A complete guide for getting Vietnam visa run to Laos in 2025
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 the borders. The process involves exiting Vietnam and re-entering with a new Vietnam visa.
Crossing borders is the easiest way to complete your Vietnam visa run trip. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on performing a Vietnam visa run to Laos via the three most frequently used borders.
What is Vietnam visa run?
A "Vietnam visa run" refers to a trip to a nearby country to lengthen your stay in Vietnam if you wish to extend your time there. Whether you were initially granted a free visa or a visa stamp allowing a specific stay, you need to leave Vietnam before your visa expires, get to a neighboring country (Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, or China), then turn back around and re-enter Vietnam with a new visa. This process is commonly known as a Vietnam visa run.
SPECIAL NOTICE: By law, Immigration will not approve your new visa order while you are still residing in Vietnam. You must exit Vietnam if you want to apply for a visa run. If the visa is approved, you can re-enter Vietnam.
Steps to get Vietnam visa run to Laos
Travelers need to prepare all required documents, and 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: You can use Vietnam evisa or a Vietnam approval letter with Vietnam visa on arrival
+ E-visa: Make sure to provide all necessary information accurately 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 a hassle-free process and avoid any potential mistakes or delays, consider hiring a travel agent to handle the visa application process. Also, urgent Vietnam evisa can be done by visa agencies with an extra fee.
+ Vietnam Visa on arrival (for other nationalities): Passengers can only apply for a tourist VOA through a travel agent, reach here for detailed information for applying for a visa on arrival.
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
Phone: 024 3942 4576
Consulate General of the Lao PDR in Danang, Vietnam
Address: 12 Tran Quy Cap, Thach Thang, Hai Chau, Danang
Phone: +84 (511) 382 1208
Fax: +84 (511) 382 1208
Email: laoconsuldanang@gmail.com
For your information, the Laos visa fee would normally be around 50 USD/person, please contact the Laos Embassy for more exact information following your nationality.
Processing time: You can 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 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 Nuoc Ngam Bus Station (Hanoi), foreigners buy bus tickets (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 is 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 1-2 days. 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. You must 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: Those seeking to cross into Laos 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. This way is fast but quite expensive. However, many visitors choose ít for this convenience.
• 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 the borders
• To the 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 the Vietnam-Lao Bao 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, go to the Laos exit counter where you will need to show your passport and visa. The officer will verify your details and stamp your passport with the Laos exit stamp.
- Next, move to the Vietnam entry counter, which is located near the Laos exit stamping area. Present your passport and e-visa, and the officer will give you the Vietnam entry stamp.
- Once you have passed through the checkpoint, your visa run to Laos is complete, and your new Vietnamese visa will be in your passport. Welcome back to Vietnam!
Must know before using Vietnam e-visa to apply Vietnam visa run
Passport: Only ordinary passports are used for Vietnam evisa application form. Travel documents and emergency passports are not accepted.
Portrait photo: Do not crop your image from your passport page, do not wear glasses. Being half-naked or wearing a tank top must be avoided.
Children: If your children have their passport, a separate Vietnam evisa request must be made for them.
Visa Application Refusal: Vietnam Immigration reserves the right to approve or decline your Vietnam visa request.
In case you are on the restricted list/ blacklist of the Vietnam Immigration Department, your Vietnam visa application will be refused
In such cases, we will inform you, and the Vietnam Immigration Department will charge only the official fee ($25 US/ single entry, $50 US/ multiple entry).
This guide provides you with all the essential steps for completing a Vietnam visa run to Laos, using the most common checkpoints from your current location. Be sure to have your Vietnam e-visa or visa approval letter on hand to ensure a smooth process.
The team at VietnamVisaVOA.com can assist you in obtaining your Vietnam visa quickly and easily. Contact us at +84.969.255.515 (WhatsApp/Viber/Wechat) or email Support@VietnamVisaVOA.com for further support.
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