Visas, borders and practical travel in Vietnam, Cambodia and LaosSupport
Frequently asked questions
All the questions from across the site, grouped by topic, each linked to its source.
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Contents
How to use this page
All 62 questions from across the site, grouped by topic. Each group links to the page it came from, where the answer sits in full context.
If your question is not here, send it through the contact page.
Home
Is this an official government site?
No. It is an independent handbook. It links to the official portals in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos so you can check every rule yourself, and you should apply for visas only through those portals or an embassy.
How current is the information?
Each rule that can change carries a "last checked" date under it. This edition was checked on 3 October 2026. If a rule has changed since, the corrections form on the contact page is the quickest way to tell us.
Can you book a tour, a visa or a bus for me?
No. The guide does not sell anything or take bookings, and it does not name or rate tour companies.
Which country should I start in?
Start where your international flight lands most cheaply, then check that the border you plan to use next accepts the visa you hold. The border crossings page lists which document works at each crossing.
Read in full: Home.
Visas
Can I get all three visas online before I leave?
You can get e-visas for all three, but the Lao e-visa is only accepted at airports and at crossings from Thailand and China. If you enter Laos overland from Vietnam or Cambodia, an e-visa does not help.
Do I need a multiple-entry visa for Vietnam?
Only if you will leave Vietnam and come back on the same trip, for example Hanoi to Laos and back into central Vietnam. A single-entry e-visa ends when you exit.
Should I use an agency website to apply?
The official portals are the only places to apply online. Agency sites can submit for you, but they charge more than the government fee and some copy the look of the official portal. Check the web address ends in gov.vn, gov.kh or gov.la.
What currency do I pay a visa on arrival in?
US dollars in Cambodia and Laos. Bring clean, untorn notes in small denominations; damaged notes may be refused.
Read in full: Visas.
Vietnam visa
Can I change the entry gate after my e-visa is approved?
Not on the approved e-visa. The safe route is a new application naming the right gate. Apply early enough that this does not leave you stuck.
Does the 45-day exemption apply if I enter by land from Cambodia or Laos?
Exemptions are granted by nationality at the gate, by land or air. Officers decide on each entry, so carry proof of onward travel and check the latest exemption list before you rely on it.
How long does an e-visa take?
About three working days is the usual figure reported. Public holidays add to that. Agencies that promise faster processing charge extra for the service.
Can I extend a Vietnamese e-visa?
No. Independent sources report that an e-visa cannot be extended. Plan the dates with a margin, or leave and enter again on a new e-visa.
Read in full: Vietnam visa.
Cambodia visa
Can I pay the Cambodian visa on arrival in dong or kip?
Plan on US dollars. One overland report notes dong being taken at a Vietnam crossing, but dollars are the currency the fee is set in.
Is the e-visa accepted on the Mekong boat from Chau Doc?
Independent reports say no: the river crossing at Kaam Samnor issues a visa on arrival but does not take the e-visa. Check before you apply.
Do I need the e-Arrival card if I come by bus?
The card applies at the three international airports. At land borders it did not apply when we checked.
How long can I stay?
A tourist visa gives 30 days from the date of entry. An extension is possible inside Cambodia for a fee.
Read in full: Cambodia visa.
Laos visa
Can I use the Lao e-visa on the bus from Hanoi to Vientiane?
No. That bus crosses a land border with Vietnam, and none of those crossings is a Lao e-visa port. Use a visa from an embassy, or fly into Vientiane where the e-visa is accepted.
How long is the Lao e-visa approval letter valid?
Up to 60 days after you receive it, according to the official portal. You must enter within that time and can then stay 30 days.
What photo does the e-visa need?
A photo sized 4 x 6 cm, taken within the last six months, on a plain white background. Check the upload rules on the portal before you scan it.
Do I pay the visa on arrival in kip?
Bring US dollars. The fee is quoted in dollars at the counter, even though payments inside Laos must be in kip.
Read in full: Laos visa.
Border crossings
Which crossing between Vietnam and Laos is easiest for a visa on arrival?
Lao Bao, opposite Dansavanh, is the one an independent guide currently reports issuing a Lao visa on arrival. For the other Vietnam–Laos crossings, get a Lao visa before you travel.
Are the hours in the tables reliable?
They are reported hours from an independent guide, not official timetables. Treat them as a planning range and arrive well before closing.
Why do some cells say "not confirmed"?
Because we could not find a source we trust for that point. We would rather leave a gap than fill it with a guess. If you have crossed there recently, the contact form is the place to tell us.
What are the hours at the Cambodia–Laos crossing?
The reported hours are 06:00 to 18:00. Check locally before travelling, especially around public holidays.
Read in full: Border crossings.
Getting between
Is there a train between the three countries?
Not between Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Laos has a railway to China, and Vientiane's Khamsavath station is an e-visa port for that line.
Which Phnom Penh airport do I fly to now?
Techo International Airport, code KTI, which took over Phnom Penh's flights on 9 September 2025. It is about 30 km south of the city.
Can I do Hanoi to Luang Prabang overland?
Yes, through the north via Dien Bien Phu and the Tay Trang crossing, but it takes days and you will need a Lao visa from an embassy. Most travellers with limited time fly.
Do cross-border buses wait for everyone at the border?
Usually, but not if a passenger is refused entry. Make sure your documents are right before you board.
Read in full: Getting between.
Money and SIM
Can I pay in US dollars in Laos?
Not legally for everyday purchases. The law requires payment in kip; foreign currency is allowed through electronic methods such as card or QR. Visa-on-arrival fees are the exception.
Why do Cambodian shops refuse some dollar notes?
Torn, taped or marked notes are hard for them to pass on or bank. Carry notes in good condition and check the change you receive.
Do I need my passport to buy a SIM card?
In Vietnam and Cambodia, yes. Vietnam also checks subscriber registration against face biometrics since April 2026. Expect the same passport request in Laos.
Should I bring cash or rely on cards?
Both. Cards and QR work in cities; borders, markets, rural guesthouses and visa counters run on cash.
Read in full: Money and SIM.
When to go
Is there one month that is good everywhere?
December and January come closest, but northern Vietnam is cold then and the tail of the central Vietnam rains can linger. No month is ideal for every region.
When is the smoke season in Laos?
From mid-February to late April or early May, caused by field burning. It is worst in the northern valleys.
When does flooding hit Hoi An?
The flood risk is highest from September to November, during the central Vietnam rainy season.
How hot is Cambodia in April?
Around 38°C in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Plan temple visits for early morning.
Read in full: When to go.
Health and safety
Do I need malaria tablets?
Malaria is listed for all three countries, but the risk depends on the area and season. A travel health clinic can advise for your exact route.
Is it safe to rent a motorbike?
It is the riskiest thing most visitors do. In Vietnam you need the 1968 international driving permit and your licence, and in Laos you should not leave your passport as a deposit.
What is the emergency number in Vietnam?
115 for an ambulance, according to the UK Foreign Office.
Can I bring my prescription medicine into Vietnam?
Yes, but medicines classed as addictive or psychotropic are limited to seven days' supply, with a doctor's letter. Check the classification of your medicine before you travel.
Read in full: Health and safety.
Countries
Can I visit all three countries in two weeks?
You can, with at least one flight, but most of the time goes on transport. Two countries in two weeks is a more comfortable plan.
Which country is easiest for a first visit?
For paperwork, Cambodia, because visa on arrival is still widely issued. For transport and choice, Vietnam.
Do these pages recommend hotels or tour companies?
No. The guide covers entry, transport, money, seasons and safety, and does not list or rate businesses.
Read in full: Countries.
Vietnam
Is two weeks enough for Vietnam?
For two regions, yes. For north, centre and south together, three weeks is more comfortable.
Which way should I travel, north to south or south to north?
Let the season decide. In autumn the north is clearer and the centre is wet; in spring the centre and north are both reasonable. Then fit your onward border at the end that is nearer.
Do I need cash in Vietnam?
Yes, for markets, street food and small guesthouses. Cards work in cities and larger hotels.
Can I cross from Vietnam to Cambodia by boat?
Yes, on the Mekong from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh through Vinh Xuong. The Cambodian side issues a visa on arrival there but is reported not to accept the e-visa.
Read in full: Vietnam.
Cambodia
How many days do I need for Angkor?
Two or three days allow early starts and the outlying temples. One day covers the central sites in crowds.
Which airport is Phnom Penh now?
Techo International Airport, code KTI, about 30 km south of the city, which replaced the old airport in September 2025.
Should I bring dollars or riel?
Both. Dollars for hotels, transport and visas, riel for small purchases and change. Dollar notes need to be in good condition.
Is the wet season worth it?
For the lake and the green landscape, yes. Expect slower roads, and the heaviest rain from July to September.
Read in full: Cambodia.
Laos
Can I enter Laos from Vietnam on an e-visa?
Not by land. The Lao e-visa is accepted only at three airports and at crossings from Thailand and China. Fly from Hanoi to Luang Prabang or Vientiane if you want to use it.
Can I pay in dollars or baht in Laos?
Not in cash for everyday purchases. Payments must be in kip; foreign currency can be used through card or QR.
When is the smoke season?
From mid-February to late April or early May, mostly in the north.
How long can I stay?
Thirty days on a tourist visa, extendable twice inside Laos for up to 60 more days.
Read in full: Laos.
About
Who writes the guide?
The pages are written and checked by the Indochina Travel Guide editors, who are named as the author on every page.
Do you accept payment to mention a business?
The guide does not name or rate businesses, and there are no paid placements in the text.
Why do some pages cite independent guides rather than governments?
Because on some points, such as which land border issues a visa on arrival, the official sources say nothing or could not be read. We label those sources clearly so you can weigh them.
How do I report a mistake?
Use the form on the contact page. Say which page, what is wrong, and how you know.
Read in full: About.
Contact
How quickly do you reply?
We reply by email when a message needs an answer. Corrections are checked against a source before the page changes, which can take longer than a reply.
Can I phone the editors?
The guide works through the form only, and replies come by email. Phone details are not published.
Will you publish my name?
Not unless you ask. A correction is credited to "a reader" by default.
Read in full: Contact.
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