Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 356

Formalities at Vietnam's international airports are generally smoother than at land bor-
ders. Crossing overland from Cambodia and China is now also relatively stress-free.
Crossing the border between Vietnam and Laos can be slow.
AIR
Airports
There are three main international airports in Vietnam and a few others (Hue, Phu Quoc)
which see the odd charter.
Tan Son Nhat Airport ( 08-3845 6654; www.tsnairport.com ; Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam's busiest
international air hub.
Noi Bai Airport ( 04-3827 1513; Hanoi) Serves the capital.
Danang Airport ( 0511-383 0339) International flights to China, Laos and Cambodia.
Airlines
Vietnam Airlines ( www.vietnamairlines.com.vn ) is the state-owned flag carrier and has
flights to many international destinations on modern airplanes.
LAND & RIVER
Vietnam shares land border crossings with Cambodia, China and Laos. Vietnam visas were not avail-
able at any land borders at the time of research.
Cambodia
Cambodia and Vietnam share a long frontier with seven (and counting) border crossings.
One-month Cambodian visas are issued on arrival at all border crossings for US$20, but
overcharging is common except at Bavet (the most popular crossing).
There's also a river border crossing between Cambodia and Vietnam at Kaam Sam-
nor-Vinh Xuong on the banks of the Mekong. Regular fast boats ply the route between
Phnom Penh in Cambodia and Chau Doc in Vietnam via this border.
Most Cambodian border crossings are generally open daily between 8am and 8pm.
China
There are three border checkpoints where foreigners are permitted to cross between Viet-
nam and China: Lao Cai, Huu Nghi Quan (the Friendship Pass) and Mong Cai.
International trains link China and Vietnam, connecting Hanoi with Nanning in
Guangxi Province - and even on to Beijing!