1. LAOS CROSS BORDER
Overland: The country can be entered or exited overland at the following immigration
checkpoints, which are open daily from 08.30 AM to 05.00 PM:
Thailand
* Friendship Bridge from / to Nongkhai (Thailand) crossing Mekong River by shuttle
bus (from 06.00 AM to 10.00 PM)
* Houei Xay by crossing Mekong River by ferry from / to Chiangkhong (Thailand) (from
08.00 AM to 06.00 PM)
* Thakek from / to Nakhon Phanom (Thailand) by ferry
* Vangtao from / to Chongmek and Ubon Ratchatani (Thailand)
* Savannakhet from / to Mukdahan (Thailand), actually by ferry. At the end of 2006, the
bridge crossing Mekong river will be completely finished
Vietnam
* SobHoune (Laos) / Tay Trang (Dienbien Phu, Vietnam
* Nameo (Sam Neua) / PaHang (QuanSon, Thanh Hoa) on route N0 6
* Nonghet (Xiengkhouang Province)/ Nam Kan (Kyson, Nghean ,Vietnam)
* Denesavanh (Xavanakhet) / Lao Bao (Quangtri, Vietnam)
* Namphao (Borikhamxay province)/ Lak Sao (Hatinh, Vietnam)
* Tong Kham (Thakek ) Chalo (Quangbinh, route N0 12, which link Thakek to Vinh or
Dong Hoi (Vietnam)
* Attapeu/Kontum (Bo-Y border)
Cambodia
* Veunkham from / to Stung Treng (Cambodia) by boat
China
* Boten, Luang Namtha province, from / to Bohan and Mengla (Yunnan, China)
PASSPORT AND VISAS
Visas are required by all nationalities (subject to exceptions for local neighboring people
and ASEAN countries )
Visas can be obtained either from Lao Embassies and Consulates abroad or upon
arrival at following immigration checkpoints:
* Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse airports
* Friendship Bridge in Vientiane (opposite Nongkhai, Thailand)
* Houei Xay (opposite Chiangkhong, Thailand)
* Boten, Luang Namtha province (opposite Bohan, Yunnan, China)
* Nonghet, Xiengkhouang Province (opposite Nam Kan, Vietnam).
* Savannakhet (opposite Mukdahan, Thailand)
* Denesavanh (opposite Lao Bao, Vietnam)
* Vangtao (opposite Chongmek, Thailand)
* Namphao, Borikhamxay Province (opposite of Lak Sao, Vietnam)

2. * Thakek (opposite Nakhon Phanom, Thailand)
Important note: Travelers arriving from Cambodia overland at Veunkham immigration
checkpoint must have their Lao visa arranged and stamped prior to arrival at the Laotian
border.