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Is it a good idea to do a border run from Phuket to Vietnam and back?

visa requirements border run Phuket Vietnam travel eVisa travel advisories

Ron ********

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asked Oct 29, 2022

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Is flying into Vietnam from Phuket then back to Phuket a good border run? Thanks

Answer summary

Flying from Phuket to Vietnam can be a viable border run option, but travelers must be aware of visa requirements for their nationality, particularly for Vietnam, which may require an eVisa for certain travelers. Experiences shared suggest that alternatives like Kuala Lumpur could also be considered for similar costs, along with insights about entry difficulties and recent changes in visa regulations for UK passport holders, allowing a visa-free stay for up to 15 days.

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Andrew ***************

Andrew ***************

Make sure you apply for the Vietnam visa well in advance. I applied 10 days before and last week it was only approved 20 minutes after my flight from bangkok left without me.

1

Sid *******

Sid *******

For me on a British passport I go to KUL in Malaysia its a free visa for me

0

Brett **********

Brett **********

Vietnam is also visa exempt for 15 days for UK passport holders

3

Sid *******

Sid *******

@Brett *********

Thanks Brett that's good news I didn't know they changed it, I've always had to get a visa on line

0

Leslie *******

Leslie *******

0

Chris *****

Chris *****

Bkk /Da Nang Vietnam is 3500 go+back.

And Da Nang is with awesome beach

0

Matt *******

Matt *******

Kuala Lumpur might be cheaper

2

Scot *******

Scot *******

About the same.

0

Reiwa *******

Reiwa *******

We had some difficult time entering Phuket from KL last week. They finally let us in with the advice that next time we should have proper docs to stay in the kingdom. Many ppl from our flight were turned out too…

1

Jo **********

Jo **********

you need only a passport to enter so was there something wrong with your passport

1

Todd *********

Todd *********

lol. If only that were true

0

Jo **********

Jo **********

true

0

Todd *********

Todd *********

me too lol. But that’s useless information for many. Don’t hesitate to learn and expand your understanding

0

Jo **********

Jo **********

i only enter with a passport and that’s fine

0

Edwin ********

Edwin ********

, that is very similar to one of the primary issues I was presented with by the Immigration Officer at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 7 October. I think the truly interesting question is what elements of our conversations that convinced them to let us in anyway, and for the life of me I do not know the answer in my case. I remember some of the arguments I tried, but I really don't know what finally worked in my case...

0

Edwin ********

Edwin ********

@Alex Harms, it probably also helped that I had activated Suvarnabhumi's internet on my cell phone and so was able to call my first (Thai) host on the phone, and the immigration officer was willing to talk with him, and in the course of the conversation he decided to "guarantee" me (probably financially), despite knowing me mostly from our internet interactions. It is possible that that is what saved me, and if I am right about that, then I am *extremely* lucky to have been in Thailand these past three weeks :-) .

1

Edwin ********

Edwin ********

I forget at the moment, but will see if I can remember overnight and then may post something "long" tomorrow, as I ran through everything I could think of (and it may also have helped that I did not yet realize that she was correct.)

1

Alex *******

Alex *******

So to learn from you, what arguments did you put forward towards the immigration staff?

0

Alistair **********

Alistair **********

there are actual requirements, Inc. Onward flight, cash & accommodation. Tho rarely checked. People who get rejected or checked are those staying long term on the incorrect visa / stamp

2

Reiwa *******

Reiwa *******

there’s nothing wrong with my passport. The IO wasn’t happy about how many times I’ve been overall in the country.

0

Rosfield ********

Rosfield ********

I'd also like to know

0

Karsten ******

Karsten ******

may i know whats the reason they are stopping you from entering?

1

Otto *********

Otto *********

Is it worth to fly to Phu Quoc? Price-wise?

1

Petteri **********

Petteri **********

It's a good option for visa run. I'm doing one here right now. Just find a cheap accomodation or spend few nights on a resort, whatever you like.

BKK - PQC plane was 20% full, so there was no queue at check-in, making it very easy to get through airport.

The cultural differences to Thailand are huge though, you may not like the island. I'm here for 15 days but even 5 days would have been enough.

It's hard to find beach bungalow unless you stay on a pricy resort.

0

Otto *********

Otto *********

@Petteri *********

But I hope the culture is like in South Vietnam, isn't it?

0

John **********

John **********

*************************************

2

Brandon ************

Brandon ************

Would be perfectly acceptable. Just make sure you check what the entry requirements are for Vietnam for your nationality. For example Americans require an evisa (and these can take 3-7 days to receive after applying).

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