Vietnam Visa Run: Unlocking New Adventures in Vietnam

Are you looking to extend your time in Vietnam without the complexity of a visa extension? A Vietnam visa run might be your perfect answer! This straightforward procedure involves a quick trip to a nearby country, allowing you to re-enter Vietnam with a fresh Vietnam visa. Whether you’re in bustling Hanoi or vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, our comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential details—from the necessary documents to the best destinations for your visa run. Learn how to navigate this efficient process and make the most of your travel experience in Vietnam!

What is a Vietnam visa run?

A Vietnam visa run is a strategy used by foreigners to extend their stay in Vietnam without applying for a costly visa extension. Instead of extending the visa, individuals make a brief trip to a neighboring country such as Laos, Cambodia, China, or Thailand and stay for a few hours or days before returning to Vietnam on a new visa. This process must be completed before the current visa expires.

Why visa run?

While a visa run requires foreigners to briefly exit and re-enter Vietnam to obtain a new visa and stay duration, it offers several advantages:

Simple Process and Lower Cost: Extending a visa often involves finding a Vietnamese sponsor or going through a local agency, which can be expensive and require complex administrative procedures. A visa run provides a more straightforward and affordable option to extend your stay in Vietnam, with a new visa and renewed duration.
Flexible Options: Visa extensions may limit the number of entries or the length of stay. In contrast, a visa run allows you to secure a completely new visa, often valid for 1 to 3 months, with the choice of single or multiple entries.

Where Can You Do a Visa Run from Vietnam?

There are two main ways to complete a visa run from Vietnam:

Via Vietnam’s international airports
Via land border crossings

Below is a list of 24 checkpoints where you can perform a visa run from Vietnam:

Airports	Land borders
Noi Bai International Airport – Hanoi	Bo Y Landport (to Laos)
Tan Son Nhat International Airport – HCMC	Cha Lo Landport (to Laos)
Da Nang International Airport – Da Nang	Cau Treo Landport (to Laos)
Cat Bi International Airport – Hai Phong	Huu Nghi Landport (to China)
Cam Ranh International Airport – Khanh Hoa	Ha Tien Landport (to Cambodia)
Phu Quoc International Airport – Phu Quoc	Lao Bao Landport (to Laos)
Lien Khuong International Airport – Da Lat	Lao Cai Landport (to China)
Can Tho International Airport – Can Tho	La Lay Landport (to Laos)
	Moc Bai Landport (to Cambodia)
	Mong Cai Landport (to China)
	Nam Can Landport (to Laos)
	Na Meo Landport (to Laos)
	Song Tien Landport (to Cambodia)
	Tinh Bien Landport (to Cambodia)
	Tay Trang Landport (to Laos)
	Xa Mat Landport (to Cambodia)

Visa Run Tips:

Cheapest Visa Runs from Hanoi: Travelers in Hanoi often opt for a visa run via Noi Bai Airport, heading to destinations like Singapore, Thailand, or Cambodia.
Cheapest Visa Runs from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City): For those in Saigon and southern provinces, the Moc Bai visa run is the most popular option. It’s known as the cheapest, fastest, and most convenient way to complete a visa run from Ho Chi Minh City.

Who is Eligible for a Visa Run?

Visa runs are available for foreigners in the following cases:

Foreigners entering Vietnam on a visa exemption
Foreigners holding a 5-year visa exemption certificate
Foreigners with a 30-day E-Visa
Foreigners entering on a Business Visa

How to Apply for a Visa Run

Required Documents for Vietnam visa run

To apply for a visa by doing a visa run, you need to prepare the following documents for approval:

Original Passport: Must have at least 2 blank pages for stamps and be valid for at least 6 months after your re-entry date.
Visa-Related Documents: A 5-year visa exemption certificate, E-visa, or visa approval letter (bring the original letter for road travel or a printed copy for air travel).
Travel Tickets: Either an air ticket or bus ticket for your visa run.
Entry Documents for Third Country: Any required documentation to enter the country you’ll visit for the visa run.
Stamping Fee: Payment required for processing your new visa.
Two (02) Photos (4×6 cm): Identical photos, taken within 6 months, with a straight view and no hats or glasses (required for visa run by road).
Visa Application Form: Necessary if you’re doing a visa run by road.

Procedure for Visa Run

To complete a visa run, follow these 5 steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Required Documents

Ensure you have all necessary documents, including those for entering a third country. You can obtain a visa for the third country either at the airport or the Embassy/Consulate in Vietnam.

Step 2: Exit Vietnam

Proceed with the exit procedure, get your exit stamp, and travel to the third country by plane, bus, or train.

Step 3: Enter the Third Country

Present your documents and complete the immigration process in the third country.

Step 4: Exit the Third Country

Decide whether to return to Vietnam right away or spend a few hours or days in the third country. Get an exit stamp to be able to re-enter Vietnam.

Step 5: Re-enter Vietnam and Finalize the Visa Process

Upon return, present your passport, visa application form, two passport-sized photos, visa approval letter/e-visa, and the stamping fee. Complete the visa stamping process at the airport or land border gate in Vietnam.

Processing time

Processing time and fee is varied based on your needs. It may take you 3-7 days to get a Vietnam visa on arrival/E-visa, 3-7 days to get a visa to enter the third country, and a few hours or a few days staying in the third country for the immigration/exit procedure or a short trip. If you use our visa service, we can expedite the process, often securing your Vietnam visa within just 1-2 hours.

The fee may include the fee for the e-visa or approval letter and the stamping fee depending on the purpose of single or multiple entries to Vietnam.

In addition, we also offer tours in Vietnam to many attractive destinations, from bustling cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to natural wonders such as Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa. We are committed to providing our customers with unique travel experiences and the most dedicated service.