1

Love to see how they can stuff this up, I would be more inclined to get the stupid visa renewal system changed which is a joke.

2

Sounds like another tax rebate stuff up scenario.

3

As my grandmother was fond of saying: " and pigs might fly!"

4

RK I think non-believer is a bit strong but I would go as far as saying: I'll believe it when I see it!

I must agree with you that money is the problem. Everything is seen as an opportunity to make money rather than the need to provide a decent service and then charge a reasonable cost for doing so. To keep up my animal metaphors: it's the cart before the horse. They take three days to issue a visa from the embassy in Canberra because that's what it says on the their website - it does not reflect the time it takes. You can have it a day or two earlier but for that you pay extra. Whole thing takes barely an hour to do if people take the correct paperwork.

They'd do much better if they opened a coffee shop on site and did the visa while the would-be traveller had a cup of coffee. Saves petrol, saves time, creates goodwill. Heavens I sound like Pollyanna!!

5

They'd do much better if they opened a coffee shop on site and did the visa while the would-be traveller had a cup of coffee. Saves petrol, saves time, creates goodwill

The inner workings of embassies and consulates are a mystery all over the world. Vietnam is certainly not alone.

A sad day when Commies are teaching Aussies about capitalism

Communist China and communist Vietnam are hard-core capitalist countries in many ways.

6

#6 - It's not the price I'm complaining about. It's the lack of service or any service notion and Aussies are certainly bad at this too.

I understand about charging too. To keep it in context - the cost of a new Australian passport is a whole lot more than just the paper, ink, covers, technology and someone's time. But at least I know what it will cost, the time frame to issue it seems reasonable and the government website tells me both these pieces of information. I accept I will be charged what the market will bear but I also know about the service aspects.

But no Vietnamese embassy website provides information about the varying costs of obtaining a visa and the Canberra one says that it will take three days. But you can get it in one or two days if you are prepared to pay more. However the cost of creating the visa remains constant no matter how long or short the issuing time or whether it's single or multiple entry.

To implement the proposed changes to visas for entry into VN that the OP drew attention to will require a massive attitude change. I'm not holding my breath as too many have too much to lose if these changes were ever to be implemented.

#7 - you're absolutely right. Embassies and consulates are a law unto themselves and it is not for we lesser mortals to question their inner workings. No costs given and at least three days to issue a visa, given current technology, is lousy service and I am happy to call it as I see it. And I agree - I have never lived in such a market driven economy such as I find every day in VN.

7

@#4 agree. Well put!