March – April 2024
Nong Nok Khiene Border(Cambodia/Lao) to Vientiane
1 month | +2,250 km
How to Enter Laos With a Motorbike
Leading up to my border crossing into Laos from Camodia, I had heard many stories of people with Vietnamese-plated motorbikes getting their entry denied. Nevertheless, I decided to try my luck at the Trapaingkriel / Nong Nok Khiene border crossing, the only one between Laos and Cambodia.
To my surprise, I was denied entry. My attempts at bribing were quickly shut down, and the customs officials closed their windows and ignored me as I tried to negotiate. Frustrated, I returned to the Cambodian side, where border officials offered to buy my bike for $60. They had been buying Vietnamese-plated bikes from backpackers who were also denied entry and wanted to add my bike to their trophy collection. I denied their offer and spent two days angrily driving to Phnom Penh.
Back in Phnom Penh, I figured out that if I could get special permission from the Lao embassy, then the customs officials would have no choice but to let me in. I went to the Lao embassy, where I was asked for my passport, the blue card (Vietnamese motorbike ownership paper), and $20 in cash. The clerk was very nice through the entire process, and by the next day, I had an official letter from the embassy, asking the customs officials to let me into Laos with my motorbike.
Make sure the letter contains the following information.
- Name
- Passport #
- Lao Entry Date
- Lao Exit Date
- Motorbike Brand
- Motorbike Tank #
- Motorbike Registration #
Back at the border, the Lao officials made me pay the $2 bribe for the stamp, but there was nothing they could do regarding the bike. With this letter in hand, I happily continued my adventure into Laos.