If you're in Vietnam and your visa is about to expire, but you're not ready to leave the region yet, a visa run is one of two real options — the other being an embassy extension within Vietnam. See our guide on what to do when your Vietnam e-visa is about to expire for the full comparison. This guide focuses specifically on the visa run route.
What Is a Vietnam Visa Run?
- Exit Vietnam to a nearby country
- Apply for a new Vietnam e-visa from outside the country
- Once approved, re-enter Vietnam with the new visa
This approach is commonly used by tourists, expats, digital nomads, and remote workers who want to reset their stay without a lengthy embassy process.
Common Countries for a Vietnam Visa Run
| Country | Why Travelers Choose It |
|---|---|
| Thailand | Frequent, affordable flights back to Vietnam |
| Cambodia | Land border crossing is straightforward |
| Laos | Convenient if you're near central or northern Vietnam |
| Singapore | Reliable flight connections |
| Malaysia | Quick access with good onward connections |
Always confirm your own entry requirements for whichever country you choose to visit — these vary by nationality.
What You Need for the New e-Visa Application
- A passport with enough remaining validity to cover your trip
- A clear scanned copy of your passport's bio page
- A recent portrait photo with a white background
- Your planned entry date and entry port back into Vietnam
- Accommodation details in Vietnam, if you have them ready
Processing Speed if You're Short on Time
| Processing Package | Fee (single-entry, government fee included) | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 4–6 days | 50 USD | Planning ahead, no rush to re-enter |
| Urgent 1 day | 110 USD | Want to re-enter tomorrow |
| Urgent 5 hours | 125 USD | Want to re-enter later today |
| Urgent 30–60 minutes | 215 USD | Flying back within the next few hours |
Add 25 USD for a multiple-entry visa. See the complete list of all 9 processing tiers on our urgent Vietnam visa service page. Urgent processing fees come with a 100% refund if the committed timeframe isn't met.
Step-by-Step: Doing a Visa Run
- Plan ahead if possible — decide which neighboring country you'll visit and book a flexible or round-trip ticket
- Exit Vietnam — by flight or land border
- Apply for your new e-visa from your destination country, either directly on evisa.gov.vn or through an agency for support and urgent processing
- Receive your e-visa by email as a PDF once approved
- Re-enter Vietnam with your new visa
Tips for a Smooth Visa Run
- Check the entry requirements for whichever country you're visiting before you book
- Book flexible or round-trip tickets where possible
- Don't wait until the very last day of your current visa to leave Vietnam — leave yourself buffer time
- Never overstay your current visa — this can create complications for future Vietnam visa applications
FAQ: Vietnam Visa Run
What is a Vietnam visa run?
It's when you exit Vietnam to a nearby country, apply for a brand-new Vietnam e-visa from abroad, and re-enter once it's approved — used when you want to stay longer than your current visa allows.
Which countries are commonly used for a Vietnam visa run?
Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, and Malaysia are commonly used, largely due to convenient flight or land border access back into Vietnam.
How fast can I get a new e-visa while abroad?
Urgent processing is available in as little as 30–60 minutes for qualifying cases, with several tiers in between for less urgent timing.
Can I apply for a new Vietnam e-visa while still inside Vietnam?
No. You need to actually exit Vietnam first — you can't apply for a fresh e-visa while your current one is still the basis of your stay.
What should I bring for the new e-visa application?
A valid passport, a portrait photo, a clear scan of your passport's bio page, and your planned entry date and port back into Vietnam.
Related Guides
- 👉 What to do when your Vietnam e-visa is about to expire
- 👉 How to apply for your Vietnam e-visa, step by step
- 👉 Vietnam e-visa requirements: the complete document checklist
- 👉 Urgent Vietnam visa service: 30 minutes to a few days
- 👉 No visa, no boarding: strict airline rules you need to know
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VietnamVisaEasy.com is a private service agency and is not affiliated with the Vietnamese government. We charge a fee to assist with visa applications. If you don't need assistance, you can apply directly on the official government website, evisa.gov.vn. For questions, visit our contact page.