[Vietnam Visa Run 2024] How To Do Vietnam Visa Border Run Through Lao Bao Border Checkpoint

While foreigners in Ho Chi Minh city often choose Moc Bai as favorite border to do visa run, those who are in Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue and nearby area prefer Lao Bao border for convenient travel. How to do border run to Laos via Lao Bao border? In this article, we will share all information related to Vietnam visa renewal by visa run through Lao Bao border checkpoint.

1/ What to Prepare before doing visa run through Lao Bao border checkpoint

To do a visa run from Vietnam to Laos, you should not miss any of the following documents:

• Your original passport (valid for at least 6 months);
• Vietnam E-visa: Vietnam E-visa should be applied 3 working days, and can be applied online on our website https://www.vietnam-evisa.com/apply/
• US$30 to US$42 for Laos visa on arrival if available for your nationality, otherwise, obtained it at Laos embassy in Vietnam at 40 QuangTrung, Tran Hung Dao, HoanKiem, Hanoi (just ignore this fee if you are exempted from the visa to Laos)
• A pen for filling out exit and entry forms;
• Print-out of your certificate of full vaccination;

2/ Guidance to Do a Vietnam Visa Run to Laos through Lao Bao border

Step 1: Prepare the documents

One of the most important document that people do Vietnam visa run should prepare before start the visa run journey is visa. You should check carefully whether you need visa to enter Laos or not. If yes, you should apply it in advance.

For Vietnam visa, E-visa is always available online, but you must apply it at least 3 working days before entry day.

Step 2: Reach Lao Bao checkpoint

It’s easy to reach the Lao Bao border gate from Da Nang.

By public bus: Taking the public bus is the cheapest option but takes your time. You should go to the Da Nang Bus station and find Lao Bao counter to buy your ticket. Be sure that you’re getting a direct ticket to Lao Bao as there won’t be any stops until Dong Da.

This trip by public bus may take you 6 hours.

Hiring a private car: This way of traveling for a visa run is fast but expensive. Many visa runner choose this way for convenience.

Driving a motorbike: If you want to enjoy the landscape along your way, driving a motorbike to Lao Bao is not a bad option. The trip is close to 540 kilometers round trip, and is a minimum 8 hours of driving. Before departure, make sure your bike is in working condition.

Leave early (6:00 AM) and keep a good pace moving through the day.

Step 3: Exit Vietnam and enter Laos

You need to follow this procedure to exit Vietnam and enter Laos:

• Park your car or motorbike in a coffee shop
• Walk past the Vietnamese border buildings to the Laos side first. You will see a small house with an immigration officer in DARK GREEN uniform. Reach him/her to get your VIETNAM EXIT STAMP.
• Go to the next house just a few steps lefts from the first one and do the visa procedure (if required). And then move some steps to the check-in counter to get Laos entry stamp.

Step 4: Exit Laos and return Vietnam

Now, follow these next steps to complete your Vietnam to Laos visa run:

• Go again to the Vietnam side and reach the LAOS EXIT STAMP counter. Then you need to give your passport and visa to the officer. He will check them and then seal the Laos exit stamp.
• Move to the VIETNAM ENTRY STAMP counter, next to the officer who gives you Laos exit stamp, and give the officer your passport + e-visa. The officer will give you the stamps for entry again and you’re ready to go! Remember to check all the stamped you got to ensure every information is correct.
• Then you leave to the counter for outside where you will need to show your passport again to another immigration officer. After checking, he will let you go.
• Congratulation, your visa run to Laos has been done, you’ve got your new Vietnamese visa. Welcome back to Vietnam.

That’s all details for a Vietnam visa runs to Laos via Lao Bao border Checkpoint. If you want to ask more, just feel free to contact us at info@vietnam-evisa.com