You may have never heard the term “Vietnam visa run” if you are just a casual tourist or someone visiting Vietnam for only a few days or weeks. In such cases, you usually have no need to extend your stay in Vietnam, so you might not look into how to extend your stay.
However, when you want to remain in Vietnam after your visa expires, this term will likely become familiar.
What is a Vietnam Visa Run?
The term “visa run” originated from foreigners living in Thailand. When their Thai visas were about to expire, instead of extending their visas in Thailand, they would leave the country for a short time — sometimes just a few hours — and then return with a new visa and a fresh stay period.
A Vietnam visa run works the same way. When your permitted stay in Vietnam is about to end, you leave the country, travel to a neighboring or nearby country, and then return to Vietnam, obtaining a new entry stamp with a new stay period.
This option is often chosen when a visa extension in Vietnam is not possible or the extension cost is higher than doing a visa run.
Common cases for Vietnam visa runs include:
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Visitors entering Vietnam under visa exemption
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Visitors holding a 5-year visa exemption certificate
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Visitors entering with a 30-day e-visa
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Foreigners working in Vietnam with a DN (business) visa
Types of Visa Runs in Vietnam
Currently, foreigners in Vietnam can perform two main types of visa runs:
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By air
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By land
By air: You leave Vietnam and re-enter by air. This method is popular among foreigners in Hanoi.
By land: You exit to a neighboring country sharing a land border with Vietnam, such as Laos or Cambodia, and re-enter via the same or another border gate. This option is often chosen in central and southern Vietnam for its lower cost.
Popular air and land border gates for Vietnam visa runs:
Airports:
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Noi Bai International Airport – Hanoi
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Tan Son Nhat International Airport – Ho Chi Minh City
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Da Nang International Airport – Da Nang
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Cat Bi International Airport – Hai Phong
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Cam Ranh International Airport – Khanh Hoa
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Phu Quoc International Airport – Kien Giang
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Lien Khuong International Airport – Da Lat
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Can Tho International Airport – Can Tho
Land border gates:
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Bo Y (Laos)
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Cha Lo (Laos)
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Cau Treo (Laos)
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Huu Nghi (China)
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Ha Tien (Cambodia)
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Lao Bao (Laos)
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Lao Cai (China)
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La Lay (Laos)
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Moc Bai (Cambodia)
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Mong Cai (China)
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Nam Can (Laos)
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Na Meo (Laos)
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Song Tien (Cambodia)
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Tinh Bien (Cambodia)
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Tay Trang (Laos)
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Xa Mat (Cambodia)
Cost-saving tips:
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Hanoi: Fly to Thailand, Malaysia, or Singapore for cheap air visa runs
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Ho Chi Minh City/South: Moc Bai border run
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Central Vietnam: Lao Bao border run
Documents Required for a Vietnam Visa Run
Prepare the following:
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Original passport (valid for at least 6 months from re-entry and with at least 2 blank pages)
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One of the following valid Vietnam entry documents (unless visa-exempt):
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5-year visa exemption certificate
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Vietnam e-visa
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Entry approval letter for DN visa
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Flight or bus tickets
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Visa and documents required for entry into the third country
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Black or blue ink pen
If obtaining a visa on arrival in Vietnam, bring:
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Two 4×6 cm photos
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Completed Vietnam visa application form
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Visa stamping fee (USD 25 for single entry, USD 50 for multiple entry)
Steps to Complete a Vietnam Visa Run
Step 1: Prepare all required documents
Gather the documents above. Some third-country visas can be issued at the border or obtained from that country’s embassy in Vietnam.
Step 2: Exit Vietnam
Complete the exit procedure and leave for the third country via air or land.
Step 3: Enter the third country
Present required documents at the border/airport to enter.
Step 4: Exit the third country
You can return to Vietnam immediately or after a short stay. Complete exit procedures there.
Step 5: Re-enter Vietnam
At the Vietnam border, present your passport and valid entry documents. If obtaining a visa at the border, submit your photos, application form, and pay the stamping fee.
Once processed, you will have a new entry stamp and stay period in Vietnam.
Legal Notes and Important Tips for a Vietnam Visa Run
When performing a visa run, you must pay special attention to legal requirements to ensure your process is valid, safe, and does not harm your future immigration records:
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Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months with enough blank pages for a visa or entry stamp.
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Your Vietnam entry document (e-visa, entry approval letter, or visa exemption) should be carefully checked before leaving Vietnam. If it is invalid, you could be denied re-entry.
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If you need a visa for the third country (e.g., Cambodia, Laos), obtain it in advance and ensure it is valid. Refusal of entry into the third country will result in a failed visa run.
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Avoid doing visa runs too frequently. Repeated entries and exits may raise suspicion about your real purpose of stay, potentially leading to shorter stay periods or visa refusal.
68 SOLUTIONS – Your Trusted Vietnam Visa Run Partner
Are you looking for a fast, legal, and hassle-free way to extend your stay in Vietnam? 68 SOLUTIONS offers a full-package Vietnam visa run service, guiding you from consultation to completion with peace of mind. Whether you are starting from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, we have tailored routes for each specific case.
- Comprehensive A–Z support: Expert visa consultation, complete document preparation, e-visa application, ticket booking (bus/flight), and detailed entry–exit guidance.
- Fast and smooth processing: Experienced team with in-depth knowledge of immigration regulations ensures your procedures are compliant and efficient.
- Flexible by location and method: Options for both air visa runs (Thailand, Singapore, etc.) and land visa runs (Cambodia, Laos).
- Transparent pricing: Clear service fees with no hidden charges — everything is discussed before payment.
With more than 6 years of experience in visa run assistance, 68 SOLUTIONS is committed to providing you with a safe, transparent, and reliable process.
Contact 68SOLUTIONS today for expert assistance and up-to-date immigration support via hotline: (+84) 989 529 699
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68Solutions – Legal & Travel
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Address: 6th Floor, 67 Yen Lang Street, Trung Liet Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi, 100000
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