Vietnam Visa Run to Laos from Da Nang: 2026 Costs, Routes, and Agencies

A visa run from Da Nang to Laos costs $150-250 USD through an agency, or $100-150 DIY. The full-service option (Lynn Visa, Rose Visa) handles everything including flights and Laos visa for 4.1 million VND (~$165). Here's the complete breakdown for Da Nang expats needing to reset their tourist visa.

The Three Main Visa Run Options

Option 1: Full Service Visa Agency (No Hassle, Highest Cost)

What You Get:

• Agency handles everything: flight, Laos visa application, visa processing, return flight
• You don't touch your passport until you get back
• No paperwork on your end
• Return with approved visa in hand

Cost Breakdown (2025 Prices):

• Lynn Visa: 3.7 million VND if you already have a Laos visa, or 4.1-4.2 million VND if they handle the Laos visa application
• Rose Visa (Nhung Dang): Pricing similar to Lynn Visa, highly recommended by the community
• Hometown Visa: Another option expats mention, pricing varies

Real Quote: One expat used Lynn Visa recently and paid 4.1 million VND total for everything—Da Nang to Vientiane flights, express Laos visa processing, and return flights. Transport, visa fees, processing all included.

Best For: People who value their time more than money, have tight schedules (especially during holidays), and don't want to deal with paperwork or passport handling.

Option 2: Partial DIY (Mix & Match, Medium Cost)

What You Do Yourself:

• Book your own flights (Da Nang to Vientiane or Udon Thani)
• Use an agency for just the visa processing

What the Agency Does:

• Handles Laos visa application and approval
• Meets you at the airport or handles logistics once you arrive
• Returns your passport with approved visa

Typical Costs:

• Flight Da Nang to Bangkok: Around 3 million VND (one-way). Some people fly to Bangkok instead because flights are cheaper and visa processing is straightforward
• Visa agency fee for Laos: 200,000-300,000 VND
• Laos e-visa: $35-50 USD if you pre-apply online
• Return flight: 3 million VND
• Total: Roughly 6.2-6.5 million VND (if flying to Bangkok)

Real Experience: One expat flies Da Nang to Bangkok return for about 3 million VND and handles the visa himself. Another mentioned David Tran helps with express visa processing—same-day visa is possible if you're willing to spend an airport lounge layover.

Best For: People who want some flexibility, don't mind doing paperwork, and want to explore another city (Bangkok is great for this).

Option 3: Full DIY (Cheapest, Most Time-Intensive)

What You Do:

• Book your own flight to Laos (Vientiane or another city)
• Apply for Laos e-visa yourself online ($35)
• Handle the visa run on your own

Typical Costs:

• Flight Da Nang to Vientiane: 1.5-2.5 million VND (budget airlines)
• Laos e-visa: $35 USD
• Airport/transport in Laos: 300,000-500,000 VND
• Return flight: 1.5-2.5 million VND
• Total: 3.5-5.5 million VND depending on flight deals

Time Cost: You need at least 1-2 days in Laos (one day for travel, one for processing/waiting). Some people spend a night and use it as a mini-vacation.

Best For: Budget-conscious people with flexibility, people who enjoy traveling, or those doing this well in advance (cheaper flights).

Why Laos from Da Nang?

Why not Thailand or Cambodia?

• Thailand: Bangkok has new rules and entry fees increasing in 2026. Plus, it requires more planning and time (flights are longer or more connections)
• Cambodia: Further from Da Nang than Laos. Requires more travel time. Border situation is complicated (some people mentioned Thailand-Cambodia border tensions)
• Malaysia: Even further. Only makes sense if you want a proper vacation, not just a quick visa run

Laos is ideal because:

• Direct flights from Da Nang to Vientiane
• Fastest turnaround (often overnight, next day return)
• Consistent agency options (Lynn Visa, Rose Visa are well-established)
• Laos is friendly to tourists and visa processing is straightforward
• Good for a quick 1-2 day trip if you want to combine business with pleasure

Important: Your Visa Type Matters

Can You Visa Run on a 45-Day Tourist Visa?

Yes, but there's confusion about this. Here's the reality:

• You can leave Vietnam on a 45-day tourist visa and return on a new visa
• You can do this multiple times (come and go as you please)
• However, if you're here for 49 days total, you may have issues with visa runs—the immigration system may flag patterns if you're in Vietnam for a longer stay on multiple short visas
• If you need longer-term stay (more than 90 days continuous), consider a temporary residency card instead

Do-It-Yourself Visa Applications: Some people try to apply for e-visas themselves. Be aware: multiple rejections are common. Using an agency eliminates this risk.

Recommended Agencies (Based on Recent Feedback)

Lynn Visa - Consistently mentioned as reliable

• Pricing: 3.7-4.2 million VND depending on what's included
• Professional reputation
• Handles everything end-to-end

Rose Visa (Nhung Dang) - Another trusted option

• Mentioned specifically for quality service
• Similar pricing to Lynn Visa

David Tran - For express/same-day processing

• Specializes in fast turnaround
• Good if you're flying to Bangkok for quick processing

Pro Tips from Expats Who've Done This

1. Timing Matters: If your visa expires during Christmas/holiday season (like December 27th), book early. Agencies fill up and flights get expensive
2. Use an Agency for Peace of Mind: One person tried DIY and got rejected multiple times on the e-visa. Another said: "Do it yourself and you get rejected. Use a company."
3. Consider the Time Cost: A full-service agency costs more money but gives back time. During busy seasons or if you're working on a project, that time savings might be worth 1-2 million VND extra
4. Bangkok Alternative: If you're willing to spend more time, flying to Bangkok for a visa run is also popular. Flights are similar cost (3 million VND return), but you get a fun city break
5. Keep Your Passport Safe: When using an agency that keeps your passport, make sure you trust them (Lynn Visa, Rose Visa, Hometown Visa all have established reputations)
6. Have Cash Ready: Some agencies want payment upfront. Be ready with 4 million VND if using a full-service option

The Bottom Line: Which Option Is Right for You?

Use a Full-Service Agency (4.1-4.2M VND) if:

• Your time is more valuable than money
• Your visa expires during busy season (holidays)
• You're nervous about paperwork or passport handling
• You're working on something important and can't afford downtime

Go Partial DIY (6-6.5M VND) if:

• You want some flexibility
• You're comfortable with paperwork
• You wouldn't mind a side trip to Bangkok

Full DIY (3.5-5.5M VND) if:

• Budget is tight
• You have flexibility in timing
• You want to make it a mini-vacation
• You're planning ahead (cheaper flights available)

The reality? Most people in Da Nang use an agency like Lynn Visa or Rose Visa. The peace of mind is worth the extra money, especially if your visa expires during busy season. One expat summed it up: "I don't want to mess about with flights. A day trip to Laos looks most ideal."

That's the visa run in 2025.

Related Vietnam Guides

• Where to Stay in Da Nang: Best Areas Guide
• Shopee Wallet Vietnam Setup Guide
• Getting a Scooter License in Vietnam

Need visa services? List your agency on ExpatsList.