Laos visa on arrival

Hanoi to Lao Bao Visa Run

Visa Run from Hanoi to Lao Bao in Quang Tri, the Laos crossing that issues visa on arrival. Overnight trip with transport and border assistance.

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~600 kmfrom Hanoi

Overnight / 2 days by road; long single day with flightstypical duration

Laos borderQuang Tri province

Laos visa on arrival (eligible passports)Laos entry requirement

Lao Bao is the busiest Vietnam–Laos border and, as of our last review, the only one that issues Laos visa on arrival for eligible passports. It lies in Quang Tri province on Highway 9, opposite Dansavanh in Laos, and is the standard Visa Run for people living in Hue and Da Nang.

From Hanoi it is a long way, about 600 km. We offer it for travellers who specifically want the flexibility of visa on arrival, who have run out of time to arrange a Laos visa in Hanoi, or who want to combine the run with a trip to Hue, Phong Nha or Da Nang. For Hanoi residents with a week or more in hand, the closer Na Meo route is usually the better choice.

Lao Bao Border at a glance

Border gate	Lao Bao Border, Quang Tri province, Vietnam
Opposite side	Dansavanh, Savannakhet province, Laos
Distance from Hanoi	~600 km
Travel time	10–12 hours by road, or fly to Hue / Dong Hoi and drive 2.5–3 hours
Typical trip length	Overnight / 2 days by road; long single day with flights
Gate opening hours	07:00–19:00 (verify)
Visa for Laos	Laos visa on arrival for eligible passports (USD 30–50 depending on nationality); others need a visa in advance
New Vietnam visa	Express evisa 4H: 2,000,000 VND (90D, single entry), or 2,700,000 VND (90D, multiple entry) (government fee included) — or visa-exemption
Price from Hanoi	1,300,000 VND / person by bus — see the price table below

Who this route is best for

Travellers who prefer visa on arrival and want to avoid an embassy application
People who could not get a Laos visa arranged in time
Anyone combining the run with Hue, Phong Nha or Da Nang
Travellers who prefer to fly to Hue or Dong Hoi and drive from there

Itinerary

Day 1, eveningSleeper bus or overnight private car from Hanoi (or morning flight to Hue / Dong Hoi and transfer).
Day 2, 07:00–08:00Arrive Lao Bao. Vietnamese exit stamp.
Day 2, 08:00–11:00Lao side: visa on arrival (photo, form, fee in USD), Lao entry, Lao exit. Digital border fee paid on the spot.
Day 2, 11:00–12:00Vietnamese entry counter with new e-visa. New entry stamp.
Day 2, afternoonReturn north by road (overnight) or transfer to Hue / Dong Hoi airport for a flight back to Hanoi.

Times are indicative and depend on traffic, queues and border processing on the day.

Lao Bao Border Visa Run pricing

Transport prices are per route, round trip from Hanoi. Official government visa fees (Vietnam e-visa, Laos visa) are paid separately at cost — see the full fee breakdown.

Bus

Lao Bao Border by bus

1,300,000 VND / person

Sleeper bus only on this route; pick-up and drop-off at the bus station in Hanoi, not door-to-door. No private car option currently offered.

Round-trip transport, Hanoi ↔ Lao Bao Border
24/7 online English-speaking coordinator

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Express service

Express Vietnam e-visa

2,000,000 VND / single entry

Approval in 3–4 hours instead of the standard 5 working days, when the immigration portal's express channel is available on your date. Government fee included (USD 25 single / USD 50 multiple entry) — nothing extra to pay.

Single entry: 2,000,000 VND
Multiple entry (up to 90 days): 2,700,000 VND
Submitted the same day you contact us
Official government e-visa fee included

Ask about express e-visa

See prices for every turnaround time (1 hour to 4 days) →

See transport prices for every route and every government fee →

What is included

Eligibility and document check before booking
Vietnam e-visa application support with the correct entry port
Guidance on Laos visa on arrival requirements and fees
Round-trip transport from Hanoi
24/7 online English-speaking coordinator
Written step-by-step instructions on WhatsApp

Not included: government visa and border fees (paid by you at the official rate), meals, accommodation, personal expenses, and any express surcharges you choose.

Things to know before you go

Visa on arrival availability and fees depend on your nationality; a few nationalities are not eligible and need a visa in advance.
Bring USD in new, undamaged notes; damaged bills are refused.
Vietnam e-visa entry port must read Lao Bao Landport.
It is a long trip; consider the flight option if you value time over budget.

Lao Bao Border Visa Run FAQ

Why would I choose Lao Bao from Hanoi when it is so far?

Because it is the Laos gate with visa on arrival, and because it combines well with central Vietnam. If neither matters to you, choose Na Meo.

How much is the Laos visa on arrival?

Roughly USD 30–50 depending on passport, plus a small digital border fee. Exact amounts are set by Lao authorities and change; we brief you before departure.

Can I fly part of the way?

Yes. Fly Hanoi–Hue or Hanoi–Dong Hoi; we arrange the car from the airport to Lao Bao and back.

Is visa on arrival guaranteed?

Issuance is a decision of Lao immigration. Eligible passports with correct documents and cash are routinely issued a visa, but no agency can guarantee it.

Other routes from Hanoi

Compare all three routes on the routes overview, or read the full Hanoi Visa Run service page. Prices for every route are on the pricing page.

Book the Lao Bao Border Visa Run

Send your nationality and visa expiry date. We confirm eligibility, price and the next departure within a few hours.

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Border hours, visa-on-arrival availability, visa-free lists and fees are set by the Vietnamese, Lao and Chinese authorities and change without notice. Information last reviewed 2026-09-08. We verify your individual case before every booking and do not guarantee visa issuance or entry decisions.