Scarborough couple left stranded in Vietnam after return flight cancelled amid Middle East conflict

Barbara and Kevin Bussey, who are both in their 70s, arrived in Vietnam expecting to have the holiday of a lifetime – but what they got was a comedy of errors nightmare leaving them trapped in a stifling room in Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City, unsure how they would get home.

The Cayton couple’s bad luck started when their return flight to Doha, Qatar, on Sunday, March 1 was cancelled. They found this out a few days early by chatting to the pilot, who happened to enter a hotel lift at the same time as them.

Barbara said: “We decided to travel to the airport as per ticket when check-in opened, to get an update on information.

“We were given a form relating to the problem and offering a full refund or an alteration of flight.”

However there were no flights available for the couple to alter to, and they were advised this must be done within 14 days.

Problems increased for Barbara and Kevin when their Visa expired at midnight on Sunday, March 1, by which time the couple should have been back in the UK.

Barbara said: “We went to immigration in the airport to ask for an extension, but they weren’t helpful and told us to go to immigration in HCM City.

“We couldn’t do this as it was Sunday and they were closed.

“Our hotel couldn’t extend our stay as they need to see a visa date and we would be checking out after it expired.

“After the manager took a photocopy of a letter provided by Qatar they did book us for one night after checking with the police.”

On Monday, March 2, the couple travelled to immigration in HCM City, where an officer took a photo of the same letter, leaving the room on his phone.

Five minutes later he returned and refused them a Visa extension, stating they were ‘illegal overstayers’ and to go to the British Consul in HCM City.

Barbara continued: “After ringing the number outside for Emergency Assistance, we were met with a recorded message saying closed and giving advice for Covid 19. This was 9.20am with a crisis across the region.”

After arguing on the pavement with security for 45 minutes with no-one offering to help, tensions were running high.

“Eventually we did get to speak on the phone to Alex in the Embassy who suggested getting a flight out of the country and coming back, to automatically get a Visa renewal stamp.

“Although she said there were flights to Thailand and other nearby countries on Skyscanner, in reality, they were all fully booked.

“After a few tears and asking what they were actually there for if it wasn’t to help UK citizens with problems, we were taken into the interview room and a letter in both Vietnamese and English was prepared by the Vice Consul and handed to us, hopefully allowing us to further book the hotel.

“The Vice Consul, who was very nice and sympathetic, said they were ‘limited’ as to what they can do in this communist country.

“The letter allowed us to book three nights.” At 3pm on March 2, the couple returned to immigration and were refused a Visa extension again. The desk officer said she was aware of the situation but had received no government directives so could do nothing.

Barbara said: “Tuesday 3, we were sitting relaxing by the pool, worrying about expired insurance, leaving our home unattended, maxing our credit card and where we would stay after our booking expires .

“As a bonus, our medication had run out but thankfully it is easily available and cheap.”

They have managed to secure a flight to China on March 12, with two changes in China then to Paris.

Barbara said: “Our hotel has booked us in till our departure but are a bit twitchy about it as police have asked again if we have a Visa!

“Although frustrated, upset at present, we will be laughing at this in a few months, I’m sure and it will be an unforgettable holiday – next year Primrose Valley Filey!”