Information for Singaporean travellers in HCMC

What can our Consular Officer assist in?

• Provide you with information, advice and consular assistance.

• Issue you with an emergency travel document if you have lost your Singapore passport overseas.
  Note: It is an immigration requirement that you report the loss of your passport to the local police and furnish our Mission with a copy of this report.

• Contact your relatives or friends to request them to send you emergency funds for your repatriation or other necessary emergency expenses.

• Notify your next-of-kin in the event you are injured abroad.

• Notify your next-of-kin in the event you are arrested or detained abroad.

• Visit a Singapore citizen who has been arrested or imprisoned abroad and monitor that due process under the judicial system of that country is accorded to him or her.

• Help to obtain a list of officially registered local lawyers and translation services, where this is available.

• Help in arranging for the remains and personal belongings of a deceased Singaporean to be returned to Singapore.

• Help you during emergencies such as natural disasters or civil disorder in the foreign country.

What can our Consular Officer not assist in?

• Pay your medical, hospital, legal, accommodation, travel or other bills.

• Provide loans or cash your cheques.

• Post bails or pay fines on your behalf.

• Intervene in the judicial process of a foreign country or ignore local laws.

• Intervene in or act as an intermediary in disputes which are of a civil or commercial nature.

• Provide legal advice or initiate court proceedings on your behalf.

• Act as your guarantor or sponsor.

• Arrange for your accommodation or for your employment.

• Provide translation, mail-forwarding, telephone, fax/telex or other personal services.

For more information, please visit: Consular Services

What should you do while in Vietnam

• Obey the laws and respect the local customs.

• Take extra care of your passport and other documents of identification and keep them in a safe place. Please carry photocopies of your passport and NRIC and keep your NRIC separately from your passport.

• Don’t carry too much cash or other valuables.

• Always take care of personal safety and security.

• Never carry packages through customs on behalf of other people.

• Ensure you have adequate travel insurance.

• If you plan to drive/ride in Vietnam, make sure you know the local transport rules. Vietnam observes right-hand traffic, with motor vehicles being being left-hand drive. Be sure to carry your valid Singapore driver’s licence and Vietnamese driving licence. (Note: International driving licence is not recognized here, you would need to convert a translated version of the Singapore driving licence with the local authorities, in person. This process can take about two weeks to a month. Motor insurance coverage is mandatory.)

• Stay in touch with your family in Singapore and inform them of any change in your itinerary or contact details.

What should you do if arrested

• If you are arrested and charged with a criminal offence when you are in Southern Vietnam, remain calm and co-operative. Engage a lawyer to advise you on your rights.

• Request the authorities to inform the Consulate-General. Ask your relatives and friends to contact the Consulate-General or the Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore.

What should you do if you lose your money and valuables

• Make a police report at the local police station which is in-charge of the area where the incident occurred at (please check with hotel staff) and obtain a statement about the loss (in English – which you may write on your own but the original report must be stamped by the local police),

• Check with your insurance company what other documents are required,

• Arrange for funds to be remitted to you from your family/friends through a interbank transfer or money remittance agency (eg Western Union, OCBC, UOB, etc),

• Contact the Consulate-General if you need consular assistance.

• In an emergency (eg accident), you can arrange for your family/friends to remit funds to you through MFA.

For information on travel notices, please visit: Travel Tips