Visas & Documents

Are there unofficial fees at the Cambodia–Vietnam land border, and how much do travelers usually get asked to pay?

Travelers report that unofficial cash payments may sometimes be requested by officers at the Cambodia–Vietnam land border. Cambodia also requires a visa, which can be arranged online in advance or obtained at the border for a separate official fee.

1 source · 11 days ago

Can you apply for a Chinese visa in Ho Chi Minh City while staying in Vietnam visa-free?

Yes, you can apply for a Chinese visa in Ho Chi Minh City while on a visa-free stay in Vietnam — a residence permit is not required. Any legal status (e-Visa, visa-free entry, etc.) is generally accepted, but confirm current requirements directly with the Chinese consulate or visa center.

1 source · 30 days ago

Can you do a visa run from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia and re-enter Vietnam on an e-Visa at a land border crossing?

A one-day visa run from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia is doable. Re-entry into Vietnam on an e-Visa at a land border crossing is permitted, but factor in the cost of a Cambodian visa and border procedures.

1 source · 2 days ago

Can you enter Vietnam on a second passport while staying on a different one?

Using two passports may work for air travel, but land border crossings will not allow entry on a second passport. Airport staff may also board you with a passport that has less than 6 months validity, causing issues on arrival.

2 sources · 24 days ago

Do transit passengers need to fill out Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form when connecting through Ho Chi Minh City airport?

No — transit passengers with a through ticket who stay in the international transit zone and do not pass Vietnamese immigration are exempt from the Pre-Arrival Form.

2 sources · 36 days ago

Do you need a return or onward flight ticket to enter Vietnam? Will immigration or airline staff ask for it at the airport?

A return or onward ticket is technically required for most Vietnam entries (45-day visa exemption or e-visa), but Vietnamese immigration rarely checks it on arrival — airline check-in staff at your departure airport are much more likely to ask for it.

2 sources · 2 days ago

Do you need a return or onward ticket to enter Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) with an e-visa?

It's usually the airline check-in staff, not Vietnamese immigration, who may ask for proof of onward travel — especially on connecting flights. Have a return flight or onward ticket (even a bus ticket to Cambodia) booked just in case.

3 sources · today

Do you need to wait 30 days before re-entering Vietnam on a visa exemption stamp?

The 30-day re-entry waiting period question is relevant for travelers entering Vietnam under visa exemption. Losing documents can force early departure if the visa term is shorter than the recovery process.

2 sources · 19 days ago

How much does a visa run from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia cost?

A visa run from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia costs from 500,000 VND for the transfer, a 90-day Vietnam visa costs 2,000,000 VND, and a Cambodian visa costs 1,000,000 VND. Runs operate daily.

2 sources · 7 days ago

How to fill out the Vietnam arrival card before landing at Ho Chi Minh City airport?

Fill out the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card online at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn no earlier than 72 hours before your flight. Save the QR code after submission — you'll need it at passport control.

3 sources · 6 days ago

How to get long-term residency in Vietnam as a foreigner?

Vietnam does not issue a standard residence permit — instead, foreigners can apply for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) based on employment, investment, or marriage to a Vietnamese citizen. The vast majority of expats simply stay on tourist visas.

3 sources · 5 days ago

Vietnam e-visa application asking for travel agency contact details when traveling independently — what to do?

This is a common e-visa system prompt. Provide your hotel address, attach accommodation booking and return flight — a travel agency is not required for independent travelers.

2 sources · today

What happens if you overstay your Vietnam visa, and what are the fines?

Overstaying a Vietnam visa by 30–60 days results in a fine of 15 million VND and a high risk of being blacklisted. Leaving without a passport is nearly impossible — hotels won't even check you in.

2 sources · 26 days ago

What should you enter as an emergency contact on Vietnam application forms, and does it need to be a local Vietnam address?

A local Vietnam address is generally not required for the emergency contact field: you can list someone who knows you well, with their real address and phone number even if they live abroad. The purpose is for authorities to contact them in an emergency.

2 sources · 16 days ago