What Is the Process for Obtaining an ED Visa in Ho Chi Minh City for Studying Thai?

Got my ED visa in HCMC (USA citizen, visa for studying Thai).

Advice: apply early for Vietnam visa, and bring bank statements.

I went to HCMC (Ho Chi Minh or Sài Gòn) to get my ED visa for learning Thai. My school (Duke) made a big packet for me and advised me to bring 3 months if bank statements showing I have some money, as well as the police report (police report takes a long time, fortunately HCMC doesn't need it).

I applied for an e-visa for Vietnam. They claim "within 3 working days". It took 5. I wasted two flight reservations waiting for it, so advice is don't get flights until you have a printed visa in hand. Last minute flights seem to be just as cheap as the ones in advance, so forget all your lessons learned buying flights in America.

I stayed in a cheap but quite nice hotel (serviced apartments) in Bến Thành. Close enough for a 30 minute walk to the consulate, nice area.

I got to the consulate 40 minutes early. Was the only person waiting for 30 of those. No need to get there too far in advance. About 15 people total by the time it opened. Wait by green gate.

Application: fill in beforehand, use self for guarantor. They supply glue to attach your photo. Bring a photo and $80 US in new-ish bills. Bank statements tripped up a lot of people. I was out in 15 minutes, mostly waiting for the glue.

Come back next day at 13:30. Only person there until 5-10 minutes early. Interview, lots of questions. Came back at 14:30 and picked up visa.

Flew that night to DMK, arrived at 1:00 (!). Immigration was a total non issue. He didn't bat an eye at the visa, stamp and go. He did get super excited and a huge smile when I said ขอบคุณครับ 555. I think he is a Thai that was a little tired of the rush of Chinese tourists.

I would have liked to stay in Vietnam a few more days. So many differences from Thailand. Learned some awful Vietnamese phrases, listened to some nice Vietnamese music.