Can't cross from Vietnam to Laos at Na Meo
 

Three days ago I tried to cross from Vietnam into Laos at the Na Meo border crossing. I was told by Vietnamese immigration that this is not currently possible. I had the original registration (blue card) for the bike and all the correct personal driving licenses. Then they told me that I needed an international permit for the bike (the same kind of permit that the trucks have), but that this was only available back in Hanoi and I probably would not be able to get it anyway!
So, long story short, after 4200 km riding around Vietnam, I couldn't take my Vietnam registered bike into Laos and had ride two days to return to Hanoi and sell the bike back to the rental company.
BTW, Tigit Motors does a great job and if you want to cross borders they sell you the bike with an agreement to buy it back at the end of your trip after deducting what the cost of the rental would have been. In my case I had the bike (a Honda Winner 150cc) for 44 days and the cost was USD$430.
I'm now in Vientiane, Laos (flew) looking for alternatives to continue riding in Laos

Its been many reports lately that tells that crossing from Vietnam to Laos on vietnam plated bikes has been difficult/denied crosssing.

I just wonder if you had a Laos visa already? Because afaik only the Lao Bao border has visa-on-arrival in the Laos side.

Bummer, a turn around at Lao border
 

Interesting post you made Mr. Barnett - thanks for taking the time and details


First: Plenty of places in Lao to rent you something to use inside Laos. I've been there, done that 3-4 times...but rules are made to break and change, and subject to bureaucratic interpretation, and are major bumps traveling the roads of the world. Good luck on the rental. Last time was it was $25 USD /day for a well used 250 Honda and some cash deposit (which I got back, less $25 for a melted rear side panel that soft bags had pushed up against the exhaust).



Second: Could you figure out if it was a CDP they were looking for when you tried to exit, something you'd not be able to acquire back in Hanoi IMO.


Third: Might be interesting to know what country passport you're traveling on....

To be clear, it was the Vietnam Immigration/Customs guys wouldn't let you exit with that VN papers (in your name) and VN plated motorcycle you bought on a buy-back deal from a rental place in Hanoi that had done, what they thought, was the paperwork needed to exit?


For us 2025 under-educated and newbie motorcycle travelers to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, please post the details on your Laos rental, or purchase (to possibly take into Cambodia). Size, cost per day and deposit. It'd be good karma and payback for your using HU. By the way, I am not a techno traveler, still use paper maps (no GPS or smartphone), and believe about 30%-40%% of what I see posted on FB.


My current plan is to buy a "new" Winner in Hanoi, throw or give it away in Cambodia after passing through Laos....maybe leaving it at the airport or bus station with the key in the ignition, after finding some smart techno person to install a tracking device and see where it goes and how long after I leave it before it starts move. I'll take the registration plate off, and have no plans of ever returning to Cambodia (it's become too upscale and I've seen the old bricks enough times to not need to see them again).



Regards,


Dr. G, a sometimes author, moto-journo and general motorcycle wastrelkeepcalm

Really helpful for those of us planning similar routes. I’m also currently looking at options for riding in Laos after hearing more and more about Vietnam–Laos border issues, especially at Na Meo and even others like Pang Hok and Tay Trang.

I’ll be doing a trip through Vietnam soon (arranging things via https://gowithguide.com/vietnam) and have been trying to get a clearer picture of overland travel rules, especially if I plan to cross into Laos or Cambodia later on.

If anyone has up-to-date info on rentals in Laos (Vientiane or Luang Prabang), or success crossing into Vietnam with a Laos-registered bike, that’d be super helpful. Appreciate all the shared experiences here.

The Facebook group called "Adventure Riding - Laos Vietnam" at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/8708...819/?ref=share

has many knowledgeable and helpful people. This contrasts imvho with other similar groups where lots of old/ wrong info is pedaled.

Search this group under my name "Chris Bright" where I commented on the border situation in pretty much real time.

I rode a Vietnam plated bike from VN to Cambodia to VN to Laos (at Bo Y) to VN (at Nam Khan) in October/ November 2024.


In/ out of Vietnam at Na Meo with a VN vehicle hasn't been possible since late 2023 (prior research told me this).

No border into Laos currently allows entry from Vietnam with an eVisa, nor VoA. Sticker visa only. This is stated clearly on the Laos immigration website. I got my Lao sticker visa at the consulate in HCMC.

A D53 Laos customs form issued on the entry day is also required for your bike, which you must "own" = have the blue book for.

The correct attitude, a little patience and sense of humour helps a lot too.

My public FB at Brightysjollys for this time frame has words and pictures. I go out of my way there to not necessarily write anything particularly useful. Some tell me my pictures are quite pretty. But tastes vary. :D

This company have a rental business both in Vietnam with 5 shops and 3 shops in Laos. They seem to get good reviews.

They also have many good and informative videos on YT about travelling with a bike in Vietnam

https://stylemotorbikes-laos.com/?fb...ntUNlqEx242Reg