Everyone has to decide on it's own, but I personally don't go an hour ahead of opening time. I did it the first time, and there was already 30-40 people in line. 2 months ago I'll arrived a bit after 11am and was out very quickly, well in fact I sat a while around, because I didn't know the two guys checking all the paperwork, transfer it to the consulate for you. If you come after 11:30am you'll be denied, as I witnessed that two.

I stay usually at least 4-5 days in Vientianne, so even if I show up too late, I'll just go the next day.

Quite a few people go inside, pick their number and having breakfast / coffee in the restaurant accross the street, nowadays you get even coffee within the consulate compound.

Thanks to everyone responding.

So you are saying that many people go early mornings, but to avoid the crowed 11pm is best? In other words, most people are already done. What do you mean about the two guys and paperwork? I have a strict schedule because my ticket might not be easily changed and certainly not cheap.

Anyone else have this experience, coming later I mean?

OP, can you let me know how this goes for you? If you needed the bank statements, plane ticket out of TH, etc.? I'm fixing to do the same thing at the end of the month.

It was pretty easy and straight forward. I must say that I wasn't busy at all. I went on a Tuesday around 10am. No ticket or bank statement needed for a single entry tourist visa.

I must say that in my opinion, everything in Vientiane seemed more expensive than in Bangkok and some more than in Pattaya. I only stayed 2 nights and would have only stayed 1 if There was only a morning flight to get me to the embassy on time. I'm not a Vientiane fan.

Everyone has to decide on it's own, but I personally don't go an hour ahead of opening time. I did it the first time, and there was already 30-40 people in line. 2 months ago I'll arrived a bit after 11am and was out very quickly, well in fact I sat a while around, because I didn't know the two guys checking all the paperwork, transfer it to the consulate for you. If you come after 11:30am you'll be denied, as I witnessed that two.

I stay usually at least 4-5 days in Vientianne, so even if I show up too late, I'll just go the next day.

Quite a few people go inside, pick their number and having breakfast / coffee in the restaurant accross the street, nowadays you get even coffee within the consulate compound.

Thanks to everyone responding.

So you are saying that many people go early mornings, but to avoid the crowed 11pm is best? In other words, most people are already done. What do you mean about the two guys and paperwork? I have a strict schedule because my ticket might not be easily changed and certainly not cheap.

Anyone else have this experience, coming later I mean?

OP, can you let me know how this goes for you? If you needed the bank statements, plane ticket out of TH, etc.? I'm fixing to do the same thing at the end of the month.

It was pretty easy and straight forward. I must say that I wasn't busy at all. I went on a Tuesday around 10am. No ticket or bank statement needed for a single entry tourist visa.

I must say that in my opinion, everything in Vientiane seemed more expensive than in Bangkok and some more than in Pattaya. I only stayed 2 nights and would have only stayed 1 if There was only a morning flight to get me to the embassy on time. I'm not a Vientiane fan.

Me neither. There's some good food to be had, but it's boring and dusty. The people are nice, but way too conservative to connect with. The ones that party with foreigners seem kinda cliquey.

Just got back myself. They improved the process a bit. Much smoother now. No need for an agent. As for the cost of living, I think it's higher bc fuel is more expensive and there's not as much manufacturing there. This is what locals tell me anyway...