What experiences do people have with canceling a DTV visa at the Los Angeles Embassy?

Vietnam does NOT have a visa beyond 90 days. Need to do a BORDER BOUNCE every 90 days.

Why would you wanna cancel your valid visa? Having a visa in 1 country doesn't negate you the opportunity to get another visa in the same country or another country. I wouldn't cancel my dtv visa unless I wanna apply for a different visa in Thailand.

Up to you, but you are making it harder on yourself. Farang think too much.

There may be a little confusion about the "extension" the DTV is issued for a 5 year period - that does not change (unless I imagine if you violate its rules and it is rescinded). The rule about length of stay is each entry gives you 180 days - you then have a choice - leave for a time and return - upon return you get another 180 days - OR you can apply for an extention of another 180 days - thus allowing you 360 days of continuous presence in Thailand. The process is similar to a full new application - many choose to just leave and return. As others have pointed out you can go somewhere in the region for a day, weekend, etc and return. So no need to cancel it or relocated to VN while getting another Visa. The Visa offerings can be confusing, it might be helpful to speak with a reputable agent to understand your options and get your questions answered by a profeessional before you make such big changes. Good luck with getting it all as you hope.

Retirement allows OP to stay in Thailand continuously and open a bank account easily.

Other than that, as others have suggested, the DTV is very easy to maintain.

Maybe I’ve been in Thailand too long but I’ve dealt with immigration too many times to ever think an extension is a good use of my time when there are 1-2 hour flights all over the region that can act as mini holidays and reset the 180 days.

Thai retirement visa is easy. Add multiple reentry stamp

Wow man, you are over complicating your life. After 6 months on your DTV just fly to the cheapest destination outside Thailand and take the first plane back. Your cat won’t even know you were gone 👍

Vietnam makes you leave for new visa every 3 months. Not a good trade.

Its not difficult to dip in and out every 6 months, if anything it gets you off your couch lol

The path of least resistance is your friend when dealing with Thai (or any) immigration.

You already have a valid visa and there's no guarantee that you will get the retirement Visa that you want to apply for, or that you'll get it on the timeline that you expect, and the process of applying for and maintaining that Visa is (to my understanding) onerous af.

You already have a valid visa and the only thing you need to do to keep it is spend an afternoon Kuala Lumpur or Hanoi or [insert regional hub] once every 6 months. Visa maintenance does not get any easier than that.

The DTV is probably the most low maintenance long-term visa you're ever going to have -- especially in Thailand.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

Making things hard for yourself lol

Why don't you just exit for a day or two, then come back, and sort the new visa later, like, after 4 years?