thought i would share that my wife and i just got back from VietNam and we were at the "new-er" Airport (Tan Son Nhat).
it was really nice compaired to the "old" airport. it was cleaner, brighter and faster service than before.

Leaving was real easy. and we did not have any problems at all with Customs or Immigration Officers.

We flew on EVA Airlines (our first time on this airline company) and it went very smooth.

Seattle, Washington was our US Entry port and it only took 8 minutes from the plane to pass thru customs. My wife had no problems at all with US Customs. She showed them her VietNam passport and her "green card". That's it!

So, i thought i would share this. i have been reading some horror stories about Airports and Customs.

Take care all

david and xuan

I've heard many stories that the new airport is really nice. I'll be going back there next month so I'm really excited to see the new changes.

Quick question, did you and your wife get in the same line for US passport holder or separate line when entering POE, Seattle, Washington?

Should be the same. You only have to fill out one Customs Declaration Form per family.

same line in Seattle. actually that is what Seattle customs want you to do.
it was quick and easy. AND you only need to fill out only one Customs Claim Ticket

hope this helps...

David

Did you notice if any "VIETKIEU's" still tuck a $20 bill inside their passport for a faster speedier Custom Inspection in/out of Saigon like they have been doing for the past years?

I was do it for 2 years ago (not anymore). It was so funny, he asked me a lots of questions because I did not put a 5 dollars bill in my passport. Usually 5 dollars just less a 2 minutes, and it took me for 5 minutes. No need to put money in passport anymore.

I've never done that, just notice people do it because of rumor where VC will arrest you for no reason if you don't give them cash!

My trip in March (on United) thru the old terminal was late (3am) and there wasn't a problem tho he wasn't friendly. In September I flew EVA, the new teminal was great but still the woman Immigrantion Oficer wasn't friendly either. I guess it's the procedure.... all business.... I didn't see anyone putting money in their passports on either trip.

The new terminal is very nice (better than LAX) tho I wish they had a included a indoor waiting area for Thi and her family....... There's a roof now but when I left it was raining...


Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26
I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11
I-129F RFE(s) :
RFE Reply(s) :
I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26
Touched: 2007-11-02
NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

yeap, an indoor waiting with chairs would be nice

I made it through the new airport the first day they opened, September 1, granted it was one of the last flights of the day (United's 10:00 PM flight.) The experience was the smoothest ever, a thousand times faster than going through customs at San Francisco. The entire process took no more than ten minutes and I was the first one on my flight to leave the airport... Nope... no "grease money" either.