Vietnam visa for Laos citizens

Do Laotian passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?

If you are a citizen of Laos, you do not need to obtain a visa to enter Vietnam for stays up to 30 days. However, If you plan to stay in Vietnam for more than 30 days, you will need to obtain a visa.

How to apply for a Vietnamese visa in Laos

Lao citizens who plan to stay in Vietnam for more than 30 days and expatriates and foreign travelers in Laos have a few options to obtain a visa for Vietnam. These include:

• Applying for a visa at the Embassy of Vietnam in Laos.
• Obtaining a visa on arrival.
• Applying for an e-visa.

Visa at the Vietnam Embassy in Laos

• To obtain a Vietnam visa at the Embassy in Laos, you will need to submit the required documents to the embassy in the country namely a completed application form, passport photos, and the appropriate visa fee.
• After your application is processed, you can collect your visa either in person or by mail.

Apply for e-visa online

• Lao passport holders are eligible for a Vietnam e-visa which can be obtained through the official website of the Vietnam Immigration Department at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/.
• You must upload a scanned copy of your passport, a passport-sized photo, and pay the visa fee (25 USD ~ 426948 LAK) through the website.

Apply for a visa on arrival

Visa on arrival is provided if you approach Vietnam by air. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Apply for a visa approval letter through a reputable Vietnamese travel agency or visa processing company. 
2. Receive the visa approval letter via email and print it out.
3. Complete the entry and exit form (which can be obtained on the plane or at the airport), provide two passport-sized photos, and pay the visa stamping fee

How much is the visa fee for Laotian passports?

Fee comparison 

Travel tips for Laotian citizens visiting Vietnam

How to get there

By land

Laotian residents and foreigners (having a Vietnam visa) can enter Vietnam by crossing the border checkpoints between the two countries. There are several land border crossings:

• Nam Can border crossing connects Nghe An province (Vietnam) and Houaphanh province (Laos).
• Cau Treo border crossing connects Ha Tinh province (Vietnam) and Bolikhamxay province (Laos).
• Lao Bao border crossing connects Quang Tri province (Vietnam) and Savannakhet province (Laos).

By air

Flights between Laos and Vietnam often connect Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse (Laos) with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang (Vietnam). You can choose flights provided by Vietnam Airlines, Lao Airlines, Vietjet Air, Laos Skyway, and AirAsia.

Vientiane - Hanoi

Luang Prabang - Ho Chi Minh City

Pakse - Ho Chi Minh City 

Weather information

Vietnam and Laos are neighboring countries in Southeast Asia; thus, having similar climates and weather.

• Climate: Vietnam has a tropical climate with high humidity. Laos also has a tropical climate, but a bit drier than Vietnam. 
• Weather: Vietnam experiences two distinct seasons: the rainy season (May to October) and the dry season (November to April). Meanwhile, there are three distinct seasons in Laos: the hot season (March to May), the rainy season (June to October), and the cool season (November to February). 
• Temperature: The temperatures in Vietnam vary depending on the season and location. In the north, the temperature can drop to around 15°C in winter (December to February) and reach up to 35°C in the summer (June to August). In the south, the temperature is usually warmer, ranging from 25°C to 35°C throughout the year. On the other hand, the temperatures in Laos are higher than in Vietnam, with the average temperature ranging from 28°C to 35°C in the hot season and dropping to around 15°C in the cool season.