foreign visitors to Laos must obtain visas at a Lao embassy or consulate abroad prior to their visit. There are two kinds of visas
Tourist visa- This is good for 15 days and can be extended for another 15. It's obtainable either through a travel agent or from the embassy, depending on the country. A tourist visa usually costs from 50 to 100 dollars.
Business visa- This type of visa can be obtained directly form the embassy but only after a sponsor in Laos has sent proof of sponsorship to the embassy . This type of visa is usually good for 30 days and costs 15 to 20 dollars.
You can arrive in Laos in two ways. First, by air on one of the international flights that connect Wattay Airport in Vientiane with such cities as Bangkok, Hanoi, and Rangoon. At the airport taxis are availalable to take you to your hotel, usally only a 10 or 20 minute ride.
If you arrive by land from Thailand you'll cross the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai, going through customs on both the Thai and Laotian sides. When this is finished and your passport is stamped you can take a taxi or a "Jumbo" (a three-wheeled vehicle) to Vientiane. This ride takes 10 to 30 minutes.
Laos has much to offer visitors, especially those who enjoy unspoiled nature, friendly people and traditional culture.