I have a question for anyone having experience with obtaining a vietnamese passport or know the laws governing this kind of document. I applied and payed $300 for a first time passport a couple months before I came to Vietnam hoping it would come in time before I left, it did not. I've been patiently waiting for it and have called the office in DC to check up on it with no avail. I just called to check on it and the woman said it still has not arrived and sometimes can take 6-7 months. She said she would call my cell when it arrived, I explained to her that I am currently in Vietnam and she seemed shocked, and said they will NOT send me my passport to my address in the US until I go back into the US. As I try to ask why and get more info, she abruptly hung up...bunch of effin' slackers over there in DC, can't believe they get salary and benefits with the slacking that goes on there but that is another story for another day. So yeah, can anyone confirm this is legitimate process!? Is it possible to somehow obtain my passport in HCMC when I go down there? So perplexed...any help or info would be appreciated.