Hanoi Visa Run Guide
Plain-English guides for foreigners in Hanoi and Northern Vietnam. Written by people who do this every week, reviewed when the rules change.
Start here
My Vietnam visa expires tomorrow. What can I do?
Your realistic options with 1, 2, 3 or 5 days left, and the mistakes that turn a small problem into a ban.
How to do a Visa Run from Hanoi (2026 step-by-step)
Borders, visas, timings, costs and the exact order to do things in.
Visa Run vs visa extension in Vietnam
Which one fits your situation, what each costs, and what changed in 2025–2026.
What happens at the Vietnam border during a Visa Run
Counter by counter, what officers ask, and what to have in your hand.
China visa-free countries: the full list (2026)
All 50 countries whose passports can enter China visa-free, and what it means for the Huu Nghi route.
Laos visa-free countries: the official list
The 15 countries whose passports can skip the Laos visa entirely, sourced from Lao PDR's own immigration department.
Content clusters
Articles marked "planned" are scheduled in the 90-day content plan.
1. Visa Run basics
- How to do a Visa Run from Hanoi
- What is a Visa Run in Vietnam? (planned)
- How long does a Hanoi Visa Run take? (planned)
- Can foreigners do Visa Runs from Hanoi? (planned)
- Can I do a Visa Run without speaking Vietnamese? (planned)
2. Routes & border guides
- Where can I do a Visa Run from Hanoi? (planned)
- What happens at the Vietnam border
- China visa-free countries: the full list
- Laos visa-free countries: the official list
- Huu Nghi border guide for foreigners (planned)
3. Costs
- How much does a Visa Run from Hanoi cost? (planned)
- Vietnam e-visa fees 2026 explained (planned)
- Cheap Visa Run from Hanoi: what you actually save (planned)
4. Urgent visa problems
- Vietnam visa expires tomorrow
- What happens if my Vietnam visa expires? (overstay fines 2026) (planned)
- Visa expires in 3 days: a realistic plan (planned)
- How early should I book a Visa Run? (planned)
5. Vietnam immigration & e-visa
- Vietnam e-visa after a Visa Run: entry port and dates (planned)
- Vietnam re-entry requirements for foreigners (planned)
- Can I return to Vietnam after a Visa Run? (planned)
- Vietnam exit requirements (planned)
6. Extension vs run & expat guides
- Visa Run vs visa extension
- Vietnam Visa Run vs visa renewal (planned)
- Visa Run from Hanoi for English teachers (planned)
- Visa Run from Hanoi for digital nomads (planned)
- Common Visa Run mistakes (planned)
- What to pack for a Visa Run (planned)
Need to do a Visa Run from Hanoi?
If your Vietnam visa is expiring soon, our team can help you understand the available options.