The Golden Triangle Rider

iceruler · Pedestrian Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

Has anybody heard any news about the opening for foreigners at the bordercrossing from Laos to Vietnam at Dien Bien Phu?

I am cycling through there in November and would be thankfull for any advice or information.

Iceruler

rectravel · Posted: 24.08.2006, 19:02 Post subject:

There is a long thread about this very subject right here on

http://board.gt-rider.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=397&whichpage=2

Readers here are watching this particular border crossing closely, and are wondering about who will be the first to actually do this Dien Bien crossing. Maybe it will be you? Perhaps this crossing will _finally_ be formally re-opened to foreigners during the upcoming dry season in November? Please do upload news about it here if you have it.

A visa for Vietnam must be in your passport before heading for these crossings. If the Dien Bien crossing is still not open to foreigners when you get there, turn south and head for the Xam Neua / Na Meo crossing, which is definitely open. For a look at the roads in this area on the Lao side of the border, see the user friendly page on

http://board.gt-rider.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1097

It won't be easy on a bicycle, but maybe you can pull it off? Enjoy your ride.

harrythefinn · Posted: 27.08.2006, 15:40 Post subject:

Hey Rectravel, Do you know if countries that are exempt visas for Vietnam can cross at the normal land crossings without advance visas? What I'm getting at is do the small border posts know the regs and know which countires don't need visas?? Is it still 175cc max or up to the guy on duty??
Cheers
Harri.XR650R.

rectravel · Posted: 28.08.2006, 19:46 Post subject:

The countries that are now exempt from visas in advance for Vietnam are the South East Asian countries which are members of ASEAN. This is particularly relevant for holders of passports from Thailand. Yes, Thai passport holders now receive visas upon arrival into Vietnam, and yes, even the Vietnamese officials at the smaller border crossing would know about this. It was major news when Vietnam made this announcement a couple of years ago. The guards at the smaller check points would know about this.

However, to be really sure that your Thai passport holder will be able to get into Vietnam at even the smallest border crossing points, simply get a visa for Vietnam in advance for everyone in the party. It is very easy to do this in Bangkok or Vientiane or Phnom Penh. Still today, this would be the only way to go if you want to be really, really sure about it before heading for any crossing point into Vietnam.

The story about the 175cc max in Vietnam has been reviewed extensively on this board in the past year or two. Basically, there is no way around it, and particularly not if you are traveling with someone who would be upset if things didn't go according to plan. My take at this point is that you will be denied entry into Vietnam unless you are riding something 175cc or less.

On this board in the past year or so, the only guy who has successfully crossed into Vietnam when riding something other than an old Russian Minsk is the guy with user name donvangilder. Anyone who knows motorcycles in Thailand will recognize the motorcycle that he was riding when he successfully did his trip. See a picture of it on

http://board.gt-rider.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1240

If you don't have one of these with impeccable papers and one of the new motorcycle "passports", my take at this point is to forget about being able to cross into Vietnam.

The only other way to do the crossings with Vietnam on a motorcycle seems clearly to be to get yourself a Minsk after you arrive in Vietnam. From there, do your trips to Laos and Cambodia before returning to Vietnam. The Vietnamese border guards recognize the Minsk and only the Minsk.

You also are probably following the thread on

http://board.gt-rider.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=876

brat from Australia has got a big bike and has a plan to leave it in Phnom Penh if he cannot take it across into Vietnam. Hopefully, he will post news about his experience one of these days.

"Keep the power on"

BTW, here is a new article about the number of local people who are crossing at Tay Trang / Dien Bien this year. See the next to last paragraph. Don't bring any chickens along during your ride.

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=01HEA010906

Bird flu checks tightened

(01-09-2006)

HCM CITY — The examination of passengers at HCM City’s Tan Son Nhat international airport with suspected bird flu have been made tightened, reports Southern Aviation Authority Deputy General Director Vu Van Ngu.

The deputy general director announced the tighter assessment procedure at a meeting to establish a co-ordinated action plan to cope with any new outbreak on Wednesday.

The new procedure – part of the action plan – would help identify people suspected as having been infected and arrange for them to go to hospital as soon as possible.

The Health Department would also issue the aviation authority with daily bird flu reports from throughout the world so that any arrivals could be monitored.

Health officials, airport customs officers and police and representatives of the international health examination centre attended the meeting.

The plan is expected to have been approved by the end of next week with the Southern Aviation Authority responsible for its implementation among the 25 international airlines that fly in and out of HCM City.

The Customs Office in Dien Bien Province warns that examination of humans and goods for bird flu at border gates has not yet been properly implemented.

The office reports that work has been entrusted to the provinces customs and border guard teams. But the teams, confined to administrative procedures and tax and fees collections, needs help to do the job.

The province shares three border crossings with China and Laos.

A total of 11,782 people entered and exited with more than 200,000 tonnes of goods through the Tay Trang gate with Laos during the first eight months of this year.

A lax examination of humans and livestock, including birds, has been attributed to smugglers avoiding checks by using the numerous tracks between Viet Nam, Laos and China. — VNS

Matthew Dakin · Pedestrian Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Vietnam

I've heard of successful crossings over the past month, from tourists crossing by bus.

Has anybody out there heard of someone doing it on a motorbike yet???
_________________

Pauche · Biker Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 56

Hi all, I'll be doing the NW loop end of the month, with a rented bike from Hanoi. When I rent the bike, I'll need to deposit my passport with the shop, does that mean there is no way I can cross the Dien Bien Phu border into Laos, even on foot (without the bike)??

Could someone please advise what I can do?

Secondly, does anyone have the Garmin track/waypoints of the NW Loop to share? I'm doing Hanoi, Mai Chau, Sonla, Dien Bien Phu, Lai Chau, Sapa, Lao Chai, Hanoi.

Lastly, any tips/advise for the train trip back to Hanoi from Lao Chai with my bike in the carriage compartment? What need to be done or what advises do you guys have?

Appreciate any help on this. (Mods - sorry if I had offtopic from the initial post)

andy_bkk · Cyclist Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 11

mat.ward · Posted: 09.12.2007, 22:45 Post subject: NW Loop

Hi Pauche,

I doubt you would be able to get out of Vietnam without your departure card, especially at a border that has previously been closed to foreigners for so long. If you bought a bike then maybe, we crossed into Laos with the Minsks we bought. (See http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/northwestern-loop---mai-chau-son-la-dbp-sapa-t2077.html this post also has a few places to stay/eat with GPS points. It also describes the location of a guy who can help you sort out the bike/train carry on.)

The NW loop is easy, just follow your nose. You can buy a good map of VN at booksellers in Hanoi, the blue one with the bridge is good.

Investigate heading north from near Muang Ang to get to Lai Chau rather than going via the main route north of DBP, I talked with a couple of cyclists who said it was amazing. More difficult road though, so depends what bike you have etc).

Nice work on the photos from your Thailand trip.

Mat

Pauche · Biker Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 56

thanks mat.ward..... your trip report is lovely. do you happen to have the GPS coordinates for Cuong Bike Shop in Hanoi? I understand that navigation around Hanoi is a tough, thus it will help a lot if I can see 'Cuong' on my digital screen!

Also you mentioned that there is a helmet shop next to Cuong, roughly how much are they selling a helmet at the shop? if it is not too costly, I'll just get a helmet there and 'donate' it to Cuong after my trip.

Pauche · Biker Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 56

mat.ward · Posted: 11.12.2007, 14:47 Post subject:

Hi Pauche,
No sorry I do not have GPS coords for Cuong.
Cuong has helmets for you to hire/borrow, or they can show you where to buy better ones (5min ride away).
Mat

Pauche · Biker Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 56

thanks nevertheless!

Glenn · Cyclist Joined: 16 Jul 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Vietnam

Hi Pauche,

Cuong's rental business is at 1 Luong Ngoc Quyen in the Old Quarter. it is pretty easy to find, but if you need them the GPS coordinates are: 21.0348°N, 105.854°E. You can call the shop on (04) 926 1534.

Cheers,

Glenn

Pauche · Biker Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 56

thanks glenn.... Very Happy

deepcdiver · Motorcyclist Joined: 09 May 2006 Posts: 38

"Giladmel", who just sold his Mink in Hanoi, told me he crossed at Dien Bien Phu with his Minsk w/o any problems....he had ownership papers to the VN registerd bike in someone else's name and a paper showing permission from the registered oner to use the bike and leave the country with it....