Vietnam doesn’t extend tourist stays on the ground - you have to leave, cross a border, and come back. If you’re living in Da Nang, Saigon, or Phu Quoc and need to reset your 45-day visa-free period (or re-enter on a new e-visa), here’s a straight comparison of all three main land crossings in 2026.
The short answer: Lao Bao for central Vietnam, Moc Bai for the south, Ha Tien if you’re near Phu Quoc. And whichever border you choose - your return e-visa must be ready before you leave. There is no visa on arrival at land crossings.
How Vietnam Visa Runs Work in 2026
A visa run is a short border hop to reset your legal stay. Russians get 45 visa-free days; an e-visa gives 90 days single-entry. Neither can be extended inside Vietnam - you must physically exit. The most common routes are:
- Lao Bao → Dansavanh (Laos): best from Da Nang and Hue
- Moc Bai → Bavet (Cambodia): best from Ho Chi Minh City
- Ha Tien → Prek Chak (Cambodia): best from Phu Quoc
A fourth option exists from Hanoi - Cau Treo → Nam Phao (Laos) - less busy and often more relaxed.
One rule applies everywhere: Vietnamese land borders don’t issue visas on arrival. Your e-visa needs to be approved and in your hands before you cross. Processing takes 3-5 business days standard, or a few hours for the expedited option ($80) - handling that waiting window is exactly what our visa run service from Da Nang takes off your plate.
Lao Bao (Laos): The Go-To for Central Vietnam
This is the most popular border for Da Nang residents, and for good reason. The crossing sits 250 km north of Da Nang (about 165 km from Hue), with the Laos side called Dansavanh. Sleeper buses leave Da Nang around 6:30 am and have you back by 6:30 pm - a long day, but entirely doable.
All-in cost from Da Nang: around $37-40. That includes the bus (roughly 250,000 VND each way), unofficial border fees of about 140,000 VND in small bills spread across four checkpoints, and lunch on the Laos side.
Russians don’t need a Laos visa - you get a free 15-day stamp at the border on arrival. No paperwork required in advance.
The walk between checkpoints takes about 90 minutes on foot. Bring small VND bills (50,000 and 20,000 denominations) and expect to hand them over at each booth without receipt. It’s informal but consistent.
One note: if you’ve done 4-5 visa runs in a row, Da Nang border officers may ask a few questions. No mass refusals reported, but don’t leave it to the last day of your current visa.
Moc Bai (Cambodia): Best for Saigon Residents
Moc Bai is the smoothest border in Vietnam - paved roads, air conditioning in the crossing hall, and queues that actually move. It’s 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City; city bus 703 goes direct in 2.5 hours for 40,000 VND.
Visa cost: Cambodia charges $30 if you fill in a local address on the arrival card, or $32 if you leave it blank. It sounds arbitrary but it’s consistent. Budget $80-120 total for a Moc Bai run from Saigon.
The problem for Da Nang residents: you have to get to Saigon first. That’s either a 17-hour overnight bus or a short domestic flight. Either way, Moc Bai becomes a two-day trip from central Vietnam.
Avoid April 30 (Reunification Day) - bus prices double and the crossing gets very crowded.
Ha Tien (Cambodia): Quick Option from Phu Quoc
If you’re based on Phu Quoc island or in the Mekong Delta, Ha Tien - Prek Chak is your most practical option. The ferry from Phu Quoc to Ha Tien runs 90 minutes; a return taxi to the border is $20-25. The crossing itself takes 30-45 minutes with no queue - noticeably calmer than Moc Bai.
Cambodia visa at Ha Tien: officially $30, but expect $35-40 on the ground. Total day cost: $100-140 solo, cheaper if you split a taxi with other travelers.
The whole round trip runs about 11 hours. Bonus option: cross into Cambodia and spend a couple of days in Kampot before coming back through the same point.
One Thing That Trips Everyone Up: E-Visa Payment
Russian debit and credit cards are blocked on evisa.gov.vn in 2026 - the portal only accepts international payment cards. This catches a lot of people off guard.
Your options: ask someone with a foreign card to pay for you, or use a visa service that handles both the application and the payment. The second route is simpler when you’re under time pressure.
We handle visa runs from Da Nang and e-visa applications end to end - fill out your details, we handle the portal and the border transfer. Message us on Telegram @learnx1000 or check the full service list at danangvisarun.com.
Quick Decision Guide
| Your location | Best border | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Da Nang / Hue | Lao Bao (Laos) | $37-40 | 1 day |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Moc Bai (Cambodia) | $80-120 | 1 day |
| Phu Quoc | Ha Tien (Cambodia) | $100-140 | 1 day |
| Hanoi | Cau Treo (Laos) | $50-80 | 1 day |
The border matters less than the e-visa situation. Get that sorted first, and pick whichever crossing is closest to you.
If you need help with Vietnam visa requirements for Russians or anything e-visa related, write to us on Telegram - we’ll work out the fastest option for your situation.
