Vietnam's 90-day e-visa: what it changes for long-stay foreigners
The multiple-entry e-visa reshaped how expats plan border runs. Here is how to use it without wasting trips.
· 5 min read · Editorial Team
Why the 90-day e-visa matters
For years the rhythm of expat life in Vietnam was set by the one-month visa. The 90-day multiple-entry e-visa changed that rhythm, but it did not remove border runs from the calendar — it simply moved them further apart.
Planning around it
Apply before you travel. Border checkpoints do not issue e-visas, and arriving at Moc Bai expecting one is the single most common mistake we see.
### Choose the right entry point
An e-visa lists the checkpoint you intend to use. If your plan changes, check whether the checkpoint on your approval matches the crossing you will actually use.
### Keep validity in view
Overstaying by even a day creates a fine and a record. Set a reminder two weeks before expiry so you have room to book a departure that suits you.
What we recommend
Pair the e-visa with a planned border run rather than an emergency one. Booked in advance, a Moc Bai day trip costs less and takes less of your week than a rushed private car.
Need a border run this month?
We publish departures every week from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi.
Compare routes