COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR THOMAS PICKERING FELLOW TABARI

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 000436 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EAP/MLS BLACKSHAW AND BROWN EAP/EX GAIL LAWRENCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT APER VM SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR THOMAS PICKERING FELLOW TABARI DOSSETT REF: State 056392 ¶1. Consulate Ho Chi Minh City warmly welcomes and grants country clearance for Thomas Pickering Fellow Tabari Dossett to travel to Ho Chi Minh City on June 13, 2009. ¶2. Ho Chi Minh City Sponsor: Dovas Saulys, Economic Officer Tel: (84-8)3520-4442 Cell: (090) 305-9677 Fax: (84-8)3520-4227 Unclass E-mail: SaulysDA@state.gov Economic Officer Dovas Saulys and a Consulate vehicle will meet Mr. Dossett at the airport, please contact Mr. Saulys with any changes to Mr. Dossett's itinerary. ¶3. Diplomatic/Official Entry Visas: USG Employees seeking to conduct official business under the auspices of the U.S. Mission to Vietnam are required, repeat required, to follow Post guidance in obtaining appropriate diplomatic/official entry visas. Prospective USG travelers must fax (84-4-3850-5010) their visa applications (may be downloaded from the Vietnamese Embassy website in the U.S.) and passport bio-pages to the Human Resources Office of the Embassy at least 15 business days before their expected departure date for assistance in obtaining appropriate visas. Embassy Hanoi may withhold country clearance if potential USG travelers do not obtain the correct visa in the appropriate manner. Please contact the Embassy Human Resources Officer at (84)(4) 3850-5000 (extension 7133),if you have any questions or concerns regarding this process. Travelers should also carry a copy of their visa application with an original photo attached to it, as Vietnamese Customs Officials may ask for it upon arrival. ¶4. Security Information: a) Cities in Vietnam have the typical crime problems of other large cities throughout the world. Pickpockets and petty crime occur and appear to be increasing; though violent crimes such as armed robbery are still relatively rare in Vietnam. Drug use is becoming more and more of a problem in Vietnam. The Embassy recommends that travelers use only metered taxis. Traffic in Vietnam can appear chaotic and there is a real threat of being involved in a traffic or pedestrian accident. Pedestrians unaccustomed to walking across the street in Hanoi, HCMC or other Vietnamese cities should be extra cautious. b) Recently people flying through Hanoi's airport have been subject to a scam involving fraudulent contract drivers who may address them by name. USG personnel, if not met by an Embassy driver with an Embassy badge, will be met by a contract driver who will have a printed sheet with their name and Embassy seal on it. Personnel should also confirm before entering the vehicle where the driver is taking them. c) Vietnamese security personnel may place foreign visitors under surveillance. Hotel rooms, telephone conversations, fax transmissions, and e-mail communications may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched. ¶5. Electronic Devices in the Embassy: The Embassy and Consulate General strictly control the entry of laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAS) and other electronic devices into Embassy and Consulate General facilities. If you plan to bring official electronic equipment to Post, please advise the control officer and the RSO of the equipment, make/model, and serial or other control number in your request for country clearance. Providing this information in advance will speed the entry of the equipment into the Embassy and Consulate General. Upon arrival, the Information Management Specialist or the Regional Security Office must inspect all laptop computers before entering Embassy or Consulate General facilities. Personally owned or unapproved USG equipment (which includes all PDA's, cell phones, and pagers) - may not enter the controlled access areas. ¶6. Transiting through China: If you plan to transit via China, you will need a Chinese transit visa or you will not be boarded on your outward bound flight from Vietnam. DICKEY