Lào Cai – Hekou
Walk across the Red River bridge between Lào Cai (for Sa Pa) and Hekou, with fast trains on to Kunming.
All border crossings · Vietnam ⇄ China · Bridge, On foot · checked 2026-09
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The two posts
Hours: About 07:00–22:00 Vietnam time (check); China is one hour ahead
Entering Vietnam
Lào Cai (Kim Thành / Hồng river bridge) · Lào Cai
- Visa on arrival
- No
- E-visa accepted here
- Yes
No visa on arrival at land borders. Enter on the Vietnam e-visa (evisa.gov.vn) or a visa exemption; the e-visa must name an open land port. (check)
Entering China
Hekou · Hekou, Yunnan
- Visa on arrival
- No
- E-visa accepted here
- No
No visa on arrival for most passports. A visa in advance, or a visa-free or transit-visa-free scheme if your passport and this port are covered. (check)
Visa answers are for most Western passports and change often. Check yours on entry check and the official e-visa site; for e-visas, the post must be on the country's list of accepted ports.
Getting across
- Night train or bus Hanoi → Lào Cai, then walk or taxi to the bridge.
- High-speed train Hekou North → Kunming, about 4 h (check times).
Scams and traps
- Money changers at the bridge with short counts and poor rates.
- Taxi drivers in Lào Cai quoting tourist fares for the short hop to the post.
Tips
- China checks bags and phones carefully: expect slower entry.
- Download offline maps and a translation app before you cross; many Western apps do not work in China.
- Remember the one-hour clock change when booking the onward train.
Nearest places
Other Vietnam–China crossings
Everything marked check, and every hour and fee, needs confirming before you travel: posts close for holidays, disputes and roadworks with little notice. Written from Voykit's own notes; checked 2026-09.