Travel Documents Required for going from Vietnam to Laos

If you’re planning on visiting Southeast Asia, chances are both Laos and Vietnam will be on your bucket list. Fortunately, it is not too difficult to cross the border between the two countries. In this guide, we’ll cover all of the detailed instructions on the types of documents required when traveling from Vietnam to Laos, along with everything you need to know about Laos – Vietnam border crossings, from visa requirements to visa application procedures and other tips.

Required Travel Documents

Passport

• This is the most important document for all your travel endeavors. Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from the date of entry and at least two blank visa pages.
• It is recommended to bring a copy of your passport in case of loss.

Visa

• Visa exemption: Citizens of some countries can visit Laos for 15-30 days without the need for a visa. These include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• Tourist visa: If you want to stay in Laos for more than 30 days, you need to apply for a tourist visa. There are 3 ways to apply for a tourist visa from Vietnam to Laos:

1. On arrival: You can apply for a visa on arrival at international airports and border checkpoints.
2. Online: You can apply for an e-visa online at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos
3. At the embassy or Consulate of Laos in Vietnam, for those who aren’t eligible to apply online or on arrival

Note: Visa regulations may change over time, please check the official website of the Lao Embassy for updated information.

Laos visa

Procedures for applying for a Lao tourist visa

Application documents

• Passport with a validity of at least 6 months with at least two blank pages for a visa sticker.
• A visa application form, filled out and signed by the applicant (available at the visa window at Lao ports of entry or given before landing if you are arriving by plane).
• Two 4x6cm ID photographs (white background, taken recently). If you couldn’t prepare the photos beforehand, you can have your photograph from your passport scanned for an extra fee of a few dollars.
• Visa payment receipt, or if you are receiving it on arrival, a visa fee that was paid in cash. The cost of the fee depends on the passport you are holding, ranging from 30-42 USD.

Laos Visa application form

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Obtaining your visa

• Visa on arrival: Visitors can obtain their visa upon arrival at designated Lao airports or land border checkpoints. The visa form is available at the Counter of Immigration right at the arrival gate and needs to be filled out to obtain the visa. It is advisable to fill out the form beforehand so that you needn't wait too long at the line.
• E-visa: You can apply for an e-visa online beforehand through the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. This can save you time from standing in long queues upon your arrival at Laos’ ports of entry. You simply need to fill in your information and pay your fees online at the government website, and wait for up to three days for the eVisa approval. Also, you should keep in mind that the eVisa fee is non-refundable.
• Via Laos Embassy or Consultant: Travelers holding these passports are not eligible for visa on entry: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Jordan, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya), Mozambique, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Syria (Syrian Arab Republic), Swaziland, Tonga, Turkey, Zambia, Zimbabwe. To obtain a visa, the holders of these passports must apply via the embassy or Consulate of Laos. In Vietnam, you can apply for the visa via the Embassy of Lao PDR in Hanoi; the Consulate General of Lao PDR in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Consulate General of Lao PDR in Da Nang.

Laos eVisa website

Designated ports connecting Vietnam and Laos

To get to Laos from Vietnam, there are a number of designated ports.

It’s possible to transit from Vietnam to Laos through these three airports:

• Wattai International Airport (Vientiane)
• Luang Prabang International Airport
• Pakse International Airport (Champasak)

The airports are also the only designated ports that allow the use of eVisa for entry. If you opt for more adventurous methods of travel, you can transit through the following border checkpoints:

• Lao Bao – Dansavanh (suitable for Hue – Savannakhet)
• Nam Phao – Cau Treo: (suitable for Hanoi – Vientiane)
• Na Meo – Nam Xoi: (suitable for Hanoi – Luang Prabang).

Obtaining visa at a designated port

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Extension of Visa

You can request to extend your visa at the immigration office in Vientiane for 20,000kip (about US$2,50) each day if you apply before or on the day it expires, in case anything unforeseen happens and you decide to stay longer in Laos. On the other hand, you will be penalized US$10 per day for the extra days you stay if you do it after your visa expires

Other tips

• Bring every required paperwork in a different file so it may be easily checked.
• Preserve your documents and take care not to lose or tear them.
• Verify all requirements again: Make sure your visa details and passport validity comply with Lao entry criteria.
• Bring duplicates: It can be useful to have copies of your passport and visa in case of unanticipated events.
• Give yourself plenty of time: When organizing your itinerary, keep in mind that crossing borders can occasionally take some time. If possible, we recommend applying e-visa to skip the daunting time of waiting in queues.

Purchase a Vietnam-Laos travel package from Asia King Travel

Asia King Travel is an expert in offering all-inclusive trip packages in Southeast Asia at reasonable costs along with expert services. If you wish to visit both these two countries on the same trip, feel free to contact us, and let us help you plan out the best itinerary.

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