Vietnam Tet 2027 starts on February 6 — and the entire immigration system shuts down for 9 consecutive days (February 3–11). If your visa expires in early February, plan your visa run or e-visa renewal in January. Miss the window and you’re looking at a 2–3 week processing backlog after the holiday.

I’ve lived in Da Nang for three years and watched this catch expats off guard every February. Here’s what you need to know to plan around Tet 2027 without a visa crisis.

What Closes During Vietnam Tet 2027?

Vietnam streets during Tet 2027 — what closes during the holiday

Tet 2027 official holidays run from February 3 to February 11 (9 days: 5 official public holidays plus surrounding weekends). Here’s what that means on the ground:

  • Immigration department: fully closed for the entire holiday period
  • Banks and currency exchange: closed for 3–5 days (reopening around February 7–8)
  • Local markets and family restaurants: closed 3–5 days
  • ATMs: operational but can run dry in the first 2 days
  • Grab and taxis: operating at 1.3–1.5× normal prices
  • Hotels and resorts: open, prices 2–3× higher than usual
  • 7-Eleven and Circle K: open with reduced hours
  • Border crossings (Lao Bao, Moc Bai, Ha Tien): physically open 24/7, but with minimal staff

The border crossings themselves don’t close. What closes is the bureaucratic chain that makes visa processing possible.

When Does Immigration Stop Processing e-Visas?

Vietnam e-visa application documents — deadline before Tet 2027

Normal e-visa processing: 3 working days. Before Tet, the backlog builds up fast.

Based on patterns from previous years (Tet 2023: immigration closed January 20–26), the practical deadline for submitting an e-visa application and expecting approval before the holidays is approximately 2 weeks before Tet starts. For Tet 2027 that means:

  • Safe deadline: January 20, 2027 (2 weeks before Feb 3 holiday start)
  • Firm deadline: January 24, 2027 (hard cutoff — any later and you risk processing into the holiday period)

After Tet ends on February 11, expect a 1–2 week backlog as the system catches up with accumulated applications. Normal processing resumes around late February.

Should You Do Your Visa Run Before or After Tet?

Vietnam border crossing for visa run — Lao Bao 2027

Before Tet (January 10–30) is the better option for most people. Borders are running normally, bus services are reliable, and you return to Vietnam with a fresh stamp or approved e-visa before the city quiets down.

A visa run from Da Nang to Laos via Lao Bao takes one full day when done in January — departure 5 AM, back by 10 PM. No holiday complications.

After Tet (February 12+) is also viable, but factor in:

  • 1–2 extra weeks if you need an e-visa on re-entry
  • Possible congestion at borders as everyone who delayed returns
  • Bus schedules back to normal by mid-February

During Tet (February 3–11): technically possible to cross the border, but I wouldn’t plan around it. Reduced staff means unpredictable wait times, and any visa complications have zero support from immigration offices until February 12. For a done-for-you version, see our Da Nang visa run page.

What If Your Visa Expires During Tet 2027?

This is the scenario people most regret not planning for. Your options, in order of ease:

  1. Do a visa run in January — before January 30 is comfortable; before January 20 gives you buffer
  2. Apply for a 90-day e-visa now — the 90-day e-visa costs $50 and buys you flexibility well past Tet
  3. Extend your visa in-country — possible without leaving Vietnam if you have qualifying grounds; contact immigration in January while they’re still open
  4. Overstay intentionally — not recommended, but if it happens: the fine is 500,000–1,000,000 VND (~$20–40), payable at any land border. Tet disruptions are a documented circumstance, but don’t count on leniency

The worst outcome — and one I’ve seen happen — is someone whose e-visa expires on February 8 and who waited until February 2 to submit a new application. Immigration was closed. They had to leave the country on an emergency basis over Tet weekend, with no scheduled bus service and doubled hotel prices across the border.

Plan Your Tet 2027 Visa Timeline

Planning visa timeline for Tet 2027 Vietnam — calendar deadlines

The simplest rule: anything visa-related, handle it in January. That covers e-visa renewals, visa runs, and in-country extensions.

If you’re not sure which route is right for your passport and current visa type, send us a message on Telegram @learnx1000. Tell us your visa expiry date and passport nationality — we’ll tell you exactly what to do for your specific situation. We also run a same-day visa run from Da Nang that includes the border crossing, transfer, and e-visa submission — everything in one trip, back by evening.