For many foreign residents and long-term travelers, the Vietnam visa run has become an essential way to legally extend their stay in the country. While short-term tourists may leave after their initial visa expires, expats who wish to remain longer often use visa runs as a simple and cost-effective alternative to visa extensions.
This comprehensive guide explains what a visa run is, how to do it, where to go, what to prepare, and how to ensure the process remains fully compliant with Vietnamese immigration law.
What Is a Vietnam Visa Run?
A Vietnam visa run is a short trip abroad taken by a foreigner whose visa or residence period in Vietnam is about to expire. Instead of applying for an in-country visa extension—which can sometimes be expensive or unavailable—the traveler exits Vietnam to a nearby country (such as Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand) and then re-enters with a new visa or e-visa.
This process essentially resets the duration of stay and allows continued legal residence in Vietnam. It is particularly popular among digital nomads, teachers, and expats who are waiting for new visa or work permit approvals.
Advantages and Drawbacks
Advantages
- Lower cost: A visa run is often cheaper than applying for a formal visa extension.
- Flexible options: Travelers can choose between a single or multiple-entry visa, valid for 1 to 3 months.
- Quick process: In many cases, the visa run can be completed within a single day.
Drawbacks
- Travel required: You must physically leave and re-enter Vietnam; staying inside the country is not possible.
- Time-consuming: The process involves border crossings, transportation, and possible waiting times at immigration.
Where to Do a Vietnam Visa Run
There are two main types of visa runs in Vietnam — via international airports or via land borders.
| Airports | Land borders |
| Noi Bai International Airport – Hanoi | Bo Y Landport (to Laos) |
| Tan Son Nhat International Airport – HCMC | Cha Lo Landport (to Laos) |
| Da Nang International Airport – Da Nang | Cau Treo Landport (to Laos) |
| Cat Bi International Airport – Hai Phong | Huu Nghi Landport (to China) |
| Cam Ranh International Airport – Khanh Hoa | Ha Tien Landport (to Cambodia) |
| Phu Quoc International Airport – Phu Quoc | Lao Bao Landport (to Laos) |
| Lien Khuong International Airport – Da Lat | Lao Cai Landport (to China) |
| Can Tho International Airport – Can Tho | La Lay Landport (to Laos) |
| Moc Bai Landport (to Cambodia) | |
| Mong Cai Landport (to China) | |
| Nam Can Landport (to Laos) | |
| Na Meo Landport (to Laos) | |
| Song Tien Landport (to Cambodia) | |
| Tinh Bien Landport (to Cambodia) | |
| Tay Trang Landport (to Laos) | |
| Xa Mat Landport (to Cambodia) |
Visa Run Tips:
- Cheapest visa runs from Hanoi: Those in Hanoi often choose to do a visa run via Noi Bai Airport to Singapore, Thailand, or Cambodia.
- Cheapest visa runs from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city): Those in Saigon and southern provinces of Vietnam often choose to do Moc Bai visa run which is considered the cheapest, fastest, and most convenient way to do a visa run from HCMC.
What to Bring for a Vietnam Visa Run
Before heading to the border or airport, make sure to prepare the following documents:
- Valid passport – must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your re-entry date and have at least 2 blank pages.
- Vietnam eVisa or approval letter – depending on your type of entry.
- Visa stamping fee – usually USD 25 for single entry or USD 50 for multiple entry.
- Two recent passport photos (4×6 cm) – with a white background.
- Printed travel ticket – for both exit and return trips.
- Black or blue pen – to fill out immigration forms.
Important Notes:
- In case you do the visa run with visa exemption, items 2 and 3 are NOT required.
- If you do the visa border run, you must show the original visa approval letter with the red stamp and signature, a copy, scan, or photo is not accepted.
- There is also regulation concerning the photos if required. Spend some minutes reading Vietnam visa photo requirements and sizes. Don’t forget your photos as you may be subject to a penalty of $2 or have to take it at the airport at around US $2/one. You can get photos everywhere in Vietnam and it won’t usually cost you more than 50.000 – 100.000 VND.
- The visa stamping fee at Vietnam airport (if required) is US $25 for a single entry visa, US $50 for a multiple entry visa valid for up to 3 months.
- The Vietnamese visa application form (if required) can be taken on your flight in case you do the visa run via the airport, in the front desk of the visa counter at the border gates.
How to Do a Visa Run from Vietnam
There are two main methods to complete a visa run:
Option 1: Visa Run via Airport
Steps:
- Obtain a Vietnam eVisa or visa approval letter in advance.
- Book your outbound and return flights (e.g., Vietnam → Thailand → Vietnam).
- Depart Vietnam, pass through exit immigration, and re-enter with your new visa.
If you are good at hunting cheap flight tickets, or your budget permits, this option seems to be the best for a visa run as it will save you a lot of energy for travel. The best countries that you can consider for an airport visa run from Vietnam are Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Option 2: Visa Run via Land Border
Steps:
- Obtain your Vietnam visa approval letter or new eVisa.
- Book a van or a bus or simply drive on your own to the border. If you want to drive on your own and have no motorbike or car, just rent one in a store near your residence as it is very easy.
- Show your passport once you are at the Vietnamese border, and get the Vietnam exit stamp. After that, you’re officially not able to stay in Vietnam anymore.
- At the border, you pass one more passport control, and then you will head to Laos/Cambodia immigration office.
- Once you reach Laos/Cambodia immigration office, you need to show your original passport and Cambodia visa (if required) or get the visa on arrival (if available) and fill out the required forms. You will get the entry stamp of such a country on your passport.
- After that, you can get into the country for a few days’ trip or go back to the immigration counter to do the exit procedure to get the exit stamp. You’re done and successfully outside Laos/Cambodia and ready for a new Vietnamese visa!
- Once you reach the Vietnam border, the immigration will recheck your passport and Vietnam entry paper. After that, you will get the entry sticker.
- Congratulations. Your visa run is completed.
The land route is favored by long-term expats for its affordability and flexibility.
Visa Approval Letter for Visa Run
A visa approval letter is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department, allowing foreigners to obtain a visa on arrival or at a land border checkpoint.
- For airport visa runs, the approval letter can be printed and used at any international airport.
- For land border runs, the letter must be original with a red stamp and cannot be substituted with a copy or scan.
Is visa approval letter for airport visa run the same as that for land border run?
No. Although they are both issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department via a local travel agency as permission to allow its holders to get visa stamped at the Vietnam border, they are different in the following aspects:
- Your port of entry for airport visa run is stated on the ending part of the letter, while that for the land border run is on its body;
- Your port of entry for airport visa run is not fixed, and you can switch among the above 8 international airports to get the visa stamped, but that in the letter for a land border visa run is fixed and cannot be changed;
- The letter you show to get visa stamped at Vietnam airport is a print while it must be original for the land border run. As such, you can get the letter for an airport visa while you are in Vietnam or in a foreign country, but you are required to get the letter for border visa run when you are in Vietnam, before leaving the country.
Here is a sample letter for the airport visa run:
Here is a sample letter for visa land border run:
How Much Does a Vietnam Visa Run Cost?
To do a visa run, you need to pay the following items:
- E-visa/Visa approval letter;
- Bus ticket/Air tickets
- Visa stamping fee (if getting visa on arrival)
- Visa fee to Cambodia, Laos, etc. (if required).
* Important tip: You also should prepare some cash (around US $10) for immigration officer if you do the visa run at the land border.
Tips for a Smooth Visa Run
- Check visa validity and entry conditions before departure.
- Avoid last-minute travel; plan your visa run 5–7 days before your current visa expires.
- Carry printed copies of your visa approval letter and eVisa.
- Always verify border opening hours before traveling.
- Use reputable visa services or travel agencies to ensure proper documentation.
Final Thoughts
A Vietnam visa run is a practical and legal way for foreigners to extend their stay without complications. Whether you choose an airport run or a land border run, preparation is key to a seamless process.
For longer stays, many expats alternate between visa runs and eVisa renewals, allowing them to live and work legally while enjoying the vibrant culture of Vietnam.
Before making your trip, ensure your documents are accurate, your route is confirmed, and your new visa is ready to keep your Vietnam journey stress-free and compliant.
>>> See our full Vietnam visa guide here.
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