Extending Your Stay in Vietnam: Options When 30 Days Is Not Enough

Falling in love with the country is common. Overstaying because you did not plan the extension is expensive. Here are the legitimate routes.

Plenty of travellers arrive for a month and want to stay longer. There are proper ways to do it, and one very bad one.

Apply for a longer visa up front

The simplest option is to choose a 90-day visa when you first apply, if you have any suspicion the trip may stretch. Upgrading later is harder than deciding early.

In-country extension

Extensions are handled through the immigration department and generally require a sponsoring agent. Start the process at least a week before your current permission expires, not on the final day.

Exit and re-enter

Some travellers leave to a neighbouring country and return on a fresh visa. This works, but it needs a new e-visa arranged in advance — you cannot rely on sorting it at the border.

What overstaying costs

Fines are charged per day and settled at the airport on departure, which is exactly when you have the least time to deal with it. In serious cases it affects future entry.