The expensive visa trap marring trips to one of Australia's favourite places

Australian travelers say they are being hit with costly pay-or-stay fees before boarding flights to Vietnam due to confusion around the country’s official e-visa system. The article reports that dozens of passengers are blocked for minor discrepancies, then are routed to agents or officials who charge up to $600 for last-minute entry paperwork, and some must pay again upon arrival. The issue is described as leading to delays, missed flights, replacement tickets, lost tour or cruise days, and hotel cancellations. One case involves a graduate, Liv Slater, told at Bangkok check-in that an extra letter at the end of her surname made it “SlaterC.” Another traveler, Gillian Reid, said airline staff demanded an additional $US300–400 after a claimed typo on her partner’s standard $US25 90-day e-visa. Vietnam’s consulate general says problems mainly occur when travelers apply through third-party websites rather than the official government portal.