Vietnam Visa Run FAQ

What is the best city for a Vietnam visa run?

Ho Chi Minh City for the fastest, cheapest run (2 hours to Moc Bai, shared vans from 1.5M VND); Da Nang or Hue for the Laos route through Lao Bao. See the best city comparison and the cost table for the full picture.

How much does a Vietnam visa run cost?

Between 1.5M and 7M VND depending on city and transport, plus a border package of ~$35 USD (Laos) or ~1.1M VND (Cambodia) and ~2.4M VND if you add a 90-day e-visa. Every corridor is covered in the sections below.

How do I book?

WhatsApp +84 369 308 237 or email book@visarun.vn with your city, nationality and stamp expiry. Eleven city desks run the network: HCMC, Da Nang, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon, Mui Ne and Haiphong.

What is a Vietnam visa run?

A Vietnam visa run is a same-day trip where you leave Vietnam, cross into Cambodia or Laos, and immediately re-enter so your period of stay legally restarts with a fresh entry stamp. The visarun.vn network runs these trips from eleven cities — HCMC, Da Nang, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon, Mui Ne and Haiphong — to the Moc Bai, Lao Bao, Xa Xia, Le Thanh or Huu Nghi border. It is the standard way to reset your stay without flying to another country.

How does a visa run work in Vietnam?

You exit Vietnam through an international land border gate, get stamped out, cross into Cambodia or Laos, then turn around and re-enter Vietnam the same day with a new entry stamp. If you have a newly approved 90-day e-visa, the officers stamp that instead of giving a short visa-exemption stamp. Our fixer teams at Moc Bai and Lao Bao handle the paperwork and queue on both sides so the whole crossing takes under an hour.

Why do I need to do a visa run if I already have a visa?

Because Vietnam does not let you extend most tourist e-visas or visa-exemption stamps from inside the country — you must exit and re-enter to get a new period of stay. When your visa-exemption stamp or 90-day e-visa is close to expiring, a visa run is the legal way to reset the clock. It is also the fastest fix if your visa was shortened at the border or you simply stayed longer than planned.

Is doing a visa run in Vietnam legal?

Yes. Exiting Vietnam and re-entering with a valid visa or visa exemption is fully legal, and border officers at Moc Bai and Lao Bao process these crossings every day. What is illegal is overstaying without exiting — that brings fines and can lead to an entry ban. A properly timed visa run keeps you on the right side of the law.

Who needs to do a visa run in Vietnam?

Digital nomads, expats, teachers, long-stay tourists, and anyone on a 30-day visa-exemption stamp or 90-day e-visa whose stay is about to expire. It also suits people whose extension was refused, travelers waiting on a stuck e-visa approval, and anyone who overstayed by a few days and wants to clear the record before the fine escalates. If you hold a temporary residence card or a 5-year exemption, you do not need a visa run.

How often do I need to do a visa run?

It depends on your stamp. Travelers on the 45-day visa exemption for many European and Asian nationalities typically run every 45 days, while 90-day e-visa holders only need to reset every three months. The cheapest strategy is to pair your run with a fresh 90-day e-visa so you go back once a quarter instead of every six weeks. Your fixer can tell you exactly what your stamp allows before you book.

What are the 2025–2026 Vietnam visa rules that affect visa runs?

Under the rules in force for 2026, Vietnam's e-visa is valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry, and 25 nationalities get 45 days of visa exemption: the 13 countries covered since August 2023 (Resolution 128/NQ-CP) plus 12 more European countries added from 15 August 2025 under Resolution 229/NQ-CP, valid to 14 August 2028. The e-visa is accepted at all international land border gates, including Moc Bai and Lao Bao, so you can legally reset a 90-day multiple-entry e-visa with a land visa run. In December 2025 the government expanded the e-visa port list to 83 gates under Resolution 389/NQ-CP; Decree 282/2025 raised overstay fines from 15 December 2025, Decree 59/2026 formalised expulsion rules from 1 April 2026, and Decree 286/2026 links immigration data across agencies from 15 September 2026 — every gate the network uses is covered, and runs themselves remain fully legal.

Do I need a visa run if my country is visa-exempt for Vietnam?

Only when your exemption days run out. Twenty-five nationalities get 45 days of visa exemption per entry: the 13 original countries — Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus — plus Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland under Resolution 229/NQ-CP since 15 August 2025, and a few bilateral agreements give up to 90 days. If you have used up that allowance, a Moc Bai or Lao Bao run resets it. Check your entry stamp carefully first: if you still have days left, you may not need the run at all.

Can I do a visa run in one day?

Yes — every route in the visarun.vn network is a genuine same-day round trip. From HCMC, Moc Bai is about 2 hours each way and you are usually back by early afternoon; Da Nang to Lao Bao takes about 4 hours each way and returns by evening. Only the Hanoi run is a real full-day mission (about 8 hours each way), so plan for a 14–16 hour day there.

How many visa runs can I do in a year?

There is no official cap on how many visa runs you can do, and frequent same-day loops are routine for digital nomads, teachers and remote workers — a clean history of legal exit-and-re-entry stamps does not block new e-visas or TRCs. What draws attention is a pattern that suggests work without a permit, which Decree 286/2026's real-time data sharing makes easier to spot from 15 September 2026. With a 90-day multiple-entry e-visa most long-stayers only need 3–4 runs a year, which keeps the pattern clean and the cost lower.

What is the best season for a visa run in Vietnam?

The dry months from November to April give the smoothest runs everywhere — no rain delays on the mountain roads to Moc Bai or Lao Bao, and shorter queues at immigration. In the rainy season (May–October) the routes still operate daily, but the desk simply departs a little earlier and stages backup drivers, so allow more buffer if you have a flight the same evening. Tet and national holidays are the busiest weeks: book 3–5 days ahead and expect bigger crowds at the border.

Are visa runs still legal under the 2026 decrees (282/2025, 59/2026 and 286/2026)?

Yes — none of the new decrees ban visa runs. Decree 282/2025, in force since 15 December 2025, raises overstay fines; Decree 59/2026 formalises expulsion procedures for serious violators; and Decree 286/2026 links immigration data across agencies from 15 September 2026. A lawful exit and re-entry at Moc Bai, Lao Bao, Xa Xia, Le Thanh or Huu Nghi remains completely legal, and every gate the network uses stays on the official e-visa port list. What changed is enforcement: overstaying — not doing the run — is what now carries real risk.

What is Decree 59/2026 and does it affect a normal visa run?

Decree 59/2026/ND-CP, issued 13 February 2026 and in force from 1 April 2026, replaced Decree 142/2021 and sets the formal rules for expulsion as an administrative sanction — temporary custody, escort, and how foreigners facing expulsion are managed while procedures run. It targets serious violations such as long overstays, illegal work or criminal offences, and it changes nothing for a lawful same-day visa run. The practical takeaway: an overstay that crosses into expulsion territory now has a faster, fully formal process behind it, so do not gamble with your stamp.

What changes at the border when Decree 286/2026 data sharing starts on 15 September 2026?

From 15 September 2026 the immigration officer at the border sees your crossing history linked in real time to work permits, residence declarations and refusal records across every port of entry — Decree 286/2026, issued 17 June 2026, replaces the old Decree 64/2015 coordination rules. The visa run itself is unchanged: same hours, same e-visa rules, same counters at Moc Bai and Lao Bao. What changes is that a refusal or a flagged record is now shared instantly, so hopping to another border the same day will not work. See our Decree 286/2026 explainer for the full breakdown.

I have done several visa runs this year — will border officers question me?

A clean history of legal exit-and-re-entry stamps is a normal pattern for expats, teachers and remote workers in Vietnam, and it does not block new e-visas, TRCs or work permits. What hurts applications is the opposite: unpaid or long overstays, expulsion orders or blacklists, all of which become instantly visible to every agency once Decree 286/2026 links the databases on 15 September 2026. Keep every run legal and keep your receipts, and your history works for you, not against you.

Will doing a visa run clear me from a Vietnam blacklist or re-entry ban?

No — a visa run does not clear a blacklist. If you have been banned from entering Vietnam, exiting at Moc Bai or Lao Bao and turning straight around will not remove the ban; the immigration system flags you the moment you try to re-enter. Clearing a ban means following the official process, usually a written request through the immigration authority or your embassy explaining the violation and why it should be lifted. Message the desk about your specific case before you spend a day on the road.

What is a “ghost entry” on a Vietnam e-visa and can it get my new visa suspended?

“Ghost entry” is the expat term for a second e-visa application filed while the first visa is still live, with an intended entry date that falls inside your current stay. The portal can read the two as overlapping permissions and reject the new one with a duplicate application detected flag — and 2026 reports say both visas can end up suspended. The rule is simple: set the new application's intended entry date to your run day, never inside the period your current visa covers.

If the border refuses my re-entry, will another gate work the same day?

Before 15 September 2026 some travelers gambled on a second border gate the same day, but it rarely worked and usually made things worse. Once Decree 286/2026 data sharing is live, a refusal at one crossing is transmitted in real time to every other, so Xa Xia, Le Thanh or a second attempt at Moc Bai have essentially no chance of success. The proper path is to sort the issue from the Cambodian or Lao side — often through the Vietnamese embassy — before attempting re-entry.

Which nationalities get the 45-day Vietnam visa exemption in 2026?

Twenty-five nationalities in total. The original 13 — the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus — have had 45-day exemption since August 2023 (Resolution 128/NQ-CP), and since 15 August 2025 citizens of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland get the same 45 days for tourism under Resolution 229/NQ-CP, in force until 14 August 2028. Each re-entry at Moc Bai or Lao Bao starts a fresh 45-day stamp, which is how many expats stretch their stay.

Do US and Australian citizens get the 45-day visa exemption for Vietnam?

No. The 45-day exemption covers the 13 original countries plus the 12 European countries added in August 2025, and neither the United States nor Australia is on the list. US and Australian passport holders need a visa or e-visa for Vietnam, and the standard long-stay option is the 90-day e-visa — US$25 single entry or US$50 multiple entry — which the visa desk can file as part of your run. Do not assume you get a free stamp at the border; book the transport plus e-visa package instead.

I am on the 45-day visa exemption — can I switch to a 90-day e-visa without leaving Vietnam first?

Yes. You can file the e-visa application online from inside Vietnam; the portal does not require you to be outside the country, it only cares that your intended entry date is on or after the day you exit. Apply about a week before your run, set the intended entry date to your run day, and you return on the fresh 90-day e-visa instead of another 45-day stamp. The government fee is US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple, or let the visa desk file the whole application in your run package.

If I leave Vietnam before my 45-day exemption or e-visa is used up, are the remaining days lost?

Yes — exiting Vietnam consumes your current period of stay, and re-entering at the border grants a brand-new period under the rules for your nationality: 45 days for citizens of the 25 visa-exempt countries, or whatever your new e-visa allows. Unused days are lost rather than banked, which is why most travelers book a run when the stamp is nearly finished rather than halfway through. The one exception is a multiple-entry e-visa, which keeps its remaining entries after an early exit.

When does the clock start on my new 90-day e-visa after a visa run?

Your 90 days run from the entry date printed on the approval — on a visa run, that is the day you re-enter Vietnam, so a same-day run gives you the full 90 days from your fresh entry stamp. You must enter Vietnam within the validity window of the approval itself, which is why the visa desk times the application to your exit day rather than filing it early. Single-entry (US$25) and multiple-entry (US$50) e-visas both work this way.

My e-visa approval names a different port of entry — can I still enter Vietnam at Moc Bai or Lao Bao?

No — a Vietnam e-visa is only valid at the port of entry printed on the approval letter, and turning up at a land gate with an e-visa approved for an airport or another crossing can mean refusal at the counter. Moc Bai, Lao Bao, Xa Xia, Le Thanh and Huu Nghi are all confirmed e-visa land gates on the 83-port list under Resolution 389/NQ-CP, so the application must name the exact gate you plan to cross. The visa desk files the e-visa with the correct port and checks the approval letter against your run before you leave.

I overstayed, paid the fine and left Vietnam — is the matter closed?

If you paid the fine and received a legal exit stamp, that overstay is settled and will not block a future visa run — keep the payment receipt as proof. The exception is an overstay that escalated into an expulsion order or a blacklist, which stays on your record until formally lifted. On your next entry the border system may note the past overstay, but a settled, paid exit is normally the end of it. Message the desk with your history before booking if you are unsure which category you fall into.

Can I stay overnight in Cambodia or Laos and come back the next day instead of a same-day run?

Yes. The same-day schedule is the standard visa run, but staying a night in Bavet or Dansavanh is a legitimate option if you want a slower pace or a short break. Your Cambodia or Laos visa on arrival is valid for 30 days, so an overnight stay needs no extra paperwork — just make sure your new Vietnam e-visa's intended entry date is set to the day you actually re-enter. Tell the desk when booking and they will time the application and the return pickup around your plan.

What is the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card and do I need one for a land visa run?

The Digital Arrival Card is a free online pre-arrival declaration introduced by Vietnam's Immigration Department: since 15 April 2026 most foreign travelers flying into Tan Son Nhat (SGN) must file it and show the resulting QR code at immigration. Land crossings like Moc Bai and Lao Bao do not ask for it, so a standard visa run needs nothing extra — but if you fly back into SGN after a fly-out reset, file a fresh declaration within 72 hours of that arrival at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.

I am working in Vietnam on a business visa or work permit — do I still need a visa run?

It depends on your documents. DN (business) visa holders and foreigners with a valid work permit and temporary residence card usually do not need a border run at all — the TRC replaces visa runs entirely, and some business visa categories can be extended in-country. If you are working without a permit on a tourist e-visa or exemption stamp, a run resets the stay but does not legalize the work, and Decree 286/2026 data sharing makes that gap easier for authorities to see. Message the desk with your exact visa type and work status before booking.

Can I do a visa run while my work permit or TRC application is being processed?

If your temporary residence card renewal was filed before the old card expired, Vietnam normally lets you stay while the application is processed — you hold a procedure receipt, not an overstay, and leaving on a visa run can complicate the pending renewal. If the renewal was filed late or rejected, the options change, and exiting on an expired TRC can trigger an overstay fine at the border. Never assume: confirm with your sponsor or the desk before running, because a run on top of a pending file can create the very overstay you are trying to avoid.

What should I do if my visa is expiring within days and I need a same-day run?

Message the desk immediately with your exact expiry date — same-day and next-day runs are available from every city when seats allow, and the fixer will tell you honestly whether you can still cross or whether the safer move is an overstay exit with a fine. If your stamp expires that very day, priority handling applies and the desk will try to get you to the gate before closing. Do not wait: overstay fines under Decree 282/2025 start on day one and scale with every week past.

Are there any new 2026 rules about passport validity, photos or printed e-visas at land borders?

The 2026 decrees did not change the document rules: your passport still needs six months validity and blank pages, visa-on-arrival photos are still required for Cambodia and Laos, and a printed e-visa copy remains the safest way to re-enter (most gates accept the PDF on your phone). What is new is enforcement plumbing, not paperwork — Decree 286/2026 data sharing from 15 September 2026 means the officer at the window sees your full record in real time, so documents that were once waved through inconsistently are now checked against the same database everywhere.

Can the network still file my e-visa at the border under the 2026 rules, and how long does approval take?

Yes — border filing still works exactly as before, because Moc Bai and Lao Bao sync approved e-visa numbers with the immigration system in near real time. The visa desk submits your application from the Cambodian or Lao side, and once the approval lands you get the green light to re-enter, typically within 30–60 minutes on the rush tier or by the next working day on the standard tier. The new Decree 286/2026 data link does not slow this down — it only makes the approval record visible to every agency instantly.

How does the 2026 cost comparison work out between cities if I add the e-visa package?

Adding the ~2.4M VND 90-day e-visa filing changes the value math of every corridor: HCMC's shared-van run lands around 5M VND all-in for transport plus e-visa, Da Nang similar on the Lao Bao route, while Hanoi's private car plus e-visa tops 8M VND. The visa run cost comparison that matters is per quarter, not per trip — a 2.6M VND HCMC reset with e-visa every 90 days beats a cheaper 45-day stamp run every six weeks. Our visa-run-costs-by-city page shows the full table.

What is the single best visa run strategy for someone staying in Vietnam for a year in 2026?

The cleanest strategy is a 90-day multiple-entry e-visa (US$50) paired with a quarterly border run: each run costs roughly 2.6M–3.5M VND from HCMC or Da Nang and resets the full 90 days, so you cross four times a year with clean, spaced stamps. For citizens of the 25 visa-exempt countries, chaining 45-day exemption resets works too but means eight runs a year instead of four. Check the best-city comparison for your location, then ask the desk to set the e-visa intended entry date to your run day so the clock starts fresh.

What is the best city for a Vietnam visa run?

There is no single winner — it depends where you are, and every visa run comparison in this FAQ starts with the same advice: the best city for Vietnam visa run trips is the one closest to a border you can cross. Ho Chi Minh City is the best all-round choice because Moc Bai is only a 2-hour drive, the closest border of any city in Vietnam, and shared vans keep it the cheapest option. Da Nang is the best pick for the Laos route with frequent daily Lao Bao departures, while Hue is closest to Lao Bao by road (about 3 hours). Use the comparison table on our best-city page to match your location to the right corridor.

Which city has the closest border crossing for a visa run?

Ho Chi Minh City — Moc Bai on the Cambodia border is about 70 km and roughly 2 hours from the city centre, the shortest drive of any visa run city in Vietnam. Hue is next at about 3 hours to Lao Bao on the Laos border, followed by Da Nang at around 4 hours. If you are already in HCMC, a Moc Bai run is the fastest possible reset: leave in the morning and you are back before dinner.

Which city has the cheapest visa run in Vietnam?

Ho Chi Minh City is the cheapest, with shared vans to Moc Bai at about 1.5M VND per person plus the Cambodia border package. Da Nang and Hoi An are the same 1.5M VND price point on the Laos route, and Nha Trang and Da Lat offer 1.5M VND sleeper-bus options. Hanoi is the most expensive at 5–7M VND because the 8-hour drive to Lao Bao only makes sense in a private car.

What is the fastest visa run in Vietnam?

The HCMC to Moc Bai run is the fastest: a 2-hour drive to the border, roughly 45 minutes to clear both sides with the fixer team, and you are back in the city by early afternoon — about 6–7 hours door-to-door. The Da Nang to Lao Bao run is the fastest Laos option at roughly 11–12 hours total. From Hanoi, budget a full 14–16 hour day.

Which city is best for a Laos visa run through Lao Bao?

Da Nang is the best base for the Lao Bao crossing: it is about 4 hours from the border and has the most frequent Lao Bao departures of any city in the network. Hue is even closer by road (about 3 hours on QL9 through the mountains) and is a great option if you are in central Vietnam's northern stretch. Hoi An shares the Da Nang corridor with direct pickups about 30 minutes south.

Which city is best for a Cambodia visa run through Moc Bai?

Ho Chi Minh City is the natural base for Moc Bai — the border is only 2 hours away, shared vans cost about 1.5M VND, and the Cambodia border package runs around 1.1M VND. Nha Trang and Da Lat also use Moc Bai, but their routes run through HCMC first and take 6–8 hours, so they are only worth it if you are already there. If you are in the south, HCMC's Moc Bai run is the cheapest and shortest.

Is Hanoi a good city for a visa run?

Hanoi works, but it is the least convenient: Lao Bao is about 8 hours each way, so you need a private car (5–7M VND) and a full day with no time for sightseeing. The one upside is that the Hanoi desk's fixer can file your 90-day e-visa while you wait at the border, so you return with a fresh three-month visa. If you are in the north and just need a quick reset, ask about the timing before committing.

What is the best city for a visa run if I am in central Vietnam?

Da Nang or Hue, depending on where you are staying. Da Nang offers the most frequent Lao Bao services with shared vans from 1.5M VND, and Hoi An is covered by the same corridor with direct pickup. Hue is about an hour closer to the border on QL9, but runs there are private-car only (4–6M VND). Both are comfortable same-day trips, so pick whichever city you are already in.

What is the best city for a visa run if I am in Nha Trang or Da Lat?

Neither city is close to a border, so the practical choice is the sleeper-bus route through HCMC to Moc Bai: about 1.5M VND per person with the bus + car combo, taking 6–8 hours each way. A private car from Nha Trang (about 6M VND) cuts the time but adds cost. If you can travel to HCMC yourself, the 2-hour Moc Bai run there is cheaper and much faster.

Can I do a visa run from Phu Quoc?

Yes — the Phu Quoc desk runs a same-day island loop: a 06:30 pickup in Duong Dong, a 2-hour fast ferry across the Gulf of Thailand to Ha Tien, 45 minutes to the Xa Xia international border, and you are back on the island by late afternoon. It operates 365 days a year, and the island desk can file your 90-day e-visa before you cross. Book via WhatsApp or book@phuquocvisarun.com.

Can I do a visa run from Quy Nhon?

Yes — Quy Nhon's nearest gate is the Le Thanh border crossing in the Central Highlands, a long private-car drive outbound on QL19 and across the highlands on QL14 via Pleiku. The car leaves around 04:30 and the whole run is a 14-hour same-day round trip, priced per car rather than per person. There are no scheduled shared departures from Quy Nhon, so the private car is the reliable option — book via book@quynhonvisarun.com.

Can I do a visa run from Mui Ne?

Yes — the Mui Ne desk collects you from your resort on the beach strip or in Phan Thiet, drives about 3.5 hours up QL1A to the Moc Bai border on the Cambodia frontier, and has you back at your resort by around 16:00 — a 10.5-hour loop with the visa reset done. It runs every day of the year and the desk files your 90-day e-visa before you leave. Book via WhatsApp or book@muinevisarun.com.

Can I do a visa run from Haiphong?

Yes — Haiphong is only about 150 km from the Huu Nghi (Friendship Gate) border in Lang Son, a 2.5-hour private-car drive that lets you exit Vietnam, reset your visa and be home the same evening, usually around 15:00. The private car package is about 3.6M VND, or 6.0M VND with a 90-day e-visa filed. Note that crossing into China may require a China visa depending on your nationality — the desk advises you before booking.

Which new border crossings can I use for a visa run in 2026?

Beyond the classic Moc Bai (Cambodia) and Lao Bao (Laos) gates, the network now uses three more international crossings: Xa Xia near Ha Tien for the Phu Quoc run, Le Thanh in the Central Highlands for Quy Nhon, and Huu Nghi in Lang Son for Haiphong. All of them accept the 90-day e-visa for re-entry, which keeps every new corridor a legal same-day reset.

What is the best city for a Vietnam visa run in 2026?

Ho Chi Minh City remains the best city for Vietnam visa run travelers in 2026: Moc Bai is only 2 hours away, shared vans cost about 1.5M VND, and the crossing is open until 22:00. If you are in central or northern Vietnam, Da Nang (Lao Bao, 4 hours) or Haiphong (Huu Nghi, 2.5 hours) is the best city for a Vietnam visa run from your region. The right answer is the city closest to a border you can legally cross with your e-visa.

How much does a Vietnam visa run cost?

Most runs cost between 1.5M and 7M VND depending on the city and transport, so the total Vietnam visa run cost depends on where you start. Shared vans on the HCMC, Da Nang and Hoi An routes run about 1.5M VND per person, sleeper-bus options from Nha Trang and Da Lat are the same 1.5M VND, private cars range from 4M to 7M VND, and Hanoi's private-car-only run is 5–7M VND. On top of transport you pay the border package — roughly $35 USD on the Laos side or about 1.1M VND on the Cambodia side — and any new visa you need, which is why the cheapest Vietnam visa run cost figure in the network is HCMC's ~2.6M VND shared-van total.

How much does a visa run from Ho Chi Minh City cost?

A shared van from HCMC to Moc Bai costs about 1.5M VND per person, with the Cambodia border package around 1.1M VND on top. A private car is 5–6M VND for the whole vehicle. Add roughly 2.4M VND if you want the desk to file a fresh 90-day e-visa so you come back with a three-month stay instead of a short stamp. All-in, most people pay about 2.6–3.5M VND on the shared option.

How much does a visa run from Da Nang cost?

The Da Nang to Lao Bao shared van is about 1.5M VND per person, and the Laos border package adds roughly $35 USD. A private car for the 4-hour drive runs 5–6M VND per vehicle. The 90-day e-visa add-on is about 2.4M VND, which many travelers add so the run only has to happen once a quarter. Confirm the current price with the Da Nang desk before booking, as border fees can shift.

How much does a visa run from Hanoi cost?

Hanoi is the most expensive corridor because the 8-hour drive to Lao Bao only works with a private car: expect 5–7M VND for the vehicle, plus roughly $35 USD for the Laos border package. The 90-day e-visa filing is about 2.4M VND extra. Since you are paying private-car prices anyway, most Hanoi travelers add the e-visa so the trip resets a full three months instead of 45 days.

How much does a visa run from Hue cost?

Hue runs are private-car only at about 4–6M VND for the vehicle, which makes sense because Hue is only about 3 hours from Lao Bao — the closest Laos route in the network. The border package is roughly $35 USD, and the 90-day e-visa add-on is about 2.4M VND. Splitting the car among two or three people brings the per-person cost close to the Da Nang shared-van price.

How much does a visa run from Nha Trang or Da Lat cost?

Both cities use the sleeper-bus plus car route to Moc Bai via HCMC at about 1.5M VND per person, with the Cambodia border package around 1.1M VND on top. A private car from Nha Trang runs about 6M VND and from Da Lat 5–6M VND per vehicle. The 90-day e-visa add-on is about 2.4M VND. These routes take 6–8 hours each way, so the cost saving comes with extra travel time.

What extra fees are not included in the visa run price?

Transport quotes normally exclude the border package and any visa fees. On Laos routes you pay roughly $35 USD for the Laos visa on arrival at Dansavanh, and on Cambodia routes about 1.1M VND covers the Cambodia visa and border formalities at Bavet. If you want a fresh 90-day e-visa, the filing fee is about 2.4M VND. Ask for a full breakdown when you book so there are no surprises at the gate.

How much does the 90-day Vietnam e-visa cost?

The official government fee is US$25 for a single-entry 90-day e-visa and US$50 for multiple entry, paid when you apply online. If you use the visarun.vn network's e-visa desk, the all-in filing service is about 2.4M VND and your fixer handles the application, the photo and the approval check — useful when you are already at the border and need the visa live before you re-enter. A multiple-entry e-visa lets you leave and return freely within 90 days.

Are there hidden fees on a visa run, and how do I pay?

There are no hidden fees if you get the full breakdown before booking: transport, border package, and any e-visa add-on are quoted separately, and prices are approximate because border fees shift. Payment is usually in cash (VND or USD) to the driver or fixer, though city desks can confirm their preferred method. Always get the price in writing on WhatsApp before run day — book@visarun.vn or +84 369 308 237.

What is the cheapest city for a Vietnam visa run?

Ho Chi Minh City is the cheapest city for a Vietnam visa run, with shared vans to Moc Bai from about 1.5M VND per person plus a ~1.1M VND Cambodia border package — roughly 2.6M VND all-in. Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Da Lat also offer 1.5M VND shared options, while Hanoi, Hue, Quy Nhon and Haiphong are private-car corridors (3.6–7M VND). Mui Ne's resort run starts at the shared price point too, so the south wins on cost.

How much is a visa run from Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon, Mui Ne or Haiphong?

The new corridors are private-car or package-priced: Haiphong to Huu Nghi is about 3.6M VND for the car (6M VND with a 90-day e-visa), Quy Nhon to Le Thanh is quoted per car for the 14-hour day, and Mui Ne to Moc Bai and the Phu Quoc ferry loop are confirmed per booking. Every quote excludes the Cambodia or Laos visa fee paid at the border and any e-visa government fee. Message the desk for the exact current figure.

Is there a deposit or upfront payment to book a visa run?

No — booking is free and there is no deposit across the network. You confirm your slot on WhatsApp with a photo of your passport bio page and your current visa details, and payment happens on the run day, with the e-visa fee due when the visa desk files your application. If your plans change, let the desk know at least 24 hours ahead and your booking moves to another day at no extra cost.

What is the difference between a visa run and a Vietnam e-visa?

An e-visa is the document that lets you stay in Vietnam for up to 90 days — you apply online before you arrive. A visa run is the physical trip you make when that stay is about to expire, because Vietnam won't let you extend an e-visa from inside the country. The smart combination is to do a visa run with a new 90-day e-visa already approved, so you reset three months in one border trip instead of getting a short stamp.

Visa run vs visa extension — which is better in Vietnam?

A visa run, because Vietnam generally does not extend tourist e-visas or visa-exemption stamps at all — an 'extension' for most tourists is actually an exit-and-re-entry, which is exactly what a visa run is. Agencies that advertise extensions usually arrange a border trip behind the scenes. If your stay is short and simple, a same-day run to Moc Bai or Lao Bao is the reliable route; visas that can genuinely be extended (like some work visas) should be handled through your sponsor.

Visa run vs temporary residence card (TRC) — what is the difference?

A temporary residence card replaces the need for visas and visa runs entirely: it lets you stay in Vietnam continuously for up to 1–3 years (longer for some categories) without ever exiting. A visa run is the stopgap for people who don't qualify for a TRC or are waiting for one to be issued. If you are eligible through employment, investment or family ties, applying for a TRC is cheaper in the long run than border trips every few months — see temporaryresidencecard.com for eligibility.

Moc Bai vs Lao Bao — which border crossing is better?

Moc Bai (Cambodia) is the fastest and cheapest, sitting just 2 hours from HCMC, while Lao Bao (Laos) is the workhorse for central and northern Vietnam — Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An and Hanoi all use it. Moc Bai is open until 22:00 and suits same-morning trips from the south; Lao Bao closes earlier and involves a longer drive but pairs with the 90-day e-visa desk. Choose by geography: south = Moc Bai, central/north = Lao Bao.

Shared van vs private car for a visa run — which should I choose?

Shared vans (about 1.5M VND per person on the HCMC, Da Nang and Hoi An routes) are the budget choice, and they run on a fixed schedule with other travelers. A private car (4–7M VND) is yours alone: you set the pickup time, stop when you want, and move faster through the border. Choose the van if you are solo and flexible, the car if you are in a group, on a tight schedule, or want the border crossed at first light.

Sleeper bus vs private car from Nha Trang or Da Lat — which is better?

The sleeper bus (about 1.5M VND per person) is the value option: you sleep through part of the 6–8 hour run to Moc Bai and arrive rested, at the cost of a fixed schedule. A private car (5–6M VND) cuts the total trip time, lets you leave whenever you want, and is far more comfortable for the mountain stretch from Da Lat. If two or three of you are travelling together, the car can be barely more expensive per head than the bus.

Visa run vs flying to Bangkok or Singapore — which is cheaper?

For most travelers a land visa run is far cheaper. A round-trip flight plus airport transfers to Bangkok or Singapore runs US$100–200 and burns a full day or two, while a Moc Bai run from HCMC is about US$60–90 all-in and takes half a day. Flying only makes sense if you want to combine the reset with a short holiday abroad or need a consulate for paperwork a land border can't provide.

Cambodia route vs Laos route — how do the costs compare?

The Cambodia route (Moc Bai) is cheaper: the border package is about 1.1M VND and the drive from HCMC is only 2 hours, so total costs start around 2.6M VND on the shared van. The Laos route (Lao Bao) has a border package of roughly $35 USD and a longer drive (4 hours from Da Nang), putting similar shared-van trips a bit higher and private cars at 4–7M VND. For northern and central travelers the extra cost of Lao Bao is offset by not having to fly south to HCMC first.

Is a border-stamp visa run or a new 90-day e-visa the better long-term strategy?

A 90-day e-visa is the better strategy if you plan to stay long-term: one border trip every three months beats a 45-day stamp that forces a run every six weeks, and a multiple-entry e-visa lets you leave and return freely within the 90 days. The visa run with a short stamp is fine as an emergency reset, but pairing your run with the network's e-visa desk (about 2.4M VND) means fewer trips, fewer border fees, and less risk of an overstay.

Single-entry or multiple-entry e-visa — which should I choose for visa runs?

Multiple entry (US$50) is the right choice if you will leave and re-enter Vietnam more than once during the 90 days — a border run, a flight to another country, or a weekend trip all count as entries. Single entry (US$25) is enough if you only need to come back into Vietnam one time. For regular visa runners, the multiple-entry e-visa pays for itself after two crossings and turns each border trip into a simple stamp instead of a new application.

How do the 11 visa run cities compare for a visa run?

In a head-to-head visa run comparison, the south wins on speed and price: HCMC reaches Moc Bai in 2 hours from 1.5M VND, and Mui Ne adds a resort pickup with a 10.5-hour loop. Central Vietnam is the Lao Bao corridor — Da Nang (4 hours), Hue (3 hours), Hoi An (shared pickups) — while Quy Nhon reaches Le Thanh in a 14-hour private-car day. In the north, Haiphong's 2.5-hour drive to Huu Nghi beats Hanoi's 8-hour Lao Bao run on every metric.

Moc Bai, Lao Bao, Xa Xia, Le Thanh or Huu Nghi — which border should I use?

Pick the border closest to you that accepts your e-visa: Moc Bai (Cambodia, 2h from HCMC) for the south, Lao Bao (Laos, 3–4h from Hue/Da Nang) for central Vietnam, Xa Xia (near Ha Tien) for the Phu Quoc ferry loop, Le Thanh (Central Highlands) for Quy Nhon, and Huu Nghi (Lang Son) for Haiphong and the north. Moc Bai is the cheapest and fastest overall; Huu Nghi is the shortest drive in the north but may need a China visa to cross.

Is a visa run from a beach town like Mui Ne or Phu Quoc worth it?

Yes if you are already there — the Mui Ne desk picks you up at your resort and returns you by 16:00 (10.5 hours total), and Phu Quoc's ferry loop gets you back on the island the same afternoon without losing a night. Both cost more than an HCMC shared van because of the ferry or the private drive, but they save you the cost and hassle of travelling to the mainland first. For long-stay beach residents they are the cheapest way to reset without breaking your holiday.

Phu Quoc ferry loop vs Mui Ne resort run — which is better for a beach reset?

Both are same-day and return you to your accommodation, but they serve different islands: Phu Quoc uses the 2-hour ferry to Ha Tien and the Xa Xia crossing (back on the island by late afternoon), while Mui Ne drives 3.5 hours up to Moc Bai and returns you to the beach strip by 16:00. Phu Quoc adds ferry logistics but keeps you on an island; Mui Ne is a pure road loop. Choose by where you are staying — the desk on your island handles the rest.

Is there a minimum time I must stay outside Vietnam for a visa run to count?

No — Vietnam does not require you to spend a set number of days outside the country for the run to count. What matters is the exit stamp and a fresh entry stamp (or a newly approved 90-day e-visa) when you come back, which is why the same-day visa run works: you are typically out of Vietnam for about an hour at the border and back home the same evening. Staying longer in Cambodia or Laos is always allowed, but it is never required.

Visa run vs flying to Phnom Penh — which is better?

For a pure visa reset, the Moc Bai run is faster and far cheaper: transport-only from Saigon starts around 2M VND and you are back the same evening, while a return flight to Phnom Penh typically costs US$120–200 plus airport transfers, and you still pay the Cambodia visa fee on arrival. Flying only makes sense if you want to combine the border exit with a short trip abroad. If you do fly, make sure your new Vietnam e-visa is approved before your return leg.

Where is the Moc Bai border crossing and how far is it from HCMC?

Moc Bai is an international land border gate between Tay Ninh province in Vietnam and Bavet in Cambodia, about 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City — a roughly 2-hour drive by van or car. It is the busiest Vietnam–Cambodia crossing and the one used for all HCMC, Nha Trang and Da Lat visa runs. The gate is open daily from about 07:00 to 22:00, which makes early-morning same-day trips easy.

Where is the Lao Bao border crossing and how far is it from Da Nang?

Lao Bao is an international border gate in Quang Tri province, where Vietnam's QL9 meets Laos's Route 9 at Dansavanh. It is about 260 km from Da Nang (roughly 4 hours), 190 km from Hue (about 3 hours), and around 480 km from Hanoi (about 8 hours). It is the Laos crossing used by the Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An and Hanoi desks, and it sits inside the old DMZ region.

What are the opening hours of the Moc Bai border?

Moc Bai is open daily from about 07:00 to 22:00 on the Vietnamese side, which is why HCMC runs can leave at 05:00–06:00 and still clear the border right after it opens. The Cambodian Bavet side keeps similar daytime hours. Because the gate closes at 22:00, the visarun.vn desks always schedule runs to arrive by mid-morning — never at night.

What are the opening hours of the Lao Bao border?

The Lao Bao–Dansavanh crossing is open daily, typically from about 07:00 to 18:00 on the Vietnamese side. Runs from Da Nang and Hue depart at 04:00–05:30 so the convoy reaches the gate right at opening and clears before the midday crowds. The earlier close means the Hanoi run has to leave very early to make the round trip in daylight.

Do I need a visa for Cambodia or Laos to do a visa run?

Yes — you need to enter the neighboring country legally, even if only for an hour. At Bavet (Moc Bai) a Cambodia tourist visa on arrival costs about US$30 in cash, and at Dansavanh (Lao Bao) the Laos visa on arrival is roughly US$35. The fixer team handles both sides of the process, and the visa cost is part of the border package the desks quote. You cannot 'just turn around' at the gate itself — you must formally enter and exit.

Can I use my Vietnam e-visa to enter Cambodia or Laos?

No — your Vietnam e-visa is only valid for entering Vietnam. To cross into Cambodia or Laos you need that country's own visa, which you buy on arrival at the border (about US$30 at Bavet, US$35 at Dansavanh). Your Vietnam e-visa then gets you back into Vietnam on re-entry, which is the whole point of the run. Bring USD cash for the neighboring visa and keep your Vietnam e-visa approval ready to show on the way back.

What documents do I need at the border for a visa run?

You need your passport with at least six months validity, your current Vietnam entry stamp or e-visa approval, USD cash for the Cambodia or Laos visa, and one passport photo if you are getting a visa on arrival (the fixer usually carries spares). If you are re-entering on a fresh e-visa, have the approval letter or QR code on your phone. That is genuinely all — the fixer team holds the paperwork and moves it through the windows for you.

What actually happens at the border during a visa run?

The driver drops you at the Vietnamese exit gate, where an officer stamps you out of Vietnam. You walk across no-man's land to the Cambodian or Lao side, buy the visa on arrival, get stamped in, and then immediately turn around and exit that country. Back on the Vietnamese side you re-enter with a new stamp or a fresh e-visa, and the fixer makes sure your passport is filled in correctly before you get back in the van. The whole crossing usually takes 30–60 minutes.

What time do visa runs leave in the morning?

Depends on the route. HCMC to Moc Bai leaves around 05:00–06:00 to hit the gate at opening; Da Nang and Hoi An to Lao Bao depart 04:30–05:30; Hue leaves 04:00–05:30. Nha Trang and Da Lat sleeper-bus runs typically board the night before or leave around 22:00–23:00 so you arrive at Moc Bai at first light. Your desk confirms the exact pickup window on WhatsApp the evening before the run.

Do I need to print my e-visa, or is a screenshot on my phone enough?

A printed copy is the safest: officers at Moc Bai and Lao Bao ask to see the e-visa approval, and although most gates accept a phone screenshot or PDF, a dead battery or weak signal at the border has turned travelers away. Print two copies — one for the exit officer and one for re-entry — and keep the approval email as backup. The fixer team also carries a printer at both borders if you arrive without a copy.

Can I enter Vietnam with my 90-day e-visa at every border the network uses?

Yes — Moc Bai, Lao Bao, Xa Xia, Le Thanh and Huu Nghi are all official e-visa land gates, so a 90-day e-visa is valid for entry and exit at each one. In December 2025 the government expanded the e-visa port list to 83 international border gates under Resolution 389/NQ-CP, and every gate the visarun.vn network uses has been an approved e-visa crossing since the scheme expanded in 2023. Tell the desk which border you are crossing and they will confirm your e-visa is valid there.

What happens to my single-entry e-visa when I exit Vietnam on the run?

A single-entry e-visa is consumed the moment you exit Vietnam, so the visa you came in on cannot be used for re-entry. That is exactly why a visa run pairs the border trip with a new 90-day e-visa: the visa desk files it so it is approved and waiting when you cross back. If you hold a multiple-entry e-visa, check how many entries are left before you book — you may be able to use one of them instead of applying for a new one.

How do I book a visa run with the visarun.vn network?

Message the network on WhatsApp at +84 369 308 237 or email book@visarun.vn with your city, passport nationality, and the expiry date on your current stamp. The desk confirms the border (Moc Bai for the south, Lao Bao for central/north), the price, and the pickup window, and can add the 90-day e-visa filing if you want to reset three months. Each city has its own desk — hcmcvisarun.com, danangvisarun.vn, hanoivisarun.com, huevisarun.com, hoianvisarun.com, nhatrangvisarun.com, dalatvisarun.com, phuquocvisarun.com, quynhonvisarun.com, muinevisarun.com and haiphongvisarun.com.

What should I bring on visa run day?

Your passport (minimum six months validity), the exact cash for the Cambodia or Laos visa in USD, your phone with the desk's WhatsApp number, and anything you need for a long van ride — water, snacks, a charger. Leave valuables at home and keep your passport in a zipped pocket rather than a backpack you might set down at the gate. The fixer provides the paperwork pouch and any spare passport photos.

What happens if I miss my visa run pickup?

Message dispatch on WhatsApp +84 369 308 237 immediately. If the van has not left yet they will wait; if it has, they can often slot you into the next departure or rebook you for the following day. Same-day no-shows usually follow a 50% cancellation policy, so always call rather than going silent — a missed run can turn a controlled reset into an overstay fine.

What if my passport has less than six months of validity left?

A passport with under six months validity is a problem at the border: Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos can all refuse entry or a visa on arrival, and the e-visa system requires six months at application time. Tell the desk when you book — the fixer may still get a short stamp through on a case-by-case basis, but the safe move is to renew your passport first. Do not book a run hoping the officer will not check.

I overstayed my Vietnam visa — can I still do a visa run?

Yes, but you must handle the overstay before or during the exit, not ignore it. Under Decree 282/2025, in force since 15 December 2025, fines are roughly 500,000–2,000,000 VND for under 16 days, 5,000,000–10,000,000 VND for 16–29 days, and up to 40,000,000 VND for longer overstays, with deportation and a 1–3 year entry ban possible from 16 days or more. The fixer teams at Moc Bai and Lao Bao deal with overstay exits regularly and can advise on the exact fine and the safest way to clear it. Never attempt the crossing without telling the desk the truth about your stamp.

I hold a temporary residence card — do I need a visa run?

No — a temporary residence card (TRC) lets you stay in Vietnam continuously without exiting, so a visa run is unnecessary and would actually be a waste of money. You only need border trips if your TRC is expired, being renewed, or was cancelled and you are back on a short stamp. If your TRC is close to expiry, renew it through temporaryresidencecard.com instead of running the border. The same logic applies to 5-year visa-exemption (EX5) card holders.

Can I bring a baby or young child on a visa run?

Yes — families do visa runs regularly, and infants travel on their own passport with their own entry stamp or e-visa. The vans have seats for children and the fixer fast-tracks families through the windows so you are not standing in line with a baby. Bring the child's passport, birth certificate (in case either border asks), and supplies for the drive. Some desks offer private cars for families at the group rate, which is worth asking about.

What if my passport is damaged or has torn pages?

A damaged passport can be refused at the border, especially if the photo page or the page with your current stamp is affected — officers worry it will not scan or is being tampered with. Tell the desk before booking so they can assess whether the crossing will pass. If the damage is serious, renew the passport first and do the run after; if it is minor, the fixer will flag it to the officer in advance to avoid a surprise denial at the window.

What if the border is closed or I am denied re-entry on run day?

Moc Bai and Lao Bao run daily and rarely close — closures only happen on major holidays or rare border incidents. If the gate is shut, dispatch will know before you leave and will reschedule at no charge. Denied re-entry is almost always caused by a passport, visa or overstay problem that should have been flagged at booking, so be upfront about your documents; the fixer's job is to catch those issues before they happen at the window.

How long before my visa expires should I book my visa run?

Book as soon as you know your stamp expiry — at least 3–5 days ahead, and 7–10 days if you want the desk to file a new 90-day e-visa so it is approved before you cross. Runs depart daily from every city, but shared-van seats fill up and leaving it to the last day leaves no buffer if the border is slow or an application needs re-filing. If you are already past expiry, message the desk immediately: overstay fines start on day one, so every day of delay costs more.

What if my e-visa is rejected or not approved in time for my visa run?

Message the desk immediately — the fixer can check the application status and, if it was rejected, re-file it with corrected details (most rejections are photo or data errors) or switch you to a visa-exemption stamp if your nationality qualifies. Never show up at the border without a valid way back in: if you exit Vietnam without an approved visa or exemption, you cannot re-enter the same day. The desk will rebook your run around the new approval at no extra transport cost.

Can I do a visa run during Tet or Vietnamese public holidays?

The border gates stay open during Tet and most holidays, but the border package and e-visa processing slow down because immigration runs reduced staff, and visa offices close for several days over Lunar New Year. The desks run a reduced schedule and confirm the gate hours the day before. If your stamp expires during Tet week, book early and ask about the holiday timetable so you do not get caught with a closed office and an expiring stamp.

Can I do a visa run on my own motorbike or car instead of using the van?

Yes — the desks arrange self-drive border packages at Moc Bai and Lao Bao that cover the Cambodia or Laos visa and a fixer on both sides while you handle the driving. It works best from HCMC (2 hours to Moc Bai) or Hue (3 hours to Lao Bao). On the Cambodia side you park in Bavet and walk across to re-enter; on the Laos side the fixer handles the vehicle paperwork. Ask for the self-drive rate when you book.

How many nationalities can use Vietnam's e-visa for a visa run?

More than 80 nationalities are eligible for Vietnam's 90-day e-visa, and the list covers most of Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and much of Asia. If your country is on the e-visa list, you can legally reset at Moc Bai, Lao Bao, Xa Xia, Le Thanh or Huu Nghi with a fresh 90-day multiple-entry e-visa instead of a short visa-exemption stamp. Tell the desk your nationality when booking and they will confirm whether you qualify for the e-visa route or a visa-exemption stamp.

Can I do a visa run on a weekend or public holiday?

Yes — the network runs 365 days a year, including weekends and public holidays, and the border gates stay open daily. The exceptions are the big Tet holiday windows when immigration runs reduced staff and e-visa processing slows, and the Phu Quoc desk notes that e-visa applications are not processed on weekends. Your desk confirms the exact timetable the day before, and holiday runs are scheduled to reach the gate at opening.

What should I do if my visa expires during Tet when offices are closed?

Book before Tet week and ask the desk for the holiday timetable — the borders stay open but immigration runs reduced staff and visa offices close for several days over Lunar New Year. If your stamp expires during the closure, an early run is the safest move; if you are already over, message the desk immediately and they will advise on the fine and the earliest possible exit. Do not wait for offices to reopen, because overstay fines accrue per day.

Do I need a China visa to do the Haiphong visa run through Huu Nghi?

Depending on your nationality, crossing into China at Huu Nghi may require a China visa, which most travelers do not have — the desk advises you honestly before booking. The core of the run is the Vietnam exit stamp and re-entry with a fresh Vietnam e-visa; the China side is only a short formal entry and exit. If you cannot enter China, the Haiphong desk will route you to a Laos or Cambodia corridor instead of leaving you stranded at the gate.

Can I combine a visa run from Quy Nhon or Mui Ne with the 90-day e-visa?

Yes — both desks file your 90-day e-visa before the run so you re-enter with a fresh three-month visa: the Quy Nhon desk submits it through the official portal ahead of the Le Thanh crossing, and Mui Ne files it before the Moc Bai trip so re-entry is quick. The e-visa add-on is about 2.4M VND on top of the transport quote. This is the cheapest way to turn a long private-car run into a once-a-quarter reset.

Can I be deported or banned from Vietnam for overstaying?

Yes — under Decree 282/2025, overstays of 16 days or more can lead to deportation, and serious violations can bring a blacklisting of 1 to 3 years. The fine scale now climbs steeply with duration, and immigration records every overstay, so repeated violations are treated much more harshly than a first short slip. If you have already overstayed, message the desk before going to the border so the exit and the expected fine can be planned.

I am a dual national — which passport should I use for the visa run?

Use the passport that gives you the smoothest entry into Vietnam — usually the nationality with a 45-day visa exemption or an approved e-visa — and use the same passport for the entire run, from the Vietnam exit stamp through the Cambodia or Laos visa to the re-entry stamp. Switching passports mid-run confuses both border systems and can trigger extra questions. Tell the desk both nationalities when you book and they will confirm the best combination before you travel.

What should I do if I lose my passport before or during a visa run?

Do not go to the border without the passport that holds your exit stamp — Vietnamese immigration cannot clear you out on a photocopy. Report the loss to the local police for an official loss report, contact your embassy or consulate for an emergency passport or re-entry document, and message the desk so your run can be moved to a later day at no cost. Travel insurance with lost-document cover will usually reimburse the emergency passport fees.

Do I need travel insurance for a visa run?

Travel insurance is not required for a visa run, but it is recommended, since it covers medical issues, lost passports and trip disruptions that can happen on any border trip. What you definitely need is your passport, a passport photo and cash for the Cambodia or Laos visa fee. Water and snacks for the drive are a good idea too.

I am a Viet Kieu with a 5-year visa exemption — do I ever need a visa run?

A 5-year visa exemption (EX5) lets you stay up to 180 days per entry, and each exit and re-entry resets that 180-day period — so a border run is the standard way to extend an EX5 stay without paperwork. If you are on a 5-year exemption, tell the desk when you book; the run works exactly the same as for e-visa holders, and you re-enter on the exemption rather than a new visa. Stays of six months or more have additional requirements, so check with the desk before planning around them.

Can I apply for a new e-visa while I am still inside Vietnam?

You can start the application online from inside Vietnam — the portal does not require you to be outside the country, it only cares that your intended entry date is on or after the day you exit. What does not work is expecting the new visa to extend the stay you are currently on: the 90 days only begin when you actually enter on the new approval. That is why the practical flow is still exit first — the visa desk files from the Cambodia or Laos side on run day and you re-enter once it is approved. Set the intended entry date to your run day, never inside the period your current visa covers, or you risk a duplicate-application flag.

Which city wins the visa run comparison if I only care about total time away?

On the numbers, Ho Chi Minh City is the best city for a Vietnam visa run if time is the only variable: door to door to Moc Bai and back is about 6 hours, with departures at 05:00-06:00 that have you back in the city by lunchtime. Da Nang (about 9 hours) and Hue (about 8 hours) are the next quickest same-day returns, while Da Lat, Nha Trang and Hanoi runs eat 16-24 hours because each starts with a 6-8 hour haul to the border. The full drive-time comparison for all eleven corridors sits on the best city page.

How do I compare two cities' visa run costs when I can choose where I stay?

Compare the same three lines in each city - transport per person, the border package on the far side, and the 90-day e-visa if you need one - instead of the headline transport number. A 1.5M VND van seat in HCMC and a 1.5M VND van seat in Da Nang look identical until you add a hotel night and two meals to an overnight route. The cost table puts transport, border fee and e-visa side by side, so a true visa run comparison takes one pass instead of three phone calls.

Is a visa run from Hue or Da Nang cheaper?

Hue is closer to Lao Bao - about 190 km and 3 hours against 260 km and 4 hours from Da Nang - but Da Nang runs far more shared vans, so a Da Nang seat is usually 1.5M VND each while Hue is mostly a 4-6M VND private car. Travelling solo, the Da Nang shared van is almost always the cheaper visa run; travelling as two or more, Hue's shorter drive can win because you split the car. Both desks quote the same roughly USD 35 Laos border package.

Da Nang vs Nha Trang - which is the better visa run?

Da Nang wins on time decisively: Lao Bao is 4 hours each way and the trip returns the same day, while Nha Trang reaches Moc Bai only by sleeper bus or car at roughly 8 hours each way plus a night. Both can be done for a 1.5M VND seat, but the Nha Trang run costs an extra hotel night and a full day of travel. Pick Da Nang when your schedule is tight, and Nha Trang only when you are already there and want the bus route.

What is the real all-in Vietnam visa run cost once hotel and food are added?

For a same-day HCMC run: 1.5M VND for a shared van seat, about 1.1M VND on the Cambodia side, and roughly 2.4M VND if you add the 90-day e-visa package - call it 5M VND (around USD 200) per reset with no hotel needed. Overnight corridors add a night, and a 400,000-800,000 VND hotel plus meals pushes an overnight Vietnam visa run cost to roughly 6-7M VND. The e-visa line is the one you can drop if you re-enter on a visa that still has entries left.

What is cheaper - a visa run or just paying the overstay fine?

A visa run almost always wins. A reset starts from about 1.5M VND, while Decree 282/2025 overstay fines run 500,000-2,000,000 VND for under 16 days, jump to 5,000,000-10,000,000 VND for 16-29 days, and reach 40,000,000 VND beyond that - with deportation and a 1-3 year entry ban possible from 16 days. The fine also buys you no new stay: you still exit, then pay for the next entry. Run before the stamp expires and the comparison is not close.

What does a whole year of visa runs cost in 2026?

On the cheapest corridor, one reset - 1.5M VND van seat, about 1.1M VND Cambodia border package and roughly 2.4M VND for a fresh 90-day e-visa package - comes to about 5M VND (around USD 200), so four resets land near 20M VND (about USD 800). Runs made on a multiple-entry e-visa that still has entries inside its validity, or on the 45-day exemption, cost only transport plus the far-side visa, about 2.6M VND each. Staying longer than a year, price a work permit and TRC instead - they remove the border trips altogether.

Is a multiple-entry 90-day e-visa worth it compared with doing two runs?

Government fees are USD 25 for single-entry and USD 50 for multiple-entry, so the upgrade costs about USD 25 - roughly 625,000 VND. It pays for itself the moment you cross out and back inside the 90 days without buying another visa, whether that is a weekend in Bangkok, a Cambodia trip or a second same-day run. If you will not leave Vietnam during the 90 days, single-entry is the cheaper choice; tell the desk your travel pattern and they will file the right one.

What is the visa run cost for a family of four?

Four shared van seats from HCMC cost about 6M VND, which makes a private car at 5-6M VND for the whole vehicle the better buy - the same money for four people, plus door-to-door pickup and your own departure time. Border packages are charged per person: about 1.1M VND each on the Cambodia side, and a separate e-visa each if the children travel on their own passports. Budget per head rather than per family, and ask the desk about child rates when you book.

Paying the border in USD or VND - which costs less?

US dollars are cheaper at the window. Cambodia charges USD 30 for the tourist visa on arrival at Bavet and Laos charges roughly USD 30-42 at Lao Bao depending on nationality, while VND conversions at the gate are priced against you and riel or kip exchange is worse still. Carry clean USD notes for the visa and let the fixer settle the small stamping and photo fees, which is how the Cambodia side works out to about 1.1M VND all-in.

Which borders can still be done as a genuine same-day return?

Moc Bai (HCMC and Mui Ne), Lao Bao (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue) and Huu Nghi (Haiphong) are all true same-day runs: you leave before dawn and are back the same afternoon. Nha Trang, Da Lat and Quy Nhon sit 4-8 hours from their border, so those trips normally pair a sleeper bus or a long private car with an overnight stop, and Phu Quoc's Xa Xia crossing needs the ferry plus a night on the island or in Ha Tien. If a same-day turnaround is a hard requirement, the HCMC, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Mui Ne and Haiphong desks are your shortlist.

Which city desk should I pick if I am in the middle of Vietnam and want the cheapest run?

If you are within a few hours of Da Nang, use the Da Nang desk: 1.5M VND shared van seats to Lao Bao and the most frequent departures in the country. Closer to Hue, the 3-hour drive beats Da Nang's 4 hours, but you will usually pay a 4-6M VND private car unless the desk fills a van that day. From Hoi An the desk collects you in town at Da Nang pricing. Send your location and stamp expiry to WhatsApp +84 369 308 237 and they will quote both corridors for the same date.

How do the five borders line up in a single visa run comparison?

Moc Bai (Cambodia) is the busiest and closest big-city gate - 2 hours from HCMC, open about 07:00-22:00 - and it serves the HCMC, Mui Ne, Nha Trang and Da Lat desks. Lao Bao (Laos) is the central and northern workhorse, 4 hours from Da Nang and 3 from Hue, closing around 18:00. Xa Xia near Ha Tien serves Phu Quoc, Le Thanh in Gia Lai serves Quy Nhon, and Huu Nghi on the Chinese border serves Haiphong, which requires a China visa arranged in advance. Drive times, transport types and price ranges for all eleven cities sit side by side in the comparison table.

How much cash can I carry across the border without declaring it?

Vietnam requires a customs declaration above USD 5,000 in foreign currency or 15,000,000 VND, and the two thresholds are counted separately - ATM withdrawals plus leftover dong can trip the dong limit on their own. The same rules apply on the way out as on the way in, and undeclared excess can be fined or seized; gold over 300 g and valuables above 300M VND are declarable too. A visa run needs far less than the limit: USD 30-42 in clean notes for the far-side visa.

Can I pay for a visa run by card or bank transfer?

Yes for the service itself - desks accept bank transfer or VND cash, and standard shared-van bookings need no deposit. The border side is cash only: Cambodia's USD 30 visa on arrival and Laos's roughly USD 30-42 are paid in US dollars at the window, and there is no card terminal in the border hall. Carry enough clean USD for the visa plus the small stamping fees, and confirm the payment method with the desk when you book.

Will damaged or torn US dollar notes be refused at the border?

Often, yes. Cambodian and Lao officers are strict about note condition - a torn edge, a heavy crease or an ink mark is routinely handed back, and you may be pushed into paying in riel or kip at an unfavourable rate instead. Take crisp, unmarked bills in a recent series, keep them flat in a separate wallet, and let the fixer handle the window if there is any doubt. There are money changers at Moc Bai and Lao Bao, but their rates are not in your favour.

Do I need passport photos for the visa run, and what do they cost?

You need one or two passport photos for the Cambodia or Laos visa on arrival, and buying them at the gate costs about USD 5-10 for a pair against 30,000-50,000 VND at any photo shop in town. The fixer teams carry spares, so a recent photo on your phone plus two prints is more than enough. Photos should be plain-background and about 4x6 cm - bring them to the pickup rather than hoping the border booth is staffed.

Are there nationalities that cannot get a Cambodia or Laos visa on arrival?

Yes. Cambodia's visa on arrival is unavailable to citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Sudan, who must apply at a Cambodian embassy in advance - which rules out the Moc Bai and Xa Xia routes for those passports. Laos issues visas on arrival to most nationalities but not all, and a few passports need an embassy visa or an eVisa filed days ahead. Give the desk your nationality when you book and they confirm the route before you pay for transport.

Do ASEAN passport holders pay the Cambodia or Laos visa fee on the run?

No. ASEAN citizens - Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean, Indonesian, Filipino, Lao, Cambodian, Myanmar and Vietnamese passports among them - enter each other's countries visa-free for up to 30 days, so there is no USD 30 or USD 35 far-side visa to buy. That normally removes the whole border-package line from the quote, leaving transport plus the Vietnam e-visa if you need one. ASEAN runs also clear the window faster, which shortens the stop at the gate.

Two people sharing a private car vs two van seats - which is cheaper?

Two shared van seats cost about 3M VND on the main corridors at 1.5M each, against 5-6M VND for a private car - so the van stays cheaper for two, by roughly 2-3M VND. The private car only becomes the better buy from four people on the HCMC or Da Nang route, where four seats cost 6M VND and the car costs the same or less. What you get for the extra money with two people is your own departure time and stops.

Is there a group or family discount on a visa run?

Seats are already priced per person, so groups save by filling a van rather than through a discount code: four or more on one corridor usually shifts the desk to a private car for the same total as the seats. Families with young children are sometimes quoted a reduced child rate, and clients booking two or more runs a year are regularly held at the city desk rate. Ask on WhatsApp +84 369 308 237 with your dates and numbers and the desk will price it.

What paperwork or invoice do I get for a visa run?

The desk issues a payment receipt for the service and, in most cities, a company invoice on request - worth having if an employer or accountant has to reimburse you or if the paperwork goes into a work permit file. You should also come back with the exit and entry stamps, the Cambodia or Laos visa sticker, and the e-visa approval PDF if the desk filed one. Photograph every page after the run so you have a dated record for a later TRC or tax filing.

What happens to the cost if the border refuses my re-entry and I have to run again?

If the refusal is a paperwork problem the fixer can solve at the gate, the desk handles it on the spot and there is no extra service or transport charge. If you are refused for a reason that follows the passport - an exit ban, a blacklist entry or an unpaid fine - a second run at the same gate will not help, and the desk will advise on the embassy route instead of taking your money. Repeat runs caused by your own missing or incorrect documents are normally quoted at cost, so check the passport and e-visa details before departure.

Which city and border give the best value for a first-time visa run?

HCMC to Moc Bai is the safest first visa run comparison to start from: 2 hours each way, frequent departures, a 1.5M VND van seat, a straightforward USD 30 Cambodia visa on arrival and the option to add a fresh 90-day e-visa for about 2.4M VND. It is the shortest corridor in the network and the best documented, with fixers on both sides of the gate. Book on WhatsApp +84 369 308 237 or book@visarun.vn with your nationality and stamp expiry.

Do I need proof of onward travel or a hotel booking to enter or re-enter Vietnam?

Vietnam's land borders normally do not ask a visa runner for an onward ticket, but the airline flying you in and the e-visa form both expect a return or onward booking and an address in Vietnam. A land run itself needs neither — your stamped exit and the fresh re-entry stamp are the proof, and that is one reason the land corridor is the simplest option. If you are re-entering by air after the run, have your onward booking and a Vietnamese address ready, or give the desk a hotel or home address when they file the e-visa.

Can I get a Vietnam visa on arrival at the airport in 2026?

No — Vietnam has no visa on arrival for ordinary tourists. The only arrival-visa route is the pre-approved business or investor approval letter arranged in advance through a licensed agency, and since the e-visa expansion almost everyone now travels on the 90-day e-visa filed online. Land borders work the same way: you enter on an approved e-visa, a valid entry stamp or a visa-exemption entry, never by buying a Vietnam visa at the desk.

Is there still a 30-day Vietnam e-visa in 2026, or only the 90-day one?

Only the 90-day one. Since 15 August 2023 both the single-entry (US$25) and multiple-entry (US$50) Vietnam e-visa run to a maximum 90 days, replacing the old 30-day e-visa. A page still selling a “30-day e-visa” is quoting an outdated product or a short entry stamp, so a visa runner should always aim for the full 90 days — one border trip then resets a whole three months instead of six weeks.

Can I apply for a Vietnam e-visa without a confirmed flight booking?

Yes — the e-visa form does not ask for a flight number. It needs your nationality, passport details, a photo, an address in Vietnam and the port of entry (the land gate you plan to cross), which is exactly why a visa run can be filed entirely around a van or bus trip. The desk builds the application around your run date and pays the government fee (US$25 single, US$50 multiple) when it is submitted, usually 5–7 days before the run.

Do children need their own passport and Vietnam e-visa for a visa run?

Yes — every traveller, including infants, needs their own passport because Vietnam does not accept a child travelling on a parent's passport, and where a visa is required each child needs their own e-visa. The Vietnam e-visa fee applies per child, and the Cambodia or Laos visa on arrival is charged per person at the window, so budget per head rather than per family. Book as a family on WhatsApp +84 369 308 237 and a private car can be arranged at the group rate.

How early can I apply for a Vietnam e-visa before my visa run?

You can apply at any time, but the approval comes with a validity window for entry, so filing too early can open the window before your actual run day. Most desks file about 5–7 days ahead: standard processing is around 3 working days and the rush tier is same-day to next-day at the gate. Have your passport photo, scan and the exact border gate ready so nothing delays the submission.

Can I exit Vietnam by land and re-enter by air on a visa run?

Yes, and it is a common hybrid: exit at Moc Bai or Lao Bao for the exit stamp, then fly back into Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai or Da Nang later on a fresh e-visa. The one rule is that the new e-visa must name the airport you land at as its port of entry — a land gate on the approval will not let you in at an airport. The visa run comparison here is about what suits your onward plans, not the exit gate, so tell the desk your return plan when you book.

Can I re-enter Vietnam at a different land border than the one I exited from?

Yes, as long as the new e-visa names that gate as the port of entry. Exiting at Moc Bai and re-entering at Xa Xia or Lao Bao works operationally, but a single e-visa is valid only at the one port printed on it, so an approval for Moc Bai will not be accepted at Lao Bao. If your plan changes, re-file the e-visa for the correct gate or use the same gate both ways.

Do I have to enter Cambodia or Laos, or is exiting Vietnam enough to reset my stay?

You must leave Vietnam legally with a stamped exit, and the run only works as a reset when you also clear into the neighbouring country and get stamped back out — the gate layout sends you across no-man's land to the far-side counter, so turning around mid-bridge is not permitted. The Cambodia or Laos entry stamp is what proves you actually left. The fixer walks you through both sides of the gate, usually in 30–60 minutes, and the Vietnam re-entry stamp is then issued on the spot.

What if my return crossing happens after midnight — does the entry date change?

Yes — your new stamp or e-visa starts on the calendar day you actually re-enter Vietnam, so a crossing at 00:30 gives you 90 days from that date rather than the day you left. That slightly shifts when your next run falls due, which matters if you are timing a work permit or TRC renewal. Desks note the exact re-entry date on your run receipt so you always know your next deadline, priced against the current vietnam visa run cost and timelines.

Can I do a visa run from Vung Tau, Can Tho or the Mekong Delta?

There is no dedicated desk in those towns, but both are served. Vung Tau clients use the HCMC desk (about 2.5 hours to the pickup) and can still make a same-day Moc Bai run; Can Tho and the wider Mekong Delta connect through the Phu Quoc desk for the Ha Tien/Xa Xia corridor or travel up to HCMC for Moc Bai. Send your location on WhatsApp +84 369 308 237 and the nearest desk quotes the pickup point and price — in the visa run comparison, the closest desk almost always wins.

Is there a visa run desk for Sapa, Lao Cai or the far north?

Not directly. The Lao Cai/Hekou gate on the Chinese border needs a Chinese visa and is not a Cambodia or Laos corridor, so a genuine visa runner in the far north falls back to the Hanoi desk and the Huu Nghi crossing (also a China gate, China visa required) or travels to Da Nang for Lao Bao. Most northern travellers simply bus or fly to Hanoi and let the Hanoi desk handle the whole run. Choose your corridor before buying transport so you do not pay twice.

Can I reset my Vietnam stay by sea, on a cruise or a ferry?

Vietnam's e-visa scheme does cover international seaports, so a cruise or ferry that exits and re-enters at an approved port can work, but the marine gate list is narrower and the paperwork slower than at a land border. For a clean, cheap reset the five land corridors (Moc Bai, Lao Bao, Xa Xia, Le Thanh and Huu Nghi) remain far simpler and better documented. Ask the desk before booking anything boat-based so the e-visa names the right port.

What happens if my passport is nearly full of stamps or pages?

Vietnam needs at least two blank pages for the exit and entry stamps, and a passport with no room can be refused at the gate even with a valid e-visa. Cambodia and Laos also stamp your passport on the far side, so a same-day run really wants two or three spare pages. If you are down to one page, add pages or renew before booking — an emergency passport on run day is slow, expensive and can cancel the trip.

Does the Cambodia or Laos border give a receipt for the visa fee?

Yes — the far-side visa on arrival is a paid transaction and you can ask for a receipt, which is worth keeping if an employer is reimbursing the trip. Cambodia and Laos fees (about US$30–42) are sometimes quoted as a package by the fixer, in which case your desk receipt covers the whole border package. Photograph the receipt and the visa sticker after the run so you have a dated record alongside your stamps and e-visa approval.

Is a visa run cheaper if I buy the border package myself instead of through the desk?

At Moc Bai you can self-drive the crossing and save the fixer margin — the Cambodia visa on arrival is a fixed US$30 and the walk-through is simple in daylight. Where the desk earns its fee is the long-haul sleeper runs from Da Lat and Nha Trang, the Lao Bao route and the new private-car corridors, where the fixer handles queues, forms and any overstay or refusal problem. Put the all-in desk price against the do-it-yourself vietnam visa run cost for your corridor, and for a first run or a tight schedule the desk is usually the better value.