Hanoi Visa Run — Frequently asked questions

A Visa Run is a trip out of Vietnam to a neighbouring country and back, so that you re-enter on a new visa or a new visa-exemption period. From Hanoi this is done overland to Laos or China. It is the normal way to keep staying legally when your current visa cannot be extended from inside Vietnam.

Yes. You exit Vietnam legally, enter the neighbouring country legally, and re-enter Vietnam with a valid visa or exemption. What is not legal is overstaying, using false documents, or "stamp-only" arrangements where you do not actually enter the other country. We do none of these.

If an extension is available for your visa type it is usually simpler, but since 2025 tourist-visa extensions have become harder to obtain. A Visa Run gives you a fresh visa of your choice (including 90-day multiple entry). We assess both options for you; MP Viet Visa handles extensions too, so we have no reason to push you towards a trip you do not need. Read Visa Run vs visa extension.

Huu Nghi: same day, roughly 10–12 hours door to door. Na Meo: a very long single day. Lao Bao: overnight, or a long day with flights.

Yes, most nationalities can. What changes by nationality is the route (China routes need China visa-free eligibility or a Chinese visa) and the third-country visa (Laos visa in advance or on arrival). Re-entry to Vietnam is always at the discretion of immigration.

Yes. Citizens of the 45-day exemption countries (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Netherlands and others) and ASEAN citizens can exit and re-enter on a new exemption. The old 30-day gap requirement was removed, but officers can question repeated back-to-back exemptions, so after two or three exemption runs we recommend switching to an e-visa.

Usually no. A TRC already allows multiple entries. If your TRC is expiring, the right step is renewal or a new application, not a Visa Run. Contact us before doing anything.

Not until the overstay is resolved. You will be stopped at exit and fined; long overstays can lead to a ban. Decree 282/2025 increased the fines significantly. We can guide you on regularising first.

Yes. Children need their own passport and e-visa (USD 25 for under-14s for any visa type). Private cars are usually the comfortable choice for families, and we adjust timings for young children.

Huu Nghi in Lang Son, about 170 km or 3 hours by expressway. It is a China crossing, so it requires China visa-free eligibility or a Chinese visa. The closest Laos crossing by distance is Na Meo in Thanh Hoa (about 250 km), though the mountain road makes it a 6-hour drive.

Only with a valid Chinese visa. US passports are not on China's unilateral visa-free list as of our last review. The same applies to Indian, Filipino and South African passports. See the full list of China visa-free countries. For these travellers we use Na Meo or Lao Bao.

As of our last review, only Lao Bao (Quang Tri) issues Laos visa on arrival for eligible passports. Na Meo requires a Laos visa arranged in advance, which we do for you in Hanoi. Laos eVisas are not valid for overland entry from Vietnam.

Hanoi. Shared trips meet at a central pick-up point we confirm with you the day before, with hotel and apartment pick-ups available in central districts (Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Tay Ho, Cau Giay, Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung). Private trips are door to door anywhere in Hanoi, and pick-ups in Hai Phong, Bac Ninh or Ha Long can be arranged for some routes.

Yes. All our routes are designed for same-day re-entry at the land border, provided your new e-visa's validity starts on or before that date and lists that border as the entry port (or your passport is visa-exempt).

Passport (6+ months validity), your new Vietnam e-visa printed, Laos or Chinese visa if required, 2 passport photos, USD cash for government fees. Officers may also ask for proof of accommodation or onward travel. We send you a personal checklist before departure.

Yes. We guide the application on the official portal, check the entry port and dates, and follow up on approval. Government fee: USD 25 single entry, USD 50 multiple entry (up to 90 days), paid to the immigration portal.

If there is any chance you will leave Vietnam again in the next 90 days (holiday, work trip, another run), get multiple entry for USD 50. It saves a whole application next time.

Yes, and this is the most common mistake. The e-visa lists a specific entry port. If it says Noi Bai Airport and you arrive at Huu Nghi, you will not be admitted. We make sure the port matches your route.

Yes, as long as the validity dates do not overlap in a way the system rejects. We time the application so the new visa starts on your return date.

Most non-ASEAN nationalities do. On Lao Bao it is issued on arrival for eligible passports (USD 30–50). On the other Laos gates it must be arranged in advance; we take care of it. ASEAN passports are visa-free in Laos.

We quote the service fee per case, because it depends on route, package and group size. On top of it you pay official government fees: Vietnam e-visa USD 25 or 50, Laos visa USD 30–50 where applicable. Meals and accommodation are extra. Full breakdown on the price page.

No. Every fee is listed on our price page, including the government fees you pay directly. If anyone asks you for money that is not on that list, tell your coordinator.

Yes, round trip from Hanoi in every package.

Yes. An English-speaking coordinator is part of every package.

Exit counter: passport check, exit stamp. Walk or shuttle across the neutral zone. Neighbouring country: entry stamp (and visa on arrival at Lao Bao), short stay, exit stamp. Back at the Vietnamese entry counter: passport plus printed e-visa, a few questions at most, new entry stamp with your permitted stay date. Read what happens at the border.

Entry decisions belong to the authorities and no agency can guarantee them. Refusals are rare with a valid visa, correct port and clean history. If it happens, your coordinator stays with you, helps you understand the reason and your options, and we do not leave you at the border. Service fees for the trip are not refundable in that case; see terms.

No. Officers at international gates handle foreigners daily, and your coordinator speaks both languages.

Yes, if your visa for that country allows it. Tell us in advance and we arrange a one-way transfer and a return pick-up date.

7–10 days before expiry is comfortable. 4–5 days works for China routes. Less than 3 days: see the urgent page and message us immediately.

Often yes, if your re-entry document can be ready in time. We are honest about what is possible.

Yes. Private cars run any day, door to door, and are usually the best value for 3–4 people.

One free date change. Cancellation terms depend on notice period and costs already incurred; details in the terms and cancellation policy.

Yes, in writing on WhatsApp and in person on the trip.