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[RealityCheck]

Hi Guys..... Good new's!
My partner and I have the oportunity of pulling the Civil Partnership date forward, so we're now planning the first trip to HCMC in September.   

Can anyone recommend one or more gay friendly hotels (in HCMC) to stay the 9 nights?

Many Thanks.

[chaoclive]

Hi guys

I'm interested in finding out what kind of visas those of you who registered a CP in Vietnam (Hanoi or Ho Chi Min City) used to enter the country?  I'm British and my partner is Chinese - do we both just need to apply for a normal tourist visa for Vietnam? I guess this is the case as the CP is not actually anything to do with Vietnam itself (it's a UK issue right?)

Is this correct?

Thanks so much
C

[Krit]

The following is an interesting excerpt from the official website of the Finnish Foreign Ministry. It's under "Countries: Thailand: Good to know" and written by the Finnish Embassy in Bangkok, document last updated 10 January 2011.

The translation is mine.

"Registered Partnership
A union between persons of the same sex is also considered official in Thailand, if the partnership is official and legal according to the laws of the originating country. In Thailand's relevant legislation, men and women are not specifically mentioned but the word "spouse" is used. [note: the Embassy uses the English word "spouse" in this text.] If persons living in a registered partnership are considered to be spouses, their gender is irrelevant. However, in Thailand it is not possible for two people of the same sex to marry or register their partnership."

http://formin.finlan...1&culture=fi-FI

Is this true? I don't think the Embassy and Foreign Ministry would lightly write whatever in their country files. Does anyone have experience of this? Could a registered partnership be used to apply for a Thai marriage visa, for example?

[SweatiePie]

CC, correct; a number of British and Thai friends of mine have registered their CPs in Vietnam and in all cases the Brits used tourist visas.

Krit, no this is not correct. No same sex marriage/civil partnership is recognised in Thailand, so none have any legal base here nor can they be used to apply for a marriage visa, etc. The only possible relevance is where the foreign partner dies intestate and the other partner has to establish his position as the next of kin, but this would in any case be dependent on the Embassy of the country concerned who are automatically consulted in such cases. If it were the Thai partner who died intestate then anything in Thailand in their name would go to their next of kin under Thai law - this would not, under current legislation, include a foreign civil partner/spouse.

[fleeing]

Just a little information update. Some of the original info is a little unclear or changed.

The translation of the Thai Certificate of No Impediment does not have to be certified by the British Embassy. Certification by the Thai Foreign Ministry is sufficient.

According to Sunbelt Asia this process can take between 3 and 5 days!

For those unable or unwilling to hang around Bangkok for so long waiting for this certification, Sunbelt Asia are able to provide translation and certification for a fee (Baht3210 plus Baht400 Govt.fee). Please avoid discussion of this fee here (TV Rules!!!) but suggestions of alternatives are welcome.

Entry stamps to Vietnam are accepted as proof of length of stay by the Consulate in Saigon, which must be 7 full days not including day of arrival or day of application.

Registration (of Civil Partnership) is first possible after 14 full days (previously reported as 3 weeks) not including day of application.

Witnesses (2) provided by the Consulate cost VND734,000 or US$36 per witness. It is of course possible to supply your own witnesses, provided they are 18 years or older and 'of full capacity to act as a witness'.

If you need more than one copy of the registration certificate, it will cost VND2,203,000 or US$107 per copy.

This information comes from the very helpful U.K. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and Sunbelt Asia, Bangkok.

My thai partner and I will hopefully register in April this year and I will be reporting back on any new insights gained.

Edited by fleeing, 2011-03-03 17:07:36.