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mepif wrote:

Hi guys, I am asking a few questions for an American friend who’s been stuck in Thailand due to covid-19.

Rumor has it that foreigners in Thailand will need a health insurance plan that cots about USD 3k, payable up front when borders are open, and government approved quarantine will cost about USD 1,400. He’s weighing options including moving to Vietnam.

1. Is it true that a visitor can easily obtain a 1 year tourist visa with multiple entires for USD 135? Any pitfalls?
2. Are visitors required to purchase a medical insurance plan before/when entering Vietnam? 
3. Should he be responsible for quarantine upon arrival? I saw that as a consideration of the government, but no official policy to affirm ever. 

Thanks
Matt

Tourist visas are for 1-3 months.  I have never heard of a 1 year tourist visa, maybe he was thinking about a business visa, which some people use to avoid visa runs every 3 months. There are multiple visa threads here, some searching will bring up results. Or check the embassy website.
Up to now there was no requirement for health insurance. But I wouldn’t count on that, I’ve read of other countries enacting such a requirement, Vietnam could follow suit, it’s a reasonable request.
Right now, people arriving in Vietnam are put in quarantine for 14 days at centralized locations. Apparently you don’t get to choose where, even though there were rumors about people spending quarantine in nice, closed hotels. Again, I wouldn’t count on it.

Kurterino wrote:

mepif wrote:

Hi guys, I am asking a few questions for an American friend who’s been stuck in Thailand due to covid-19.

Rumor has it that foreigners in Thailand will need a health insurance plan that cots about USD 3k, payable up front when borders are open, and government approved quarantine will cost about USD 1,400. He’s weighing options including moving to Vietnam.

1. Is it true that a visitor can easily obtain a 1 year tourist visa with multiple entires for USD 135? Any pitfalls?
2. Are visitors required to purchase a medical insurance plan before/when entering Vietnam? 
3. Should he be responsible for quarantine upon arrival? I saw that as a consideration of the government, but no official policy to affirm ever. 

Thanks
Matt

Tourist visas are for 1-3 months.  I have never heard of a 1 year tourist visa, maybe he was thinking about a business visa, which some people use to avoid visa runs every 3 months. There are multiple visa threads here, some searching will bring up results. Or check the embassy website.
Up to now there was no requirement for health insurance. But I wouldn’t count on that, I’ve read of other countries enacting such a requirement, Vietnam could follow suit, it’s a reasonable request.
Right now, people arriving in Vietnam are put in quarantine for 14 days at centralized locations. Apparently you don’t get to choose where, even though there were rumors about people spending quarantine in nice, closed hotels. Again, I wouldn’t count on it.

Only for Americans, I remember that somehow, there was an option. That was somehow "forced" during Obama's last term. Lust can't provide any "evidence". How that was used in reality, also no idea. There myvietnamvisa.com/visa-requirements/united-states.html is a link, "Can I apply for a 1 year visa on US passport?"
That seems to be the 3x90 day  and then must leave for a while

Tiny_63 wrote:

Only for Americans, I remember that somehow, there was an option. That was somehow "forced" during Obama's last term. Lust can't provide any "evidence". How that was used in reality, also no idea. There myvietnamvisa.com/visa-requirements/united-states.html is a link, "Can I apply for a 1 year visa on US passport?"
That seems to be the 3x90 day  and then must leave for a while

Interesting, didn’t know that, but that’s why it’s best to check on the official websites, especially during these times, when there’s possibly new regulations.

Kurterino wrote:

Tiny_63 wrote:

Only for Americans, I remember that somehow, there was an option. That was somehow "forced" during Obama's last term. Lust can't provide any "evidence". How that was used in reality, also no idea. There (link removed) is a link, "Can I apply for a 1 year visa on US passport?"
That seems to be the 3x90 day  and then must leave for a while

Interesting, didn’t know that, but that’s why it’s best to check on the official websites, especially during these times, when there’s possibly new regulations.

That's not an official website for the government.

It's a commercial website for a visa agency.

Yes, saw that 1 year visa only for Americans and thought it makes sense because if Vietnamese are eligible for visa valid for a year, it should work for Americans too. There must be some reciprocity between VN and US with the US visa policy mostly based on quip pro quo (did I use it right?).
Well, little did I know, only 1-3 month visitor visa. 
Thanks all for your responses.

mepif wrote:

Yes, saw that 1 year visa only for Americans and thought it makes sense because if Vietnamese are eligible for visa valid for a year, it should work for Americans too. There must be some reciprocity between VN and US with the US visa policy mostly based on quip pro quo (did I use it right?).
Well, little did I know, only 1-3 month visitor visa. 
Thanks all for your responses.

Quid pro quo.

yeah typo