How the Hanoi Visa Run works
Seven steps, no guesswork. Here is exactly what happens from your first message to the moment you are back in Hanoi with a new stamp.
- Step 1 — Contact us (5 minutes)Send a WhatsApp message or the short form with four things: nationality, current visa type, expiry date, preferred travel date. Photos of your passport page and visa speed things up. We reply usually within 1 hour during Mon–Sun, 08:00–21:00 (Hanoi time).
- Step 2 — Eligibility check (same day)A visa consultant reviews your case: visa type, entries used, any previous overstays, whether you hold a TRC or work permit. We confirm that a Visa Run is right for you, or recommend an extension or another visa type instead. This step is free.
- Step 3 — Choose your route and dateBased on your passport we recommend Huu Nghi (China), Na Meo or Lao Bao (Laos). You choose bus or private car, and whether you need express e-visa handling, and we agree a date. A deposit confirms your seat.
- Step 4 — Prepare documents (3–5 working days)We guide your new Vietnam e-visa application on the official portal: correct entry port, correct entry date, correct passport details (typos cause refusals). If you need a Laos visa we arrange it in Hanoi. If you need a Chinese visa we explain the application. You receive a WhatsApp checklist: what to print, what cash to bring, photos, pick-up time.
- Step 5 — Travel dayPick-up in Hanoi at the agreed time and place. Shared trips use a modern van; private trips a car. Your coordinator travels with the group or meets you at the gate. Rest stops on the way.
- Step 6 — Border procedures (1–3 hours)At the Vietnamese exit counter you hand over your passport and receive an exit stamp. You cross to the Lao or Chinese side, complete their entry and exit formalities (visa on arrival at Lao Bao; pre-arranged visa elsewhere). Then you walk back to the Vietnamese entry counter with your printed e-visa and receive your new entry stamp. Your coordinator explains each step and helps if an officer has questions.
- Step 7 — Return to HanoiWe check your new stamp together and note your new permitted stay date. Drive back to Hanoi. A few days before your new visa expires we remind you, and if you want a longer-term solution (multiple-entry visa, TRC, work permit) MP Viet Visa can help.
Typical timelines
| Scenario | Recommended lead time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| China route, visa-free passport | 5–6 days | 5 working days for the e-visa plus a day of margin |
| Laos route, visa needed in advance | 7–10 days | Laos visa (2–4 working days) can run in parallel with the e-visa |
| Already holding a multiple-entry visa or visa-exempt passport | 1–2 days | No new application needed; only transport and schedule |
| Urgent, under 3 days | Contact us immediately | Options depend on express processing and your passport; see urgent page |
What to bring on the day
- Passport (6+ months validity, blank pages)
- Two printed copies of your new Vietnam e-visa
- Laos visa (if arranged) or Chinese visa; or nothing extra if visa-free
- USD cash in clean notes for government fees; VND for food
- 2 passport photos
- Phone with our coordinator's number saved, charged
- Snacks, water, light jacket for the van
What we do if something goes wrong
Problems are rare when the paperwork is right, which is why we check it twice. If an officer raises a question, your coordinator helps you understand it and, where appropriate, speaks with the officer in Vietnamese. If entry is refused for reasons outside our control, we help you understand your options (waiting, returning to Hanoi, applying again, or onward travel) and we do not abandon you at the border. Our full commitments and limits are in the terms.
Ready for step 1?
Send your nationality and visa expiry date. We do the rest.