
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Vietnam
============================================================
VIETNAM - WARNING
 February 14, 1992

Summary:   The United States does not maintain diplomatic or
consular relations with Vietnam.  Consequently, the United States
Government is not in a position to accord normal consular protective
services to U.S. citizens in Vietnam, and serious consideration
should be given before traveling to Vietnam.  Foreign visitors to
Vietnam have been arbitrarily arrested or detained for activities
that would not be considered crimes in the United States.  Americans
of Vietnamese ancestry may be considered dual nationals and subject
to laws which impose special obligations upon Vietnamese nationals.
A U.S. trade embargo severely restricts financial and economic
transactions with Vietnam.  A recent easing of travel restrictions
now permits U.S. travel agents to arrange hotel accommodations,
ground transportation, local tours and similar travel activities in
Vietnam.  End Summary.

U.S. passports are valid for travel to Vietnam. Because the United
States and Vietnam do not have diplomatic relations, travelers
should arrange for visas ahead of time at a Vietnamese Embassy in
the city from which they are embarking for Vietnam.

An increasing number of Americans travel to Vietnam.  Most have no
problems; however, Vietnamese authorities have detained a few
Americans and other foreigners without charges or for activities
that would not be considered crimes in the United States.  Some of
those detained have been held incommunicado for months without any
contact with U.S. authorities or their families.  There have been
cases where release from confinement was contingent on the payment
of a large fine.

Travelers should arrive with a proper visa.  Once in country,
visitors should comply with conditions of entry, including place and
duration of stay.  Visitors can also reduce risks of detention by
avoiding involvement in politics or unsanctioned religious
activities while in Vietnam and by declining to carry papers that
are political or of unknown content.

The Vietnamese security apparatus may place American visitors under
surveillance simply because they are foreign.  Visitors who fail to
keep their documentation fully in order or who engage in activities
deemed suspicious may be detained, along with their Vietnamese
contacts, relatives, and friends. The Vietnamese authorities do not
always inform the U.S. Government of arrests, nor can they be
counted on to provide access to American citizens under detention.

Dual Citizens:  U.S. citizens who were born in Vietnam or are
former citizens of Vietnam, and the children of such persons, may be
dual nationals and may therefore be subject to all Vietnamese laws
that impose special obligations upon Vietnamese nationals, such as
military service, taxes, etc.  Under no circumstances should U.S.
citizens accept travel documents that identify them as citizens of
Vietnam.  Specific questions on dual nationality may be directed to
the office of Citizens Consular Services, Department of State,
Washington, D.C. 20520.

U.S. Treasury Regulations:  Individuals are authorized to travel on
their own to Vietnam without special permission from the U.S.
Treasury Department.  Travelers may spend money in Vietnam only to
purchase items related to travel, such as hotel accommodations,
meals and goods for personal consumption.  Travelers are restricted
to a per-diem of $200 per day, excluding international and intercity
transportation and international telecommunication expenses.
Treasury regulations prohibit the use of credit and other charge
cards in Vietnam.  A traveler returning from Vietnam may bring back
into the United States as accompanied baggage $100 worth of
merchandise in non-commercial quantities, as well as informational
materials without limitation.  Because a U.S. trade embargo
prohibits business dealings with Vietnam, purchases of other goods
or services unrelated to travel are prohibited.  Receipts should be
kept to document any goods purchases in Vietnam and those receipts
should be available for U.S. Customs officials when entry is made
into the United States.

As a part of the U.S. normalization process with Vietnam, the U.S.
Treasury Department amended its Foreign Assets Control Regulations
on December 17, 1991, to permit U.S. travel agents and others to
arrange hotel accommodations, ground transportation, local tours and
similar travel activities within Vietnam.  The regulations continue,
however, to prohibit direct flights between the United States and
Vietnam as well as flights into or out of Vietnam by U.S. registered
aircraft and aircraft controlled by persons subject to U.S.
jurisdiction.  The opening of offices by U.S. persons also remains
prohibited.

This advisory provides only general guidance regarding Department
of Treasury regulations.  Individuals contemplating travel to
Vietnam are encouraged to contact the Department of Treasury at the
following address for further information:

Licensing Section
Office of Foreign Assets Control
Department of the Treasury
Washington, D.C.  20220
Telephone:  (202) 535-9449, Fax:  (202) 377-7222

 No. 92-025

This replaces the travel advisory dated July 12, 1991 to reflect an
easing of travel restrictions under the U.S. embargo.

