How much time should I prepare for when applying for a DTV in Vietnam before returning to Thailand?

Some people took them 2 months

Ideally, give yourself enough time. But if you return to Thailand before your DTV is issued, it will NOT aotomatically get cancelled. It is very likely any embassy would not even be aware that you meanwile traveled out of their juristiction / or even back to Thailand for that matter. Only problem that could arise, is if they decide that you are a case to be invited for an in-person interview. That is why many embassies ADVISE to remain in their country of justistiction until the visa is finally issued. Only embassy I know of that speaks of cancellation in that case is London - and I still think they have it wrong.

At least 2 weeks, but your application might get denied also since so many are denied in Vietnam lately. So also take in consideration returning to Thailand without visa

Vietnam is a nice place to visit, and not just to get your dtv. Your new telak won't run off with someone else while you are gone so don't stress it. In fact there is nothing wrong with taking her with.

I initially was considering Hanoi but and am thinking of changing to Laos, any comments or afvice ?

I am reading too many bad reports from Hanoi these days, i guess they are over worked

To be safe, buy your ticket out of Vietnam after your visa is approved. You do need to put a flight date in the application but you can just put in a scheduled flight into Thailand, with any airline, say 3 weeks after you file your application. The visa process time varies widely from person to person, and depends if the Embassy requires further information from you or not. And be prepared for the Embassy to check you are still in Vietnam, several days into your application process. Most likely they will ask you to send pictures of every page in your passport, including all the blank pages. This way they can be certain you are still in Vietnam

I gave myself a month and then made it a flex ticket. Process took me 3 weeks in HCMC

Minimum of 14 days, a friend recently applied there and that is what it took her to get approval. It may take longer however

Been in Hanoi. Visa was approved in 5 weekdays. I booked beforehand for a week and stated in the docs to the embassy I will stay till visa is issued and would postpone the flight if neccessary.

When you apply for the Vietnam visa give yourself extra time (you don't need proof of flights for visa application).

I'd allow atleast 2 weeks, and ideally book a flexible flight incase you need to stay (or be willing to wear the cost).

You need to stay there until you recieve the DTV, there are a handful of cases where people did reenter Thailand and still get their DTV but if the embassy realises you will be rejected/denied.

Just buy your ticket after you secure your DTV 🤔