FAQ
Da Lat visa run: questions and answers
Short, honest answers about borders, flights, visas and how the trip works.
What is a visa run?
A visa run is a short trip out of Vietnam and back in, so that you can enter again on a new visa or a new visa-exempt stay. It is a normal international exit and a normal new entry. Nothing about it is automatic: the border officer decides on entry each time.
Which border do you use from Da Lat, and why not the closest one?
We drive to Moc Bai in Tay Ninh, on the main road to Phnom Penh: about 370 km, or 7–8 hours each way. The closest border to Da Lat, Bu Prang, is not on the official list of gates where foreigners can enter with a Vietnam e-visa, and neither is Hoa Lu. Moc Bai is the nearest land gate on that list (evisa.gov.vn).
Can I do it in one day?
Yes, you travel overnight and are home the next evening. By private car: pickup 01:30, at Moc Bai 09:30, new e-visa around 10:30, leave the border 11:30, home around 21:00. By sleeper bus + car: pickup 23:00, at Moc Bai 08:00, leave the border 12:00, home around 22:00.
Is flying out a better idea?
It can be, if you are comfortable travelling on your own. We book return flights from Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur for VND 150,000 per person per one-way ticket, plus the airfare, and can add your new Vietnam e-visa. You get yourself from Da Lat to the airport. See the fly-out visa run page.
Do I need a Cambodian visa?
Most nationalities do. We can arrange the official Cambodian e-visa before the trip for VND 1,100,000, or you can buy a visa on arrival at Bavet for USD 35. Citizens of ASEAN countries and a few others are exempt: see the Cambodia exemption list.
Can you guarantee I will be allowed back into Vietnam?
No. Nobody outside the Vietnamese authorities can. We organise the trip, explain the procedure and check your paperwork with you before departure, but the decision to admit you is made by the border officer when you arrive. Be wary of anyone who promises otherwise.
Is there a cheaper option than a private car?
Yes. Our sleeper bus + car option costs VND 2,300,000 per traveller: you sleep on the overnight bus to Ho Chi Minh City, and our private car takes you from there to Moc Bai and back. It suits solo travellers and pairs. For three or more people, the private car at VND 4,900,000 for the whole car works out cheaper per person, and it gets you home an hour earlier.
How do I book?
Send the inquiry form or message us on WhatsApp with your nationality, current visa, preferred date and number of travellers. We reply with the best option, a written plan and the price. Your booking is confirmed once you accept the plan in writing.
Ready to plan your visa run?
Send your dates and nationality. We reply within 1 hour with the best option from Da Lat, a written plan and the price.