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How To Get A Vietnam Visa For Land/Border Crossing

Contents [show]
  1. Vietnam international overland crossings
  2. Vietnam visa requirements for land/border crossings
    1. E-visa requirements:
    2. How to apply

Since 2018, many international border gates in Vietnam have been authorized to issue electronic visas (E-visa) for foreign nationals.

If you're a foreign backpacking tourist traveling in Southeast Asia, you may want to cross into neighboring countries through land borders. Luckily, Vietnam has a dozen international border crossings with Cambodia, Laos, and China that allow foreigners with a valid passport and visa to enter.

Moc Bai Border Gate (Vietnam/Cambodia)

Vietnam international overland crossings

Country Borders City E-visa acceptance

Laos

Sop Hun – Tay Trang

Dien Bien province

Yes

Na Maew – Nam Xoi

Thanh Hoa province

Yes 

Nam Khan – Nam Can

Nghe An province

Yes 

Nam Phao – Cau Treo

Ha Tinh province

Yes

Dansavanh – Lao Bao

Quang Tri province

Yes

Bo Y – Ngoc Hoi

Kom Tum province

Yes

Cambodia

Ba Vet – Moc Bai

Tay Ninh province

Yes

Kaam Samnor – Vinh Xuong

An Giang province

Pre-arranged visa

Phnom Den – Tinh Bien

An Giang province

Yes

Prek Chak – Ha Tien

Kien Giang province

Yes

O Yadao – Le Thanh

Gia Lai province

Pre-arranged visa

China

Dong Xing – Mong Cai

Quang Ninh province

Yes

Hekou – Lao Cai

Lao Cai province

Yes

Ping Xian – Huu Nghi

Lang Son province

Yes

Vietnam visa requirements for land/border crossings

Please be advised that while visa on arrival is available at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, and Da Nang international airports, it is not applicable for land border crossings.

If you plan to enter Vietnam through land border crossings, you can apply for an E-visa, which allows for a single entry of up to 30 days. However, E-visa is currently only available for citizens of 80 countries. Therefore, be sure that you check whether you are eligible before applying for one.

E-visa requirements:

  • You need a valid passport for 6 months from the date of arrival to the country
  • 01 passport photo (see Vietnam visa photo requirements)
  • A digital scan of your passport’s biographical page
  • Visa fee (Credit/debit cards except for American Express)

How to apply

  1. Visit the official e-visa website or apply for an e-visa using our secure form.
  2. Choose the appropriate processing time (Emergency e-visa service is available)
  3. Upload your photo and passport bio scan
  4. Provide with your travel information including entry/exit date and port of arrival
  5. Make payment for the e-visa fee
  6. Receive the e-visa by email in 5-7 working days, print it out to present at Vietnam border gates

Questions and Answers (17)

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Contact Information
Q
Andrea Cavazzin
Italy 2 weeks, 1 day ago

Hello, I'm an italian passport holder. Can I enter Vietnam with the 45-day-free visa through Lao Cai land border?

Reply
A Answered by Lan Answered 1 week, 5 days ago

@Andrea Cavazzin, yes, that works. You can either fly to Vietnam or enter via a land border to get a 45-day free entry.

2 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
amrei
German 8 months, 1 week ago

Hi, is it still possible to enter Laos via Nam Phao – Cau Treo with an e-Visa? Is it possible to get a visa on arrival there? Thanks!

Reply
A Answered by Lan Answered 8 months, 1 week ago

@Amrei, yes, Cau Treo is an eligible entry port for the evisa application. You can apply in advance below, as there’s no visa on arrival at land borders.

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US/web/guest/khai-thi-thuc-dien-tu/cap-thi-thuc-dien-tu

26 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Jale Tezer
United Kingdom 8 months, 2 weeks ago

I am a Turkish and Bulgarian passport holder and trying to get my e-visa however payment is not going through with any card! Tried with many different cards, nothing worked! I’m arriving at Hà Nội Airport in 12 days, and super worried about getting the visa. If I can’t obtain an e-visa, would that be possible to obtain on arrival?

Reply
A Answered by Lan Answered 8 months, 2 weeks ago

@Jale Tezer, if you have problems with the payment system on the official evisa website, you can ask a friend or family member to pay using their card. It is possible to apply for an approval letter for a visa on arrival; however, the evisa is still the best and most convenient option.

2 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Huub Jurgers
The Netherlands 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Can you enter Vietnam coming from Laos (Muang Khua) at Tay Trang Landport? We’re going by bus further to Dien Bien Phu having booked a flight to Hanoi next day. Thanks!

Reply
A Answered by Lan Answered 8 months, 3 weeks ago

@Huub Jurgers, Tay Trang is one of the eligible ports of entry for evisa holders, so it won’t be a problem to enter Vietnam through that land border. You can see the list of eligible ports of entry on the official website below:

https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/vi/

11 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Chad Nisbet
United Kingdom 1 year, 4 months ago

Hi there, I am a uk passport holder and understand that I can enter Vietnam visa free for up to 45 days, I am due to visit Vietnam for 9 days via a land border from Cambodia mid April, do you know if an E-visa is still required?? Or can we enter Vietnam via land with no visa? Many thanks

Reply
A Answered by Lan Answered 1 year, 4 months ago

@Chad Nisbet, You are eligible for the 45-day visa exemption, for both air and overland entry; no e-visa is required in such case.

16 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Bryan Sier
Netherlands 1 year, 6 months ago

Hi There, We want to go from Vietnam to Laos at the Sop Hun – Tay Trang crossing. We have an E-visa for Vietnam. Can we just go to the border crossing by bus or own travel means and get a visa on arrival or do we need to take care of it before we get there? Also, how strict are the rules with leaving Vietnam on a different crossing than is written on the Vietnamese E-visa? Thanks for helping!

Reply
A Answered by Lan Answered 1 year, 6 months ago

@Bryan Sier, If you already hold an evisa, then you can enter Vietnam by bus from Laos at Tay Trang border. Tay Trang is listed as an eligible port entry on the official website below:

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/documents/20181/117155/List-of-evisa-port.pdf/c774e24b-1ab8-4fb6-9ac1-dcdfaccecf8e

You do not need any other different type of visa, just an evisa is sufficient.

2 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Aly Thaer
New Zealand 1 year, 11 months ago

Hi there. I have a NZ passport and currently in Bangkok , Thailand. I want to go to Vietnam via land from Laos or Cambodia or Bangkok and was wondering, will I be able to enter with an E-Visa via *land* and not plane? Or is that only for US, British and EUR passport holders? I.e is Airplane /air entry the only possible method for E-visa for vietnam? (August 15th the 90 day returns) Any help and advice is much appreciated.

Reply
A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 1 year, 11 months ago

@Aly Thaer, As an e-visa holder (regardless of nationality), you are able to enter/exit Vietnam through 33 eligible ports, including airports, land borders, and sea ports. You can find the list of eligible ports of entry/exit below:

https://www.myvietnamvisa.com/vietnam-evisa-port.html

5 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Alice
United Kingdom 1 year, 12 months ago

I am arriving in Vietnam at Ho Chi Minh airport on 17th August. I would like the 3 month e visa but I can’t apply for that now. Is there any way I can get this. Or will I have to arrive in a 30 day and then leave and re enter on a 3 month? Thanks

Reply
A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 1 year, 11 months ago

@Alice, It is not possible to get a 3-month visa before 15 August 2023. You can apply for a 30-day visa for your entry on 17 August and then exit and apply for a 3-month visa before re-entering.

4 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Alexia Del Giudice
Italy 1 year, 12 months ago

Hello! I already have been to Vietnam using the visa-free entry 20 days ago and now I would like to go back for other 15 days. I was wondering if I have to wait 30 days to go back, I know in the past worked like that but Im not sure if it’s still the same. Thank you

Reply
A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 1 year, 12 months ago

@Alexia Del Giudice, You can immediately re-enter Vietnam for 15 days; there is no wait time required before another visa-free entry.

7 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Sander Marinus
Netherlands 2 years ago

As a Dutch citizen I am planning to travel to Ho Chi Minh airport. Next I will travel to Cambodja (Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat) and back to Vietnam by bus. So first entry by airport, second entry by bus. Will an e-Visa suffice for this travel plan?

Reply
A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years ago

@Sander Marinus, Starting from 15 August 2023, you can apply for a 3-month multiple entry e-visa. This visa will allow you to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times within a 3-month period. You can enter by air and re-enter by land or any other mode of transportation of your choice.

4 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
George Huang
Canada 2 years, 1 month ago

I got e-visa with entry point at Ho chi Minh City Seaport, but change my entry to Moc Bai Landport, can I use the same e-visa to entry at Moc Bai Landport?

Reply
A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years, 1 month ago

@George Huang, An e-visa is issued for the pre-registered port of entry only. If you wish to arrive at a different port, kindly apply for a new e-visa.

4 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Bruno Lanzetta
Spain 2 years, 1 month ago

Hello, I’m a Spanish Citizen and I’m planning to enter Vietnam through the Tay Trang border. I am planning to stay in Vietnam arround 10 days only, and I was wondering if it is possible to obtain a visa on arrival on the land crossing border, or if I need to apply for an E-visa. Thanks!

Reply
A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years, 1 month ago

@Bruno Lanzetta, If you are traveling to Vietnam on your Spanish passport, you are eligible for the visa-free entry for 15 days. Therefore, you can enter Vietnam through any border gate without having to apply for a visa or an e-visa.

4 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Darcie Mann
United Kindgom 2 years, 2 months ago

Hello, I am a UK Citizen, I have already paid for and completed my 30 days E-Visa. I would like to re renter Vietnam through the Ha Tien Border on my 15 day free visa. My plan is to just turn up to the border and get a stamp on arrival, Is this possible?

Reply
A Answered by Mai Le Answered 2 years, 2 months ago

@Darcie Mann, Yes, that is possible, you can re-enter Vietnam from Cambodia/Vietnam border for another 15 day visa-free entry!

Helpful
Q
jasmine swann
United Kingdom 2 years, 2 months ago

Hello I read that an evisa cannot be used at the Sop Hun – Tay Trang border, and that a visa needs to be pre arranged. Can you please advise if this is the case and when the information above was last updated? Thank you!

Reply
A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years, 2 months ago

@jasmine, Tay Trang is one of the listed eligible port for e-visa acceptance. You can apply for an e-visa and use it there. Here you see the full list of eligible ports of entry:

https://www.myvietnamvisa.com/vietnam-evisa-port.html

2 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
George Godfrey
United Kingdom 2 years, 2 months ago

Great post ! Just to confirm me and my friends (UK citizens) are planning to do a border run on the Cau Treo land port. We arrived on a 30 day E-visa and only need 15 more days to complete our travels before our flight out of Hanoi. So we can just come back in on our visa exemptions on the same day no problems ? Also do we have to do a Laos visa beforehand or can we do it on arrival to cau treo landport Thank you for all the help !!

Reply
A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years, 2 months ago

@George Godfrey, Here you find answers to your questions:

  • Yes, you can exit and re-enter Vietnam immediately on a visa-free entry for another 15 days
  • For Laos visa, you can get it online here: https://laoevisa.gov.la/index (official Laos government website)
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Jón Gunnarsson
Iceland 2 years, 3 months ago

Hello,

My girlfriend and I will be coming to Vietnam through land border crossing from Cambodia next July. I am not sure exactly which border inspection station we will be passing through, but we drive from phnom penh to ho chi minh city. We are both Icelandic citizens. Would E-visas be enough for us? If not, what should we do?

Best wishes, Jón

Reply
A Answered by Mai Le Answered 2 years, 3 months ago

@Jón, If you're traveling from Cambodia to Vietnam, you can enter through either the Ha Tien border gate or Moc Bai border gate. E-visas are available at these checkpoints, allowing you to apply for an e-visa to visit Vietnam from the entry points above.

Helpful
Q
Nav
India 2 years, 3 months ago

Hey there. I'm in Cambodia now with an Indian passport and have to leave here on or before 11th April. Plan to take a bus via Moc Bai landport. Do you think you could help me get a visa for Vietnam within today and how much do I pay for it?

Reply
A Answered by Lan Answered 2 years, 2 months ago

@Nav, Yes, that works. Our expedited e-visa processing takes between 4 to 8 working hours, so we should be able to complete it for you today! For further information on the application process and associated fees, please click here.

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Frequently asked questions

1. Is e-visa available at Ha Tien border?

Yes, Ha Tien is among the 33 border gates that accept e-visa holders. You can use the e-visa to enter Vietnam through Ha Tien.

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Contact support if you already submitted your visa application on our website.

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