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Visa Runs and Stay Extensions in Vietnam: real experience from chats

Short answer
To extend a stay in Vietnam, you must exit the country to neighboring nations like Laos or Cambodia to apply for a new e-visa. You can then re-enter the country using the approved e-visa, which allows for overlapping visa periods.

From real experience

Visa runs are a common method for extending stays in Vietnam.
Popular routes include trips to Laos or Cambodia. The process typically involves exiting Vietnam, obtaining a new visa (often facilitated by agents for speed, sometimes within a few hours), and re-entering. It is not possible to apply for a new visa while remaining within Vietnam. Official visa processing times can range from 1-3 days, while agent-assisted visa runs can be significantly faster.
✓ 2 reports from chats
Clarify that applications for Vietnamese e-visas must be submitted from outside Vietnam.
Explain the common practice of border runs, where travelers exit and re-enter the country to obtain a new visa, often facilitated by agents.
✓ 2 reports from chats
Vietnam offers a 45-day visa-free entry for certain nationalities, and the number of entries is not limited.
E-visas must be applied for online. If a traveler exceeds the visa-free period, they can exit to a neighboring country (e.g., Laos), apply for an E-visa while there, and re-enter Vietnam once approved.
✓ 1 report from chats
Obtaining a temporary residence permit (VNH) in Vietnam is difficult.
Most foreigners live on visa runs (re-entering every 45 or 90 days with a stamp/e-visa). A rental contract primarily serves as a guarantee for the landlord, not for immigration purposes. Landlords register residents after each visa run.
✓ 1 report from chats
It is possible to hold overlapping Vietnamese E-visas.
Travelers can exit Vietnam and re-enter using a new E-visa even before the previous one expires. This process involves a standard border crossing (visa run), usually via land borders like Laos or Cambodia.
✓ 1 report from chats

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