Scheduled passport, visa services to continue amid US government shutdown: US embassy

At 0:00 on Wednesday (U.S. time), the U.S. government officially shut down for the first time in six years, as deep partisan divisions prevented Congress and the White House from reaching a funding deal.

In response to the situation, on the same day, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi issued an important announcement on its official Facebook page.

“Because of the lapse in appropriations, this Facebook account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information.”

The embassy added that the American Centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will be closed until further notice.

The government shutdowns in the U.S. have caused major disruptions in the past, CNN reported.

The shuttering of the federal government means that hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be furloughed, while others who are considered essential will have to keep reporting for work – though many will not get paid until the impasse ends.

Previous shutdowns have led to the cancelation of many immigration hearings, delays in federal loans for homebuyers and small businesses, among other impacts.

It remains unclear how long the government will stay shut. 

A prolonged situation could undermine consumer confidence and hinder economic growth.

The last shutdown started on December 22, 2018, and went until January 25, 2019 – 35 days, making it the longest government shutdown in more than four decades. It cost the U.S. an estimated US$3 billion in lost GDP.