Same-week departures available

Hanoi Visa Run Service

A complete Visa Run from Hanoi for foreigners: we check your eligibility, help with your new visa, drive you to the border and guide you through the crossing. You come back to Hanoi with a fresh entry stamp.

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What is a Visa Run from Hanoi?

A Visa Run from Hanoi is a round trip from Hanoi to a land border with Laos or China, where you exit Vietnam and re-enter on a new visa or a new visa-exemption period. It is the practical solution when your current Vietnam e-visa or exemption is about to expire and an in-country extension is not available to you.

The whole thing usually takes between one long day (Huu Nghi) and two days (Laos crossings). The important part is not the driving. It is having the right paperwork before you leave Hanoi: a new Vietnam e-visa that names the correct border as your entry port, and, for Laos or China, the visa or visa-free eligibility to enter that country.

Who this service is for

English teachers and school staff between contracts or waiting for a work permit
Digital nomads and remote workers staying in Hanoi on 90-day e-visas
Foreign partners and spouses of Vietnamese citizens waiting for a longer-term status
Entrepreneurs and consultants who need to stay a few more months before their TRC is ready
Long-term travellers based in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh or Ha Long

Who it may not be for: if you hold a temporary residence card, a work visa tied to an employer, or you have already overstayed, contact us before booking. Leaving the country may cancel a status you want to keep, and overstays must be settled with immigration first. We will tell you plainly if a Visa Run is a bad idea in your case.

What is included

Item	Bus	Private car	Express e-visa (add-on)
Pre-trip eligibility and document check	Included	Included	—
Written border instructions (English)	Included	Included	—
Vietnam e-visa application support	Standard, 5 working days	Standard, 5 working days	3–4 hours where available
Laos / China visa arrangement	Available (fee at cost)	Available (fee at cost)	—
Round-trip transport from Hanoi	700,000–1,300,000 VND, route dependent	2,500,000–3,600,000 VND, route dependent	—
English-speaking coordinator at the border	Included	Dedicated	—
Government visa and border fees	Paid by you at cost	Paid by you at cost	Paid by you at cost, on top of the 2,000,000–2,700,000 VND express fee
Meals / accommodation	Not included	On request	—

Bus is not available on Na Meo; private car is not currently offered on Lao Bao. Full prices by route are on the Hanoi Visa Run prices page.

Which border should you use from Hanoi?

Short answer: it depends on your passport. We run three routes every week.

Route	Distance from Hanoi	Typical duration	Best for	Third-country visa
Huu Nghi (Lang Son → Pingxiang, China)	~170 km	Same day	UK, EU, Australian, NZ, Japanese, Korean and other China visa-free passports; anyone holding a Chinese visa	China visa or visa-free eligibility
Na Meo (Thanh Hoa → Nam Soi, Laos)	~250 km	Long day	US, Indian, Filipino, South African and other passports without a Chinese visa; travellers who prefer a quiet gate	Laos visa arranged in advance (we do this in Hanoi)
Lao Bao (Quang Tri → Dansavanh, Laos)	~600 km	Overnight	Travellers who want Laos visa on arrival, have no time for an embassy application, or combine the run with Hue / Da Nang	Laos visa on arrival (eligible passports)

Not sure? Send us your passport nationality and we will tell you in one message. Ask on WhatsApp.

How the Hanoi Visa Run works, step by step

Message usSend your nationality, current visa type, expiry date and preferred travel date. A photo of your passport page and visa helps.
Eligibility check (same day)We confirm the best route, what visas you need, and the total cost including government fees.
New Vietnam e-visaWe help you apply on the official portal, with the correct entry port and entry date. Standard processing is 5 working days; plan for more around holidays.
Laos or China visa (if needed)For Na Meo we arrange your Laos visa in Hanoi before departure. Lao Bao issues visa on arrival for eligible passports. For Huu Nghi you need a Chinese visa or visa-free eligibility.
Checklist and pick-up detailsYou receive a WhatsApp message with pick-up time, cash to bring, photos, and what happens at each counter.
Travel dayPick-up in Hanoi. Exit Vietnam, enter the neighbouring country, come back to the Vietnamese counter with your new e-visa printout. New entry stamp.
After the tripWe confirm your new permitted stay date and remind you before it expires.

Documents checklist

Passport, valid at least 6 months, 2+ blank pages
Printed new Vietnam e-visa (two copies) — or visa-exempt passport
Laos visa (arranged in advance) or Chinese visa / visa-free eligibility
2 passport photos (4×6 cm)
USD cash in clean, new notes for government fees; some VND for small costs
Proof of onward travel or accommodation may be requested by officers on either side
Your booking confirmation from us and the coordinator's phone number

Important: what we do and do not guarantee

We guarantee our own work: an honest check, correct paperwork on our side, transport on time and a coordinator at the border. We cannot guarantee visa issuance, entry into Laos or China, or re-entry into Vietnam. Those decisions belong to the immigration authorities and depend on your passport, history and the rules in force on the day. Read the FAQ and our terms before booking.

Frequently asked questions about the Hanoi Visa Run

Where does the trip depart from?

Pick-up is in Hanoi. For shared trips we use a central meeting point, confirmed with you the day before, and can arrange hotel or apartment pick-up in most districts. Private trips are door to door. Travellers from Hai Phong, Bac Ninh or Ha Long can join en route for some routes.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Every trip includes round-trip transport from Hanoi to the border and back, either by shared bus (700,000–1,300,000 VND, where available) or private car (2,500,000–3,600,000 VND). See prices by route.

Is border assistance included?

Yes. An English-speaking coordinator travels with the group or meets you at the gate, explains each counter and helps if an officer asks questions you do not understand.

Can you help with the new Vietnam e-visa?

Yes. We guide you through the official application, check your entry port and dates, and follow up on approval. The government fee (USD 25 single / USD 50 multiple entry up to 90 days) is paid to the immigration portal, not to us.

Can I get a multiple-entry visa so I do not need another Visa Run?

Often, yes. A 90-day multiple-entry e-visa lets you leave and return within its validity without a new application. We will tell you if it suits your plans.

How early should I book?

Ideally 7–10 days before your visa expires, so there is time for e-visa processing (5 working days standard) and a Laos visa if needed. Have less time? See the urgent Visa Run page.

Ready to book your Hanoi Visa Run?

Tell us your nationality and visa expiry date. We reply with the route, the price and the next departure.

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Information last reviewed 2026-09-08. Rules change; we verify your case individually before every trip.