Nam Phao border gate (Laos): location, opening hours, visa and visa run 2026

Nam Phao International Border Gate (Namphao) is in Khamkeut district, Bolikhamxay province (Laos), opposite the Cau Treo border gate in Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province. From Nam Phao it is about 32 km to Lak Sao town and about 350–370 km to Vientiane; on the Vietnamese side, Cau Treo is about 100 km from Vinh city. The gate operates 7:00–20:00 daily (Lao time, the same as Vietnamese time). According to the Lao Immigration Department, Nam Phao does not issue visas on arrival and does not accept the Lao e-visa. This is the shortest road route from Hanoi and Vinh to Vientiane, with long-distance buses passing through; anyone who needs a Lao visa must obtain it before reaching the border.

Contents

Nam Phao border gate at a glance

Country / province	Laos, Khamkeut district, Bolikhamxay province
Opposite border gate	Cau Treo (Ha Tinh, Vietnam)
Distance	about 32 km to Lak Sao, 350–370 km to Vientiane; Cau Treo is about 100 km from Vinh
Opening hours (Lao time)	7:00–20:00 daily (according to Google Maps); same UTC+7 time zone as Vietnam
Visa on arrival	No (according to the official Lao Immigration Department website)
Lao e-visa accepted?	No

Border gate location on Google Maps

Tap the button below to open Google Maps on your phone and get directions straight to the border gate.

Get directions to the border gate View on Google Maps

Lao visa when entering via Nam Phao

Some travellers used to report getting visas at Nam Phao, but Laos stopped issuing visas on arrival here in 2019, and the Lao Immigration Department website still states that Nam Phao does not issue visas on arrival or accept the e-visa. So do not go to Nam Phao hoping to get a visa on the spot.

If you need a visa: apply in advance at the Lao Embassy in Hanoi or a Lao consulate, or use Info Travel’s Lao visa service (5–7 working days).
Lao e-visa: only valid at international airports, some Laos – Thailand Friendship Bridges and Boten; it cannot be used at gates on the Vietnamese border.
Lao visa exemption: ASEAN citizens (usually 30 days; Myanmar 14 days) and some countries such as Japan, South Korea, Russia and Mongolia; Switzerland and Luxembourg 15 days. Check the rules for your nationality before you go.
If you need a visa on arrival, the only gate on the Vietnamese border that issues one is Dansavanh (opposite Lao Bao).

Crossing at Nam Phao step by step

Complete Vietnamese exit formalities at Cau Treo.
Walk about 1 km across the zone between the two gates to the Nam Phao checkpoint (buses usually wait for passengers on the other side).
Fill in the arrival card, show your passport with a Lao visa (or visa exemption) and complete Lao entry formalities.
If you are doing a visa run: complete Lao exit formalities right at Nam Phao.
Return to Cau Treo and enter Vietnam with a new e-visa, temporary residence card or visa exemption.

Where to go from Nam Phao border gate

Lak Sao: the nearest town, about 32 km away; there are tuk-tuks, local buses, guesthouses and banks.
Vientiane: from Lak Sao take Route 8 and then Route 13. Long-distance Vientiane – Vinh, Hanoi and Hue buses pass through Nam Phao, arriving at and departing from Vientiane’s Southern Bus Station.
Many overnight buses reach the border before it opens and wait; bring water, snacks and a power bank.
On the Vietnamese side, Cau Treo is about 100 km from Vinh; you can book a visa run transfer to control your timing.

Documents to bring

A passport valid for at least 6 more months, with blank pages.
A Lao visa already in your passport, unless you are visa-exempt for Laos.
Documents to re-enter Vietnam: a Vietnam e-visa (printed, with the correct entry gate), temporary residence card, 5-year visa exemption certificate, or a nationality on the list of countries exempt from Vietnamese visas.
A little cash (kip, dong or small USD notes) and 1–2 spare 4×6 photos.

Visa run via Nam Phao

Nam Phao suits people in Hanoi, Nghe An and Ha Tinh who want to do a visa run, but only if you already have a Lao visa or are visa-exempt for Laos. If not, apply for a Lao visa first or choose Lao Bao – Dansavanh. See also Laos visa run, is a visa run legal and the visa run service.

Tips for crossing at Nam Phao

When applying for a Vietnam e-visa to return, choose Cau Treo as your entry gate; see the list of border gates accepting the e-visa.
The gate closes at 20:00 (according to Google Maps; check before you go); the mountain pass road over Cau Treo can be foggy or rainy, so set off early.
Small fees without receipts are sometimes charged at some Lao border gates; have small change ready.
Money changers at the border usually give poor rates; there are banks in Lak Sao.
Laos is moving to electronic arrival and departure cards (piloted from 1/9/2025 at some airports and the First Friendship Bridge). At land gates with Vietnam, paper cards are usually still used; check immigration.gov.la before your trip.
Do not overstay your Vietnamese visa before exiting; see visa overstay in Vietnam.
After you return to Vietnam, your accommodation must complete the temporary residence declaration for you.

Frequently asked questions

Does Nam Phao border gate issue Lao visas on arrival?

No. The Lao Immigration Department website states that Nam Phao does not issue visas on arrival. You need a Lao visa obtained in advance unless you are visa-exempt.