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Why he sudduenly is told to move into a hotel is mysterious

When you go to get your visa extension, the head of the household that you are living in, must sponsor you.  Your friend must have had the hotel owner sponsored him on his other extensions or the head of the household that he was living in wasn't there during that particular extension or had refused to sponsor him.  Therefore, they instructed him to go to a hotel.

Legally, to be able to stay here for more than 9 months, I think they had just extended that to a year, you are going to need assistance from at least one local; and that person must be one that knows his or her ways around your area and be willing to go to war and back with you.  Other than that, there is no way.

But, whether you decide to travel back and forth or enlist that Vietnamese assistance, it will cost you about the same in the beginning.  The earlier to decide, the less the initial cost to you will be. 

In the long run, depending on how sharp and loyal that assistant of yours is, the later option returns you your money and more.  But, it will require some level of commitment from you.

So think about it really good, guys:  Pay the visa renewal fee every 3 months and air fare every 9 months or so, for how however long that you want to stay here, along with all the motorbike and automobile license renewal fees; or invest a little cash, be a little prudent, commit a little more personally and professionally, and experience a real Vietnamese way of life?  It is your call.

I chose the later.  But, I am different than most of you; I am a Vietnamese-American.  I get a little leeway here, in term of getting that needed help because of my Vietnamese language and culture understandings.

Best of luck,
Howie

dongbathin wrote:

For Info: I have a USA ex-pat friend who lives in Ban Me Thuot. He has been there for about 3 yrs and is able to get a 90 day extension repeatedly, so indeed there is a way to continue getting 3 month extensions. He did experience a recent setback from the police (Cong An as they are called). He got a visit from the police who said he had to move into a hotel. He has been living at a home with a Viet family he has known for decades. Why he sudduenly is told to move into a hotel is mysterious. They told him he would be "safer" in a hotel which is odd. I havent been able to figure that statement out yet. My Viet wife (who is a naturalized US citizen) and I intend to move to VN for retirement and we would live with her sister & family. VN seems so mysterious as to how rules are applied locally. So far many ex-pats are able to work the system tho for these 90 day extensions. Anyone care to comment?

The hotel is maybe owned by the family of the police or - police gets comission for new customers   

panda7 wrote:

so are you saying you can get extensions up to 9 months then you have to leave country and come back in to reset for another 9 months ?

That is the official rule since almost 2 1/2  years. However, for some (possible financial reason) this was not really enforced.
Many laws do exist already often many years, before getting enforced:

- wearing a helmet, is now since almost 4 enforced, but the law apparently existed already 10 years
- no more than 2 people on bikes, exists apparently many years, but only in Saigon enforced

It always depends on who you are and who you have to deal with. Regional differences apply for sure.

It always depends on who you are and who you have to deal with. Regional differences apply for sure.

That is just the way things work here, unfortunately.  Like one of the "Funnymen" had mentioned in another post, you are going to have to "roll with the punches". 

I don't know about you guys but, to me, that is what makes it fun about Vietnam:  Play along...

Howie