Khoueng Houaphan Tourist Traps

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

how to get from border to Hanoi?

by picek

Bus from Na Meo to Thanh Hoa - Ha Noi leaves between 12.00 - 1 pm. It's terrible bus but you'll be paying high price as tourist: I heard a French man was charged something like 700 000 VND for the ride to Ha Noi. We managed to get 300 000 VND per person for a ride to TH, still a lot but couldn't get for less. Vietnamese people pay less, also Lao. Once you're there you don't have much choice than taking that bus (or - some say you can go by motortaxi for even more money and even less comfortable way). Go by your own car or bike.

Nam Soy and Na Meo border

by picek

Opening time on the border is from 7.30 am - 4.30 pm, lunch break is between 11.30 - 1.30 pm. If you're from one of these countries (Scandinavian passport) who can get Vietnamese visa on arrival make sure that you have airplane tickets with you which prove that you'll depart Viet Nam in 14 days. If not the Vietnamese border official will reject your entry and you'll have to get either air ticket or Vietnamese visa from embassy. I saw few people being turned down there and had to go back to Sam Neua - because there's nobody who can help you at the Lao side in the village and bribing the officials didn't help much either.Another thing worth to be aware of: if the Vietnamese officials offer to change your KIP in VND you should better know the exchange rate in advance because they love to offer much less than is worth. However, change KIP in Nam Meo - further from the border you get, lesser...