Stacking Vietnam E-Visas: The Ultimate Guide to Back-to-Back 90-Day Stays

Yes, you can stack multiple Vietnam e-visas, most expats successfully stack 2, some manage 3. Apply for your next visa while outside Vietnam, with start dates that align back-to-back. This lets you stay in Da Nang and Vietnam longer without constant visa runs. Here's exactly how it works.

Yes, You Can Stack E-Visas (But There Are Rules)

The short answer: Yes, you can apply for multiple Vietnam e-visas while you're outside Vietnam. Some people have stacked 2, some have done 3, and a few claim they've done 4.

The Reality: It works, but not always smoothly, and Vietnam's government could close this loophole at any time (hence the comment: "Stop thinking for doing shits, do you want Vietnam to become like Thailand with no visa border runs allowed?").

How Many Can You Actually Stack?

The Consensus from Expats:

• 2 Visas: Most common. Widely reported as working reliably. One person stacked 2 in Australia without issue. Another said agents often max out at 2 when booking through services
• 3 Visas: Possible but less common. Some people report success, but it's hit-or-miss. One expat in Da Nang tried to stack 3 and the agency only processed 1, offering a refund initially (though they later said they'd do both)
• 4 Visas: One person from Australia mentioned stacking 4 back-to-back: "fly out to Bangkok in the morning, get an exit stamp, do some shopping, back on the red eye with another 90 days. Rinse Repeat." But this is rare and depends on your passport strength and luck
• One Person's Limit: One Italian (from one of Europe's most powerful passports) said they could only stack 2 due to passport limitations

For most people, safely stack 2. Try 3 if you're adventurous, but know it might fail.

The Key Rules for Stacking

Rule 1: You Must Be Outside Vietnam When You Apply

This is the main requirement. You cannot apply for a new e-visa while you're inside Vietnam. You have to leave first. However—

Some people ask: "Can I apply before my current visa expires, just to have it ready?"

Answer: Not while physically in Vietnam. You have to leave the country, then apply. Some people do quick border runs to Thailand or Cambodia, exit, apply for multiple visas, and come back on the first one.

Rule 2: Visa Dates Cannot Overlap (Mostly)

When you apply for stacked visas, you need to space them out. Here's where people get confused:

• Original Rule (Strict): Visa 1 expires on February 8th, Visa 2 starts on February 9th. Leave a gap
• What Actually Works: Same-day transitions are fine. Visa 1 expires February 8th, Visa 2 also starts February 8th—no problem. You exit on the 8th and re-enter on the 8th. The system doesn't flag this
• What Doesn't Work: Overlapping visa dates (Visa 1: Feb 1-May 1, Visa 2: April 1-July 1). The system will reject or flag this

Pro Tip: "Next day is OK... Although I have had the same day too with no issue." Leave 0-1 days between visas. Don't overthink spacing.

Rule 3: You Must Actually Stick to the Visa Timeline (Mostly)

This is where there's confusion:

• Do you have to arrive on the exact date listed? No. You can arrive late. Your visa won't expire earlier just because you arrive late
• Do you have to leave on the exact date listed? Also no. But if you're late leaving, they won't extend the expiration date. You'll be overstaying (and subject to fines)
• The Bottom Line: The dates are your window. Arrive anytime before the start date, leave anytime before the end date. Being late on arrival is fine. Being late on departure is illegal

Real-World Example: Someone mentioned: "You don't have to stick to the start dates, but if you are late, they won't push the expire date."

Rule 4: Don't Have Two Applications Open at the Same Time

This is crucial. While you're waiting for e-visa #1 to be approved, don't start applying for e-visa #2 in the same week. The system may flag duplicate applications.

Better Approach: Apply, wait for approval (3-5 business days), then apply for the next one. Or use an agency that coordinates this for you so there's no overlap in the application process

The Practical Strategy: How to Actually Stack Them

Scenario: You're in Da Nang on a 90-day e-visa expiring June 1st. You want to stay for 9 more months.

Step 1: Leave Vietnam (April 1st)

You fly out to Bangkok, Vientiane, or Phnom Penh—anywhere outside Vietnam. You get an exit stamp in your passport. This proves you've left

Step 2: Apply for Visa #1 (April 2nd)

Apply for a 90-day e-visa through evisa.gov.vn. Entry date: June 1st (or even June 15th, doesn't matter). Expiration: September 1st

Step 3: Wait for Approval (April 2-5)

3-5 business days, you get approved. Check your email and download the approval letter

Step 4: Apply for Visa #2 (April 6th)

Now apply for a second 90-day e-visa. Entry date: September 1st (same day or day after Visa #1 expires). Expiration: December 1st

Step 5: Apply for Visa #3 (April 9th, Optional)

If you want to push it: another 90-day e-visa. Entry: December 1st. Expiration: March 1st. But know this is riskier

Step 6: Return to Vietnam

Fly back. Use Visa #1 to enter on June 1st (or whenever before Sept 1st). You're good for 90 days

Step 7: June 1 → September 1 (90 days in Vietnam)

Live life. Around August 25th, plan your next exit

Step 8: Quick Exit & Re-entry (August 30th)

Fly to Bangkok for one night. Get an exit stamp. Return the next day. You're now entering on Visa #2, valid until December 1st

Rinse and Repeat: Around November 25th, do another quick Bangkok run. Enter on Visa #3 for another 90 days

Real Experiences from People Who've Done This

Success Story #1 (Simple Stacking):

"I let an agent do 2 90-day e-visas while I was out. Worked perfectly. I just fly out to Bangkok, get my exit stamp, do some shopping, back on the red eye, and I have another 90 days."

Success Story #2 (The Ambitious Approach):

"They applied for 3 consecutive e-visas while out of the country. When the first visa expires, they have the next visa in place. They fly into BKK at night, get an exit stamp, back the next day into Vietnam. It works."

Mixed Results #1 (Partial Success):

"I tried to stack 2 three-month visas. The agency initially only offered to do one and wanted to refund the other. But then they sent an email saying they'd do both. Still processing." (This person is in the middle of it, so unclear final result)

Caution #1 (Passport Limitation):

"I stacked 2 and it was the max with my passport. Sounds strange somebody says 3 since my passport is one of the most powerful (Italy)."

This suggests there may be backend system limits based on passport strength

Success With Overlap:

"I've stacked 3 with overlaps, no problem."

This contradicts the "no overlap" rule, suggesting some flexibility exists

Important Caveats & Risks

1. Vietnam Could Close This Loophole Anytime

Vietnam's government has full authority to restrict e-visa stacking. One expat's comment: "Stop thinking for doing shits, do you want Vietnam become as Thailand (no visa border run allowed)??" suggests the government may crack down if they see abuse

2. Agents May Refuse or Limit You

Even if it's technically possible, visa agencies processing your application might refuse to do 3+ visas. Their reasoning: reduce risk of issues. You might get a partial approval (2 instead of 3)

3. Same-Day Application Rejections

Some people report that applying for multiple e-visas on the same day through the official evisa.gov.vn site gets rejected. Stagger your applications by at least 1-2 days between each

4. You Have to Actually Leave Vietnam

You cannot apply for a new e-visa without an exit stamp. This means multiple quick border runs if you're stacking 3+. Budget for flights, time, and hassle

What About Multiple-Entry vs. Single-Entry Visas?

One question that came up: "Can I do one standard visa and two multiple-entry visas?"

Answer: Yes, Vietnam offers both single-entry and multiple-entry e-visas. Multiple-entry gives you flexibility to exit and re-enter multiple times within the 90-day window without the visa becoming invalid.

For stacking purposes: A multiple-entry 90-day visa is usually better than single-entry if you plan to do visa runs, because you can theoretically use it multiple times within the 90 days. But for pure stacking (Visa 1 expires, Visa 2 starts), it doesn't matter as much

The Bottom Line

You can stack 2-3 Vietnam e-visas with reasonable confidence. The process works, but:

• You must be outside Vietnam to apply
• Space out your application dates (don't apply all at once)
• Allow 0-1 days between visa expiration/start dates
• Budget for border runs every 90 days
• Be prepared for agencies to refuse or limit you
• Know this could end anytime if Vietnam changes policy

For most people in Da Nang: Stack 2 visas, do a quick Bangkok run every 90 days, and call it a day. It's simple, works reliably, and keeps you legal.

Three is possible but riskier. Four is possible but requires luck and a strong passport.

That's the e-visa stacking reality in 2025.

Related Vietnam Visa Guides

• Student Visa: 1 Year Without Border Runs
• Visa Runs to Laos from Da Nang
• Where to Stay in Da Nang

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