Saigon Visa Run FAQ
Everything You Need to Know

Vietnam does not allow you to extend most tourist e-visas or visa-exemption stamps while you are inside the country, so when your stay is close to expiring you must exit and re-enter to receive a new period of stay. Moc Bai is the closest international land border to Saigon — about 70-80 km away — which makes a same-day visa run the fastest and cheapest legal way to renew your stay from HCMC.

The run goes to the Moc Bai International Border Gate (Cửa khẩu Mộc Bài) on National Highway QL22 in Tay Ninh province, about 70-80 km northwest of central Ho Chi Minh City. On the Cambodian side the crossing is called Bavet, and together Moc Bai–Bavet is the busiest overland border between southern Vietnam and Cambodia.

Digital nomads, English teachers, expats, retirees, and long-stay tourists in HCMC whose Vietnam visa or visa-exemption stamp is about to expire. It also suits travelers waiting for a new e-visa approval, people who have already used their visa-free days, and families who want the border formalities handled by a team that crosses daily.

Book your run at least 24-48 hours ahead, and plan to cross before your current visa or exemption stamp expires — ideally with 2-3 days of buffer in case of delays. If you are already overstaying, message the Saigon Visa Run team on WhatsApp immediately; they can advise whether you can still exit and what fines to expect.

Expect roughly 6-8 hours door to door for the standard run. You are picked up in central HCMC around 05:00-06:00, drive about 1.5-2 hours to Moc Bai, clear both Vietnamese and Cambodian immigration (30-60 minutes total), and return to Saigon by early evening, typically 17:00-19:00.

Yes. Moc Bai is only about a 2-hour drive from central Saigon and the border operates daily from early morning until late evening, so the whole loop fits comfortably in a day. Our service coordinates the timing so you are back in the city the same evening — no overnight stay in Tay Ninh needed.

Yes — visa runs are legal as long as you genuinely exit Vietnam, your passport is valid, and you have a valid reason and documents for re-entry. Border officers see hundreds of visa-run travelers at Moc Bai every day. What can get you in trouble is overstaying, so always cross before your visa expires.

A visa extension is handled by Vietnamese immigration and is only possible for certain visa types — most tourist e-visas and visa-exemption stamps cannot be extended in-country at all. A visa run means physically leaving Vietnam and re-entering to get a brand-new entry stamp and visa. When an extension is not possible, the visa run is the only option.

The service is built for foreigners living in or visiting Ho Chi Minh City — expats, teachers, remote workers, retirees, couples, and families — who need to renew their Vietnam stay without flying abroad. We also handle special cases like TRC holders, travelers with damaged passports, and group bookings in private cars.

Moc Bai is approximately 70-80 km from central HCMC, about a 1.5-2 hour drive each way on the well-paved National Highway QL22. The short distance is exactly why Moc Bai is the standard choice for same-day visa runs from Saigon — you can comfortably go and return in a single day.

The Moc Bai border is open daily from 06:00 to 22:00, including weekends and public holidays, and it does not close for a midday break. Both the Vietnamese and Cambodian counters operate within this window. For a same-day visa run, we recommend arriving between 07:00 and 08:00 so you have plenty of time for both sides and the return drive.

Clearing both sides typically takes 30-60 minutes total: Vietnam exit stamp (3-5 minutes), Cambodia visa-on-arrival processing, then Vietnamese re-entry. Our local coordinators pre-fill forms and queue your passport at each counter, which keeps the whole process to about half an hour to an hour even when the border is busy.

Pickup is between 05:00 and 06:00 in the morning, usually from District 1 or your central HCMC hotel or apartment. The early start ensures you reach Moc Bai around 07:00-08:00, clear both borders before the busiest hours, and get back to Saigon by early evening.

Yes. Moc Bai operates daily from 06:00 to 22:00 including Saturdays, Sundays, and Vietnamese public holidays, so same-day runs run seven days a week. Note that during Tet (Lunar New Year) and other major holidays the border can be busier, so book ahead and confirm your slot.

Pickup is 05:00-06:00 in central Saigon, arrival at Moc Bai around 07:00-08:00, border formalities on both sides 08:00-09:00, and the return drive gets you back to HCMC between 17:00 and 19:00. The full trip is roughly 6-8 hours door to door, with flexibility for a breakfast or lunch stop.

Transportation only (private car round trip to Moc Bai) is 2,000,000 VND. The Car & Visa package — car plus a new 90-day Vietnam e-visa — is 4,400,000 VND, and the Complete Package covering car, e-visa, and Cambodia visa fee management is 5,500,000 VND (~$226 USD). The Cambodia visa-on-arrival fee (~$43 / 1,100,000 VND) is paid directly at the border unless you book the Complete Package.

The Transportation Only package at 2,000,000 VND includes door-to-door private car transport from your Saigon location to Moc Bai and back, with fuel, road tolls, driver, and border wait time covered. You handle your own Vietnam e-visa and pay the Cambodia visa fee (~$43) in cash at the border. It is the right choice if you already have a valid e-visa.

The Complete Package at 5,500,000 VND is fully hands-off: private car round trip, a new 90-day Vietnam e-visa filed for you, Cambodia visa-on-arrival fee management, and border guidance throughout. You just bring your passport and passport photos — the team handles everything from pickup to re-entry.

Our 90-day Vietnam e-visa add-on is 2,400,000 VND (~$99 USD), which covers the filing service and document preparation. The Vietnamese government's own e-visa fee is separate and paid to the government when the application is submitted — we send the exact breakdown when you book so there are no surprises.

The Car & Visa package (4,400,000 VND) bundles your private car round trip with a new 90-day Vietnam e-visa filed by our team, so you leave Saigon knowing your re-entry visa will be ready. You only pay the Cambodia visa fee (~$43) in cash at the border. It is the most popular option for first-time runners.

Bring your original passport with at least 6 months of validity, your current Vietnam visa, about 1,100,000 VND or $43 USD in cash for the Cambodia visa-on-arrival (cards are not accepted), one passport photo (4x6 cm, white background), and a phone with WhatsApp for real-time updates with your driver and coordinator.

Most nationalities can get a Cambodia tourist visa on arrival at the Bavet border for about $43 USD (30 days, single entry), which is what we recommend for a same-day run. Some nationalities pay a different rate, and you can alternatively apply for a Cambodia e-visa online (~$36 + fee) beforehand — but visa on arrival is faster and simpler for a one-day trip.

Yes. The Cambodia visa-on-arrival fee at Moc Bai can be paid in USD, VND, Thai Baht, or sometimes EUR. Paying in USD is usually the smoothest — crisp $43 bills with no tears or marks. If you pay in VND the rate is typically set slightly above market, so USD generally works out best.

Travel insurance is not required for a visa run, but it is recommended — it covers medical issues, lost passports, and trip disruptions that can happen on any border trip. What you definitely need is your passport, a passport photo, and cash for the Cambodia visa fee. Water and snacks for the drive are a good idea too.

Bring your original passport (6+ months validity), a 4x6 cm passport photo with white background, around $43 USD or 1,100,000 VND in cash for the Cambodia visa, your phone with WhatsApp, and a light daypack. Photocopies are not accepted at immigration, so leave the originals accessible — and keep water and a snack for the drive.

Yes, one passport-size photo (4x6 cm, white background, no glasses) is required for the Cambodia visa on arrival. If you forget, vendors near the border sell photos for a small fee, but bringing your own saves time. Keep a digital copy on your phone as a backup.

First you exit Vietnam: your coordinator pre-fills the exit card and you get a Vietnam exit stamp (3-5 minutes). Then you walk into Bavet, Cambodia, where you submit a passport photo and pay the visa-on-arrival fee (~$43) for a 30-day Cambodia tourist visa. Finally you turn around and re-enter Vietnam with your new e-visa or exemption stamp — the whole loop takes 30-60 minutes.

Yes — a visa run only counts if you genuinely leave Vietnam and enter the neighboring country. At Moc Bai you cross into Bavet, clear Cambodian immigration, and receive an entry stamp. You do not need to travel deep into Cambodia; exiting Vietnam and entering Cambodia at the border is enough to reset your Vietnam stay.

Yes, with a private car the schedule is flexible — many runners grab lunch in Tay Ninh (famous for its pork rolls and Cao Dai temple is nearby) or stretch their legs in Bavet. Just keep an eye on the clock: the border closes at 22:00 and you need time for the 2-hour drive back to Saigon.

Moc Bai is open 06:00-22:00 daily and rarely closes, but on the rare occasion of a closure or heavy holiday congestion our coordinators will know first and contact you immediately. Depending on the situation, we can reroute to another crossing or reschedule your run — your WhatsApp support line stays active through the whole trip.

The standard option is a 90-day Vietnam e-visa (single or multiple entry), which our service files for you as part of the Car & Visa or Complete package. Most nationalities qualify for the 90-day e-visa, and it is processed in about 3-5 working days before your run so your new visa is ready when you re-enter at Moc Bai.

Yes. Vietnam offers both single-entry and multiple-entry 90-day e-visas for eligible nationalities. If you travel in and out of Vietnam frequently, the multiple-entry option saves you from doing a visa run every time. Tell us your travel pattern when you book and we will file the right type for you.

The 90-day e-visa is available to citizens of nearly 100 countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, India, and most European nations. Some nationalities with visa-exemption agreements (like many EU countries, Japan, South Korea) can instead enter visa-free for up to 45 days, and we can help you decide which route is better for your situation.

Yes. If your nationality gets 45 days of visa exemption, you can exit Vietnam and re-enter to receive a fresh 45-day exemption stamp. The visa run works exactly the same way — you cross at Moc Bai and come back with a new entry stamp. Alternatively, many exempt nationalities can apply for a 90-day e-visa to get a longer single stay.

There is no official limit on the number of visa runs you can do, and frequent runs are legal as long as you genuinely exit and re-enter with valid documents. However, doing runs back-to-back can draw extra scrutiny from border officers. Most travelers find a 90-day e-visa means doing a run only 3-4 times a year.

You should only travel once your new Vietnam e-visa is approved — re-entering without it means you cannot get a new entry stamp. We plan your run date around your e-visa approval. If your e-visa is delayed, we will move your transport booking to the next available day at no extra cost.

The 90-day e-visa is the maximum single stay available to most nationalities — beyond that you must exit and re-enter, which is exactly what a visa run does. Some visa types and TRC holders have longer options; if you need to stay longer-term, message us and we will explain the best legal path for your nationality.

No — when you exit Vietnam, your current visa or exemption stamp is used up, and you re-enter with a new e-visa or a fresh exemption stamp. That is the whole point of the run. If you want to preserve a multi-entry visa, check its entry count before you travel; we can advise whether your visa still has entries left.

Unused days on a single-entry visa or exemption stamp are lost when you exit — the visa is stamped as used. A visa run gives you a completely new period of stay from the re-entry date, so you are not 'wasting' anything; you are trading old remaining days for a fresh, usually longer, stay.

If you are waiting for a new e-visa or approval letter, you should not exit Vietnam until it is approved, or you may be stuck on the Cambodian side unable to re-enter. We coordinate your run date to land after your approval arrives, and the Car & Visa package includes filing the e-visa so the timing is managed for you.

Yes. We use modern air-conditioned 4-seater or 7-seater vehicles, so you can sleep, work, or read during the drive. Private transport means no waiting for other passengers, no fixed bus schedule, and the driver waits for you at the border while you clear immigration.

Absolutely. A private car visa run is ideal for couples, families, and business travelers — you get the vehicle to yourself, choose your pickup point in HCMC, and stop for meals or restroom breaks as needed. For groups of 3-4 people a private car is often cheaper per person than shuttle or bus tickets.

Yes, buses run from HCMC to Moc Bai for as little as 200,000 VND per person, but they run on fixed schedules, stop for other passengers, and will not wait if border processing runs long. A private car costs more but is door-to-door, flexible, and waits for you — for groups of 3-4 it is often cheaper per person than a high-end shuttle.

Pickup is usually from District 1 or your central HCMC hotel or apartment between 05:00 and 06:00. Drop-off is back at your original location in the evening, around 17:00-19:00. If you are staying further out — Thu Duc, Binh Thanh, District 7, or near the airport — message us your address and we will confirm a pickup window.

Yes — Moc Bai is a large, well-run international border used by thousands of travelers every month, and the QL22 highway is a sealed, modern road. With a private car and local coordinators who cross daily, you are never alone at the border and have WhatsApp support from pickup to drop-off.

Message the team on WhatsApp as soon as you realize you will be late. If the car can wait, we will adjust; if it has already left, we can usually reschedule you for the next available run. The most important thing is not to miss your border window — if your visa expires the same day, tell us immediately so we can prioritize.

Booking is done entirely on WhatsApp — no forms or emails. Send the team a photo of your passport bio page, your current visa details (type and expiry), and your preferred run date. You will get a confirmation with your pickup time, the cost breakdown, and what to prepare. The number is +84 369 308 237.

Book at least 2-3 days ahead if you need the 90-day e-visa filed, since it takes about 3-5 working days to process. If you already have a valid e-visa and only need transport, you can often book 24 hours ahead. For urgent cases — visa expiring within days — message us and we will do our best to fit you in.

Doing it yourself means coordinating your own transport, filling out Cambodian forms at the counter, queuing with the crowds, and risking one missed connection turning your day into an overnight stay. With us you get a door-to-door private car, a coordinator who pre-fills forms and queues your passport at every counter, e-visa filing, and live WhatsApp support — for as little as 2,000,000 VND for transport only.

If your visa has already expired, you are officially overstaying and may face a fine at the border (from around 500,000 VND per day of overstay, with more serious consequences for very long overstays, including possible deportation). Message us on WhatsApp immediately — we can advise on your exact situation and whether a same-day run is still the safest option.

It depends on how long you have overstayed. Short overstays are usually settled by paying the fine at the border when you exit, after which you can re-enter with a new visa. Longer overstays carry bigger fines and can trigger additional questioning. Contact us before booking so we can tell you honestly what to expect at Moc Bai.

Usually not. A valid TRC lets you stay in Vietnam without a visa, and it is automatically re-stamped on re-entry, so there is no need for a visa run for the TRC itself. However, if you need a new TRC or are waiting for one, or if you want to travel abroad and return, we can advise on whether a border exit is required.

Yes, families with babies and young children do this regularly. Every traveler, including infants, needs their own passport and a valid Vietnam visa or exemption — and the baby will need a Cambodia visa-on-arrival too. A private car is the comfortable option for families, and our coordinators help you queue with a child at the border.

A damaged passport — torn pages, water damage, or a broken chip — can be refused by either Vietnamese or Cambodian immigration. If your passport is visibly damaged, get a replacement before your visa run. If you are unsure, send us a photo of the damaged page on WhatsApp and we will tell you whether it will pass at Moc Bai.

Both Vietnam and Cambodia require passports valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. If your passport expires sooner, you may be denied entry or exit at Moc Bai. Check your expiry date before booking — if it is under 6 months, renew your passport first and then do the visa run.

Denied entry at the border is rare if your passport is valid, your e-visa or exemption is approved, and you have not been flagged for serious overstays. If it happens, you would need to stay on the Cambodian side, sort out the issue, or fly out. Our coordinators check your documents before departure to catch problems before you reach the border.

Yes, but the rules differ: some business visas and work permits can be extended in-country, and DN (business) visa holders may not need a border run. If you hold a business visa or are waiting for a work permit, message us with your visa type and we will confirm whether a Moc Bai run is the right move or whether an extension is possible.

Moc Bai is the best choice for most travelers: it is the closest crossing to HCMC (~70-80 km, 1.5-2 hours), open 06:00-22:00 daily, and handles far more traffic so the process is well established. Xa Mat (also in Tay Ninh) is further and quieter. We run through Moc Bai because it makes the same-day round trip reliable.

The Cambodia e-visa (~$36 plus processing fee) is applied for online before you travel and is valid for 30 days, while the visa on arrival (~$43 USD) is issued at the Bavet counter on the day, also for 30 days. For a same-day visa run, visa on arrival is faster and simpler since you are already at the border — we recommend it unless you prefer having everything pre-approved.