Visas & Documents

Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card for e-visa holders: is it required and which visa date should you enter?

For entry on a Vietnam e-visa, travelers report that the Pre-Arrival Card should be completed no more than 72 hours before travel. A traveler crossing overland at Hekou–Lao Cai was not asked for it, while the form may produce date-validation errors for e-visas, so check the details before departure.

2 sources · 14 days ago

Can foreign visitors in Hanoi use MoMo to pay for online subscriptions, and how can they top it up?

MoMo can be used for services such as Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Gift Cards. Top-ups from VietinBank have worked, but foreigners cannot receive money through their personal MoMo QR code.

2 sources · 14 days ago

Do I need an onward or return ticket to fly to Hanoi and enter Vietnam?

Recent reports suggest that travelers with a valid Vietnam visa are usually not asked for an onward ticket, while those without a visa may be asked at airline check-in. If your departure date is unknown, a cancellable booking can be used for check-in and later refunded for a fee of about RUB 500–700.

3 sources · 30 days ago

How long is the appointment wait at the Russian Embassy in Hanoi for passport and power-of-attorney services?

Appointments at the Russian Embassy in Hanoi typically take 1–2 months to become available, with no legitimate fast-track option reported. Travelers can also join appointment queues in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

2 sources · 33 days ago

Can you do a Vietnam visa run via the Thanh Thuy border crossing near Ha Giang with a Vietnam e-visa?

Thanh Thuy border gate near Ha Giang is reported to be risky for Vietnam e-visa holders, as staff may be unable to process an e-visa on exit and re-entry. Lao Cai is mentioned as an alternative, and travelers should confirm whether they need a Chinese visa before attempting the trip.

2 sources · 15 days ago

Do I need local police registration (tạm trú) when renting an apartment in Hanoi on a Vietnam e-visa, and what to do if police check your passport at the rental?

On an e-visa, your landlord must register you with local police within 24 hours of check-in; if they haven't done it yet, police may show up in person to check and photograph your passport — this is normal procedure, but confirm with the owner that the registration was filed.

2 sources · 19 days ago

How to do a visa run from Hanoi to China via the Lao Cai/Sapa border crossing?

In late July 2026 a traveler did a stamp visa run from Sapa into China via the Lao Cai crossing and came back the same day. A local bus from the Sapa church passes about 300 metres from the border, and the round trip can take as little as 4 hours. On the Chinese side you fill in an arrival card by hand and pass turnstiles with a temperature check; there was no lunch break at the crossing and no bribes were needed.

2 sources · 19 days ago

Do you need proof of onward/return travel to enter Vietnam, and how to get one cheaply?

Vietnamese border officers do sometimes ask for proof of onward travel, and using a fake/mocked booking is risky — it can lead to entry refusal or deportation, especially when traveling with kids. Many travelers buy a cheap refundable ticket to a nearby country (Thailand, Malaysia) via Trip.com or similar sites, though free-cancellation options are hard to find.

3 sources · 58 days ago

Do travelers need to complete Vietnam’s Pre-Arrival Information (PAI) before arriving in Hanoi, and how do you fill it in for an e-Visa or visa-free entry?

Yes. From 22 June 2026, travelers arriving in Vietnam through international airports, including Hanoi, are expected to complete the PAI form at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn within 72 hours before arrival and save the QR code after submission.

3 sources · 43 days ago

Do you need an arrival form or visa to enter Vietnam via Hanoi, and what documents are required on arrival?

In most cases, you do not need a separate electronic arrival card when flying into Hanoi. You’ll need a passport, and if your nationality is not visa-exempt, a Vietnam e-visa arranged in advance (typically US$25 single entry or US$50 multiple entry).

3 sources · 1 day ago

How to get a Laos visa from Hanoi and which land border crossing doesn't require an e-visa?

Some Vietnam-Laos land border crossings require an e-visa, others allow visa on arrival. Laos visas can be arranged in Hanoi.

2 sources · 29 days ago

Can you stack multiple Vietnam e-visas back-to-back to stay for a year?

Participants in June 2026 described the approach like this: apply in advance for two 90-day e-visas with back-to-back dates, and when the first 90 days run out, leave Vietnam and re-enter right away on the second one. A visa's validity is tied to the end date printed on it, not to the day you enter. Self-applications in summer 2026 often took more than a week, so participants advise applying early and checking current rules with official sources.

4 sources · 11 days ago

Can you get a Taiwan visa in Hanoi while staying in Vietnam on a tourist visa?

Reportedly no — the Taiwan consulate in Hanoi turns away applicants who are in Vietnam on a tourist visa, directing them to apply in their home country. Ho Chi Minh City may be an alternative.

2 sources · 2 days ago

How much does a visa run from Hanoi to China or Laos cost in 2026?

A visa run from Hanoi to China costs from 600,000 VND (stamp only, weekends) or 2,600,000 VND (90-day visa, weekdays). To Laos — from 1,050,000 VND on Tuesdays and Fridays.

3 sources · 90 days ago