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. Seven city desks run the network: HCMC, Da Nang, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Da Lat.

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 seven cities — HCMC, Da Nang, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Da Lat — to the Moc Bai or Lao Bao 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 2025, 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 instead of the old 30. 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. These rules have not changed for 2026 — 45-day exemptions and the 90-day e-visa are still the current regime.

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

Only when your exemption days run out. Most of the 25 exempted nationalities get 45 days 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.

What is the best city for a Vietnam visa run?

There is no single winner — it depends where you are. 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.

How much does a Vietnam visa run cost?

Most runs cost between 1.5M and 7M VND depending on the city and transport. 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.

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 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.

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.

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 and dalatvisarun.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. Overstay fines scale with duration — from a warning for a day or two up to millions of VND and possible deportation or an entry ban for more than 30 days. 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.