Laos Visa on Arrival - Need Cash in US Dollars?
 

I'll be arriving in Laos at Luang Prabang airport tomorrow and I just realized - less than 24 hours before I leave - that I totally forgot about reviewing the visa requirements. I understand that the visa on arrival fee must be paid in US dollars. Do I need that in cash or can I use credit card? Are there any other currencies accepted (HKD or Yuan)? I don't have enough US dollars to pay the fee and I'm living in Hong Kong - so I guess my only option is to go to a currency exchange tomorrow morning before I head to the airport or can I exchange either Chinese Yuan or HK dollars for US dollars at the LP airport?

Are there visa forms I should fill out before I head to Laos? (I have the required passport pics.)

Thanks! I can't believe I almost forgot about this...

I actually have enough US dollars for my Laos visa, but I'll be traveling from Laos to Vietnam, where I'll need to pay US dollars for my Vietnam visa, and I don't have enough US dollars for both (I'm about US$50 short - there are two of us). Is there a way for me to just easily get US dollars when I'm in Luang Prabang? Alternatively, I'll have a layover tomorrow in Hanoi and next week in Siem Reap when en route to Danang - will I be able to get dollars at one of those airports?

Siem Reap has ATMs that dispense US dollars.

AWESOME! Once again, thank you so much, Kathie! I can sleep easy tonight now!

i am sure there will be a money changer in LP who will exchange Lao Kip or other currency for USD for your Vietnam VISA - probably a a lousy rate. ( I assume you have your Vietnam Visa Approval letter pls photos printed). Essential that you get dollars PRIOR to arrival at Hanoi airport as there are no banks or ATMs airside and the immigration staff are efficient but really not intersted in helping out people. There when we went though couple of months ago there was a guy losing his temper with immigration saying that he didn't have any money for his visa and wanted to pay with a card. Immigration weren't at all intersted and wouldn't let him through.
Also, we flew in from KL with AA and they were checking at the gate that we had the VOA letter but didn't mention the necessary cash.

Remember that Lao kip (and VN dong and Cambodian riel) are worthless outside of their own country. Spend them or donate them before you leave.

The correct answer is that they accept Baht, Kip and Euro as well. However you would be well advised to pay in USD as the exchange rate for the aforementioned three is not good.

VB - they accept Baht, Kip, and Euro for the VN visa? (Remember, she has enough dollars for her Lao visa) If so, that is new.

Arriving in Hanoi airport in November, Vietnamese Immigration would only accept US$ or Vietnamese Dong as confirmed by our Visa agency. Maybe VB is referring to payment for visas in LP airport.

I think you are probably correct, crellston. I think VB misread the post.

"VB - they accept Baht, Kip, and Euro for the VN visa? (Remember, she has enough dollars for her Lao visa) If so, that is new."
For Lao visas.

I've entered Laos many times by land only.
The situation is they will accept the currencies mentioned above but as mentioned the exchange rates don't actually reflect the real exchange rates.
You also need to bear in mind that different nationalities pay different amounts in the first place.

KW, you also missed the fact that his question was not about the Lao visa, but about what kind of currency is needed for the VN visa (stamping fee).

Really? Don't see that in the OP.
"Laos Visa on Arrival - Need Cash in US Dollars"

KW, the OP responded to his/her own post with "I actually have enough US dollars for my Laos visa, but I'll be traveling from Laos to Vietnam, where I'll need to pay US dollars for my Vietnam visa, and I don't have enough US dollars for both (I'm about US$50 short - there are two of us). " So while the title of the post indicated that s/he is worried about the Lao visa at the airport, the first post reveals that the real issue is the VN visa stamping fee.

So the question then became "Can I pay in other currencies for my Laos visa?"

" but I'll be traveling from Laos to Vietnam, where I'll need to pay US dollars for my Vietnam visa, and I don't have enough US dollars for both (I'm about US$50 short - there are two of us). Is there a way for me to just easily get US dollars when I'm in Luang Prabang?"