How does it work when flying back to Viet Nam as an American green card holder? I know that you need to get the ticket issued in your maiden name, the one on your passport, but is there any other condidtions that are needed to consider? Would my wife need a visa as well, a vietnamese visa in her married name? Thanks for any input.

First, there isn't such thing called "American Green Card Holder", it's either an American citizen or a Green Card Holder.
Second, your wife is still a full-flesh Vietnamese who carries a Vietnamese passport, whose identity is still traced back to Vietnam. Her Green Card gives her the right to stay in the US legally and permanently.

For traveling to VN, she will need her Vietnamese passport and GC! To return to the US after the trip, she will need the same set of documents.

When are you leaving??? I miss VN already...

That's what I was thinking. We're planning a trip for Tet, we can't wait.

I also may want to come back to VN around that time. But my Vietnam passport will be expired on Jun 2008. Should I apply to renew my passport in Vietnam for the next time to come back to Vietnam??

Hien Oi

Why would you want to worry about renewing your passport during your special trip to Vietnam while visiting your family during the Tet Holidays, plus your passport won't be expired and what if, the VNs gov't passport agency doesn't have your new passport ready when you're due to fly back to the USA? ( I feel stress already.....) Simple, June 2008, download the correct forms from the VNs Washington DC Embassy, fillout papers, cashiers check, certified envelope & return envelope and wait, wait and wait....... it took my wife's "5 year renewal VNs passport" about 2 months to be processed

Chuc Mai Man O nuoc My
Good Luck Live America

P

Well, I guess the plan is for her to get a vetnamese visa in her married name and also the airline ticket. That's what my travel agent said to do, anyways. Supposidly it makes it easier leaving Viet Nam for her if the ticket matches her green card.

Stick with her Passport's ID Name for all booking and traveling. When she returns to the US, the name on her passport should be the same, naturally, and the CBP Officer would only care to see her Green Card to decide if she's a LPR. Don't stress out! Boarding passes have to match her passport!

I had her call EVA air in Saigon last night, they told her to get the ticket in her married (green card's) name and also show our marriage certificate. They said that leaving Viet Nam is difficult as just a passport holder and the ticket s hould match her green card, proving that she is indeed a permanent resident of America, otherwise they may give her a hard time, maybe even keeping her off the flight. I'm planning on calling EVA air in America next Monday to confirm this, because I keep getting mixed responces. I think it's just Viet Nam that makes this such a difficult situation, other countries, I'm sure, are easier and more understanding.

Thank you Patrick, I will renew my passport at the Vietnamese Embassy.

Hien

I come back to this topic as I was wondering what kind of document I will need to come back to USA?? Green card and the Vietnamese passport?? Who had the experience to fly to VN then come back USA, please advise.

About the maiden name, I was in trouble in the gate of Sea-Tac when I came to USA. The officer, who asked me for my mother maiden name, was the Middle-East man. Their tradition is completely different to Vietnamese and American about the name as well. I told him my mother maiden name (family name), but then he asked me so many times again as he wanted her "private name" (????) while the private name is never changed. It meant I answered the wrong one, then my husband had to explain to him that Vietnamese tradition is completely different to the American one. I guessed that he might mix up with the Middle-East tradition as their name goes with completely different style. It's really stressful as I didn't know what I should answer, say according to the American tradition, Vietnamese tradition or the Middle-East people's tradition (which I didn't know exactly)

I think in this case, you should check with some ones who has been changed her name after get married to know their experiences. Anyone here can help more in this topic?? Please advise.

Hien

All that Ive found out so far is that everything will be easier (coming and going from Viet Nam) if you get your tickets under your married name with a vietnamese visa, also in your married name. I had Ngan call EVA air in saigon, they told her that, and i called EVA air in Seattle and they also told me that. Just make sure you bring some sort of evidence, e.g. your marriage certificate to prove your name change. But, you will need your vietnamese passport, greencard, visa and marriage certificate to get through. Maybe even bring some other form of ID like a driver's license or state ID card. Id also take back with you your vietnamese issued ID card...possibly wedding pictures. Ive heard from many different sources that it's hell trying to leave Viet Nam with a passport and greencard with mismatched names and a booking ticket in the name on your passport but not on your greencard or visa. It's just Vietnam and their commie ###'s that make everything so had, be prepared to pay some bribes as well, I was told.