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Do I need a visa for Vietnam during a border run, and what are my best options from Koh Phangan?

Visa RunVietnam Visa RequirementsAdvice for Expats in ThailandKoh Phangan TravelCambodia Border RunLaos Border RunThai Visa Extensions
Feb 17, 2023
2 years ago
Shannie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, for visa run or border run (not sure the difference) to Vietnam. Do I need to have visa to Vietnam?

What is the short, safe and less expensive visa run/border run you can recommend me to do next week from-to Koh phangan. I can't do Malaysia, unfortunately. Thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the need for a visa when planning a border run to Vietnam from Koh Phangan, with users clarifying that Vietnam does not share a direct border with Thailand. Recommended alternatives include crossing into Laos or Cambodia, with emphasis on the necessity of knowing one's nationality for visa requirements. Comments highlight the logistics and costs associated with these border runs, noting that while direct flights to Phú Quốc, Vietnam are visa-exempt for certain travelers, land crossings can be more complex.
Stephen ************
Only way to do a Vietnam border run is to go through Laos or Cambodia but why pay for an extra visa to those countries

Just go to Laos and com back
2 years ago
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Chris *****
Dépend of your passeport History...if you already had many extension as covid etc , it Can be more hazardous .

Pay an agent who will do a correct visa 😉
2 years ago
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Marco *********
I’ve just come back from a day run to lao,cost me 1800 to enter Lao
2 years ago
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Caroline ******
@Marco ********
 did you use a van or visa service?
2 years ago
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Marco *********
@Caroline *****
 just a normal bus from khon khean flew to khon khean from bkk cheap as chips
2 years ago
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Marco *********
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Marc ********
I would suggest going to Cambodia. Border Cham Yeam (Koh Kong)

Never had an issue there.

Can return same day to Thailand if you pay 1500bath for visa.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Marc *******
 When is the last time you did this for reference?
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Brandon ***********
 2019 I forgot to mention. Maybe it's not quite the same on the Thai side but I am pretty sure it's the same on Cambodian side.
2 years ago
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Marc ********
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Graham ******
Whatever country you enter to do your border bounce or visa run, whether you require a visa or not will depend on what passport you have
2 years ago
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Tanja ********
Go to Phú quôc, Vietnam. No need visa
2 years ago
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Paul *******
Much more than 6 hours now I'd say, given that the first 20km towards Kampot, coming from the last town on the Sihanoukville-Phnom Penh highway alone takes an hour. It's an absolute Rollercoaster.
2 years ago
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Shannie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tanja *******
 You recommend?
2 years ago
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Tanja ********
@Shannie ******
 yes, good island, many good hotels and have starfish beach. 👍🏼 and most important no need visa for under 30 days (also no need visa for Israelis - only in phu quoc no need visa )
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Tanja *******
 But you need to fly in right?

As far as I know ferries are only from main land vietnam. And therfor would need a visa.

Or can you tell them at the land border you will take a ferry to go Phu quoc and don't have to pay for visa?

If so how does it work?

How do they will make sure you go to the island and will not stay on main land without paying for visa?

I always wondered
2 years ago
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Richard *********
@Marc *******
 can enter Vietnam to Phu Quoc form kep in Cambodia ( 30 minutes by road) but u need a visa to cambodia an koh kong to kep is like 6 hours on shit road most of the way
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Marc *******
 to avoid acquiring a visa, you would need to fly direct from BKK to phu quoc. It’s obviously not the cheapest, fastest or safest way for someone from KPN.
2 years ago
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Tanja ********
@Marc *******
 ich bin direkt mit dem Flugzeug nach Phu Quoc. Flug war „damals“ (vor paar Monaten) nicht so teuer. Ich gehe davon aus, dass man Visa braucht, wenn man die Fähre nehmen will
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Tanja *******
 Habe dir eine PM geschrieben wegen Condo-Vermietung
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Tanja *******
 Ah ok so habe ich mir das vorgestellt. Danke für die schnelle Antwort
2 years ago
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Marc ********
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Muzzy *********
If you in Bangkok or get train from hua lumpong station to poi pet this is Cambodia border 30-75 baht something by train but not 100 baht enter Cambodia after 3 day return same way not even 200 baht you will renew your visa
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Muzzy ********
 yes that's why I agree with your 3 day stay outside of Thailand suggestion. Same day returns are frowned upon at some land border crossings.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Muzzy ********
 there is no train from Bangkok to Poipet. The closest you'll get is Ban Khlong Leuk, next to the border. Poipet is on the Cambodian side and their trains don't sync with the Thai ones. Anyway, while the train is a romantic way of traveling, its slow and youll save 2 hours by going by car, minivan or taxi.
2 years ago
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Darren *******
@Muzzy ********
 if she follows your suggestion and spends 3 days in Cambodia then it will cost her more than 200 baht.
2 years ago
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Muzzy *********
@Darren ******
 I hear too many of them sending back and force to go by air I hear nearly every day :)
2 years ago
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Muzzy *********
@Darren ******
 I just mean on the way the question you ask that cheaper way to get visa then I tell my opinion I didn't say anything what she have to do in Cambodia
2 years ago
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Darren *******
@Muzzy ********
 well, you said to basically stay in Cambodia for 3 days then return...
2 years ago
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Muzzy *********
@Darren ******
 cheaper way can't find more cheaper way then this. But the person what they spend it is not my bussines :)
2 years ago
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Darren *******
@Muzzy ********
 well your suggestion of spending 3 days in Cambodia definitely isn't the cheapest way. Out of interest, why say they need to spend 3 days there?
2 years ago
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Muzzy *********
@Darren ******
 the question is the CHEAPEST WAY to get visa not the cheapest way to spend 3 or what ever days to somewhere and the answer for visa way 70 baht return ticket his lampong to Poi pet can't find more cheaper then this. About the stay in Cambodia you said that isn't cheaper can you tell me some where free for stay as you tourist
2 years ago
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Darren *******
@Muzzy ********
 my point is the OP wants to do a cheap border bounce so why on earth are you saying they have to spend 3 days in Cambodia?!
2 years ago
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Muzzy *********
If 70 bht return isn't cheap if you find something more Cheaper then Please let me know close I would like to learn :)
2 years ago
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Muzzy *********
@Darren ******
 Couse border pass not same as the airport passed if a person go any country and can come back fallowing day and get the new visa but if you cross the border by land you should stay at least 3 day that everywhere same in south east Asia I get experience before thats why I am too sure :)
2 years ago
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Darren *******
@Muzzy ********
 no you don't have to, nor should you, spend 3 days anywhere if you cross a land border. Plenty of people cross the border and walk straight back again every single day. The Poipet border is the border where you're most likely to have issues doing that but even then you don't need to, nor should you, spend 3 day there before returning to Thailand.
2 years ago
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Muzzy *********
@Darren ******
 try and let me know Couse I got greek passport maybe the country change the policy the others nationalities
2 years ago
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Darren *******
@Muzzy ********
 nope, you can walk across and back the same day too. The only limit on land borders for Thailand is 2 entries per year.
2 years ago
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Darren *******
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Todd *********
I think it depends if you actually prefer short, safe or less expensive. Each will be a different answer, Short - there is really no such thing from KPN. It requires a ferry and 800kms of driving. And you say you can't go to Malaysia. Short is not an option. Safe? This is a matter of interpretation. Safe would be ferry to Samui and fly to Singapore. But it will be expensive. Now for least expensive from KPN? Malaysia would be least expensive but that is out. Myanmar would be next, that is also out due to border closures. So your options come down to Cambodia or Laos. Laos is likely the best option. But it will not be the shortest, safest or least expensive.
2 years ago
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Maxim ***********
Vietnam does not border Thailand, therefore border run is not possible. Border run = going at the border of Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia or Myanmar, going in and come back to Thailand 30 min later. It's an quick in and out to get a Visa Exempt Entry.

Visa run is when you go to another country Thai Consulate (either by land or air) to get a visa. For example, a Tourist.

The best way to do a border run is to go to Laos border. I'm sure some shop in Koh Phangan offer a van services for that. Cambodia is more risky of rejection while doing a border run. Myanmar is having a civil war so I don't think border is open for that.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
Mae Sai just reopened today but you must have Covid documents for the Burmese side. Cambodia is no issue except for Aranyaprathet when coming back. Other border crossings - fine.
2 years ago
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Richard *********
@Maxim **********
 where you get all ur wrong /incorrect info

there is no infection in Cambodia<

Mae sot land border for burma is now open
2 years ago
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Rene ******
@Maxim **********
 yes I read it now, wanted to delete my comment, will do
2 years ago
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Maxim ***********
She said cant do Malaysia.
2 years ago
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Maxim ***********
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Stuart *********
There are no borders with Vietnam.

Whether you’d need a visa for Vietnam is dependent on your nationality.

If you can’t do Malaysia then you’re limited to Laos or Cambodia via land borders.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Andre *****
 they've never issued Thai TR to Chinese nationals in Laos or Cambodia except to Chinese who are resident in those countries.
2 years ago
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Andre ******
@Stuart ********
 The neighboring countries will stop issue Thailand TR Visa to Chinese starting from Mar 1st , is that true ? only to Chinese ?
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Andre *****
 not sure where you heard that. News to me.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Richard *********
@Stuart ********
 Or Burma at mae sot ( $10 border pass) .

Cambodia $30 for visa and 300-500 donation, if you dont stay a night.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
@Stu***
 I had never heard that you’re not allowed to enter Vietnam directly by land before! Thanks 🙏🏻

I went there by air for Christmas and it never occurred to me that land crossing was not possible.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Simon *********
 You probably can via Cambodia or Laos but just not directly from Thailand. There are no land borders between Thailand and Vietnam.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
@Stu***
 now I definitely feel stupid! I thought my geography was pretty good too!!!
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Simon *********
 Sorry. Didn’t mean to make you feel that way. Many have the misconception that all countries in SE Asia are connected by some form of land border somewhere. Im not sure why the OP can’t go to Malaysia but that is probably due to nationality issues.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
@Stu***
 absolutely no need to apologise, I am just shocked that I never noticed before that there was no land border. 🙏🏻
2 years ago
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Simon **********
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