Everywhere I go, I have visa problems. When I went to Thailand, I was told "just get a tourist visa" and so I did but on a tourist visa you can only stay for 3 months and then you have to leave for 3 months. By shear luck, I got a 2 entry visa which meant I could stay for 2 3-month periods.
Now in Vietnam I am having problems again. I was again told to get a tourist visa so I got a C1 tourist visa which is good for 1 month in Chiang Mai but then I only stayed for a week before I went to the Philippines. I then had to get a new visa in Manila but waited until the last moment since we immediately headed to the hills. So, I then could only get a D tourist visa for 2 weeks. Now that I am in Hanoi, immigration tells me that I can get a 1 month tourist visa but it is very likely it won't be renewed because the D class visa means they don't like you. This I found out by bringing a Vietnamese guy, Tuan, with me.
Let me digress and tell you about Tuan. I met him and a western fellow named Sean at a restaurant called Little Hanoi. I struck up a conversation with Tuan while Sean was in the bathroom. Sean said that if I needed help finding an apartment or starting a business Tuan could help. So I got his number. After one day of trying to get a visa on my own, and getting multiple answers, I decided to contact Tuan for assistance. So, today we were going to meet at 2pm but at 9:15 he called and said to meet him. So, I did and then together we visited immigration. This is when I found out that class D means they hate you.
Now let me tell you a little bit about Sean, he is a white guy from somewhere in Europe but I haven't determined where. He is very forthcoming with connections. He suggested Tuan help me. He has given me names of club owners who can hook me into the party scene. He has given me names of artists and places to go. He also has suggestion business that would thrive in Hanoi.
Back to the visa issue, my hotels travel agency, all hotels here have them, claims they can get me a 6 month tourist visa for $200. True? Who knows. I talked to Tuan, and he says no and that I will lose my money. I talked to Marcus, the only other American that I know, says it is true and I should do it. At this point, I am so frustrated that I am ready to pack my bags and go to Cambodia.