Ask question

This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Is Vientiane a Good Place to Apply for a Visa or Should I Consider Other Options?

Visa Application Vientiane Expat Life Laos Travel Immigration Thai Visa Experience Sharing Travel Recommendations

May 23, 2025

17 hours ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Day 5 in Vientiane.

Application still stuck at the first step, was asked for a different passport photo on Tuesday which I sent immediately.

No further contact from them.

I'd seriously rethink coming here, not just for it being slow but every day in this city feels like a month.

The city is in ruin's and it's like a ghost town.

There are so many other beautiful surrounding countries that you could apply.

Even if it took 3-4 weeks elsewhere it would be a better choice than here.

Hope this helps others avoid this miserable place.

2,520

views

5

likes

83

all likes

42

replies

2

images

12

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion reflects a user's frustrating experience with a delayed visa application in Vientiane, Laos. The user expresses dissatisfaction with the city, describing it as eerily quiet and lacking activities, suggesting that applying for a visa in neighboring countries might be a better option. Several comments offer varying perspectives, with some recommending travel to more appealing areas like Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng, while others share positive experiences of enjoying the local life and encourage exploration despite the delays.

Pelle Eriksson

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted Thai Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

Anonymous ******************

Well, Thailand is more developed than that in some tourist areas / Bangkok but not as much as you may expect. You'll need to ge used to a different way of living.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 322 I've been going to Thailand for 15 yrs and lived there for 5.

Thailand is like Dubai compared to Vientiane lol

Like

Reply

Anonymous ******************

Participant(e) anonyme I could agree comparing both only though 😂😜

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous ******************

Reply

Gump ****

Sounds like you need to get off the anti depressant pills and go outside and enjoy life ✅

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Gump 🍯 there's nothing to enjoy here lol, just trying to prevent others from experiencing it.

Like

Reply

Gump ****

Anonymous I'll give you a list of things to do.

1) Go to the gym

2) Look online for local walking tracks and go walking in the bush

3) Buy a cheap fishing rod and go fishing

4) Get a rub and tug

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Gump 🍯 I walk 20k every day, gym every day, Muay Thai every day.

Like

Reply

Gump ****

Anonymous participant so if you are already doing Muay Thai everyday, gym everyday and walking everyday then how are you bored there. Sounds like your days have been full each day while you are there......

Like

Reply

Jordan *****

You don’t walk 20 km each day, stop with this bs. Maybe someone who does nothing but sleep and sit all day believes you

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

you don't look like you have ever exercised

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant and I haven't done my evening walk yet. Just because your a lazy C##nt 🤣🤣

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant it rained yesterday so I was under

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Reply

David ********

Thank for your opinion it ain't worth Sh@#$it. I got my DTV there beautiful city heaps of nice cafes, restaurant,bars on the Mekong river,clubs, sights,l hired a scooter and got around also went up to veng vieng was awesome. Get out of your hotel room and explore. You are just waiting for embassy. Travel it's cheap in Laos

Like

Reply

Nick *******

why is your opinion worth more than his?

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm guessing you are used to a very low quality of life. I walk 20k each day, gym and Muay Thai

Like

Reply

David ********

Anonymous participant so what's your issue with Vientiane it's a beautiful city

Like

Reply

Euan *********

yeah I have no clue what Vientiane you went to mate place is a ghost town

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I think we are in different Vientiane's lol. There's litter everywhere, the roads are all torn up, no footpaths, the dust is crazy, it's a dirty filthy 💩hole, the food is dripping of oil, there's next to no one around, everything closes early, I could keep going for hrs lol. I can't state one good thing about this place.

I respect your opinion but we are obviously used to very different lifestyle's

Like

Reply

Peter **************

Anonymous participant Yea .. I was there waiting for 5 days in Dec ..that was enough for me !

Like

Reply

Reply to

Peter **************

Reply

Adrian ******

Jump in a minivan and go to vang vieng. That's what I did. Got an email for the interview went back the next day and approved before I even got out of the compound.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

😃

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Reply

Wannikea *********

Take the high speed train to Luang Prabang for a few days

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wannikea ********

think I'll do that tomorrow, thank you

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Reply

Anonymous ******************

Dude, there’s a high-speed train. I think you can leave that area. I mean I could be wrong. I didn’t do mine there, but why can’t you leave the area you can get back on the high-speed train quickly I think as long as you don’t leave the country you’re fine?

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 388 thanks

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Reply

Callum *******

Just doss out and chill with a beer 🍺 and forget you even did the application. I did it whilst in Da Nang and just got lost on the beaches and hiking etc and totally forgot about it until I got the approval email

Like

Reply

Paul *********

no beaches here just broken streets and pavements and buildings lol.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

you know lol, definitely getting out of here tomorrow

Like

Reply

Callum *******

Anonymous participant looks like i dodged a bullet with Laos then, glad i cancelled 😅 dw your visa will be with you soon enough

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I hope so man🤞

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

it's totally different here buddy, there's absolutely nothing to do

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Reply

Gabriele **********

Go hang out in Luang Prabang or further north, don't stay in Vientiane all the time.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Gabriele *********

I can't leave Vientiane until I get my interview date

Like

Reply

Gabriele **********

Anonymous participant I went to Luang Prabang while I was waiting. They will send you an email, and the interview will not be on that same day. The train back only takes two hours.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Gabriele *********

I was just worried in case I needed to do any more admin stuff, it's hard enough to find things in the city and was thinking way harder in remote areas.

Like

Reply

David ********

Anonymous participant your just guessing you don't really know. Where you staying what hotel

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

the Amari

Like

Reply

Anonymous ******************

Anonymous participant LP isn’t that remote. Most things you need done can be done there fine as well.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 353 excellent thanks, just didn't want to chance messing anything up

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Reply

Greg ********

@Gabriele *********

LP is lovely. I coukd do a few weeks there

Like

Reply

Reply to

Greg ********

Reply

What is the current approval waiting time for visa applications in Vientiane?

5 comments

4 days ago

What should I do if my visa interview in Vientiane is scheduled later than expected?

29 comments

10 days ago

What is the process for applying for a DTV visa in Vientiane, Laos?

14 comments

a month ago

What are the pros and cons of applying for a Thai visa in Laos compared to Vietnam or Cambodia?

3 comments

4 months ago

Which nearby countries are recommended for applying for a Thai visa, and is Vietnam a good choice?

10 comments

5 months ago

What are the common issues one might face when applying for a Thai visa in Savannakhet, Laos?

9 comments

7 months ago

What is the process for applying for a DTV Visa at the Vientiane embassy in Laos?

18 comments

8 months ago

Can I delay picking up my tourist visa in Laos, or do I need to stay in Vientiane?

4 comments

a year ago

What do I need to know about applying for a visa in Vientiane, including tourist and NON-O visas?

5 comments

2 years ago

Is Vientiane a good place to apply for a tourist visa if I've been in Thailand for a while with COVID extensions?

5 comments

2 years ago

Is Luang Prabang a good option for a Visa Bounce instead of Vientiane?

17 comments

2 years ago

What is the process for obtaining a tourist visa from Vientiane, Laos?

9 comments

2 years ago

What were the issues faced during a visa run to Vientiane, Laos?

7 comments

5 years ago

What are the pros and cons of getting a regular tourist visa in Ho Chi Minh City versus Vientiane?

17 comments

6 years ago

Is it safer to apply for a student visa in Savannakhet compared to Vientiane?

0 comments

6 years ago

Is it safer to go to Savannakhet rather than Vientiane for a student visa application?

14 comments

6 years ago

What challenges did a US passport holder face when applying for a tourist visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane?

10 comments

6 years ago

What is the current situation for obtaining a Tourist Visa in Vientiane?

0 comments

6 years ago

Why was my tourist visa application refused in Vientiane despite my previous visas?

26 comments

6 years ago

What was the experience like at the Thai consulate in Vientiane today regarding visa applications?

20 comments

6 years ago

What are the best alternatives to Vientiane for obtaining a Thai tourist visa, and what is the current turnaround time for these applications?

17 comments

7 years ago

What is the experience like for a visa run to Vientiane, and what are the best days to go?

3 comments

7 years ago

Which destination is recommended for a visa run: Savanaket or Vientiane?

10 comments

7 years ago

What are my options for obtaining a Thai tourist visa after receiving a refusal in Vientiane?

8 comments

7 years ago

What are the best cities besides Vientiane to obtain a Non-immigrant B visa?

26 comments

8 years ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?

7 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?

9 comments

a month ago

What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?

21 comments

a month ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?

16 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?

8 comments

a month ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.