A Vietnam visa run can help you reset your stay permit, but whether you can re-enter the same day depends on your visa exemption eligibility or the visa you hold. Before booking a border trip, check the re-entry rules, visa requirements, costs, and processing time to avoid getting stranded outside Vietnam.
Travelers crossing the Vietnam-China border (Source: Vinpearl)
A Vietnam visa run, also called a border run, involves leaving Vietnam for another country and then returning under a new visa or visa-free entry permission. Foreign travelers commonly use this method when their permitted stay is approaching its end and they want to remain in Vietnam longer.
The two most common situations are:
A visa run is not a visa extension. An extension involves obtaining permission from Vietnamese immigration authorities to remain longer without leaving the country. A visa run involves an actual international departure and subsequent re-entry.
If you have a work visa, temporary residence card, or another sponsored immigration status, check the appropriate extension or renewal procedure before considering a border run.
Related blog post: Vietnam Visa Run vs Extension: Which to Choose & When
Yes. Vietnam has not introduced a blanket prohibition on leaving and re-entering the country for another permitted stay. However, travelers must satisfy the immigration requirements applicable to each new entry.
Immigration check with biometric data (Source: Kenh 14)
Yes, same-day re-entry is possible for eligible travelers. Vietnam removed the former requirement to wait at least 30 days after leaving before entering again (Source: Ministry of Public Security). However, the removal of this waiting period does not guarantee re-entry or eliminate the need for admission checks.
Your ability to return depends on:
If you need a new e-visa, a same-day visa run is generally impractical unless that visa has already been lawfully obtained and is valid for re-entry.
Foreigners being deported from Vietnam (Source: Bao Thanh Nien)
There is no general numerical limit on consecutive visa-free entries. However, repeated visa runs may attract closer scrutiny from immigration and customs authorities, particularly if they suspect:
Immigration officers assess your eligibility each time you re-enter Vietnam. If you have completed several visa runs, be prepared to explain your travel purpose and provide supporting documents when requested. You can consider obtaining a suitable long-term visa or residence permit if you intend to stay in Vietnam for an extended period.
Related blog post: Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) Service
The procedure depends on whether you qualify for visa-free re-entry or need a new e-visa.
If you have visa-exemption, visa run is simple (Source: CafeF)
If your passport qualifies for another visa-free entry, the process is relatively straightforward.
Step 1 - Confirm your visa exemption: Check your passport's nationality, the permitted stay, and the conditions for re-entry.
Step 2 - Choose a border crossing: Select an international checkpoint that accepts foreign travelers and is convenient to reach.
Step 3 - Check the neighboring country's requirements: You may need a Cambodian, Lao, or Chinese visa even if you do not need a Vietnamese visa.
Step 4 - Exit Vietnam and enter the neighboring country: Complete departure immigration procedures before your current permitted stay expires.
Step 5 - Return to Vietnam: Present your passport and any supporting documents requested by Vietnamese immigration officers.
Vietnam e-visa application site
If your nationality requires a Vietnam visa, you must arrange valid re-entry permission before returning. An e-visa is the most convenient option, and Vietnam currently allows citizens from all countries to apply for this type of visa. Since a Vietnam e-visa typically takes 3-5 working days to be issued, your border trip will need to be longer.
The process is the same as for visa-exempt travelers but you need to obtain a valid e-visa before returning to Vietnam. A traveler whose 90-day Vietnam e-visa is expiring soon, tried applying for another e-visa before leaving Vietnam. However, they received an email instructing them to resubmit the application after exiting the country.
They had planned a same-day border run but were now facing a potential wait of several working days outside Vietnam, along with uncertainty about whether they would need to pay the application fee again. If you need a new e-visa, do not plan a same-day border run without valid re-entry permission. Allow enough time to obtain approval and budget for a possible extended stay outside Vietnam.
You can buy a bus ticket to go to Cambodia (Source: collected)
The most convenient Vietnam visa run route depends on where you are staying, your nationality, and the neighboring country's entry requirements. Vietnam expanded its authorized e-visa entry and exit points to 83 under Resolution No. 389/NQ-CP dated December 2, 2025. However, you must also verify entry arrangements on the opposite side of the border.
Traveling by bus, coach, or train is a practical way to complete a Vietnam visa run without paying for international flights. The best border crossing depends on your departure city, available transport, and whether you can legally enter the neighboring country.
|
Departure city |
Border crossing |
Public transport |
Approximate one-way travel time |
|
Ho Chi Minh City |
Moc Bai - Bavet (Cambodia) |
Coach, shared van |
2-3 hours |
|
Da Nang / Hoi An |
Lao Bao - Dansavanh (Laos) |
Coach or train + bus |
5-7 hours from Da Nang |
|
Hanoi |
Huu Nghi - Youyi Guan (China) |
Coach, limousine van |
3-4 hours |
|
Hanoi |
Lao Cai - Hekou (China) |
Overnight train or bus |
7-9 hours |
Related blog post: How To Do Vietnam Visa Run To Laos
If your new Vietnam e-visa is still pending or has been rejected, you cannot use that application to re-enter Vietnam.
|
Your situation |
What to do |
Potential risks |
|
E-visa pending (outside Vietnam) |
Check status, await approval |
Extra costs, travel delays |
|
E-visa rejected (outside Vietnam) |
Check reason, correct, reapply |
Lost fee, further rejection |
|
E-visa expiring (in Vietnam) |
Exit before expiry or extend if eligible |
Overstay fines |
|
Visa-free stay expiring |
Exit, check re-entry eligibility |
Entry refusal |
|
Work visa / TRC expiring |
Contact sponsor, renew or extend |
Loss of legal status |
|
Already overstayed |
Contact Immigration Department |
Fines, deportation, entry restrictions |
If an application is delayed or rejected after you cross the border, you may need to remain abroad for several additional days and arrange accommodation, transport, and lawful entry permission for that country.
You can organize a Vietnam visa run independently. However, professional assistance can be useful when you are close to your permitted stay deadline, have difficulty with visa paperwork, or need help coordinating your travel. UrgentVisaToVietnam can assist with reviewing your application, checking reported visa issues, and exploring available urgent visa-support options.
Contact our team with your passport nationality, current visa status, planned departure date, and intended return date so we can assess the assistance available for your situation.
Tel: +84.904.879.729
Tel: +1 (778) 788 2310
Email: [email protected]
Can I do a Vietnam visa run in one day?
Yes, if you qualify for visa-free re-entry or already hold valid permission to return. Travelers requiring a new e-visa generally need to allow additional time outside Vietnam for approval.
Is there a 30-day waiting period between Vietnam visa runs?
No. Vietnam removed the former 30-day waiting requirement for re-entry under unilateral visa exemptions. You must still satisfy the applicable entry conditions.
Can I get another 90 days by doing a visa run?
Yes, a new Vietnam e-visa can authorize a stay of up to 90 days if approved. However, exiting and re-entering with the same multiple-entry e-visa does not restart its validity.
Do I need a Cambodian or Lao visa for a Vietnam border run?
Yes, if your passport nationality requires a visa to enter Cambodia or Laos. No, if you qualify for visa-free entry. Check the destination country's entry requirements before traveling.
Can I apply for a new Vietnam e-visa while still in Vietnam?
No. The official direct e-visa application procedure requires applicants to be outside Vietnam. Certain sponsored visa arrangements follow different procedures.
How many visa runs can I do in Vietnam?
There is no general numerical limit specified for consecutive entries under Vietnam's unilateral visa exemption rules. However, every entry remains subject to immigration checks, and repeated visa runs do not guarantee admission.
What happens if my Vietnam visa expires before I leave?
You may be subject to penalties and additional immigration procedures for overstaying. Contact the Vietnamese immigration authorities promptly to clarify your situation. Do not assume that crossing the border will automatically resolve an overstay.
You are eligible for a 30-day Vietnam visa exemption on Phu Quoc no matter whether you are a foreigner or a Vietnamese holding a foreign passport.
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