Vietnam Visa Visa-free travellers (45 days)
Since 15 August 2023, the old rule that you had to wait 30 days before re-entering visa-free no longer applies. If you leave, for example to Cambodia, and come back, you get a new 45-day stay from the new entry date.
- The officer still decides at the border. Back-to-back runs with only a day outside can draw questions.
- Carry an onward or return ticket and a hotel booking.
- Planning several months in Vietnam? A 90-day multiple-entry e-visa is simpler. See staying longer than 45 days.
E-visa holders (up to 90 days)
A Vietnam e-visa is valid up to 90 days. If your trip is longer, even by a couple of days:
| Your plan | What to do |
|---|---|
| Trip a few days longer than 90 days | Plan a short trip out (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand) before day 90, and come back on a new e-visa or visa-free |
| Side trips during your stay | Get a multiple-entry e-visa so you can leave and return within the 90 days |
| Already in Vietnam and close to the end date | Message me before the visa ends. Options depend on your case. |
Example: you land on 27 November and fly home on 25 February, 91 days. Get the first e-visa from 27 November, take a short trip to Cambodia in January, and re-enter on a second e-visa that covers the rest of your stay. Apply for the second e-visa 2–3 weeks before you re-enter.
Don't overstay
Even one or two days over means a fine at the airport, delays at departure, and it can count against you on future applications. A short border trip is cheaper and less stressful.
FAQ
Can I do a visa run from Vietnam and get another 45 days visa-free?
Yes, if your passport is visa-exempt. Each entry gives a new 45-day stay and there is no waiting period between entries. The border officer still has the final say, so carry an onward ticket.
Can I extend my 90-day Vietnam e-visa?
Not in the usual way from inside Vietnam. Leave before it ends and come back on a new e-visa, or visa-free if your passport qualifies.
My trip is 2 days longer than my 90-day e-visa. What can I do?
Take a short trip out of Vietnam before the e-visa ends, for example to Cambodia, and re-enter on a new e-visa that covers the rest of your stay. Don't overstay.
Which border is easiest for a visa run from Vietnam?
From Ho Chi Minh City, Cambodia is the closest, by bus via Moc Bai or a short flight. From Hanoi, a cheap flight to Bangkok or Vientiane is common. Make sure the port you re-enter through accepts your visa type.
Related: Staying longer than 45 days · Visa by nationality · E-visa cost