U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Washington, DC 20520 Consular Information Sheet

Vietnam

January 13, 2004

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Vietnam is a poor but developing agrarian country controlled by a Communist government. Tourist facilities are not well established, but are improving in certain areas, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and several beach and mountain resorts.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. passports are valid for travel in Vietnam. Visas are required and should be obtained from a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate before traveling to Vietnam. Visas may be issued for multiple entries, but are usually valid for only one entry. If you plan to travel in Asia and return to Vietnam, a multiple entry visa is required. Visas are generally valid for one month, but increasing numbers of travelers have been successful, after their arrival in Vietnam, in having their visas renewed for up to three months. Entry into and exit from Vietnam is sometimes restricted to a specific port of entry.

In cases of lost/stolen passports, travelers must obtain both a replacement passport and a replacement visa. Normal procedures require two (2) weeks for a replacement passport and an additional three (3) working days for a replacement visa. In life and death situations, emergency passports (of limited validity) can be issued same-day; however, the U.S. Embassy cannot expedite replacement Vietnamese visas.

Even with a valid visa, some travelers have been refused entry to Vietnam. U.S. citizens are cautioned that the Vietnamese immigration regulations require foreigners entering Vietnam to undertake only the activity for which the visas were issued. Change of purpose requires permission from the appropriate Vietnamese authority in advance. U.S. citizens whose stated purpose of travel is tourism but who engage in religious proselytizing have had religious materials confiscated and have been expelled from Vietnam.

Current entry requirements as well as other information may be obtained from the Vietnamese Embassy, 1233 20th Street, Suite 400, NW, Washington, DC 20036, telephone 202-861-0737, fax 202-861-0917, Internet home page: www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/; the Vietnamese Consulate General, 1700 California Street - Suite 430, San Francisco, CA 94109, telephone (415) 922-1707, fax: 415-922-1848, Internet: www.vietnamconsulate-sf.org or from a travel agent who organizes travel to Vietnam. Overseas inquiries may be made at the nearest Vietnamese Embassy.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated special procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

DUAL NATIONALITY: U.S. citizens born in Vietnam, former citizens of Vietnam and their children are required to obtain visas; however, in criminal matters, Vietnamese authorities treat them as Vietnamese nationals. They also may be subjected to laws that impose special obligations upon Vietnamese nationals, such as military service and taxes. U.S. citizens of Vietnamese origin may be charged with offenses allegedly committed prior to their original departure from Vietnam. U.S. citizens of Vietnamese origin should refer to the paragraph on consular access regarding their rights. Specific questions on Vietnamese citizenship should be directed to the Vietnamese Embassy. Questions on dual nationality may be directed to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, telephone: 202-647-5226. For additional information, see the Consular Affairs’ web site, http://travel.state.gov.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: At this time, there is no specific threat information for American travelers to Vietnam. However, following the 2002 and 2003 bombings, respectively, in Bali and Jakarta, Indonesia, the U.S. Department of State is concerned that similar attacks may occur in other Southeast Asian nations. American citizens traveling to Vietnam should therefore exercise caution, especially in locations where Westerners tend to congregate, such as clubs, discos, bars, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, schools, outdoor recreation venues, tourist areas, beach resorts, and other places frequented by foreigners. American travelers to Vietnam--as in any other country--should remain vigilant with regard to their personal security. Americans traveling in Vietnam should refer to http://travel.state.gov for the most recent Public Announcements and Worldwide Cautions issued by the U.S. Department of State. In recent years, the Central Highland provinces have been the scenes of ethnic minority protests. Official U.S. personnel and tourists are sometimes not authorized to travel to the Central Highland areas without prior consent from the Government of Vietnam. These travel limitations hinder the ability of the U.S. government to provide assistance to private U.S. citizens in those areas.

Vietnamese security personnel may place foreign visitors under surveillance. Hotel rooms, telephone conversations, fax transmissions, and e-mail communications may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched. Large gatherings, such as those forming at the scene of traffic accidents, can become violent. Taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest may result in problems with authorities. Tourists should be cautious when traveling near military bases and avoid photographing in these areas.

Foreign visitors to Vietnam have been arbitrarily arrested, detained or expelled for activities that would not be considered crimes in the United States. Visitors deemed suspicious by Vietnamese security personnel may be detained, along with their Vietnamese contacts, relatives, and friends. Local security officials have called in some U.S. citizens of Vietnamese origin for "discussions" not related to any suspected or alleged violation of law. These meetings normally do not result in any action against the traveler, but are nevertheless intimidating. Visitors are not permitted to invite Vietnamese nationals of the opposite sex to their hotel rooms and police may raid hotels without notice or consent. An American traveling with a spouse who is a U.S. citizen of Vietnamese origin may be asked to present a Marriage Certificate to local authorities in order to stay together in a hotel or family's residence. Involvement in politics, possession of political material, business activities that have not been licensed by appropriate authorities, or non-sanctioned religious activities (including proselytizing) can result in detention. Sponsors of small, informal religious gatherings such as bible-study groups in hotel rooms, as well as distributors of religious materials, have been detained, fined and expelled.

TRAVEL IN BORDER AREAS: U.S. citizens have been detained after traveling in areas close to the Vietnamese borders with China, Cambodia, or Laos. These areas and other restricted areas are not always marked, and there are no warnings about prohibited travel. Travelers should avoid such areas unless written permission is obtained in advance from local authorities.

TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR U.S. VETERANS: Increasing numbers of U.S. military personnel who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam War have returned to Vietnam on personal travel. Neither the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi nor the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City is aware of any Vietnamese government restrictions on former U.S. military personnel visiting Vietnam. Neither the U.S. Embassy nor the Consulate General provides special assistance in reaching battlefield sites. Visitors should understand that some battle sites are relatively inaccessible, and the Vietnamese government may deny access to battle sites.

U.S. Government policy states that accounting for U.S. armed forces personnel reported prisoner-of-war or missing-in-action (POW/MIA) during the Vietnam War is one of its highest priorities. Military or civilian personnel with any knowledge of the location of possible personnel missing or killed in action are encouraged to contact the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) at:

Detachment Two, JPAC
58 Xuan Dieu Street
Hanoi

Telephone:(84-4) 719-8301
Fax: (84-4) 719-8304

You may contact Keith Gary Flanagan, GM-13, DoN, Chief, Casualty Resolution, U.S. MIA Office, Hanoi directly at JPAC, Det 2, email: Keith.Flanagan@jpac.pacom.mil, telephone: +84-90-341-0120 (international), 090-341-0120 (domestic)

CRIME: Cities in Vietnam have the typical crime problems of other large cities throughout the world. Pickpockets and petty crime occur and appear to be increasing. Although violent crimes such as armed robbery are still relatively rare in Vietnam, perpetrators have grown increasingly bold and we have received recent reports of guns, knives, and razors being used in attempted robberies in Ho Chi Minh City. The evolving nature of incidents warrants caution on the part of the U.S. traveler. Travelers are advised not to resist such theft attempts and to report them both to police and to the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. Motorcyclists, mostly carrying passengers, frequently grab bags, cameras, and other valuables from pedestrians or passengers riding in pedicabs or on the back of rented motorcycles. Thieves also congregate in large numbers around hotels frequented by foreign tourists and business people. Assaults have been reported in outlying areas. Many of the worst injuries have resulted from victims wearing their purses strapped across their bodies, which often leads to a victim being dragged by the thief's motorcycle. In November 2003, one American citizen was the victim of a drive-by purse snatching and was dragged to the ground and seriously injured. As some pedicab drivers have reportedly kidnapped passengers and extorted money, it may be risky to hire pedicabs not associated with reputable hotels or restaurants.

Passengers in pedicabs may be especially prone to thefts of personal possessions by snatch-and-grab thieves because passengers ride in a reclining position that does not allow good visibility or movement and readily exposes their belongings.

Travelers are strongly advised to keep passports and other important valuables in hotel safes or other secure locations. Travelers are advised to carry a photocopy of their passport with them when going out. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General. U.S. citizens must obtain a police report from the local police office in order to apply for a replacement passport and a Vietnamese exit visa. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402, on the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/, on the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site, http://travel.state.gov/ or at the U.S. Embassy or the U.S Consulate General.

Travelers to Vietnam are advised to exercise caution when visiting places where drinking of alcoholic beverages is prevalent. There have been a number of incidents reported in which a suspected toxic or other unknown type of substance was used to taint drinks, leaving the victim susceptible to further criminal acts. Travelers should avoid purchasing liquor from street vendors, as the quality of the contents cannot be assured.

Recreational drugs available in Vietnam have been found to be extremely potent and more than one American has died of an accidental overdose. Penalties for possession of drugs of any kind are severe (please refer to the Criminal Penalties section below).

In Ho Chi Minh City, some U.S. citizens have reported threats of death or physical injury related to personal business disputes. The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Consulate General do not provide personal protection services. U.S. citizens who do not have confidence in the ability of the local police to protect them may wish to depart the country expeditiously.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Vietnam do not meet U.S. standards and frequently lack medicines and supplies. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services. Common U.S. medications are not available in Vietnam. Medical personnel in some areas may speak only halting English.

Travelers may obtain lists of local English-speaking physicians from the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Travelers are reminded that neither office may recommend specific medical practitioners or hospitals.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, U.S. citizens should consider that doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000 (payable through insurance or credit card). Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site.

The companies listed below are emergency medical assistance firms with representative offices in Vietnam. The U.S. Department of State assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or reputation of the medical assistance companies listed below or for the travel insurance companies listed on its web site.

AEA International/SOS assistance
Central Building, 31 Hai Ba Trung Street
Hoanh Kiem District
Hanoi
Telephone for 24 hour alarm center: (84-4) 934-0555
Fax: (84-4) 934-0556
Clinic telephone: (84-4) 934-0666
From U.S.: TELEPHONE 1-800-548-7762
24-hour number within the U.S. (Seattle, WA)
Telephone: 206-621-9911
Fax: 206-340-6006

SOS International
65 Nguyen Du Street, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Telephone for 24 hour alarm center: (84-8) 829-8520
Clinic telephone: (84-8) 829-8424
Fax: (84-8) 829-8551
From U.S.: TELEPHONE: 1-800-523-8930

Family Medical Practice Vung Tau
1 Le Ngoc Han
Ba Ria
Vung Tau Province
Telephone: (84-64) 858-776 international
Domestic: 064-858-776
Fax: (84-64) 858-779

(U.S. point of contact) MEDEX International
Medex Assistance Cooperation
Medex Global Group
8501 Lasalle Road
Suite 200, Towson
Maryland 21286
Collect call: 800-537-2029
Tel: 410-453-6300
Fax: 410-453-6301
Website: www.medexassist.com

Mondial Assistance - Their network operates in many countries. Below is address of Mondial Assistance for Canada and U.S.A.
770 Sherbrooke West Suite 501
Montreal - Quebec
H3A-1J1
24-hour numbers:
Tel: 1-514-845-1060
Fax: 1-514-845-9398

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Travelers should be cautious when drinking non-bottled water and in using ice cubes in drinks. Travelers may wish to drink hot tea and coffee and bottled water and bottled drinks.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect-bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's website at www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at www.who.int/ith.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Vietnam is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor to Average
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside/Ambulance Assistance: Poor

Traffic in Vietnam is chaotic. Traffic moves on the right, although drivers frequently cross to the left to pass or turn. Motorcycles and bicycles often travel opposing traffic, increasing the hazard of crossing the street. Horns are used constantly, often for no apparent reason. Traffic accidents, most involving motorcycles and resulting in traumatic head injury, are an increasingly serious hazard. At least 30 people die each day from transportation-related injuries. Traffic accident injuries are the leading cause of death, severe injury, and emergency evacuation of foreigners in Vietnam. It is the single greatest health risk that U.S. citizens will face in Vietnam.

Streets in major cities are choked with motorcycles, cars, buses, trucks, bicycles, pedestrians and pedicabs. Sudden stops by motorcycles and bicycles make driving a particular hazard. Nationwide, drivers do not follow basic traffic principles. There is little adherence to traffic laws or enforcement by traffic police. There are an increasing number of traffic lights in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but red lights are often not obeyed. Vehicles do not yield right of way. Most Vietnamese ride motorcycles and an entire family often rides on one motorcycle.

Road conditions are poor nationwide. Outside the cities, livestock compete with vehicles for road space. Exercise extra caution in the countryside as road conditions are poor in rural areas.

Driving at night is especially dangerous and drivers should exercise extreme caution. Roads are poorly lit and road signs are minimal. Buses and trucks often travel at high speed with bright lights that are rarely dimmed. Vehicles of all types often stop in the road without any illumination, and livestock are likely to be encountered.

Motorcyclists and bicyclists should wear helmets. Vehicle passengers should use seatbelts in cars or taxis, however, Vietnamese vehicles are seldom equipped with working seatbelts. The Vietnamese government has mandated the use of motorcycle helmets on major roads leading to large urban centers. Enforcement of this law began in January 2001 but application has been slow and sporadic at best. New laws have been promulgated concerning the use of motorcycle helmets in urban areas as well, though they have not been enforced. Child car seats are not available.

Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or causing an accident resulting in injury or death can include fines, confiscation of driving permits or imprisonment. U.S. citizens involved in traffic accidents have been barred from leaving Vietnam before paying compensation (often determined arbitrarily) for property damage or injuries.

Emergency roadside help is available nationwide by dialing: 113 for police, 114 for fire brigade and 115 for an ambulance. Efficiency of these services is well below U.S. standards and locating a public telephone is often difficult. Trauma care is not widely available.

The urban speed limit ranges from 30 to 40 km/h. The rural speed limit ranges from 40 to 60 km/h. Both speed limits are routinely ignored. Pedestrians should be careful due to extremely congested and uneven sidewalks and drivers of bicycles, motorcycles and other vehicles ignoring traffic signals and traffic flows.

International driving permits or U.S. drivers' licenses are not valid in Vietnam. Foreigners renting vehicles risk prosecution and/or imprisonment for driving without a Vietnamese license endorsed for the appropriate vehicle. Potential drivers should contact any Provincial Public Transportation Service of the Vietnamese Department of Communications and Transport to obtain a Vietnamese driver's license. The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City cannot assist U.S. citizens in obtaining Vietnamese driver's permits, nor can we notarize U.S. drivers' licenses for use in Vietnam.

Most Vietnamese travel within Vietnam by long-distance bus or train. Both are slow and safety conditions do not approach U.S. standards.

For additional information about road travel in Vietnam, see the U.S. Embassy Hanoi web site at http://hanoi.usembassy.gov, or the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City’s web site at http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov.

For additional general information on road safety, including links to foreign government sites, consult http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html. For specific information concerning Vietnamese driving permits and other travel information, see the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism’s web site, www.vietnamtourism.gov.vn

SEASONAL FLOODING: Heavy rainfall during Vietnam's annual rainy season, usually June through September, and again during the typhoon season from October to December, coupled with outdated and poorly maintained infrastructure, places much of Vietnam at high risk for seasonal flooding and landslides. Northern Vietnam is most likely to experience seasonal flooding and landslides during the rainy season, while Central and Southern Vietnam are most likely to experience seasonal flooding and landslides from August to November.

While minor flooding is fairly common in Hanoi, the source of any major flood in Hanoi is the Red River. In the event of a major flood, Vietnamese authorities would destroy a portion of the protective dike around the river well upstream from Hanoi. U.S. citizens living near the Red River, upstream of Hanoi, should be aware of this potential risk. If a major flood is not diverted before striking Hanoi, experts predict the flood would be devastating. There is also a serious risk of flooding in Central Vietnam and in the Mekong River delta regions in Southern Vietnam.

U.S. citizens living in flood prone areas are urged to have a home escape route from rising water levels, stock drinking water and canned food at home, keep a fully stocked first aid kit, keep passports and other important documents in a safe place, and keep informed of weather conditions during the rainy season.

Prior to the onset of a flood, Vietnamese television channel VTV One (which broadcasts in Vietnamese) is a good source for weather information. The Vietnamese government maintains an English-language flood web site, www.undp.org.vn/dmu/latest/en/frame.htm.

The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City will make available any information they have on possible flood situations that could affect U.S. citizens residing in Vietnam.

AVIATION OVERSIGHT: Because there is no direct commercial air service between the U.S. and Vietnam, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Vietnam's civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Vietnam's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the U.S. Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA’s web site, www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.

PASSPORT SEIZURES/EXIT BANS: The Vietnamese government may seize, and has in the past seized, the passports and blocked the departure of foreigners involved in commercial disputes. Passports should never be used as security for rental of vehicles, collateral for hotel payments, etc. In such circumstances, the U.S. Government may issue a new passport to a U.S. citizen. The Vietnamese exit ban, however, could remain in effect, preventing departure. It is common for hotels to retain a passport until checkout.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Vietnamese government authorities have seized documents, audio and video tapes, compact discs, literature, and personal letters they deem to be religious, pornographic, or political in nature or intended for religious or political proselytizing. The authorities are also increasingly detaining and expelling individuals believed to be engaged in such activities. Individuals arriving at airports with videotapes or materials considered to be pornographic have been detained and heavily fined (up to U.S. $2,000 for one videotape). Authorities may search rooms and luggage without notice or consent. It is illegal to import weapons, including firearms, knives, and ammunition.

Vietnamese law restricts the export of antiques, but the laws on the subject are vague and unevenly enforced. Antique objects are subject to inspection and seizure by customs authorities with no compensation made to owners/travelers. The determination of what is an "antique" can be arbitrary. Purchasers of non-antique items of value should retain receipts and confirmation from shop owners and/or the Ministry of Culture and the Customs Department to prevent seizure upon departure. Prior to purchasing antiques, travelers may wish to determine from the Ministry of Culture whether the object can be exported and the amount of duty. The process of exporting antiques can be difficult and time-consuming; however, travelers can insist that sellers obtain all necessary permits from the Ministry of Culture and Customs Department before final purchase is made. Travelers are advised to contact the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, DC or the Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco for specific information regarding customs requirements.

CURRENCY: The Vietnamese currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND). Banks and hotels in Vietnam will exchange dollars, and there is an exchange facility at the airport. ATMs are fast appearing all around Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, but outside these cities, ATMs are rare. Travelers checks are not commonly accepted in Vietnam.

Foreign currency (including notes, coins and traveler's checks) in excess of US$ 3,000 and cash exceeding Vietnamese Dong (VND) 5,000,000 must be declared at customs upon arrival and departure. There is no limitation on either the export or import of U.S. dollars or other foreign currency by U.S. citizens, provided that all currency in excess of US$ 3,000 (or its equivalent in other foreign currencies) or in excess of VND 5,000,000 in cash is declared upon arrival and departure, and supported by appropriate documentation. If excess cash is not declared, it is confiscated at the port of entry/exit and the passenger may be fined.

VIETNAMESE CIVIL DOCUMENTS AND PROCEDURES: U.S. citizens who plan to marry a Vietnamese national in Vietnam should contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington, D.C. or the Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco concerning documentary requirements. Several documents will require notarization at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Obtaining a Vietnamese marriage certificate normally takes 45 days or more. Affidavits of single status obtained in the U.S. are not always accepted by Vietnamese authorities and sometimes require notarization at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General. It is advisable to call the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General before traveling to Vietnam to make an appointment for this service.

Children born in Vietnam to one or two U.S. citizen parents may apply for an adjudication of their child's claim to U.S. citizenship at the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General. The parents are required by Vietnamese law to choose citizenship for their child in order to obtain the child's Vietnamese birth certificate. There have been some instances in which parents have faced difficulties in choosing not to have Vietnamese citizenship for their child.

Vietnamese law requires an autopsy before a death certificate may be issued for a deceased foreigner. In some cases this requirement may be circumvented with a diplomatic note from the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General, particularly if the deceased was elderly or in documented poor health and the cause of death can reasonably be ascribed to age or ill health.

U.S. BUREAU OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (BCIS) IN VIETNAM: U.S. citizens who wish to file fiancé/e visa petitions, immigrant visa petitions, or immigrant visa petitions for orphan children should contact the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security in Ho Chi Minh City at 65 Le Loi, Saigon Center, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, telephone (84-8) 821-6237, fax (84-8) 821-6241.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Vietnam's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Vietnam are strict, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Foreigners have been executed for drug smuggling. The death penalty applies to anyone caught possessing 100 grams of heroin or five kilograms of opium. A Canadian national of Vietnamese origin was executed in early 2000 for drug smuggling. Both the sentencing and execution were carried out swiftly, without what would be considered due process in the United States.

Vietnamese authorities often detain foreign nationals for lengthy periods--months if not years--before concluding their investigation into an alleged crime and sending the case forward for prosecution. The criminal justice process is also lengthy. Authorities may detain individuals under investigation for up to one year before filing charges. They are not required to provide access to a lawyer until charges are filed.

U.S. citizens should be aware that many charges involving business or driving offenses that are considered civil charges in the U.S. are considered criminal charges in Vietnam. U.S. citizens of Vietnamese origin who left Vietnam may be subject to charges for any crimes they allegedly committed prior to their original departure from Vietnam, even if that departure was many years ago.

CONSULAR ACCESS: A 1994 agreement between the United States and Vietnam provides for immediate notification of and reciprocal access within 96 hours to each other's detained citizens. Bearers of U.S. passports, who enter Vietnam with a Vietnamese visa, including those of Vietnamese origin, are regarded as U.S. citizens by the U.S. Government for purposes of notification and access. Therefore, U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry photocopies of passport data and photo pages with them at all times so that, if questioned by Vietnamese officials, proof of U.S. citizenship is readily available.

Despite the 1994 agreement, U.S. consular officers in Vietnam are rarely notified in a timely manner when a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained. There have also generally been very significant delays in obtaining access to incarcerated U.S. citizens. This has been particularly true when the U.S. citizen is being held during the investigatory stage that Vietnamese officials do not consider as covered by our bilateral agreement. The investigatory stage can last up to one year and often proceeds without the formal filing of any charges. Please note that the problem of access has been particularly evident when the U.S. citizen is considered by the Vietnamese government to be a citizen of Vietnam, irrespective of proof of U.S. citizenship. U.S. citizens, even dual citizens, have the right, according to the 1994 agreement, to consular access if they were admitted into Vietnam as a U.S. citizen with their U.S. passport, and should insist upon contact with the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General.

PROPERTY ISSUES AND LIFTING OF SANCTIONS: On January 28, 1995, the U.S. and Vietnam signed agreements resolving diplomatic property issues and settling outstanding claims between the two countries. For more information, contact: The Assistant Legal Adviser for International Claims and Investment Disputes, Department of State, SA-44, Room 205, Washington, DC 20520, telephone 202-776-8360.

Pursuant to the February 3, 1994, lifting of sanctions against Vietnam, U.S. visitors to Vietnam are no longer subject to spending limitations. U.S. visitors must comply with all normal Commerce Department export requirements. For additional information contact: The Bureau of Export Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230, telephone 202-482-4811.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please consult http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone the Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747. The OCS call center can answer general inquiries regarding international adoptions and abductions and will forward calls to the appropriate country officer in the Bureau of Consular Affairs. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE GENERAL LOCATION: U.S. citizens living in or visiting Vietnam are encouraged to register in person or via telephone with the consular section of the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Vietnam.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi is located at 6 Ngoc Khanh, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, telephone: (84-4) 831-4590; after hours emergency telephone number: (84-4) 772-1500; fax: (84-4) 831-4578, Internet home page: http://hanoi.usembassy.gov

The Consular section's business hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Consular Section provides the full range of services for U.S. citizens (passport services, consular reports of birth abroad, notarial services) and non-immigrant visa services (except K-1 fiancée visas).

The U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City is located at 4 Le Duan, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, telephone: (84-8) 822-9433; fax: (84-8) 822-9434; web site, http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov. The Consulate General's business hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Consulate General provides the full range of consular services for U.S. citizens (passport services, consular reports of birth abroad, notarial services) and the full range of immigrant and non-immigrant visa services. All immigrant visa processing in Vietnam, including visas for adopted children and fiancé/e visas, is conducted solely at the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. It is advisable to check the Consulate's web page to see which services require an appointment and for a list of holiday closings and public hours at http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/wwwhcits.html

Callers from the U.S. should note that Vietnam is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 11 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time.

A copy of the U.S. citizen registration form is on the Embassy website and may be downloaded and faxed to the Embassy's Consular Section or to the Consulate General, along with a copy of the traveler's U.S. passport biographic page.

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This replces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 3, 2003 to update sections on Entry/Exit Requirements, Safety and Security, Travel Information for U.S. Veterans, Crime, Medical Facilities, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Customs Regulations, Currency, Vietnamese Civil Documents and Procedures, Criminal Penalties, Consular Access, and Registration/Embassy and Consulate General Location.

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