. Something has to be done with a much better system (roll out the new airport). Singapore is a breeze in contrast.
I have a 5 year entry visa thanks to my Vietnamese wife and spent an hour and a half in the Customs hall entering Saigon night. This duration is standard. I cannot use the autogates as a foreigner so my wife waits with me in the queue because she’d have to wait for me to come through anyway.
If the new Metro line project delivery timeline is anything to go by, the new HCMC airport will be decades away, unless otherwise given some priority by the Government.
It is possible to deliver an airport terminal quickly. They built the new Cam Rahn international terminal from scratch in 2 years.
Ken - probably one of your most important videos, especially if the right people in government take notice (however unlikely that is). I just returned yesterday from a trip to Thailand. Because I love Vietnam so much, I scheduled long layovers (22+ hours) in Saigon both coming and going. The differences in immigration policies could not have been more starkly contrasted. After the immigration circus at Tan Son Nhat, the ease of entering Thailand almost made me feel like I was doing something illegal. Technology investment is sorely needed, but probably most needed is a complete mindset change. Thank you for spotlighting this issue.
You so funny man ! Jumping like Jackie Chan between episodes 😂😂😁
Jackie Chan is just at the 2nd level of Jumping Kungfu 😂🤣 if compared to Kenny Duong as the very best Jumping Kungfu Master in Vietnam 😂🤣❤️That is why I have loved his excellent News Channel Videos ❤️💜 , with his valuable updating informations 🤩about the latest ones!!
You speak the truth, brother, great video. Thanks for calling a duck a duck. Vietnam needs to wake up if it wants to grow up.
Appreciate your support and hope we can help Vietnam reach its full potential.
“Coming to a party….without saying hi to the host” was the best solicitation for following a channel that i have ever heard.
😂👍
4 hours yesterday , hundreds of people 1 guy at desk ! 😮
Some very good points. Arriving at Ho Chi Minh one month ago we were in line for about 30 minutes. But to be fair, we were in line for nearly an hour at Hongkong on a busy Saturday afternoon recently. Vietnam has so much to offer it’s still worth it, but the visa application and arrival experience could be made so much simpler.
It’s definitely a frustrating experience, but they are working on it!
It's better vietnam focuses on manufacturing and other aspects of its economy. Thailand has the easiest visa policies but attract the worst sexpats, pedophiles, etc the world has seen. Better vietnam doesn't deal with that stuff.
I agree with you one hundred percent. Vietnam has been doing a great job of not turning the country into a sex tourism destination.
They have been doing a great job of attracting foreign investment. Invidia has just opened two AI research centers in the country and many other country has signed business deals with Vietnam.
@@Thao-o4ethe problem with Thailand is the visa free criminals from Russia and China …….the news there every day is “a Russian was arrested today…”
You can walk and chew at the same time.
Thailand marketed itself as free and easy long ago, sex party drugs. Malaysia marketed itself as family friendly. But alcohol in most places are expensive. Unless tax free islands. So young people who likes drinking partying will not enter malaysia.
Exactly!
It seems to get harder and harder to travel to Vietnam. Had major issues getting my latest evisa approved. First they rejected my Visa debit card. Then they ommitted my second name on the application causing another rejection. There was talk of visa free travel to Vietnam for Australians last year but nothing happened. Thailand & Malaysia are looking a lot better as future options.
This is totally relatable... I have tried many times to get a single entry visa to visit Vietnam but when I try to pay, the VN Visa website refuses to advance to their pay site. Luckily, I was able to still get a visa but I had to pay on my mobile phone. I wish the Visa and airport entry process was much faster because I want to visit this country more. This was a GREAT video. Cam on Anh!
Let me speak my mind. Building phu quoc and ba na hills like europe ain't gonna bring western tourists to those expensive places.
Very little of the over development in Vietnam is for Western tourists. China, South Korea and Japan still make up over 80 per cent of tourists to Vietnam
@@keangwooichoo6138 I loved Ba Na Hills , million dollar views lol
I am south african and vietnam wants me to pay $200 for a visa and another $30 dollars at the airport. What a ripoff. I will never come to Vietnam again.
I think you got ripped off through your own ignorance And lack of due diligence. I just checked. The Visa should have been either $25 or $50 just like everybody else. Next time double check the website. I'm betting you were not on the official website. Best of luck. Next time. Wait there is no next time 🙂
Why?
lol you got scammed. do it directly its easy af
Yes I'm afraid I think you were perhaps on a website which is appears official in getting visas but is not actually the country's visa website. Had the same thing for Korea and Australia so dont feel too bad about the mistake. If you think the fee is too high - Google further through the Embassy website - there usually is a link where the visa price is more realistic. Again - check and check again before actually going ahead and applying. Good luck for any future trips. PS the extra fee at the airport is something which one cannot always get around (always think it's an under-the counter-xmas-bonus!!) so be prepared but at least your entry visa would be a better price
Your local travel agent scammed you. Don't blame Vietnam.
I just passed through immigration at Saigon airport yesterday. While the lines were very long, it took maybe half an hour to gret through. While the officers all seemed serious, I encountered no problems. I never bribe as I am afraid that would neither fast track me and/or be downright illegal and get me into trouble rather than help me. I have a spousal visa that allows me multiple entries and stays up to 180 days per entry. Vietnam could improve the process and Ken puts the focus on those areas succinctly. I will be contacting you guys at Duong for a ‘permanent’ visa when the time comes in 2026 to move here permanently. Thanks Ken.
Malaysia and Thailand are by far easier to go enter, absolutely true. And the speed of these airports (even prior to auto-gates) are fantastic which makes it a much nicer process, especially after a long day of flying.
BUT... I think that trust is the biggest issue for tourists (and business). There is so much conversation about scams (because they are common), and last time I went through the airport, I had the standard taxi scan where they wanted to charge me 10x what the normal cost is. It just tells you upon arrival that you really need to be careful with your money, it's not safe. Of course, the taxi situation isn't a massive problem in itself, but it causes people to look closer at the honesty of certain businesses and it doesn't encourage either tourism nor business.
These issues are less of an issue in both Thailand and in Malaysia in my experience. Feeling safe is key to both tourism and business, and while VNs a physically safe country, financially it's more challenging without care.
❤❤❤ You're right, im vnmese and i choose Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia...
I really hate that people agree with me. This is something I wish I was wrong about.
It’s a great country, but financially dangerous.
@ its not a great country, you dont have to wish its ok to say the truth. Many vnmesechoose to go away if they could...
I like that the entry and exit places are not limited anymore to 1 airport 👍💯😉
Excellent video!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
This is one of the best constructive suggestions for better tourism of Vietnam 👍👍👍👍! Love it ! Thank you
Thanks for watching. 🙏
Visited Vietnam for the first time from USA for 6 weeks in Sept -Oct ,I can't wait to go back,beautiful people, beautiful country.
I spent nearly three months there earlier this year. I didnt find it to be that. I did enjoy Nha Trang. I almost got hit in the head by huge coconut.
I am here in HCM City now. Loving Vietnam. I am going on week three.
Glad you enjoyed your trip! It's a beautiful country to explore.
Whereabouts
Totally agree but the visa process is a pain. I stayed there for five months, to get another visa I had to go to Cambodia broader then back to VN 😮😮
Great video. You make some really valid points. And thanks for your fun presentation style 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
I applause you for speaking out against these policies, especially in a communist country. Aren't you worried?
Sounds like you haven't visited Vietnam in person.
The business owners I've spoken to have less issues in Vietnam than in many other places.
Ha ha, Vietnam freedom than Usa or Eu. Come and see pls
Communist Ho Chi Minh ideology is different from other communist countries. Educate yourself rather than being brainwashed by the US and the Wests
@@DavidWilliams-qr5yj Yup, I haven't visited the country in person in over 40 years since immigrated to the US. I guess freedom of speech is much better these days.
Thank you for speaking up the truth about Vietnam. You are true patriot that look for ways to improve Vietnam.
Been to malaysia, thailand, vietnam. Vietnam food is great but it getting boring quick compare to other countries
How did you like Malaysia ?...Thank you..
Thailand and malaysia have tons of food options
agree, it is amazing but rather monothematic.
I've been to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao, and Vietnam, and IMHO Vietnamese food is the most diverse and the best indigenous food of all, Thai at second, and third is Indonesian.
Having said the above, to me Vietnam has the worst visa and entry/exit process of all SEA countries that I've been to with poor and uninviting immigration attitude.
@vietquoctrinh7648 how many days visa if applied online?
everyone please spread this message, otherwise the situation will not change
@@youngphnx The message that is coming through is Vietnam is a beautiful country, safe , cheap , friendly people.
A couple of hours waiting at immigration won’t change that for me or fellow Aussies.
You said common n sense and Vietnam in the same sentence. Vietnam visa policy is applied differently based on entey point, never going to change as this generates fees for officers. Terrible visa experience, useless, leaving months before planned based on fluid visa policies. Doubt i will return, digital entry in Malaysia so easy, a nightmare in Vietnam. Problems with visas for 20 years.
I am not having issues in Vietnam. I do the visa myself or have Lynn Visa in DaNang do it. I've never heard of anyone having an issue with a visa service like Lynn's. I guess it could happen.
@@TBara-e5e So pay someone to pay a bribe to get a visa in Vietnam? No thanks.
Agree in that I've entered Vietnam through Da Nang twice and have had no problems. And even though The lines have been long. I've never waited more than 30 minutes they go very fast. I consider the wait and the small hassle well worth my time to stay in Vietnam.
The longest lines I've experienced were on exit. SGN is terrible. Entering through Da Nang has always been easy.
End of january I'll visit first time Vietnam...thank you for your videos! I'm excited...was already in Malaysia and Thailand several times 😎
Yup I'm going in February. The biggest concern I have is not messing up the online VISA application process.
@mattchapelle5611 for 45 days you dont need Visa
Sure do! It's $25 USD
@@mattchapelle5611 where are you from? Germans gets Visa at entrance at airport for 45 days for free
Love your channel. Keep up the good work.
Glad you enjoy it!
Main thing for me is cleanliness. Everything is becoming much more polluted. Rubbish everywhere. People put rubbish under their tables in food premises. Visa process is such a small process. Yes i agree it is annoying, but not priority. Priority is to keep the place clean. You don't want to get into a nightclub quickly just to see an unclean venue.
Air pollution getting worse from year to year. Much worse than garbage on the streets
Sounds like you haven't traveled much in SE Asia.
@@mattchapelle5611 yeah not that much, only 13 countries from Asia
The way you explain the problems and present possible solutions is fantastic! Too many countries are focused on preventing criminals from entering their country rather than implementing proper and convenient entry screening procedures. Automation alone isn't enough. Paperwork does nothing to keep the "bad foiengers" out. In fact, bureaucracy makes it easier for criminals to sneak through.
Why does Vietnam require a middleman company to process the Visa just to visit the country???
To squeeze more dough out of you.
Money?
Also, there are websites that are not the official Vietnam visa site that will charge you 3 or 4 times as much for a visa. Make sure you're using the actual Vietnam visa site. They all look "official" so it's easy to get fooled.
E-visa no problem.
@JeffreyOdd Yeh, it took me a while to find the right one.
Hi from Vietnam where I’ve been living since 2008. 🤗❤️🇻🇳
Sounds like you've found your home! 🎉
Last October, I came to Ho Chi Minh City airport from Seoul at night and waited in line for over 30 minutes to have my passport checked. When it was my turn to present my passport the border guard asked for my boarding pass, I told him that Vietnam never has required one to show boarding pass and that lucky me I didn't throw away my boarding pass . The guy got angry and refused to stamp my passport, so I had to get into another line waited for another 30 minutes to have my passport stamped.
This is what Vietnam hired to represent their country, I bet this border cop paid $50,000 in bribe money to get this job and now no one gives him bribe money he's angry like a little jerk. What a loser.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. Actually, you are required to show your boarding pass, visa and passport when entering Vietnam.
@@duongglobalbusinessconsulting I traveled to Vietnam many times and boarding pass was never a requirement until that time. Usually I would threw away my boarding pass but somehow not that time. Anyhow, the immigration guy was very immature and unprofessional.
It is always discretionary to the officer but it is actually a requirement.
I plan to visit vietnam soon and those videos so useful to me bro ❤❤❤
Awesome! Hope you have a great time!
I visited VietNam in 1968, courtesy of the US ARMY. Beautiful land even in the delta, wish i could have kept my head up long enough to see it.
And yet you walk free as a war criminal the atrocities committed against the natives was truly demonic.
Terrance, Viet Nam has moved on / moved forward since then, and not holding a grudge.
And will welcome you with smiles…give it a visit.
Thank you so very much for your Service.
That’s why I’m in Thailand right this moment. They make it so easy for tourists and extremely friendly. When all is said and done we spent about 12K.
Custom inspectors would lose travelers mandate tip money if they streamline the clearance process. It's not going to happen in Viet Nam. You can bet the house on that.
Absolutely correct. Thise corrupt cronies dont want to kill that cash cow
What tip money? I’ve gone through there 20 times at least and never had to pay customs officials ‘tip money’
Thank you for the insight in regards to Vietnam tourism. I hope Vietnam listens to the tourists and caters to their needs; otherwise, tourists would just go to other neighboring countries like Thailand and Malaysia.
Great video... now talk about the banking complications for being a foreigner in VN! (both tourists and TR's..
Yes , queuing for 1 to 2 hours to complete immigration at Vietnam Airport is a norm nowadays …
agree with most points but other countries also have fast track lane that you pay for or have premium ticket to access. I think Vietnam tourism will do fine if the Vietnamese change their mindset from rip them off where you can to honest quality service. Furthermore, the local shows very little respect to the natural beauty of the country everywhere and anywhere is a rubbish dump.
yup agreed on so many points. Arriving at the airport over the holidays and had to wait an hr to get my visa approved. Even while applying, I've heard of people getting their application rejected because of some typos, which takes 3-5 business days to hear back. Still love it out here tho
You said it, I have also told my friends, Vietnam lack common sense. 😆😆
To be honest, I had a relatively easy time when I arrived at Saigon International airport and leaving across the bridge at Mon Cai just over a year ago. I printed my visa at home in Australia and the Vietnamese soldiers gave me no trouble at either point. I noticed that these soldiers did not tolerate Chinese aunties attempting to jump the queue. The Saigon domestic airport was a free for all with little control by the Police. Issues obtaining my boarding pass and no orderly line ups made it a shit show.
We enjoy Vietnam it's a short flight from the Philippines for us
Needs to cut the red tape!
Every time I visited and passed Vietnam’s immigration and customs unscathed, I feel so relieved regardless of how long the wait is.
common sense and government is definition of oxymoron .. everywhere!
Vitenam is suck, first day i got out of the ho chi minh airport, i got scam by a red vest traffic controller, he changed me 200000 dong for a single bus drive to the city, I will remember this and never come visit Vietnam again.
dude, 200K dong is like $8 ride to city center. Try that in America dude and it's like $50. Stop whining
@cnn787-i9e as a traveller, it's not a good idea to compare prices with your own country. When you travel, leave where you left where it is.
It's your fault for being clueless and stupid.
Grab only use grab
Great points.
Some years ago , had my bag scanned before entry to the airport and joined the line at the door . I got to check in at departure time . I was not the last in line .
If the Vietnamese govt wants to promote the country as a tourist destination, then start off by getting rid of the ridiculous Visa fees for Americans just to enter the country. The cost of obtaining the visa cost almost as much as my plane ticket. #2. Stop trying to rip off tourists, let alone your own citizens at the airport. Everything that is sold at the airport is in $USD. I bought 2 bottles of water because I saw that it was labeled 40 Duong. When I went to pay they charged me $8 for the 2 bottles of Aquafina. Once I finished the bottle, I wasn't about to shell out another $4, so went to the water refill station to only find it to either be broken or only a trickle with a queue of 20+ other traveller's. I Won't be going back anytime soon until they get rid of the extortious visa fees and highway robbery at the airport. I'll prefer to spend my tourist $$$ in Thailand, Philippines or any other SE Asian country.
How about telling US government stop their support to terrorist group that 's targeting Vietnam?
Visa is 25 bucks mate
Why do we come to USA with a difficult Visa and we must do visa free for AMERICAN, it”s ridiculous too.😂 We don”t want to promote country as tourist country because we are manufacture and industrial country, not as Thailand,tourism for Vn just contribute as a small part for country development.
@@NhatTran-hp9xo why can't you do both?
The reason visas are hard for Vietnamese to obtain to the US or Australia is because 50% of you go and work illegally
The tourist experience exposes the face of Viet Nam. A positive first trip can motivate some one to invest or retire there.
Viet Nam is too special to compare to other countries that too liberal.
Protect Viet Nam’s conservatism, purity, holiness, integrity, humility and peace.
Malaysia isn't liberal. Thailand is.
Taking action! Love it!
Time changes many things. I lost my best friend from high school, my college roommate and several fraternity brothers in Vietnam. Now, all is forgotten and Vietnam is a popular tourist destination.😒🤷♂️
Thanks for the information,
Glad you enjoyed the video!
I mean in the grand scheme of things, I don't think a $4 airport fee is going to crush the tourism market. The biggest thing they need to do is to allow 3 month visa extensions to be done at the local immigration offices. I think having to do a visa run once a year isn't too big of a deal, but having to do one every 3 months is really annoying.
But if issues remain identical, you can add all the fees you want, they are not going to fix the problems. It is only adding an extra issue on the top of the existing ones.
My partner was right in advising me not to visit Vietnam from Brisbane, and I am grateful for that.
It's a shame that you missed out on experiencing Vietnam! We hope our videos give you a glimpse of what you missed.
I’ve travelled to most SE Asia countries, but 1st time to Vietnam. The country and people are amazing, tourism isn’t quite are polish as Thailand, but catching up fast.
Just hitted subscribers button. Love your videos. Chúc anh mạnh khỏe và luôn có những sản phẩm hữu ích như này. Love from Canada
I love Vietnam. It is a wonderful country full of smart people, and I'm sure anything that needs improvement will improve soon. Great video. 👍
Thanks for your positivity! We agree, Vietnam is a wonderful country with a bright future.
Good job!!
We appreciate your support!
Tan Son Nhat airport is a nightmare to go through
Great insight. Good video.
Glad you found it informative!
You always need to pay to use fast track/priority lines at airports however all your suggestions are good.
Saigon airport is the worst in terms of waiting time at arrivals/departures because the officers are slow af/not working at empty booths and the autogate has issues most times😢.
Never had any issue at airports when going to Vietnam.
Only issue was double pricing for food or other stuff but if you r aware of it, easy to avoid it.
I paid $135AUD for visa and waited at the entry point for over an hour with a very unpleasant officer.
Bingo. I'm glad somebody said it. I was beginning to think it was all in my head!
100% agreed.... Allowing other ASEAN countries' vehicles seemlessly like every other country in the region would be great too, rather than charging 1000 USD for a permit.
Long lines are depressing but the functional chaos gives the entire country its unique feel.
Sadly, this is the reality for FDI as well... they're squeezing everyone at this point. It is time to leave this place for better laws and policies.