January 1, 2024
visa extension

[Vietnam Border Run 2024] Guidance To Do Vietnam Visa Run Through Cau Treo Border Checkpoint

If you are holding an E-visa and it is about to expire soon, visa run is definitely what you are seeking for. For those who are living in Ha Noi city, Thanh Hoa province, Vinh city or nearby area, Cau Treo border is a good option to do border run. In this article, we will guide you details on doing border run through Cau Treo checkpoint to renew the Vietnam e-visa.

1/ Why do you need visa border run?

In this period, Vietnam only grants e-visa for tourist purpose which is valid maximum 90 days. If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you only have an option: leaving Vietnam and then re-entering. Flying out will costs more money, so you can consider visa run through the border.

Visa border run will help you get another 90-day visa in case you need a longer duration of stay. It saves money, but you need to prepare well the requirements.

2/ What to Prepare before doing visa run through Cau Treo border checkpoint

Cau Treo border is located in Ha Tinh province, which shares the same border with Laos. To do a visa run from Vietnam to Laos via Cau Treo border, 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;

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

To do a visa run to Cau Treo border, you need to follow the steps guided below:

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 the Cau Treo border

It will depend on the place you are residing in. Here we will guide you how to get there from Hanoi to do a Hanoi to Laos visa run.

You may decide to rent or use their private vehicle to reach Cau Treo. Meanwhile, majority of foreigners choose to take a bus due to its availability, safety and cheap cost.

For the bus option, you can easily take a bus at the Nuoc Ngam Bus Station at No. 1, Ngoc Hoi, Van Dien, Thanh Tri, Hanoi. And to reserve a seat, you can easily buy ticket at one of three following ticket offices: 35B Nguyen Huy Tuong and Nuoc Ngam Bus Station and 3A Nguyen Gia Thieu.

For the bus option, you may choose among several realiable bus agencies such as Camel, Trekking and No. 14 Bus Company. Their buses often start in Hanoi at around 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm, and then the bus takers will have an overnight on board and reach laos in the afternoon of the following day.

The cost of a bus trip is around VND 250,000 (~ US $12) – VND 500,000 (~US $22). This fee may subject to change from time to time depending on travel season and the bus service providers as well.

Step 3: Exit Vietnam to Laos

When you arrive at the Cau Treo Border, you will walk ahead to the Vietnam Immigration Counter, show your passport to get the exit stamp.

After that, you will take a minibus and reach the Laos border checkpoint where you will complete the visa and entry procedures into Laos.

If you are exempted from Laos visa or get a visa at the Lao embassy beforehand, just show your passport (and the visa as well if required) to the Immigration Officer there and get through the check-in counter.

In case you get the visa on arrival for Laos, fill out the form right there, submit 01 passport-sized photo, original passport and visa fee.

Now, you can choose to stay in Laos for a few days trip or come back Vietnam right away. And to enter Vietnam, remember to do the check-out procedure at the Laos border checkpoint to get the Laos exit stamp.

Step 4: Return to Vietnam and get new visa

You will take the mini-bus back to the Cau Treo Border checkpoint of Vietnam. Make sure that you have the exit stamp by the Laos Immigration as without it, you cannot take the visa for Vietnam.

Now, you need to show your passport + Vietnam e-visa. The immigration officer will check and stamp new duration of stay onto your passport.

Congratulation, you complete the visa run to Laos from Hanoi at Cau Treo checkpoint. Welcome you back to Vietnam.

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

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