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A complete guide for getting Vietnam visa run to Laos in 2023

Feb 21, 2023 7136 Views

What to do when you would like to extend your stay in Vietnam but Vietnam visa extension is not available. You can consider getting Vietnam visa run then.

Vietnam visa run allows travelers to extend their stay in Vietnam by applying for a new visa and getting stamped at borders. The process involves exiting Vietnam and re-entering with a new Vietnam visa.

The easiest way for completing your Vietnam visa run trip is by crossing borders. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to perform a Vietnam visa run to Laos via the three most frequently used borders.

Steps to get Vietnam visa run to Laos

Travelers need to prepare with all required documents, papers beforehand to avoid any hassles or problems when going back and forth from Vietnam to Laos.

Step 1: Gathering all necessary documents

You should not miss any of the following documents:

- Your original passport (valid for at least 6 months);

- Vietnam Visa: For the update of 2023, passengers can apply Evisa or Visa on Arrival depending on your nationality:

+ E-VISA is available for 80 countries (please check here) and could be applied at the government website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/. Make sure to accurately provide all necessary information and have a clear passport photo. Any errors or inaccuracies cannot be corrected after submitting the visa application. Processing time typically takes 5-7 days. If you prefer to have a hassle-free process and avoid any potential mistakes or delays, consider hiring a travel agent to handle the visa application process for you. Also, urgent Vietnam evisas can be done by visa agencies with extra fee.

+ Vietnam Visa on arrival (for other nationalities): If your nationality is not on the list of 80 countries you must apply for Vietnam Visa on Arrival instead. Passengers can only apply a tourist VOA through a travel agent, reach here for detailed information for applying for a Visa on Arrival.

Special note: After Covid, Vietnam Immigration is giving 30 days Vietnam evisa validity or upto 25 days Vietnam visa on arrival option. If you are working in Vietnam, it is recommended to ask your sponsor company to assist with 90 days business visa at Vietnam Immigration.

- Laos Visa: After Covid, Laos E-visa or Visa on arrival at Vietnam Borders is not possible anymore. Travelers are required to obtain Laos Visa in advance at Laos Embassy

Laos Embassy in Vietnam:

Address: 40 Quang Trung, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi

The official website: http://laoembassyhanoi.gov.la/).

E-mail: laoembassyhanoi@gmail.com

Visa and Consular Section

Phone: + 84 4 39424576 _ 113

Consulate General of the Lao PDR in Danang, Vietnam

ADDRESS12 Tran Quy-Cap, Danang, S.R. Vietnam

PHONE (+84 51) 821-208

For your information, Laos visa fee would normally be at around 42 USD/person, please contact the Laos Embassy for more exact information in accordance with your nationality. At the moment (2023), only the through Lao Bao Border that travelers can apply for visa on arrival to Laos hence there is no need to come to the embassy for it. However, runners are advised to call and double check with Lao Embassy in case the law changes.

Processing time: You are able to get your Laos visa done within 01 working day, urgent service is available at extra cost.

Step 2: Get to the Border pass

Here are some guidance’s for travelers to reach from your city to the border pass:

From Ha Noi to borders:

• To Lao Bao Border and Cau Treo Border

By bus:

From Nước Ngầm Bus Station (Hanoi), foreigners buy bus ticket (16-24 USD for Lao Bao, 8-12 USD for Cau Treo) as we have bus twice daily for both Borders (takes around 10 hours to Lao Bảo and 5 hours to Cau Treo). The bus stops at Dong Ha Quang Tri for Lao Bao/ Vinh Nghe An for Cau Treo and you will need to book a taxi on demand (distance of 82,8km for Lao Bao – and 93 km for Cau Treo ;the fee’s at around 10,000VND-13,000VND for 1 km).

By train:

From Hanoi Train Station, there are train tickets to Dong Ha (Quang Tri province) (3 times per day train). The distance left to Lao Bao is 81,5km to book a taxi.

Also, runners could book train tickets to Yen Trung (Ha Tinh province) (US $8-24, twice daily), and book a taxi (66,3km) to Cau Treo Pass Border.

Hiring private car:

Another option is hiring a private car, which is a convenient but more costly way to travel. From Hanoi Nuoc Ngam bus station, the one-way approximate distance to travel to Lao Bao would be 638,7km; and to Cau Treo is 377,5km.

Driving a motorbike:

For those who want to take in the scenery, driving a motorbike is also an option, but keep in mind the round trip journey will take 1-2days. Ensure your bike is in good condition before departing, and plan to leave early in the morning.

• To Na Meo Border

If you opt to travel by motorbike, we recommend taking the Na Meo Border Pass route for your visa run, as it is just 274km away from Hanoi and can be reached in 5 hours. It is crucial that you bring the registration papers for your motorbike as the border officer will need to verify them.

From Da Nang to borders

• To Lao Bao Border

By bus/train: The most affordable way to travel from Da Nang to Lao Bao is either by bus from Da Nang bus station to Dong Ha Quang Tri or by train from Da Nang train station to Dong Ha station, costing anywhere from 6.5 to 10 USD.

Alternatively, travelers can also book a bus from a tourist agency that offers bus tickets from Da Nang to Dong Ha. From Dong Ha, you can take a taxi to the Lao Bao border, which is 81.3km away.

By private car/ motorbike: For those seeking to cross into Laos, they can opt for a private car/ motorbike to the closest border, Lao Bao. The distance to this border is 244.1 km.

• To Cau Treo Border

By train:

Runners can also go by train from Da Nang Station to Yen Trung Station (Hà Tĩnh) (3 times/day, cost 9-28 USD) and then book a taxi to Cau Treo Border (13km).

By Bus:

Bus tickets can be booked from Hung Vuong Park (Da Nang) to Vinh, Nghe An (bus 3 times a day, cost from 12-19 USD). From there, please book a taxi on demand to Cau Treo Border (40,3 km).

Hiring a private car/ driving a motorbike: If traveling to Cau Treo, it is 463 km away.

• To Nam Can Border

Trains and buses are currently not available from Da Nang to Nam Can, and the journey is 691 kilometers long for driving. It is not recommended for foreigners to travel from Da Nang to Nam Can Border for their visa run as it is a far distance and generally not convenient.

From Ho Chi Minh to borders

• To Lao Bao Border pass

Travelers can take a train from HCM train station to Dong Ha (Quang Tri), which departs three times a day and costs between $19 and $55. After reaching Dong Ha, they can book a taxi to Lao Bao, which is 82.8 km away.

Another option is to take a bus from Miền Đông Bus Station to Dong Ha, which departs twice daily and costs between $30 to $50, and then transfer to a taxi to reach Lao Bao

Vietnam visa run in Ho Chi Minh city

Step 3: Perform your Visa run at Vietnam-Lao Border

Vietnam to Laos

- At the border, proceed to the Vietnamese immigration building and get your VIETNAM EXIT STAMP.

- Then, exit Vietnam and go to the next building on the left to check in and receive your LAOS ENTRY STAMP. You can either enjoy your trip in Laos now or come back to Vietnam as the following instructions:

Laos to Vietnam

- First, proceed to the Laos Exit Stamp counter and present your passport and visa to the officer. They will verify the information and place the Laos exit stamp on your passport.

- Next, visit the Vietnam Entry Stamp counter located near the officer who stamped your Laos exit and hand over your passport and e-visa. The officer will then provide you with the entry stamps and you are ready to proceed.

Upon clearance, your visa run to Laos is complete and you now have a new Vietnamese visa in your passport. Welcome back!

WOW! You've just been given all the information you need for a Vietnam visa run to Laos, using popular checkpoints from your current city. It's crucial to have your Vietnam E-visa or Vietnam visa approval letter to complete the visa run. The experienced team at Vietnamvisavoa.com, can help you obtain Vietnam visa in a fast and simple way. Reach out to us at +84.969.255.515 (Whatsap9/Viber/ Wechat) or Support@Vietnamvisavoa.com for further assistance.