Vietnam E-Visa Troubles - Application Approved but Only with Wrong Name

Saul Goodman on 03/01/2024 - 09:44
Last edited 03/01/2024 - 11:57

I'm off to Vietnam in 2 weeks and having some issues with the E-Visa.

I submitted my application and put in my correct surname and first name as per my passport, but it was rejected due to:
• Denied Reason: incorrect full name (as in ICAO line)

At the bottom of the passport it says on the ICAO line: P<AUSSMITH<<JOHN<<<<<<<<<<

On my resubmission I changed my surname to AUSSMITH even though it's not the correct surname, but I didn't know what else I could have changed it to.

I expected it to be rejected again but I just received an email saying it was approved.

So my correct surname of SMITH was rejected, but now my incorrect surname of AUSSMITH was approved.

Does anyone know if I will be rejected at the airport because of this?

I don't know what to do because they did reject my correct surname.

Travel

Comments

  • JIMB0 on 03/01/2024 - 09:46
    +12

    Try putting down James McGill

  • SmiTTy on 03/01/2024 - 10:04
    +2

    I would resubmit. For the sake of 25usd, not worth taking the risk

    Plus some airlines will check your visa is valid before even boarding the plane. Worst case they might pickup the mistake and not allow u to board

    If there is a way to query the denied submission, try to go down that path and see if u can get that reconsidered maybe

    • Saul Goodman on 03/01/2024 - 10:30

      Yeah I might just try again but then I'll be pissed if it just rejects my name again.

      They have a support page which never loads. The website is atrocious.

      • SlickMick on 04/01/2024 - 13:08

        I can tell you first hand how this plays out… you'll be rejected at check-in and not allowed board. You'll madly try to get a new visa, but it won't come through in time. You'll still be at counter to see the final passenger manifest taken to the plane, and you'll rebook for another flight.
        You'll realise spending 24 hours in the airport isn't realistic after all, so you book into a local hotel, then realise it is further to walk than google maps indicated. You'll also find that airport hotels are expensive but not high class. Then you get to walk back the next day, hoping that your new visa comes through by the time check-in closes.

        I suggest getting a new visa, and make sure you get it sorted long before getting to the airport.

        edit: forget this. Someone says Vietnam allows visa on arrival. Your call whether to get sorted in advance or not.

  • elgrande on 03/01/2024 - 10:05
    +14

    Why on earth would you put AUSSMITH?

    • SmiTTy on 03/01/2024 - 10:08
      +3

      Asking exactly what everyone is thinking.
      Who DOES this?! (the icao line obviously has other pieces of information that isn't part of the name)

    • Saul Goodman on 03/01/2024 - 10:27
      -4

      … Like I said, because putting my correct surname was rejected and it said to add what it said in the ICAO line which is "AUSSMITH".

  • Flying Ace on 03/01/2024 - 10:22
    +2

    I don't know what to tell you, but clearly the "AUSSMITH" is going to be an issue. As to why they didn't accept your original name, I'm not sure - did you put your middle name?

    My passport lists my name as

    "LASTNAME"
    "FIRSTNAME MIDDLENAME"

    If you missed out the middle name in your application that's probably why it was rejected.

    • Saul Goodman on 03/01/2024 - 10:28

      Don't have a middle name :/

  • PissLUR on 03/01/2024 - 10:31
    +1

    As a citizen of Australia, you must acquire a visa before entering Vietnam. Vietnam does grant visas for Australian citizens on arrival. However, the visa application process is much easier if the Australian passport holder applies for a Vietnam visa online.

    https://vietnamvisa.govt.vn/australian-citizens/

    • PissLUR on 03/01/2024 - 10:31
      +3

      if its rejected, you can apply on arrival.

    • KaTst3R on 03/01/2024 - 10:59
      +3

      The high conversion rate of the Australian Dollar (1 AUD = ~18,300 VND) and the number of reasonably priced flights to Vietnam

      They should update the website. 1 AUD is now 16,400 vietnamese dong. That is a 10% drop.

      By the way, this website you linked to is not a government website. Not sure if you can trust the information on there fully.

      The below one is

      https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/home

      • Autonomic on 03/01/2024 - 12:40
        +1

        It's also much more expensive than the official page.

      • Loopholio on 04/01/2024 - 11:35

        Hehe, dong

  • bobbified on 03/01/2024 - 10:55
    +8

    On my resubmission I changed my surname to AUSSMITH

    🤣😆😂

  • currentfad on 03/01/2024 - 11:48

    That's definitely not right. My passport also says <AUSSURNAME> on the ICAO line and my evisa only had <SURNAME> as my surname… I went last month. Sounds like some incompetent person approving applications… Or maybe they need more revenue.

  • dasher86 on 03/01/2024 - 12:40
    +1

    Another route is to contact a visa / migration agent.
    You can find a few of these recommended in Vietnam Travel groups on FB.

  • Flying Ace on 03/01/2024 - 16:38

    Ultimately I wouldn't worry too much - if you are unable to get the eVisa before arrival, you can do it at the airport when you land.

  • cookie2 on 03/01/2024 - 19:57

    Contact them to enquire. I believe you can email them or otherwise maybe just contact the consulate before you put it through again. Doesn't sound right for it to have denied from the 1st application.

  • mlbrooke on 04/01/2024 - 11:11

    Speaking as someone who goes to Vietnam regularly, you will not get in if there is anything different from your name to the EVISA, no question here.

    If you can not get it to register with your correct details then try one of the Evisa services (if they still exist), they cost more but you might get to speak with someone who can assist.

  • gregc4680 on 04/01/2024 - 12:49
    +1

    Same for my application
    Entered my middle name and it was approved.
    Sister in law travelling with us had a frightening time and threatened on being sent back as the month on her birthday was wrong. Tears, freak-out etc, 3 hours delay and $250AUD later and she got through.
    Don't piss about with immigration and get it redone correctly. Or not. Your choice of course

    • time2fly93 on 11/03/2024 - 09:02

      Yeah I had an issue with mine. Couldn't work it out so reapplied and it was approved.
      Performed charge back on the first one failed attempt.
      I met an American traveler who i think had to fork out $400usd to get it all rushed through on airside with an agency.
      I'd be getting it sorted it avoid any hassle at the airport.

      Last thing I'd want to be told at immigration is something is wrong and I need to sort it out or book a flight home.

  • paullovesbargains on 04/01/2024 - 17:17
    +1

    Visa is invalid. You won't get past check-in. You will be kicked off the flight from Australia and forfeit the fare.

  • Leelee1 on 04/01/2024 - 18:35

    Contact Vietnamese travel agent ( maybe Saigon Star Travel Pty Ltd in Springvale, Victoria ) , they can apply a visa for you. It is very quick.

  • ELH05 on 05/01/2024 - 16:07

    Do not go to the airport with any details wrong on your vietnam visa - 1st hand experience, just pay for a new one !!!!

  • kiwijunglist on 14/01/2024 - 16:04

    Use an online visa on arrival service. Turn around is usually only a couple of days, have used them before.

  • hibiscus on 24/01/2024 - 09:59

    There’s heaps of issues with the E-visa. Join the FB group “Vietnam travel advice for Australians”.

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