Hanoi:
ChinaLaos
Visa run and border run
Vietnam Visa Run: What It Is, Who Needs It, and How It Works
A visa run is for people who are already in Vietnam and need a legal way to stay longer. You leave Vietnam, enter a neighbouring country, and then return with a new visa or a new visa-free stay.
Depending on your nationality and travel plans, you may return visa-free or with a newly issued Vietnam e-visa. The right option depends on your passport, the date your current stay expires, your departure city, and the routes operating on your chosen date.
You must leave Vietnam
New e-visa within 4 hours
Laos, Cambodia, and China
Updated: August 2026
Official entry rules and operational details are reviewed regularly. Departure times, transport, border checkpoints, and re-entry options are confirmed before booking.
What is a visa run in Vietnam?
A visa run means physically leaving Vietnam and entering the country again with a new period of stay. It is not an extension of your current stamp or visa from inside Vietnam.
When a person leaves Vietnam, receives a new e-visa, and returns using that e-visa, this is a visa run.
When a person leaves Vietnam and returns under a visa-free entry scheme available to their nationality, this is more accurately described as a border run. This visa-free option is also commonly searched for as a Vietnam border run. In everyday conversation, both options are often called a visa run, so we explain the difference clearly on this page.
For example, some nationalities may qualify for a new visa-free stay after leaving Vietnam. Others may need a new e-visa for a longer stay or because their nationality does not qualify for visa-free entry. The correct option is confirmed only after checking the passport and the current situation.
Who needs a visa run?
People usually consider a visa run when their current stay in Vietnam is about to expire and they want to remain in the country longer.
Some travellers only need a border run and a new visa-free entry period. Others need a new e-visa. Some prefer to arrange their own departure and ask us only to handle the visa service after they leave Vietnam.
The right solution depends on nationality, the current expiry date, the route, and how long the person plans to stay after returning.
It is better not to wait until the final day. The earlier the documents and route are checked, the lower the risk that no suitable trip will be available or that the planned re-entry option will not work.
Can you get a new stay period without leaving Vietnam?
No.
To receive a new visa-free stay or return under a new tourist e-visa, you must physically leave Vietnam. Obtaining a new e-visa does not replace the exit itself.
You must pass immigration control when leaving Vietnam, receive an exit stamp, and be outside Vietnam. After that, you may return visa-free if your nationality qualifies or wait for a new e-visa and re-enter with it.
Visa run or border run: which option do you need?
A border run does not involve a new e-visa. You leave Vietnam, complete the immigration formalities in another country, and return visa-free if your nationality qualifies.
A visa run involves waiting outside Vietnam for a new e-visa. Once the document is ready, you return to Vietnam using that visa.
Both options involve leaving Vietnam and entering again. The main difference is how you return to Vietnam: visa-free or with a new e-visa.
Organized visa run
An organized visa run is suitable for people who need transport to the border and a new e-visa after leaving Vietnam.
Before booking, we check your passport, current permitted stay, nationality, route, and whether you can return to Vietnam under the planned option.
On the travel date, the group departs by sleeper bus or car. The border checkpoints we use usually open from 7:00 in the morning. You pass immigration control when leaving Vietnam, receive an exit stamp, and then cross into the neighbouring country.
You wait in another country, for example Laos, while the new e-visa is prepared and sent to you. Our stated processing time is 4 hours after you send us your Vietnamese exit stamp. The bus waits until every passenger has completed re-entry into Vietnam and returned to the meeting point. Only then does it leave for the departure city.
Once the e-visa is ready, you complete re-entry into Vietnam. We explain in advance which documents are required, when to send the exit stamp, and what to do while waiting.
Organized border run
An organized border run follows a similar travel process, but no new e-visa is issued.
You travel with the group to the border, leave Vietnam, complete the required procedures in the neighbouring country, and return under a visa-free entry scheme available to your nationality.
Before booking, we check whether visa-free re-entry is available to you. A border run is not automatically suitable for every foreign national, and the length of the new stay depends on nationality.
Can you do a visa run independently?
Yes. You may choose the country, arrange your own transport, and organize the trip yourself.
Before departure, we check your documents and confirm the visa service. After leaving Vietnam, you send us a clear photo of your exit stamp and wait for the new e-visa in the neighbouring country.
In this format, you are responsible for leaving on time, accommodation, transport, and the return journey. We are responsible for the agreed e-visa service under the conditions confirmed before payment.
Available visa run routes
We arrange visa runs and border runs to Laos, Cambodia, and China from several cities in Vietnam. Common options include a Nha Trang to Laos visa run, a Nha Trang to Cambodia visa run, a Da Nang to Laos visa run, a Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia visa run, and a Phu Quoc to Cambodia visa run. The exact option depends on the date, nationality, transport, and current availability.
All our routes:
Vung Tau:
Cambodia
Ho Chi Minh City:
Cambodia
Da Nang:
Laos
Hoi An:
Laos
Nha Trang:
CambodiaLaos
Mui Ne:
Cambodia
Phu Quoc:
Cambodia
Before the trip, we confirm the border checkpoint, transport, departure time, and current crossing requirements. Some routes may change or become temporarily unavailable.
Transport used for visa runs
Most group routes use sleeper buses with approximately 20 to 30 seats. The exact capacity depends on the vehicle. Sleeper buses are more comfortable for long overnight journeys because passengers have reclining or sleeping spaces.
Some routes use cars with up to seven seats. This option may be more suitable for a small group and can sometimes offer more flexible timing.
We confirm the exact vehicle once we have checked your travel date and route.
How long does a visa run take?
The total duration depends on the departure city, distance to the border, route, queues, immigration processing, and the time required for the new e-visa.
For example, a Nha Trang to Laos visa run takes about 22 hours in total. This is an estimated return-trip duration and may change because of traffic, border queues, or checkpoint operations.
The bus leaves for the departure city after the e-visa is ready and all group members have completed re-entry into Vietnam.
How much does a Vietnam visa run cost?
There is no single price for every city and route. The cost depends on the departure point, destination country, transport, service format, and whether a new e-visa is required.
The price may depend on:
- departure city;
- Laos, Cambodia, or China;
- sleeper bus or car;
- visa run or border run;
- organized or independent travel;
- e-visa processing time;
- single-entry or multiple-entry e-visa;
- possible fees or requirements in the neighbouring country.
To receive an exact quote, send us your departure city, nationality, the date your current stay expires, and your preferred travel date.
What do you need for a visa run?
Before the trip, we normally check the passport, current permitted stay, nationality, departure date, and planned basis of re-entry.
For a visa run with a new e-visa, you will need to send us a clear photo of the Vietnamese exit stamp. Any additional documents or information are requested after the case review.
The entry requirements of the neighbouring country must also be considered. Access to Laos, Cambodia, or China depends on the passport and the specific route.
What is included in the service?
An organized visa run includes the agreed transport, travel to the border and back, group coordination, preliminary document checks, and preparation of the new e-visa after departure.
An organized border run includes transport, trip coordination, and a preliminary check of visa-free re-entry eligibility. No new e-visa is issued.
For an independent visa run, transport is not included. You arrange the exit and return yourself, while we handle the agreed e-visa service after receiving the exit stamp.
Fees charged by the neighbouring country, meals, accommodation, private transport, or additional documents may be charged separately. The exact service scope is confirmed before payment.
Guarantees and limits of responsibility
For an organized trip, we are responsible for the agreed transport and taking the group to the confirmed border checkpoint on the scheduled date. The route and vehicle are confirmed in advance.
The new e-visa will be ready within 4 hours after you send us the Vietnamese exit stamp.
Entry decisions are made by immigration officers. We check your documents and route in advance, but we cannot control border queues or the decision made at the checkpoint.
Why people choose our service
We check the route against your nationality, arrange transport where available, and handle the new e-visa after you leave Vietnam. You can book an organized visa run, join an organized border run, or travel independently and use only our e-visa service.
Before payment, we confirm the route, transport, visa process, and everything included in the service. You know what will happen at each stage and who is responsible for each part of the trip.
You have one point of contact throughout the process, from the first document check until you return to Vietnam.
Real example
Approved e-visa example
This e-visa was issued after the client left Vietnam and sent us the exit stamp.
More approved visa examples are available on the Vietnam e-visa service page.
View visa examplesFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a visa run and a border run?+
During a visa run, the traveller receives a new e-visa after leaving Vietnam and returns using that visa. During a border run, no new visa is issued and the traveller returns under an available visa-free entry scheme.
Can I arrange the trip myself?+
Yes. You arrange the departure, accommodation, and return journey. After leaving Vietnam, you send us the exit stamp and we prepare the agreed e-visa.
When should I send the exit stamp?+
Immediately after passing immigration control when leaving Vietnam. The stamp details must be clearly visible in the photo.
How long does the e-visa take?+
4 hours after you send us the Vietnamese exit stamp.
Does the bus wait for the whole group?+
Yes. The bus waits for everyone and leaves for the departure city only after all group members have returned.
How long does the Nha Trang to Laos visa run take?+
About 22 hours. This is an estimated total duration and may change because of traffic, border queues, or checkpoint operations.
Can I return under visa-free entry?+
This depends on nationality and the current situation. Eligibility for a new visa-free entry is checked before booking.
What transport is used?+
Usually a group sleeper bus with approximately 20 to 30 seats. Some routes use a car with up to seven seats.
Which departure cities are available?+
Departure cities include Hanoi, Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and Phu Quoc. We confirm the exact route and date before booking.
Do you guarantee entry into Vietnam?+
No. Entry decisions are made by immigration authorities. We are responsible for the agreed trip and visa service under the confirmed conditions.
Do you need a visa run or border run?
Send us your departure city, nationality, the date your current stay expires, and your preferred travel date. We will check the documents, suggest a suitable route, and confirm the price.
If you need a new e-visa after arranging your own departure, tell us how and when you plan to leave Vietnam.