Comments on: Lao Cai to Hekou – Vietnam to China Border Crossing https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/ Sun, 21 Apr 2024 16:31:49 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Sarah Carter https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/#comment-164089 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 09:05:56 +0000 http://asocialnomad.wordpress.com/?p=2315#comment-164089 In reply to Melissa.

Hello there

Visa requirements depend on where your passport is from. Many nationalities now can get visa free travel for up to 45 days in Vietnam. Check with the Vietnam Government whether you need one or not. If you do need a visa, then some countries can get an evisa (and evisas are accepted in Lao Cai).

At this time of year (and indeed most of the year), then you’ll be able to find somewhere to stay easily without prebooking. Most likely someone will find you at the border, or the train station, depending on where you’re going. It depends on where you’re going, but certainly at this time of year in the north you’ll have a good choice of places to stay.

Hope this helps and enjoy Vietnam.

Sarah

]]> By: Melissa https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/#comment-164047 Tue, 23 Jan 2024 00:58:35 +0000 http://asocialnomad.wordpress.com/?p=2315#comment-164047 Hi. In about a week, I would like to cross the border from China (where I reside on a work visa) to Vietnam using the Hekou-Lao Cai border crossing. Firstly, can I get a visa for Vietnam at this crossing or should I do it online in advance? Secondly, once I am in Vietnam, can I travel without making arrangements for hotels in advance? (In other words, is this region still untravelled enough to get off a bus or train and make arrangements on the spot?)

Thank you!

Melissa

]]> By: Sarah Carter https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/#comment-163444 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 15:15:37 +0000 http://asocialnomad.wordpress.com/?p=2315#comment-163444 In reply to Stan.

Hi Stan – wow that’s an amazing visa situation! From what I can see there are NO restrictions on which entry you can use, (therefore ALL), and also no itinerary requirements! Brilliant! Let me know how it goes! Sarah

]]> By: Stan https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/#comment-163443 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 13:10:11 +0000 http://asocialnomad.wordpress.com/?p=2315#comment-163443 Hello Sarah,

I have a German passport and since Dec 2023 Germans can stay up to 15 days without visa. We only get a stamp at passport control (no problems in Chengdu in December). Can I use the Lao Cai – Hekou border crossing as well from VN to CN?

Official statement:
“China has decided to apply unilateral visa-free policy to more countries on a trial basis, which involves extending visa-free treatment to travelers holding ordinary passports from six countries, namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. From December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, citizens from the above-mentioned countries holding ordinary passports can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for no more than 15 days for business, tourism, family visit and transit purposes.”

Thanks!

]]> By: Sarah Carter https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/#comment-148187 Mon, 18 Sep 2023 04:55:31 +0000 http://asocialnomad.wordpress.com/?p=2315#comment-148187 In reply to AJ.

Yes its still doable.You can still walk across the border and also take a taxi or the bus to the bus or train station.

]]> By: AJ https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/#comment-148069 Sun, 17 Sep 2023 13:57:34 +0000 http://asocialnomad.wordpress.com/?p=2315#comment-148069 Hi there, thanks for the info. I just want to confirm that it is still doable to walk across the border into china from lao cai, and then bus/taxi to the bus or train station? I have a chinese visa and speak basic mandarin. thanks!

]]> By: Dave https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/#comment-143932 Sat, 26 Aug 2023 04:57:53 +0000 http://asocialnomad.wordpress.com/?p=2315#comment-143932 Can someone recommend a travel agency in Hanoi who will offer a Hekou visa run with same day return? I don’t need any visas, just bus and bike/taxi to/from bordergate.

]]> By: TraceyAL https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/#comment-142927 Mon, 21 Aug 2023 00:22:21 +0000 http://asocialnomad.wordpress.com/?p=2315#comment-142927 In reply to Sarah Carter.

Thanks Sarah,
I’m pretty sure that’s what we’ll do and book one nights accomodation in Hekou North and get the first train to Kunming.
Still looking at either booking a private minibus or the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
Cheers Tracey

]]> By: Sarah Carter https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/#comment-141801 Tue, 15 Aug 2023 07:51:10 +0000 http://asocialnomad.wordpress.com/?p=2315#comment-141801 In reply to TraceyAL.

Hi Tracey, I would go the night before, in case there are any problems, as you’ve obviously got a hard stop deadline for the wedding! While the border may not be busy, you’ve a big group to get through and sods law indicates that if something can go wrong it will go wrong!

]]> By: TraceyAL https://asocialnomad.com/china/lao-cai-to-hekou/#comment-141740 Tue, 15 Aug 2023 00:23:33 +0000 http://asocialnomad.wordpress.com/?p=2315#comment-141740 Hi Sarah,
Excellent information and I had the same question as previous lady about crossing the Vietnam border at 7am (8am in China) and getting the 10.00am train at Hekou North to Kunming! We’re a group of 6 Aussies travelling to Dali for my eldest sons wedding. Would it be better to cross the border the day before our train, stay the night in Kekou at a hotel and then go to train station?
Thanks kindly,
Tracey & Frank

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