# Laos to Vietnam by Bus: All 9 Border Crossings

> All nine Laos-Vietnam crossings: hours, bus fares and visa rules, plus the December 2025 change that untied the Vietnam e-visa from one checkpoint.

**Source:** https://laosbustickets.com/laos-vietnam-border-crossings/  
**Language:** en  
**Last verified:** 4 September 2026  
**Written by:** Laos Bus Tickets, Vientiane, Laos
**Other languages:** [Français](https://laosbustickets.com/fr/laos-vietnam-border-crossings.md) · [Deutsch](https://laosbustickets.com/de/laos-vietnam-border-crossings.md) · [Español](https://laosbustickets.com/es/laos-vietnam-border-crossings.md)  

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## Quick answer

Laos and Vietnam share nine international checkpoints. Vietnam issues no visa on arrival at any land border. You must have an e-visa before you arrive. Since Resolution 389/NQ-CP of 2 December 2025 the e-visa is valid at 83 checkpoints including 27 land gates, and the port-of-entry field has been removed, so you are no longer tied to the crossing you nominated. The e-visa costs US$25 single entry or US$50 multiple, valid up to 90 days.

## Border crossings

| Crossing | Connects | Hours | Lao visa on arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dansavanh – Lao Bảo | Savannakhet to Lao Bảo, Quảng Trị, Vietnam | 07:00–19:00 | Listed officially, disputed in practice |
| Nam Phao – Cầu Treo | Bolikhamxay to Cầu Treo, Hà Tĩnh, Vietnam | 07:00–19:00 | Listed officially, disputed in practice |
| Nam Kan – Nậm Cắn | Xiengkhouang to Nậm Cắn, Nghệ An, Vietnam | 07:00–19:00 | Listed officially, disputed in practice |
| Nam Soy – Na Mèo | Houaphanh to Na Mèo, Thanh Hóa, Vietnam | 07:00–19:00 | Listed officially, disputed in practice |
| Na Phao – Cha Lo | Khammouane to Cha Lo, Quảng Bình, Vietnam | 07:00–19:00 | Yes |
| La Lai – La Lay | Salavan to La Lay, Quảng Trị, Vietnam | 07:00–19:00 | Yes |
| Dak Ta Ock – Nam Giang | Sekong to Nam Giang, Đà Nẵng, Vietnam | 07:00–19:00 | Yes |
| Phou Keua – Bờ Y | Attapeu to Bờ Y, Kon Tum, Vietnam | 07:00–19:00 | Listed officially, disputed in practice |
| Pang Hok – Tây Trang | Phongsaly to Tây Trang, Điện Biên, Vietnam | 07:00–19:00 | Listed officially, disputed in practice |

## Routes

| Route | Border crossing | Duration | Bookable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vientiane to Hanoi | Nam Phao – Cầu Treo | approx 24 hrs | Yes |
| Vientiane to Vinh | Nam Phao – Cầu Treo | approx 14 hrs | Yes |
| Vientiane to Hue | Nam Phao – Cầu Treo | approx 22 hrs | Yes |
| Vientiane to Da Nang | Nam Phao – Cầu Treo | approx 24 hrs | Yes |
| Savannakhet to Hue | Dansavanh – Lao Bảo | approx 12 hrs | Yes |
| Savannakhet to Da Nang | Dansavanh – Lao Bảo | approx 15 hrs | Yes |
| Savannakhet to Hanoi | Dansavanh – Lao Bảo | approx 24 hrs | Yes |
| Pakse to Hue | Dansavanh – Lao Bảo | approx 16 hrs | Yes |
| Pakse to Da Nang | Dansavanh – Lao Bảo | approx 18 hrs | Yes |
| Thakhek to Da Nang | Na Phao – Cha Lo | approx 16 hrs | Yes |
| Luang Prabang to Hanoi | Nam Soy – Na Mèo | approx 24 hrs | Yes |
| Thakhek to Vinh | Na Phao – Cha Lo | overnight | No, not sold online |
| Thakhek to Phong Nha | Na Phao – Cha Lo | approx 8 hrs | No, not sold online |
| Thakhek to Hue | Dansavanh – Lao Bảo | approx 14 hrs | No, not sold online |
| Attapeu to Kon Tum / Pleiku | Phou Keua – Bờ Y | approx 8 hrs | No, not sold online |
| Sam Neua to Hanoi | Nam Soy – Na Mèo | flights only | Yes |

## Common questions

### Can I get a Vietnam visa on arrival at the border?

No. Vietnam issues no visa on arrival at any land border, only at airports. You must have an e-visa before you reach the crossing.

### Is my Vietnam e-visa tied to the crossing I chose?

Not any more. Resolution 389/NQ-CP of 2 December 2025 expanded the list from 42 to 83 checkpoints and removed the port-of-entry field from the issued e-visa. You can enter at any approved gate, with nothing to declare in advance. Most travel sites still say otherwise because they are working from older sources.

### How much is the Vietnam e-visa?

US$25 single entry, US$50 multiple entry, valid up to 90 days. The fee is non-refundable if your application is refused.

### Which crossing gives Lao visa on arrival coming the other way?

This is genuinely disputed. The Lao register lists visa on arrival at all nine. But long-standing traveller sources say only Dansavanh (Lao Bảo) reliably issues it and that people are turned away elsewhere. If you are entering Laos from Vietnam, either use Lao Bảo or arrange your Lao visa in advance.

### Which crossing do I use for Savannakhet or Pakse to Hue and Da Nang?

Dansavanh–Lao Bảo, usually an overnight sleeper given the distance and the mountain roads through the Annamite range.

### Which crossing for Vientiane to Hanoi?

Nam Phao–Cầu Treo, over the Keo Nua Pass. Expect around 24 hours.

### What is the road like through the mountains?

Slow and winding. In the wet season, roughly May to October, the Annamite routes are the most landslide-prone crossings in the country and delays of several hours are normal.

## Sources

- [Lao Department of Immigration](https://immigration.gov.la): checkpoint list, opening hours and visa status
- [Vietnam Immigration Department](https://evisa.gov.vn): e-visa checkpoints and rules
- [Travelfish](https://www.travelfish.org/visas/laos): field reports on visa on arrival in practice

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_Written and maintained from Vientiane. The people behind this site have lived in Laos for two decades and cross these borders themselves. Routes and visa rules get rechecked whenever something changes, not on a fixed schedule that lets stale information sit for months._