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 since 2023 and unchanged for 2026, Vietnam's e-visa is valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry, and 13 countries get 45 days of visa exemption instead of the old 15. 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 — every gate the network uses is covered.

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

Only when your exemption days run out. Thirteen countries — Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus — get 45 days of visa exemption per entry, 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 legal limit on how many visa runs you can do — you can reset your stay as often as your visa or exemption allows. Frequent same-day loops are routine for digital nomads, English teachers and long-term residents, and Vietnam has never applied a “too many stamps” rule at the land borders. Just make sure you always re-enter with valid permission and that your passport has space for new stamps.

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.

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?

The e-visa application is accepted only once you are outside Vietnam, so the standard sequence is: exit at the border, then have the new e-visa filed and approved before you re-enter. That is exactly what the visa desk does on run day — your application goes in from the Cambodia or Laos side and is checked for approval while you wait. Never exit Vietnam without a valid visa or exemption already lined up for re-entry.