The tourist, Hoang Huong, has not said why she is apprehensive in her mail to the Read Q&A section this month, but it came after Read published an article about a Vietnamese tourist having his Australian visa canceled after work messages were found on his phone.

The Vietnamese tourist in the earlier report was stopped at Sydney International Airport while entering with a tourist visa since he raised suspicions by returning to Australia after earlier staying there for three months and visiting Vietnam for just two weeks. The case was featured in episode 14 (“The Big Haul,” part 16) of “Border Security: Australia’s Front Line,” an Australian factual TV program that aired on the Seven Network last September.

Further checks by immigration officers uncovered text messages discussing restaurant work, including requests for leave and wage payments. Confronted with the evidence, the man admitted he had worked illegally during his previous visit, earning around AUD150.

Traveling independently and staying with a friend, he is particularly worried about communication barriers during the entry process.

He asked the Read Q&A section several questions this month, seeking guidance from tourism experts on how to navigate his multiple concerns.

First, he asks how officers from the Australian Border Force decide whether to inspect personal electronic devices, and whether such checks are random or triggered by specific behavioral cues during interviews.

He then wants to know if his limited English skills and reliance on a friend for accommodation and transportation could be perceived as suspicious, and seeks clarification about other issues that might lead possibly neurotic authorities to question a visitor’s intent.

Finally, he asks about procedures during secondary inspection, including whether he would be allowed to contact his friend directly if communication difficulties arise, and what steps he should take to avoid misunderstandings that could affect his entry.

Pham Anh Vu, deputy general director of Du Lich Viet Company, tries to clarify his doubts.

As a person with many years of experience organizing tours to Australia, Vu says he can provide an assurance that travelers using a Subclass 600 visa for genuine tourism face a low risk of having their visa cancelled.

Entry is typically only denied when travelers make careless remarks, provide false declarations or show evidence of possibly violating the conditions of their stay.

Australian laws allow immigration officers to search phones merely on suspicion.

It occurs when officers allegedly detect irregularities such as a long history of stay, frequent returns, weak finances, hesitant answers, or illogical flight or accommodation information, he says.

Even travelers visiting Australia for legitimate tourism purposes face the risk of visa cancellation or deportation if they carry prohibited food items such as pork that could spread disease without declaring them.

Asking acquaintances in Australia for accommodation is common among Vietnamese, but immigration officers may become suspicious if tourists cannot demonstrate a clear relationship with their host or provide clear itineraries, and instead rely entirely on friends to arrange their trip or have insufficient funds while planning to stay for an extended period at a place associated with a farm or business.

To avoid problems, Vietnamese need to carry documentation that supports their travel purpose, including records of normal conversations and photos with the host, an invitation letter clearly stating the host’s address and confirming they will provide only accommodation and meals and not employment, a personal financial statement consistent with one’s travel plan, a printed itinerary in English or Vietnamese with departure and return dates as well as sightseeing locations.

If officers have concerns, a Vietnamese visitor may be taken to a private room for questioning, asked to submit their passport, wait, and answer detailed questions about their trip purpose, travel history, acquaintances, finances, and nature of work in Vietnam.

If a violation is detected, officers may issue a notice proposing cancellation of the visa, but the visitor will get the opportunity to explain before a final decision is made.

A visitor taken to a private room needs to remain calm, follow instructions and respond concisely and factually.

If one has limited English, they should politely request the officers to speak slowly and use pen and paper or printed materials to communicate instead of attempting to do so orally, which could lead to mistakes.

If the purpose is genuine tourism, and there is no history of illegal immigration or false declarations, one can confidently enter the country.