Border Crossings

In addition to the international airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse, there are numerous land and river crossings into Laos. The busiest is the Friendship Bridge, between Laos and Thailand, which spans the Mekong River 29 km (12 miles) east of Vientiane. Other border crossings from Thailand to Laos are: Chiang Khong to Huay Xai (by bridge across the Mekong River); Nakhon Phanom to Tha Kaek; Mukdahan to Savannakhet; and Chongmek to Vang Tao. There are also several new open crossings from the more remote Loei and Phrae provinces in northern Thailand. You can also enter Laos from Cambodia at Non Nok Khiene, and from Mohan, in China's Yunnan Province, at Boten. There are seven crossings between Laos and Vietnam, including Cau Treu to Nam Phao (from near Vinh, Vietnam, to Lak Xao in Laos); Nam Can to Nam Khan (Vinh to Phonsavan); and Lao Bao to Dansavan (on the Hue to Savannakhet route).

Border crossings are open daily from 8:30 to 5, except for the Friendship Bridge, which is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm.