Visas and border crossings forum

As of June 7th 2010
Now, prepare your selves for the border via Tay Trang, so you don't get angry at the customs officers. There are a few unexpected charges.
1. The visa costs btw $30 to $35 mostly. As an Australian I paid $30US 2. If it's a sat or sun you have to pay an extra $1US for overtime.
3. Add another $1US for processing.
4. Add $2US if you don't have a passport size photo. (They don't actually take your picture... Go figure) 5. Then you have a 3,000kip for the stamp plus 4,000kip for weekend overtime.
6. Finally (this is a classic) add 2,000 Kip for a temperature check that you get when you arrive.
Basically, a scam to get a few extra dollars from everyone. You cannot get around any of it as they won't return your passport until it's fully paid.

So, let's to the math. I arrived on a Saturday and had my own passport photo, so as an Ozzie, I paid $30 for the visa, an extra $2 for overtime and processing. Along with 9,000 Kip. This all calculates to approx $33.50. I recommend you have the 9,000 Kip if possible, but if not they will take dollars and return Kip with a terrible rate.

Just smile and move on. You won't remember it in 5 years