Nam Phao ↔ Cau Treo: the Laos to Vietnam border crossing
About 120 minutes of formalities between Laos and Vietnam, and this is one of the frontiers you can cross without abandoning your seat.
Laos ↔ Vietnam · about 120 minutes · 1 service · 1 written-up journey
How the crossing works
Nam Phao ↔ Cau Treo
Laos ↔ Vietnam- Where
- Mountain road border, mid-journey on the sleeper coach
- On the train?
- Bus stops, everyone off and back on
- Luggage
- Yes
- Visa
- Vietnamese e-visa in advance. Confirm your chosen crossing point is one where e-visas are accepted.
- Cash on the far side
- Small US dollar notes and Vietnamese dong.
- Time cost
- About 120 minutes of formalities
The trap. The crossing often happens in the small hours, and unofficial "stamping fees" are common here. It is the least comfortable border in this whole network, on the least comfortable leg.
What crosses here
| Service | Operator | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vientiane (Khamsavath) → Hanoi Sleeper coach via Nam Phao / Cau Treo | Long-distance coach | 20h | $30 |
Typical scheduled running time for the crossing leg itself, which does not include the 120 minutes of formalities above. Allow for both when you are working out whether a connection holds. Fares are indicative.
Long-distance coach. Several operators run these corridors at varying quality. An aggregator is the sane way to compare them. Punctuality: fair.
Getting to each side
The frontier is rarely the problem. Reaching it on a day when something onward is still running usually is.
Vientiane (Khamsavath)
LaosWorth knowing. Serves ONLY southbound trains to Thailand. 15 km from Banthen, no rail link between them.
| Reached by | Operator | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thakhek → Vientiane (Khamsavath) Route 13 coach to Vientiane | Long-distance coach | 5h | $12 |
| Vientiane (Banthen) → Vientiane (Khamsavath) Taxi across Vientiane | Local transfer | 45m | $12 |
| Vientiane (Khamsavath) → Nong Khai Rapid 133/134 · Special Express 25/26 | State Railway of Thailand | 24m | $2 |
Hanoi
Vietnam| Reached by | Operator | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi → Lào Cai SP1–SP4 (overnight, for Sapa) | Vietnam Railways | 8h | $20 |
| Hanoi → Đồng Đăng DD3/DD4 | Vietnam Railways | 4h | $6 |
| Hanoi → Hải Phòng HP1/HP2/LP3 | Vietnam Railways | 2h 30m | $4 |
| Hanoi → Ninh Bình Reunification Express (SE1–SE8) | Vietnam Railways | 2h | $4 |
Journeys through Nam Phao ↔ Cau Treo
Written up in full, each with this crossing in its proper place in the itinerary rather than as a footnote.
- Bangkok to Hanoi overland 2 legs · 2d · $64
Plan a journey through it Pick two places and the crossing appears in the itinerary, with the buffer it needs.