Answereda year ago
What should I do if my passport stamps are smudged from water damage before traveling to Vietnam?
Hi all - I was supposed to be going to Hanoi today to submit my DTV application but delayed last minute because, thanks to the incessant rain in Bangkok, my passport got wet and the ink from one of my stamps has ran through to the next page.
I've previously been denied entry to Vietnam because my photo page was damaged...has anyone got any experienced with smudgey stamps like this?
Thanks!
I've previously been denied entry to Vietnam because my photo page was damaged...has anyone got any experienced with smudgey stamps like this?
Thanks!
Answer summary
The original poster is concerned about water damage to their passport due to rain, which has smudged some of the stamps. They fear that this might cause issues when applying for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) in Vietnam, as they have been denied entry to Vietnam in the past due to damage on their passport. Community members share their experiences with water-damaged passports, suggesting that as long as the main data page is intact, there may not be any issues. However, many advise getting a new passport to avoid complications. Additional tips include protecting the passport from water in the future and the possibility of using emergency travel documents if necessary.
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Anonymous ******************
Yes I've entered hcmc with smudged stamp pages before. As long as it's not on the biodata or the visa page, you should be fine
Laurent *****
I wouldn't want to worry you, as many people travel with damaged passports like this, if it's just a few pages with a stamp, you can just dry them out, but if the whole passport has been damaged ... it's important to note that this is unpredictable, and will depend on the country or the immigration officer who receives you. In absolute terms, if the NFC data stored in the passport is still legible, it will be easier, but there are some who will be refused entry. In the worst case, set aside the time it takes for the embassy to intervene, the wisest thing to do would be to contact the embassy.
Henrik *****
Go ask at the nearest Immigration office.
Vitico ********
I think this is a good time to remind everyone to keep your passport inside a plastic/ziplock bag. Also don’t forget to use a pencil (not pen) and fill in the emergency contact info page, in case you lose your passport and someone finds it, they will know how to contact you.
Kasia ********
I had a similar situation with mosquito spray exploding in my bag and entered Vietnam no problem. Good luck!
Anonymous ******************
Nothing like evading accountability and blaming someone/something else for your carelessness.
Your passport got damaged because YOU didn’t look after it properly.
Clearly you never learnt the last time about the importance of looking after your passport.
Your passport got damaged because YOU didn’t look after it properly.
Clearly you never learnt the last time about the importance of looking after your passport.
Sujy *********
ผู้มีส่วนร่วมที่ไม่ระบุตัวตน 890 Being anonymous show cowardness. Meaning saying things that you would not say if you were not anonymous. It mean that the credibility is lost, therefore cannot tell between trolling and genuine advice. Like being a sexist, for example. It's something that coward do with a random profile picture, but when it's time to show their face, they suddenly act like cute little puppy. People who act decenly don't need to be anonymous, regardless of their job. But people who act like horrible person need to be anonymous to avoid repercussion, which circle back to cowardness. Assume your words, hiding your identity mean you are not confident in yourself and what you are claiming.
Adam *********
Anonymous participant 890 nobody cares about you being ‘incorrect or not factual’. It’s the fact you’re a man child.
Why would immigration care that you are trying to do their job by trying to lecture people?
Why would immigration care that you are trying to do their job by trying to lecture people?
Amber *******
OPAnonymous participant 890 nothing like leaving an anonymous scathing comment 👍 grow a pair
David *******
It is not thanks to the rain but thanks to your poor care of your passport. Grow up and take responsibility for your own negligence.
Anonymous ******************
@David ******
and not her first time ether, as she mentions she ran into problems before!
Biff *******
It’s a departure stamp from last year and it’s still legible.
As long as that’s the only damage you should be fine.
Speak to the airline check in staff. They’ll know if it’s ok or not.
As long as that’s the only damage you should be fine.
Speak to the airline check in staff. They’ll know if it’s ok or not.
Alana ******
I had something like this happen to my passport 3 years ago… didn’t bother getting a new one. Traveled loads in this time and only been questioned once about it in Malaysia. I think you’ll be fine as long as the main page with your data is okay.
Amber *******
OP@Alana *****
ooh I don’t know. Vietnam are so strict… 🙈Greg ********
@Amber ******
I have heard they are strict too but no direct experience. Is it a British passport? I asked last week about a new one and was told around 3 week turnaround from VFS in Thailand.
Arnold *****
@Amber ******
if you want it to be really smooth, you could also put in $5 or $10 bill in your passport when you hand it to them.
Anonymous ******************
Never had issues with water stains, had far worse than this without issue. Its more tears and rips they have issues with
John *********
Previously denied entry because it was damaged, what kind of damage, must have been severe?🤔
John *********
What were you doing with your passport in the rain, it's the most important document and needs protecting at all times.. anyway can't see what the problem is, just don't highlight the issue going through immigration 🤫
Wesley ********
I’ve had water stains that weren’t a problem. As long as it didn’t affect the integrity of the data page, that being said you can only try. Because if they won’t accept it, the path to a new passport takes a while! And isn’t cheap
Adrian ******
@Andy *********
yep,mines always in a ziplok bag.i do lot of cycle touring so it's second nature to me now even when I'm not on my bike.
Wannikea *********
@Andy *********
Seriously who doesn't...
Anonymous ******************
I once had a passport that had heavier water stains than this (stamps were smudged beyond oblivion) and still managed to travel across multiple continents without any issue for years, I did get some officers telling me to change my passport though.
It’s definitely best to get it replaced because you’ll never know when you’ll bump into an officer who’s having a bad day.
It’s definitely best to get it replaced because you’ll never know when you’ll bump into an officer who’s having a bad day.
Arnold *****
Seems minor to me.
Mart ****
@Arnold ****
I agree both pages are legible.
Anonymous ******************
Such a terrible turn of events. Newer passports will sometimes have a biodata page that is plastic or polymer to prevent water damage. Get a new one to avoid any issues when entering or exiting a country as it looks like you travel a lot. Oh, theres also plastic covers that prevent wear and are water resistant.
Mark *********
Mainly due to rips in the passport—that could actually pass as the result of the officer using an overly inked stamp.
Anonymous ******************
In Vietnam you can use one milion " ong cu ho" to enter.
Kieran *******
Get a 1 day passport from the embassy will be costly
Stuart *********
@Kieran ******
British Embassy don’t handle passport renewals. There is no option to fast track a British passport from over here.
Dany ********
@Stuart ********
they will surely give you an ETD (emergency travel document). thats what the poster meant.Greg ********
@Kieran ******
Which Embassy even issues passports these days never mind 1 day turnaround?Wesley ********
@Greg *******
emergency passports.Greg ********
@Wesley *******
Apart from one-way travel home, some countries do let you in for specific reasons. A family of 4 lost their UK passports in Cambodia in the first few weeks of their round-the-world trip. They thought they would have to get back to UK to apply again (No VFS in Cambodia then. The Brit Embassy issued the ETD for them, which allowed a TR from Thai Embassy in PP. They travelled to Bangkok and applied for new passports here at VFS - major inconvenience avoided.Wesley ********
@Greg *******
yes I agree. It doesn’t make sense for this caseGreg ********
@Wesley *******
An ETD is no good for this case though is it - be absolutely no fecking use at all.
Seokhee ******
I think you should make new passport about new DTV visa and wet passport can't scan chip barcode by immigration
Anonymous ******************
You’ll have to get a new passport.
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