Laos e Visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens

The influx of Vietnamese vacationers to Laos has increased dramatically in recent years. Consequently, one could wonder if a visa is required for entry into Laos by a citizen of Vietnam. If you are a Vietnamese citizen and are interested in learning more about visiting Laos, this article will provide you with details regarding the application process, and the necessary documents, for the Laos e-Visa from Vietnam.

Check Laos visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens

1. Check Laos visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens

What is a Lao eVisa?

In 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos introduced an automated visa process. This electronic visa (eVisa) is a government-issued travel authorization that can be quickly obtained by citizens of selected countries. As of right now, nationals of 151 different countries can make use of this visa to enter Laos with less hassle. Individuals possessing a valid Laos eVisa are allowed a single entry into Laos for tourism and leisure purposes, with a maximum stay of 30 days.

Do bearers of Vietnamese passports require a visa for Laos?

Laos does not require a visa for visitors holding a passport from Vietnam if they are entering the country for a stay of fewer than 30 days. Therefore:

• You do not need a visa to enter Laos if your stay is going to be less than 30 days long.
• You are required to have a visa to enter Laos if your stay there will be more than 30 days.

Check eVisa eligibility for Laos

After ensuring that is required an eVisa, Vietnamese citizens should educate themselves on the specifics of a Laos tourist visa, which include the following:

• Only visitors interested in tourism, leisure activities, or sightseeing in Laos can apply for an electronic visa. This visa's holders are not permitted to utilize it for any purposes related to business.
• After it has been issued, the eVisa is electronically associated with the traveler's passport. The visa is valid for 60 days beginning on the day that the approval letter is received.
• This visa only allows a single entry. As a result, if you would like to go back to Laos, you will need to apply for a new visa.
• The Stay Permit of an eVisa is valid for 30 days.
• At each of the ports of entry, there will be a dedicated lane for the electronic visa application process (if you have a valid Laos eVisa already, you can ignore it).

If you plan to travel to Laos for any reason other than tourism, you should apply for a standard visa at the Laos Embassy or Consulate that is located closest to you.

Check eVisa eligibility for Laos for Vietnam citizens

2. How to apply for Laos Visa from Vietnam?

What documentation must Vietnamese nationals provide for the Laos application form?

Those nationals of Vietnam who intend to travel to Laos and obtain a visa must first ensure that they meet the standards set forth by Laos for nationals of their country. Before applying for an eVisa to visit Laos, the people of Vietnam are required to have a few supporting papers ready, including the following:

• 01 passport scan /person (You can take a picture of the biographical page of your passport). Applicants should be aware that the validity of their passports must extend for a minimum of 6 months beyond the date on which they want to arrive in Laos.
• A minimum of 02 blank pages need to be provided for the stamping process.
• 01 photograph of the person, in any size you have available (the filename is your full name). It is important that the picture was taken not more than a short while ago.
• An email address. The electronic visa, in PDF format, will be delivered to this email address as soon as it has been approved by the government.

The process of applying for a visa can be started once applicants have ensured that they have adequately prepared all of the needed documents listed above.

How to apply for Laos Visa from Vietnam?

Instructions on applying for a Laos eVisa for Vietnamese citizens

In just a few short minutes and from any location in the world, holders of a Vietnam passport can apply for an eVisa to enter Laos.

Travelers from Vietnam are required to fill out a protected online visa application form that may be found on the Laos Immigration Services website. On our website, please look for the button  "Apply Visa" and then follow the instructions provided.

The following is a list of the actions that need to be taken to finish the online application:

• Step 1: You will need to fill out the application form, in which you will be required to provide information about your visa (including the number of visas, the type of visas, the mode of transportation, the port of arrival, and the processing time), as well as your personal information, including your contact information, full name, date of birth, passport number, and travel details. It would be helpful if you could ensure that the information you have provided is accurate because it can affect the amount of time it takes to process your application.
• Step 02: Submit payment for the visa fee. After receiving payment, the Laos Immigration Services may ask for further documentation to complete the process.
• Step 3: Confirm that you have received a confirmation email from us, and also be aware of the processing time.
• Step 4: Please remember to download and print out your Laos eVisa once you have it in your possession. Your passport will receive a confirmation stamp once it has been processed. Both the passport that you used to apply for an electronic visa for Laos and the passport that you used to enter the Lao People's Democratic Republic must be the same. At the time of your arrival, you will need to provide it to the immigration officer at the border checkpoint, together with your valid visa, so that they can verify that you are eligible to enter the country.

The Laos eVisa application can typically be processed in as little as three business days. As a result, it is strongly suggested that tourists submit their applications at least seven days before their departure.

3. Laos Visa fees for Vietnamese citizens

Travelers must pay both the Government Fee and the Service Fee when applying for a Laos visa from Vietnam.

Visitors must pay the government money in order for them to issue an electronic tourist visa (eVisa). Regardless of whether your visa is issued or not, this charge is non-refundable.

Depending on the processing time you select for your visa application, a service fee is assessed. For Vietnamese nationals, Laos Immigration Services provides three types of visa services:

• Normal: It takes 03 business days to process a tourist visa for Laos. This is the most affordable service and fits people who have already scheduled a trip.
• Urgent: If your itinerary is really hurried, or urgent. This choice enables you to obtain an eVisa after 48 hours of processing.
• Super Urgent: This is the quickest service offered. You can receive a Laos eVisa after 24 processing hours by paying an additional fee.

You have two alternatives for the payment method for Laos eVisa Fees: wire transfer to the Bank of Cyprus or electronic payment (Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express).

We strongly advise adding travel insurance to your itinerary if it will be a lengthy vacation. You are protected from the hazards of pandemics, accidents, and illness with this insurance. Having travel insurance is advised since unforeseen events might occasionally occur in other countries and lead to unpleasant experiences.

We hope this article on Vietnamese residents' ability to obtain visas to Laos has been helpful. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions so that we can help you right away.

Laos Visa fees for Vietnamese citizens

Laos Visa Requirements for Vietnam Citizens FAQs

Can you travel from Vietnam to Laos?

Yes. Vietnam and Laos are close neighbors. The two people have had a long-lasting relationship for many years. The Goverments of the two countries have made efforts to strengthen cooperation in the fields of security, national defense, trade, investment, traffic connection, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges. 

Known for its spectacular scenery, Laos attracts tourists from all regions, including Vietnamese to enjoy the rich cultural heritages, tranquil pagodas, or sparkling rice paddies. Laos is completely open to travel. Travelers who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine or test Covid, while unvaccinated travelers are required to have a rapid ATK test within 48 hours of departure to Laos. Therefore, tourists can travel from Vietnam to Laos as long as they meet this requirement. Because Vietnam is on the exemption list of Laos visas for 30 days, Vietnamese passport holders can visit Laos without a visa within 30 days.

How long does it take to obtain a Laos e-Visa for Vietnamese citizens?

Vietnam is on the exemption list for Laos visas for 30 days. Therefore:

• Vietnamese travelers who wish to stay in Laos for less than 30 days do not require a visa
• Vietnamese citizens who remain in Laos for more than 30 days need to obtain a valid visa

The Laos Immigration Department recently implemented an electronic visa system that allows citizens of eligible countries to apply for an eVisa instead of standard paper visas. However, Vietnamese citizens need to visit the Laos Embassy in Vietnam to apply for a proper visa.

 

How do Vietnamese get their Laos e-Visa Approval Letter?

Vietnamese passport holders are exempt from Laos visas for 30 days. They should contact the Laos Embassy in Vietnam to get more information about a visa for Laos. 

The visa application process for eVisa is entirely online. Once the eVisa is issued, it will be sent to the applicant’s email address in PDF format. That’s why providing a valid email is vital during the application process. After that, travelers should print out their visas before their arrival date in Laos. The Immigration Officer at a border checkpoint will ask you to present your valid visa before letting you enter the country. 

Additionally, there are additional documents that applicants are required to submit:

• 01 passport scan /person (You can take a picture of the passport's biographical page). This passport should be valid for at least 06 months from the intended arrival date in Laos. Travelers with dual nationality should use the same passport during the application and their trip to Laos.
• There should be at least 2 blank pages available for stamping.
• 01 photograph (any size you have) / person (the filename is your full name). The picture should be taken as recently as possible.

If the Laos e-Visa application is rejected, can Vietnamese citizens apply again?

Yes. Vietnamese citizens can apply for a Laos visa again if their application is rejected. 

Here are some common reasons why your application is denied:

• You provide inaccurate information. If there is unmatched information between the application form and the passport, your application will be rejected
• Your passport expired. Your passport must be valid for at least 06 months from the intended arrival date in Laos. Please check your passport’s validity before beginning the application process.