I know this is a motor cycle forum, but it seems to be the best resource for Lao road information and importation of motor vehicles, so I hope I don't get flamed for asking these questions related to car driving in Laos.
I'd like to take my Thai 4 door compact-Sedan (2 wheel drive) for 30 days around Laos. I'm thinking, Nongkhai-VTE-Plain of Jars-Luang Prabang and maybe south down to 4000 islands and then back via Mukdahan.
My questions are:
1) are the roads OK for my compact Sedan on my route? I know this rainy season has produced an excessive amount of rain (I want to go during the month of Dec 08). How about the road to Oudomxai?
2) are the mountain roads up to LP, safe to drive? I was in VTE, last week and the Visitor information center said it was dangerous to drive the Mountain Roads, but a guesthouse and a merchant said it's OK, just drive slowly.
3) how easy is it to get a 30-day temporary importation of a vehicle from Friendship Bridge? How much will it cost me? Is it better to get the standard 14-day at FB, and visit Customs in VTE? Where is Customs located in VTE for an extension? Will I be able to get a full 30-days (equivelent to my Visa stamp, or only in weekly increments? meaning 4x7=28 days)?
4) Do I need any special papers to exit wth my car via Mukdahan instead of my entry point of Friendship Bridge (VTE/Nongkhai)?
5) I usually put gasohol 91 into my car, which gasoline should I be asking for in Laos?
Thanks, I've read and looked over many of the pics on this board, they all get me excited, but also a tad bit scared, cause some of those pot holes look really big (but I think most are taken off-the main highways). Thanks for the awesome board.
I'd like to take my Thai 4 door compact-Sedan (2 wheel drive) for 30 days around Laos. I'm thinking, Nongkhai-VTE-Plain of Jars-Luang Prabang and maybe south down to 4000 islands and then back via Mukdahan.
My questions are:
1) are the roads OK for my compact Sedan on my route? I know this rainy season has produced an excessive amount of rain (I want to go during the month of Dec 08). How about the road to Oudomxai?
2) are the mountain roads up to LP, safe to drive? I was in VTE, last week and the Visitor information center said it was dangerous to drive the Mountain Roads, but a guesthouse and a merchant said it's OK, just drive slowly.
3) how easy is it to get a 30-day temporary importation of a vehicle from Friendship Bridge? How much will it cost me? Is it better to get the standard 14-day at FB, and visit Customs in VTE? Where is Customs located in VTE for an extension? Will I be able to get a full 30-days (equivelent to my Visa stamp, or only in weekly increments? meaning 4x7=28 days)?
4) Do I need any special papers to exit wth my car via Mukdahan instead of my entry point of Friendship Bridge (VTE/Nongkhai)?
5) I usually put gasohol 91 into my car, which gasoline should I be asking for in Laos?
Thanks, I've read and looked over many of the pics on this board, they all get me excited, but also a tad bit scared, cause some of those pot holes look really big (but I think most are taken off-the main highways). Thanks for the awesome board.