Trip to Laos

Post by **neeemu** » November 7, 2007, 8:31 am

I'm due a first trip to Laos next month and just wondered if anyone had any helpful advice before I travel? Anything on where to stay and go in both Nong Khai and Vientiane would be appreciated.

I read somewhere that a visa on arrival is possible at the friendship bridge as I intend to drive to Nong Khai rather than take the direct bus to Laos. Is it possible to do this as UdonMap book says you need one in advance .

Post by **jackspratt** » November 7, 2007, 8:51 am

Neeemu if you use the search function, and plug in Laos Vientiane Nong Khai you will find all the information you require has been written many times before. After you read these posts come back if you have any further queries.

And yes, you can get a VOA at the bridge.

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » November 7, 2007, 10:03 am

you don't need visa in advance, get one at border, easy to do, don't use visa services in nong khai, overpriced. it's a fill in the blank form at border, all of 5 mins to fill out, maybe 15 min wait for passport/visa return. do use visa service for pics if you don't have. 2-4 pics for 100 baht. very easy process. enjoy.

will get back to you on accomodations.

Post by **polehawk** » November 7, 2007, 11:31 am

If you're driving to Nong Khai, watch for parking area on the right side just before you get to the bridge. The parking lot is fenced, secure and not expensive. A short walk from parking lot to Thai Immigration booths and bus to cross the bridge.

Post by **BKKSTAN** » November 7, 2007, 1:05 pm

polehawk wrote:If you're driving to Nong Khai, watch for parking area on the right side just before you get to the bridge. The parking lot is fenced, secure and not expensive. A short walk from parking lot to Thai Immigration booths and bus to cross the bridge.

I think you meant on your left side just before getting to the bridge!Actually,you turn in left ,right after passing the road into Nong Khai!

Post by **polehawk** » November 7, 2007, 5:17 pm

Is there one on the left side, too? Didn't notice that one. I parked overnight at a fenced lot on the right side just before you get to the bridge. Had to make a quick u-turn just before getting to the Immigration checkpoint.

Post by **douglas** » November 7, 2007, 7:52 pm

Hi,
Don't forget to get U.S. dollars before getting to the border post or you will be ripped of. The cost for a person from most EEC countries is 35USD when i traveled there last month, up 5 dollars from 3 months ago, from other countries it's a diffrent rate.The cost for your Thai GF will be 50B???. The visa post will not accept any other currency. and it took me 45mins to get my visa, but i believe this depends on the time and date you go, public holidays and weekends etc.
There is a exchange place at the border post but found there rates bad, plus you get better value for the doller when in Lao so it pays to get dollars before getting to border.
Cheers Doug.

Post by **neeemu** » November 8, 2007, 7:24 am

Cheers for all the help, sounds a lot more straight forward than I was expecting.

jackspratt I have tried the search function a number of times but it just times out unfortnately, due to my slow connection. Understand where your coming from though.

Post by **wokkawombat** » November 8, 2007, 10:03 am

Neeemu, I stayed at Mali Namphu Guest House, 114 Pangkham rd, Phone 85621215093, email malinamphu@comcast.net, about 2 years ago. Comfortable, and tariff was US $15 a night then. Breakfast was half a french stick with whatever filling they wanted to put in it , coffee and orange juice.

Close to what action there is in Vientienne.

John

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » November 8, 2007, 11:47 am

nong khai, i've been staying at khiang khong gh, 400 baht range, new, comfy w/view of river from upstair sitting area. stone throw from river and riverwalk area, and variety of restaurants, brendan's across the street away, which has decent food and beer prices. quite a few places in walking distance.

for vientianne, this thread has a lot of good info on it
http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/v ... ons+mekong

Post by **cookie** » November 8, 2007, 1:13 pm

douglas wrote:Hi,
Don't forget to get U.S. dollars before getting to the border post or you will be ripped of. The cost for a person from most EEC countries is 35USD when i traveled there last month, up 5 dollars from 3 months ago, from other countries it's a diffrent rate.The cost for your Thai GF will be 50B???. The visa post will not accept any other currency. and it took me 45mins to get my visa, but i believe this depends on the time and date you go, public holidays and weekends etc.
There is a exchange place at the border post but found there rates bad, plus you get better value for the doller when in Lao so it pays to get dollars before getting to border.
Cheers Doug.

Doug,
What to do if one has only Euro's or Thai Bath.
Can I go to my Thai Bank and change euro's or Thai Bath to USD??

Post by **RALPHCUSENS** » November 8, 2007, 1:19 pm

Change euro's or Baht into dollars before you leave.

They will not except Eura's, and if you pay in Baht, they charge 1,500 baht! which is approx 300baht surcharge!

Post by **Naam Jai** » November 15, 2007, 7:27 am

How about pounds sterling?

Post by **westerby** » December 3, 2007, 1:16 pm

I did the trip last week. I parked my pickup in a car park on the right just before the border for 90 baht (overnight stay) and then got a visa on the Lao side for 1540 Baht. I stayed in the Orchid Guest House on the river front (33 Fangum Road). A good place to eat is the Pa-Kao-Lao restaurant on Watchan Lane which is close to the Orchid (next to the Wat). the guy that owns it is Thai Chinese and speaks good English.

Post by **RALPHCUSENS** » December 3, 2007, 1:57 pm

Naam Jai wrote:How about pounds sterling?

They do not except payment in Pounds sterling, Only Baht or $US!!!!

Post by **Naam Jai** » December 3, 2007, 3:55 pm

Useful post Westerby.
How much was the exchange rate you got and where did you change money without getting fleeced?
Orchid Guest House one night/ one week charges please?

Did you download a map of Vientiene?

Post by **westerby** » December 3, 2007, 10:09 pm

We used Thai Baht over the two days that we were there so we did not exchange any money. We took cash from our Thai bank account instead. But there are a few ATMs around.

The Orchid Guest House was 550 Baht a night.

What we did find out was that there were alot of tourists staying in guesthouses and hotels on the riverfront. The locals were saying that it gets busy this time of the year.

Hope this helps.

Post by **westerby** » December 3, 2007, 10:15 pm

Naam Jai,

Copy and paste this link for a basic map of the riverfront.

http://www.vientiane-hotel-link.com/map

Post by **Naam Jai** » December 4, 2007, 8:25 am

Thanks Westerby

The Lao Kip (LAK)

They take baht in Vientiene and around? What exchange did you settle for to change it to the Lao Kip?

Post by **westerby** » December 4, 2007, 11:43 am

I got around 300 Kip for 1 Baht.