Traveling To Vietnam

[ezzra]

Hi all,

We are thinking of loading our Toyota fortuner and head off form Khon Kean to Hui in VN Via Mukdahan,

the car is fully paid for with all books and documentations on hand as well as visas as this can be a important factor

for any hassle free trip,

our question is it possible to do this trip as we plan and cross to Laos and than to VN without any problems?

Any contribution will help,

Thx,

[grtaylor]

Hi all,

We are thinking of loading our Toyota fortuner and head off form Khon Kean to Hui in VN Via Mukdahan,

the car is fully paid for with all books and documentations on hand as well as visas as this can be a important factor

for any hassle free trip,

our question is it possible to do this trip as we plan and cross to Laos and than to VN without any problems?

Any contribution will help,

Thx,

Laos I guess would be OK, but I'm not sure. I imagine that Thai cars cross the bridge at Nong Khai, Mukdahan and other places.

A friend of mine worked in HCMC in Viet Nam about three years ago, and told me that during that time a group of people from Thailand wanted to drive through Viet Nam to China (it was some sort of 'charity' event). He read a newspaper report which said that, as right-hand drive cars are illegal in Viet Nam, they were required to have a police escort all the way through the country. . . . .

Worth checking with Embassy, I think.

G

[hanno]

I have seen cars both from Laos and Thailand on a number of occasions. Inevitably, they were in a convoy and escorted by the polices, as stated by G.

[issanpaul]

I have seen cars both from Laos and Thailand on a number of occasions. Inevitably, they were in a convoy and escorted by the polices, as stated by G.

At a GREAT COST i would of thought ?

[fm2002]

Got this from some research I got awhile back from a Thai based company who organizes motor caravans;

"Vietnam :costing for car permission 1200 USD per group/30 days for apply car permission."

[Koo82]

Friends drove from Thailand to Laos but couldn’t get into Vietnam. They parked their cars in Laos and used another way to visit Vietnam.

[Koo82]

That was 2 years ago.

[Wrong Turn]

Hi all,

We are thinking of loading our Toyota fortuner and head off form Khon Kean to Hui in VN Via Mukdahan,

the car is fully paid for with all books and documentations on hand as well as visas as this can be a important factor

for any hassle free trip,

our question is it possible to do this trip as we plan and cross to Laos and than to VN without any problems?

Any contribution will help,

Thx,

I live in 'Nam and have never tried to bring a vehicle in. I do know that to ride a motorbike across the VN/Cam border you need proof of legal ownership.

With a car, make sure you get the proper documentation and more to prove the vehicle isn't stolen and that you don't intend to sell it in 'Nam.

You know this, but officials don't. Or....maybe they do but they see an opportunity for "fees."

[wensiensheng]

I took my Thai registered car accross to Laos last year and drove up to Nong Khai. To take a car into Laos you need to get a "passport" for your car in Thailand. You can do this using an agent in Nong Khai. I can't recall the cost, but it's not that much. Takes a few hours though so I saw the agent one day and got the document the next day.

You also need to buy Laos car insurance and can do that at the booth just accross the bordor. Again, not that expensive as you can do it for 7 days, 1 mth, or whatever time you need.

The roads in Laos (or should I say road, singular) is ok but pretty windy past Vang Vien and into the mountains.

I enjoyed the trip by car....my wife says she'll fly if we ever go to Luang Prabang again!

Sorry, no info on driving into Vietnam, although would like to try it myself one day.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Hi all,

We are thinking of loading our Toyota fortuner and head off form Khon Kean to Hui in VN Via Mukdahan,

the car is fully paid for with all books and documentations on hand as well as visas as this can be a important factor

for any hassle free trip,

our question is it possible to do this trip as we plan and cross to Laos and than to VN without any problems?

Any contribution will help,

Thx,

Below a two year old posting on another forum about this.

FYI, Sepone/Tchepone, out towards the Vietnam border from Savannakhet, has a nice guest house on the right hand side before you get out of town. Stayed there last February. Restaurant across the street. Highway paved and good all the way.

Mac

Posted on: 4:29 pm, August 08, 2006

Save

I guess not all the Respondents have been to VietNam and tried to rent a car. Simply put, you can't.

You can drive your vehicle into VietNam but it is a somewhat unusual procedure. A very heavy bureaucratic process which is best accomplished by an Agent.

On attending the Port of Entry you will be required to produce your ownership and insurance documents and drivers licence. This assumes that you are properly visa'd. If you have an Agent the following will be quickly achieved.

For those DIY types. Enter VietNam; produce the above documents; park your car - technically it is impounded. Travel to HCMC (or Da Nang or Ha Noi - at least these offices are up to speed) and give the Vehicle Registration office all the papers - and those given you by the Customs people.

Go and buy insurance from a VietNam insurer for the period you will be in the country then return to the above office. They will give you a return date. You can start visiting HCMC. ;^(o)

On your return to the office you wiil receive (1) Your documents; (2) A new VN vehicle tag / plate; (3) A VN vehicle registration document; a VN licence valid for the length of time on your visa.

Return to the border; consult with the Customs; attach your plate - welcome to VietNam ... and crooked cops.

Always carry all your documentation; always act dumb - you don't know what a bribe is. If you are involved in an accident YOU (as a ong Tay / Foreigner) are ALWAYS at fault. - Try to pay the other party off. If the police are called you will suffer: (1) Extreme delays; (2) Have the opportunity to pay: (3) money to the 'victim'; (4) money to the investigating cop.

The police have, and frequently exercise, the power to seize your vehicle for (1) Non-payment of fine; (2) Investigation (you didn't pay the bribe); (3) Punishment in lieu of court action.

Trailers are permitted into VietNam and are subject to the same process as described in paragraph 4, above.

After you are legally in the country a few tips. Modify your driving techniques from agressive to yielding. Keep to the centre lane when turning left or right at an intersection - don't use the curb lane. In all honesty, it was only after I had lived in VN for 2 years that I dared drive in daylight hours in either HCMC or Ha Noi.

Outside the cities note that the lighting is terrible, all roads passing through villages are the playground - really go slow; the road surface cambers are frequently wrong (dropping at the external edge of a corner). Night truck drivers frequently 'follow the line' - they drive their truck / lorry with the white centre line going under their feet - which is OK, until they come up against another truck doing the same in the opposite direction! Deaths run about 1,000 / month in VN.

Be aware that there are a number of very, very long hills which, dependent on your direction, will also test your brakes (overheating) or require you travel long distances in low gears - requiring your to fit your vehicle automatic gearbox with an external oil cooler.

Exiting VN will require the surrender of your VN documentation and tag.

Finally, show respect for speed limits - the VN police now have radar traps and expect you to stop, in time, when they stand in the middle of the road with their hand extended! They carry guns, have limited range two-way radios and drive a few white Harley's.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Koo82]

I guess that was posted by Selling-Nothing.