Vietnamese Embassy & Consulate Unreachable - 5 Year Visa Exemption Price?

Flying Ace on 15/12/2022 - 12:51

Bit of a niche question but hopefully someone might be able to help - I need to apply for a 5-year visa exemption for Vietnam (my wife is Vietnamese so I'm eligible for the 5 year exemption), however I cannot for the life of me get in touch with the Vietnamese Embassy in Canberra or the Consulate in Sydney to find the price so I can send a money order.

All the phone numbers on Facebook, their website or Google either ring out, are disconnected or are busy 24/7, they don't respond to emails, and there is no other way to contact them apart from physically visiting the actual embassy.

Their website doesn't give me the price for the exemption, just says "send the fee as a money order".

Has anyone recently applied for the exemption and can tell me the price, or has another way I can get in touch with the embassy or consulate? I'm in QLD so travelling to either isn't an option.

Getting a bit desperate as we're heading to Vietnam in a month and I'd rather avoid having to buy a tourist visa every time we go.

Thanks!

Travel

Related Stores

vietnamembassy.org.au
vietnamembassy.org.au

Comments

  • fredz0r on 15/12/2022 - 13:14
    -8

    A travel agent will be able to assist.

    • Flying Ace on 15/12/2022 - 14:39

      No they're not.

      • cookie2 on 15/12/2022 - 18:20

        I used to be one and used to process visas for people for a fee. Difficult if you don't already know/use.

  • deals4amar on 15/12/2022 - 13:53
    +3

    OP I tried to call a few numbers but Most of the numbers listed here don't even ring: https://vietnamembassy.org.au/contact-us
    Can try filling out the online form on the same page or Email:[email protected] or https://vietnamembassyvisa.org.au/

    Its crazy to find out the Australia is not exempt from the list of countries not requiring entry visa: https://vietnamembassy.org.au/vietnam-visa/ArtMID/648/Articl…

    On a side topic, does anyone know how much does it cost to get entry visa for Australians and whether it can be obtained on arrival or need to apply in advance?

    Edit: further information here: https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnam-introduces-vis…

    • Flying Ace on 15/12/2022 - 14:43

      They don't respond to any email enquiries or any enquiries through their website.

      I'm almost at the stage of just sending my paperwork and passport to them and getting them to contact me, but then if there's any issues there's no way for me to contact them!

      • Fredfloresjr on 15/12/2022 - 14:50

        did you translate your enquiries before sending?

        • Flying Ace on 15/12/2022 - 15:29

          You do not have to translate anything when enquiring to an embassy in an English speaking country. I emailed them a few years ago in English and received a reply in English, however now that same email address elicits no response.

      • deals4amar on 15/12/2022 - 14:50

        Considering your situation OP I think best option might be to visit the nearest one in person, this would almost guarantee that you get it done and would be quicker.

        • Baysew on 15/12/2022 - 14:59
          +1

          I'm in QLD so travelling to either isn't an option.

        • Flying Ace on 15/12/2022 - 15:29

          I would if I was closer of course, but there is no mission or consulate in Brisbane.

  • pegaxs on 15/12/2022 - 15:34
    +4

    Oh, wife got her's only a few days ago. From memory, it was $50 and you had to send your own postage paid return envelope.

    I'll confirm when I get home…

    EDIT: Wife said it was $100 via money order or bank cheque. It has to be made out to: "Consulate General of Vietnam in Sydney."

    • Flying Ace on 15/12/2022 - 17:34
      +1

      Awesome! Do you know how long it took?

      • pegaxs on 15/12/2022 - 22:52
        +2

        A few days. She used express post envelopes to and return. But at this time of year, the closer we get to Christmas, the slower it is going to be.

  • Trance N Dance on 15/12/2022 - 15:40
    +3

    Crisp hundy for a 5 year "visa", family member got one a few months back.

    • Flying Ace on 15/12/2022 - 17:44
      +1

      Great! Any chance you can find out how long it took?

      • Trance N Dance on 15/12/2022 - 18:54
        +1

        They went through a travel agent that essentially specialises in travel to Vietnam and was done in roughly 3 days. Was quoted 5 day though, but the TA does volume with the embassy so usually gets preferential treatment or something as all their applications get processed in one batch.

  • Flying Ace on 16/12/2022 - 08:19
    +2

    Thanks so much for the help @pegaxs and @Trance N Dance !

  • geshc on 21/12/2022 - 03:00

    So what happens if I just put $50 in the envelope? There is no fee written online….

    • lgacb08 on 22/12/2022 - 22:46
      +1

      Well you can actually do that. The corrupt staff at the embassy will still process it if he is in a good mood. If not he will give you a courtesy call to send the remaining shortfall.

    • Flying Ace on 29/12/2022 - 23:43

      It does say to include the fee, but the amount of said fee is not written anywhere. It’s $100 apparently because that’s what they accepted.

  • Mamajo on 23/12/2022 - 15:22

    If it costs you $100 to do it yourself, you might as well pay a Vietnamese Travel Agent to do it for you for $110 for peace of mind. I'm in Victoria and got mine done through a travel agent, I got it back within a week. Hassle free!

  • Flying Ace on 29/12/2022 - 23:42
    +4

    Thanks to both @pegaxs and @Trance N Dance - I sent a $100 money order with my application and tracked my express post envelope to the Consulate there and back.

    To my surprise they received it and sent it back within 3 days - so apart from the delay due to Christmas, the whole process took only a week.

    Surprised but very relieved now! Thanks for your help :-)

  • Ren0oo on 06/11/2023 - 01:15

    Same issue. Got one a few years ago. Actual fee should be 10 USD but something going on with the embassies here. They are very coy about the cost. Will not put it in writing (ie. Embassy website or emails). It's likely corruption and they are overcharging to split among themselves.

    • lgacb08 on 06/11/2023 - 10:21

      Yes, the going rate among frugal people is $20-30, last time I sent them $120 for 4 passports and got them back in 4 weeks. I suppose if you lower it down to $20 they'll drag the process a bit longer.

      • Ren0oo on 08/11/2023 - 10:44

        Thanks for the response. That seems to be the game yes. Drag it out for anybody insisting on the correct price & charge everyone else X5 times the normal price.

  • DanielTr on 06/11/2023 - 20:49

    It actually costs 10USD but you have to wait. 120$/visa is for express service. Make sure you written down on the evelope that you need it quick.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join