Ronnie&Hang

Many of us came here to be proactive not reactive... The HCMC consulate is one of the toughest and they have a different set of expectations that would be the case in other countries. Had you been better prepared from the onset, she would likely be here already... Now its a matter of waiting and learning how to play thier game...

oopps, that totally flew over my head.
You said that as if people do weddings for the sake of the visa process. We went with the K1 and I still wanted to do the "wedding" b/c of our traditions, of course all this was done after visa was in hand and we were 2 weeks away from leaving the country. Perhaps it was my ex's in the states who filled my head with crazy thoughts, but I've always thought weddings are special and a once-in-a-life-time thing for a couples, and even more so for the brides. With that in mind, I wanted to make her feel as special as I can during that day without going too crazy overboard.

But he's not spending 8k's on the party, look at his lengthy list of expenses. I doubt 8k's will be enough for that. I went there last April for my "wedding", my list of expense was very similar to that of OP's, minus relative's expenses and money for the wife to live on as she was coming back with me. After everything said and done I had over 10k's in the hole. I only had 2k's on me when I made my trip there, I used the ATM as I go in VN. I figured the $4 ATM charge (2$ from my bank and $2 from the ATM) was better than risking having $5k+ of cash on me, the total cost of using the ATM is also nowhere near the cost I would have paid Western Union to wire transfer $8k's.

Let me add one more thing so you can expect things in the future (I don't know when they will happen)
One day in the future, she will call you and let you know one of her family members get really sick and needs $$$ for medical expense. The beauty of this part of the game is she lets you "decide" the amount of $$$ you think "reasonable". If you have to ask us about the "minor" expense right now, I personally think you're NOT ready to play this game yet.
One day in the future, she will call you and let you know her motorbike got stolen and she no longer has a mean of transportation..........................................
Will you fly over there every single time to verify whether or not her story is true?
I'll ask you one more time, Have you thoroughly calculated whether or not you can AFFORD playing this overseas dating game?

Dau Que/Dai Gia does have his valid points. Some of us may have gotten lucky with genuine and in some cases country bumpkin girls who are happy with their lot in life but most are not.
It takes a lot of money for all the trips and fees and to take care of your girl when she gets here before she can start contributing.

Proof? What part of 95% of Vietnam (by the way, respect your birth country, Capitalized it) is bad from your quote is "bad", the people? Then why bother keep coming back to visit the country and its people?
I think you left out some important parts of that equation "The cheap money those people get paid in return for their service". You get what you paid for.
Lots of folks come back to VN for dental services and when they come back to the States, they eventually realize the "real" products that they've got. The service is cheap for a reason. Hopefully the potential consumers should have figured that one out on their own.

Hey Tim..for now go with Plan A like you proposed and provide all the docs to satisfy the RFE for USCIS. IMO..hopefully it should be fine.
At the Consulate stage, the 'wedding' photos should not be a significant issue. You will have an opportunity to address it at the interview if it ever comes up. I submitted a stack of wedding banquet photos to show both families participation. The CO went through it in front of me and included it in the file. We have no problem with that issue for our K1 case.
Don't stress out too much..One thing at the time, don't talk about jumping to CR1 just yet...even if it will work..good lucks!!!

Regarding photos & chat logs, just attach a representative sample that best convey the bona fide of your relationship..sending 700 photos and 3400 pages of chat logs at this stage is overkilled IMO..pick some at different states of your relationship and save the rest of them for the interview stage..
You guys are doing good in term of evidences..just relax and build on it as more time spend together. Concentrate to address the red flags if there is any that may arise..

Regarding photos & chat logs, just attach a representative sample that best convey the bona fide of your relationship..sending 700 photos and 3400 pages of chat logs at this stage is overkilled IMO..pick some at different states of your relationship and save the rest of them for the interview stage..
You guys are doing good in term of evidences..just relax and build on it as more time spend together. Concentrate to address the red flags if there is any that may arise..

Do not worry too much how she will communicate at the Consulate. They will provide VNese interpreter at the interview. Many with lack of English skills had passed. You should rather concern about how to convince them how she is communicating with you when you guys are together and far apart...that IMO is more signigicant.

I do not think you need one from Cambodia. From the Pkg 3 & 4 given out last year, PC from some countries are not available and was not needed.
The current Package 3&4 in the Consulatle website does not include that info but gives the link to some visa reciprocity info...
I attached here a Foreign PC page from last year Packages 3/4 for your reference...
PC2010.pdf

Pls open the first link...Pkg 3 is the Instruction package: telling you to prepare for the required docs and submit the DS-2001 & DS-230 Part1 forms to set up the interview.
Pkg 4 is the Appointment package: basically the same info, telling you your interview date is schuduled. There is also an Appointment letter for your interview, which you will need to set the ball rolling for your immunization and medical.

IMO, the only way to overcome this is to postpone your filing (if you've not filed already), and make time for a few more trips back so you guys can develope more of the relationship and build on your evidents...otherwise, you will face some tough times ahead..good lucks!!

Kevin, it's been a sad morning just catching up on your news..but hang in there, your journey is NOT over yet, you worked too hard for it...
You said Tuyen is still over here in SJ with her relatives. Please fly over here ASAP and talk it out with her. It will be best face to face, and if she won't come back to MN for some reasons..it will be your only chance and the sooner the better.
I live about an hour and half from SJ and go back to SJ every weekend to visit my family. If you fly over here, you're welcome to stay with me and I can take you down to SJ to see Tuyen.
Whatever you decide to do..I wish you the best nhe...
ps: Co gi nhan tin cho minh ok, se cho so dt de goi nchuyen them nhe..cheer up!!