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Exiting and re-entering the country is the standard legal method to renew a temporary stay in Vietnam. Review the 2026 regulations and procedures.
What is a Border Run?
Given that the Vietnam Immigration Department generally does not issue in-country visa extensions for tourist e-visas, the primary method to renew a 30-day or 90-day e-visa is to physically exit Vietnam and re-enter using a newly approved e-visa. This procedure is informally referred to as a 'visa run' or 'border run'.
2026 Border Re-entry Regulations
Prior to traveling to a land border crossing, ensure compliance with the latest immigration regulations:
- Pre-approved E-Visa Required: Visas on arrival are not available at land borders. Foreign nationals must possess a valid, pre-approved, and printed e-visa before exiting Vietnam. The e-visa application fee is $25 for a single-entry visa and $50 for a multiple-entry visa. Apply for a new e-visa via the National Web Portal on Immigration.
- Exact Entry Port Matching: The approved e-visa must explicitly state the exact land border port designated for re-entry (e.g., Moc Bai Landport). Attempting to enter through a port different from the one specified on the e-visa will result in denied entry. There are 83 authorized entry ports in Vietnam.
- Travel Documents: Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining and contains sufficient blank pages for exit and entry stamps from both Vietnam and the neighboring country.
Common Land Border Crossings
Depending on your location in Vietnam, the following land border crossings are frequently utilized:
- From Ho Chi Minh City to Moc Bai (Cambodia): The closest land border to Ho Chi Minh City, located approximately two hours away by road. Travelers exit Vietnam at Moc Bai, enter Cambodia at Bavet, and subsequently return to Moc Bai for re-entry.
- From Da Nang or Hoi An to Lao Bao (Laos): A land crossing accessible via a 5 to 6-hour journey through central Vietnam.
- From Hanoi to Huu Nghi or Lao Cai (China): Northern crossings into China. Note that entry into China typically requires a pre-approved Chinese visa, unless holding a passport eligible for visa exemption.
Entering a neighboring country, regardless of the duration of stay, requires compliance with their respective entry requirements. This often includes purchasing a tourist visa (typically $30-$40 USD) for Cambodia or Laos.
Standard Re-entry Procedure (Moc Bai Example)
The following outlines the standard sequence of events at a land border crossing:
- Arrive at the Vietnam border control (e.g., Moc Bai) and present your passport to receive an exit stamp.
- Proceed through the neutral zone to the neighboring country's border control (e.g., Bavet, Cambodia).
- Complete any required arrival documentation, pay the applicable visa fee, and receive an entry stamp.
- Proceed to the neighboring country's exit counter to receive an exit stamp.
- Return across the neutral zone to the Vietnam border control.
- Present your passport and your newly printed Vietnam e-visa to the immigration officer to receive a new entry stamp.