Laos Visa Tips

[happyaussie]

Can someone advise on tips for doing visa run to Laos? Living near Loei I once went to the boarder and they could only issue a 1 month extension. Did I do something wrong? In a couple of weeks I am planning on going to Vientienne. I'd appreciate some advise.

- Is flying from Udon the best option?

- Is it a 2 day process at the Thai Embassy?

- Where should I stay?

- Best way to get around?

- Anything worth seeing?

- Good restaurant/bars

- Is shopping worthwhile?

- Anything I should be wary of.

Obvioulsy I haven't been before so any tips would be appreciated.

[Spaniel]

1. No, i would take the bus or taxi to the border

2. I dont know, but it probably will take 2 days.

3. I stayed at this place a couple years ago: www.malinamphu.com Check out their web site for info. Plenty of cheaper places in that area.

4. You can walk to all of the places of interest which are all located in the area of the Malinamphu GH. You can get a taxi to the Thia consulate.

5. Several old wats, central market, Mekong river

6. If you like Indian food there is a Indian restraunt not far from the Mali GH. Seemed like a fairly lively bar scene around the fountain area but not hardly a nana Plaza.

7. In the central market on the 2nd floor they have an interesting silver market. Some handicraft stuff available.

8. Pretty safe place. Dont recall any scams

[happyaussie]

1. No, i would take the bus or taxi to the border

2. I dont know, but it probably will take 2 days.

3. I stayed at this place a couple years ago: www.malinamphu.com Check out their web site for info. Plenty of cheaper places in that area.

4. You can walk to all of the places of interest which are all located in the area of the Malinamphu GH. You can get a taxi to the Thia consulate.

5. Several old wats, central market, Mekong river

6. If you like Indian food there is a Indian restraunt not far from the Mali GH. Seemed like a fairly lively bar scene around the fountain area but not hardly a nana Plaza.

7. In the central market on the 2nd floor they have an interesting silver market. Some handicraft stuff available.

8. Pretty safe place. Dont recall any scams

Thanks for taking the time Spaniel. Appreciate it.

[MTH]

I've only been to Vientiane on organized visa trips.

However I stumbled onto this post a while back, very good information if you want to do it yourself.

Post

Make sure you are there to line up outside the consulate before they open in the morning.

I'd recommend no later than 7:30. The following day you can pick up your visa after 13:00.

Also note that you apply for the visa at the consulate not the embassy.

[kelboy]

hi

yea get there at 0730 or you will be there all day

and don't go on thursday or friday, because

you will have to wait till monday to get your passport back.

Loa beer is very good...

Khirimart 4

[gotlost]

If you do it before March 4 you get a free 60/30 day Tourist Visa.

[happyaussie]

Do I require a ticket out of Thailand at the completion of my 2 months visa? If so, can anyone suggest the cheapest alternative? Previoulsy I've been renewing my visa in CHina whilst on business. Each time I've had to prebook my next flights. Is Loas different?

[nev]

hi

yea get there at 0730 or you will be there all day

and don't go on thursday or friday, because

you will have to wait till monday to get your passport back.

Loa beer is very good...

Khirimart 4

Never got there at 7 30am last time i got there after 10am not too many there did not take more than 45 mins and this was a thursaday,and yes my passport was ready to pick up friday,so your advice of not going thursdays iswrong.

I agree beer lao is a nice drop.

[kelboy]

HI

sorry 4 wrong info,

havn't been 4 a couple of years.

Khirimart 4

[D24]

Vientiane Consulate -

I went on a visa run last week.. applied at 2/11/10 at about 8:30am.. were about 120 people..took about 45 minutes (photo copies upstairs, visa form downstairs) ....returned at 1:30pm on 2/12/10 and waited about 30 minutes.. 2 TR (tourist visas) issued and handed to me with a smile. I had one TR visa in my passport from visiting KL in November.

Beer Lao Gold/ Beer Lao Dark Lager... best choices..

Nice city for a few days

[happyaussie]

Just returned after a successful trip. Thanks for all the tips.

No dramas at all. Border crossing was uneventful and my Thai wife had no issues either. Nice taxi ride for the 20km from friendship bridge to Vientianne.

7.30am arrival at consulate was a good one. By what I noticed anytime between 7.30 & 8am would be fine. 1pm the next day there were about 50 people in front of me. But it only too 20minutes.

We really enjoyed Vientiane. VERY laid back. Nice not to see maniacs driving around. Also nice not to see KFC, McDonalds and all their subsequent billboards etc. We found the shopping very good. Also nice small restaurants. The French influence also enhances the place. Good coffee, pastries and architecture. And yes, Beer Lao was a nice bonus.