Job Discussion Forums

buddy bradley · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 89 Location: The Beyond

Hi people

I seem to have lost that yellow slip of paper (declaration form?) that we're meant to keep in our passports until we leave Vietnam. You know, that yellow slip that we're given when we arrive in Vietnam.

Does anyone know what happens now if I try to leave Vietnam? Someone told me that I may have to pay a fine, maybe 10US$. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks!

jojoni · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

hello,

100% you will need that yellow paper when you leave Vietnam. I am sure they will give you shit if you do not have it and I believe the also have a copy too. THey may give you a fine, but if you slip a 5 bucks in passport when they ask you for they yellow paper then I am sure everything will be fine. This advice is a RISK. I have seen overseas Vietnamese did it at the airport. When are you leaving?

indigora · Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 7

Don't put your life in harms way. Simply go to the authorities and explain that you have lost your paper. They have a copy, and can retrieve it given the time to do so. They will also appreciate your diligence in the manner. Given your effort to correct a common mistake, you will not have to pay a fine (unless it is the day of departure -- ie. no leeway is given).

jojoni · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

or you can put all your DVD's in a check in luggage then they would not aks you a question why you have so many, but if you keep them in the carry on bag then they will ask.

jojoni · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

I hope I am not too late.
I talked to my brother and he said that they might give you some hassels without the yellow paper. He said it is better to put them in the carry on bag instead of the check-in luggage that I posted in my previous post. Why? Just in case they give you hassels you can stay right there and deal with it instead of going downstairs to deal with your check-in lugguage. When my brother bought a lot of dvd's in Vietnam, the immigration officer gave him a lot of hassels I guess because he is an overseas Vietnamese, but the plane was calling his name several times so they let him go. Good luck

buddy bradley · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 89 Location: The Beyond

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

I'd be curious to know what you can and cannot mail out of Vietnam.

Micro67 · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 297 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Thay Jim · Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 13 Location: HCMC, Viet Nam

Don't be a Boy Scout and tell the Immigration Police you lost the paper and need a new one. Oh, they'll provide you with a new one, all right. And they'll want $50 for it. This happened to me when my dog chewed up my yellow slip. When the VN have you over a barrel, they start rolling it.

Simply go to the airport, and say that your passport had been stolen, and when it was returned the yellow slip was missing. It is NOT a big deal unless you make it one. Having a $5 in your passport and a quick thumbs up will get you through the gate. If they try to make a big deal start screaming "I wouldn't have lost it if there weren't so damned many thieves and pickpockets in this country!" I've seen it work.

buddy bradley · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 89 Location: The Beyond

UPDATE: I went on a trip to Cambo without my yellow paper and did not have to bribe the incredibly pleasant immigration officer. He just smiled, made me wait for my passport for about twenty minutes while he helped other people. (He obviously knew that standing in the hot S-E Asian sun while being harassed by beggars on all sides has long been a hobby of mine.)

So yeah, despite all the fabricated truths you may hear about how important that slip of paper is and how you'll have to pay a $100 fine, just ask yourself one thing: how often have you been told the truth in Vietnam, from the locals and expats alike?

I swear man, this place has a way of - ah, never mind. Happy New Year!

johnyarrington · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 66 Location: Saudi Arabia

In my opinion, Thay Jim's (???---sorry, can't remember) idea of "slipping some money into the passport and yelling and screaming....." is a terrible, terrible idea. Modern Vietnamese Immigration or Customs authorities, and increasingly, even the local police, do not respond well to threats, rantings and ravings, bs, or even bribes these days. They've seen it all 1000 times. Maybe you're talking about the way things USED to be---not that long ago, actually, like in the mid-80's--but not now, not now.

Sorry to say, but I'm sure that Thay (Jim??) is Viet Kieu. I've seen them in Vietnam, in the USA, in other parts of SE Asia, and in the Middle East. IN MY EXPERIENCE, they come with.......like AN ATTITUDE!! Like a chip on their shoulder.

In the beginning, when "Overseas Vietnamese", which I think is an accurate translation, first came back, they were like......."admired" for having come from a "rich" country. Now, they're very, very often seen as just a pain in the ****.

How did the original poster finally make out by leaving the country without the yellow slip? Or are you still in VN?

If it were me, I would do the "Boy Scout" thing and tell the truth. It's easier, it's probably faster, and it's honest. Nobody likes to be lied to.

miketeflsgn · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 9 Location: San Jose, CA. USA

===If it were me, I would do the "Boy Scout" thing and tell the truth. It's easier, it's probably faster, and it's honest. Nobody likes to be lied to.===by johnyarrington

Hi!
I do agree with "johnyarrington" that being honest and patient is the best, key word "patient". Especially in Vietnam. I witnessed once when a French couple was being loud and "impatient" because the Vietnam Immigration Customs officer(s) (at Tan Son Nhat Airport) were taking their time processing papers. They were immediately taking away to an unmark office and have a "discussion". Another word..."we are going to take more of your time" when you complaint. So, if you lose an "important" document, tell them (way ahead of time) and be patient.

I am a Viet-Kieu and will (have always) keep a very low, low, low, low profile. Very Happy

Because I don't have "Like a chip on their shoulder". Wink

johnyarrington · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 66 Location: Saudi Arabia

Well, that is, IF you did not declare (AND DID NOT HAVE) more than $3000 USD, 5,000,000 VND, or 30 grams of gold when you came in.

When you enter Vietnam with less than the amounts above, you don't have to declare anything anyway. So upon leaving, you will (presumably) have less than the amounts above (ASSUMING YOU TOLD/ARE TELLING THE TRUTH), and therefore, you still don't have anything to declare.

There are SO MANY rumors, misconceptions, half-truths about Vietnam....

I couldn't actually believe that a yellow slip was unimportant, until I actually tried it, on my last trip to Vietnam, 15 January to 3 Feb. I pretended that I lost the yellow slip. In fact, I had it in my wallet. Still do. When I got to immigration, I barely got the word, "yellow paper" out of my mouth, and the Immigration lady said, "Lost? Take another one." So I did. It was NO PROBLEM.

The big caveat is, IF you did not lie when you came in. They can see it on your face, in your eyes; I don't know how, exactly. All I know is, I have ALWAYS followed exactly the rule, in 16 times entering and exiting Vietnam, several times with over $50,000, once leaving with $48,000 of this same money because a house deal didn't go through........and I have never had any problems.

Vietnam is just such an incredible place........ especially when people are preparing for Tet. "Chuc mung nam moi! Xuan at Dau!" I can't wait to work there.