bike travel in laos, cambodia, vietnam

**goggstrotters** · #1 12 Feb 2004

can anyone give me the latest lowdown on bike travel in laos, cambodia and vietnam ( all via thailand), is it possible to get into any or all of these countries and if there is any other useful information

**harvey** · #2 13 Feb 2004

Crossing into Loas and Cambodia from Thailand is very easy, you get your visas on the border and an hour later you're in. Laos requires a carnet, but when we crossed into Cambodia, there didn't seem to any customs so we just rode in.
I don't think it's possible to cross the Laos-Cambodia border and northern Cambodia is still heavily mined, so probably best avoided.
As for Vietnam, recently we had Frank Butler stay over and he crossed the Cambodia-Vietnam border without any problems. He used a small border crossing just south of the main highway and I don't think they knew that they shouldn't let a big bike in. Once you're inside the country there shouldn't be any problem, people just accept that you have a right to be there. Have a look at his diary on www.mrbeem.com for more info.

Harvey

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no pipe, no slippers
www.chasingthesun.org

**camonly** · #3 15 Feb 2004

Whats up man

I have been touring around SE asia for a couple months now on dirt bieks with a couple firends. If you purchase your bike in one of the three countries there is a temporary import agreement between Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. All you do is roll up to the border and fill out a couple papers and you are on your way. It is then registered in your passport so you have to return to the originating country to sell the bike and is valid in each country for the duration of your visa. We bought our bikes in Cambodia and I think they have the best set up. There are a ton of bikes to choose from in Phnom Penh and the registration is a mere $28USD and its yours versus the extreme costs and procedures of Thailand where you buy a shittier bike for the same price. Hope this helps

Later

Cam

**camonly** · #4 15 Feb 2004

When are you panning on starting this trip?

Cam

**muzz** · #5 18 Apr 2004

Hi Cam

I just brought a TT250 in Thailand ( coz I live here ), you reckon I'll have any problems with Cambodia, Laos Vietnam?? It's got a book ( registered etc)......

Thanks

Muzz