adneilme
longtail driver
Posts: 8

#1 Posted: 3/6/2007 - 01:14


I am planning a route from Hanoi to Vientiane or reverse by bus. Is that route possible? I have been googling through any websites, they do not help me much. Any information would be appreciated

Thank you,
Neil

ernieh
noodle lady
Posts: 46

#2 Posted: 3/6/2007 - 22:18


Hi Neil,

It is possble to take a bus from Hanoi to Vietiane. However, the journey takes about 24 hours and you may be sitting on a plastic chair in the aisle on the bus in Laos. This is what happened to a Aussie girl I met in Luang Prabang.

What about flying with Lao Airlines (www.laoairlines.com)? A one way flight from Hanoi to Vientiane costs about $115 plus departure tax. It will not only save you time but the frustration and hassles.

Ernie

adneilme
longtail driver
Posts: 8

#3 Posted: 3/6/2007 - 23:05


Thanks a lot.

somtam2000
admin
mahout
Posts: 2548

Located in:
Indonesia

#4 Posted: 4/6/2007 - 19:43


Neil there's a couple of border crossings you can use for that trip, the direct Vientiane to Hanoi buses tend to use the lakxao crossing (near Tha Khaek). As Ernie says it is a long and rather uncomfortable trip. If you're not planning on breaking the journey, then I'd suggest flying, but there's plenty to see between the two cities, so if time allows do it overland. You can read details on the ins and outs of the various border crossings between Laos and Vietnam here.

freenote
backpacker
Posts: 11

#5 Posted: 5/6/2007 - 01:05


I looked at three options from Vientiane to Hanoi
1/ direct bus ,24+hour run ,bad roads , sitting on a plastic seat , but cheap .
2/ Bus to Phonsavan (plain of jars)and then bus to Vin in Vietnam 12+ on last leg , bad roads ,plastic seat .went up and had a look at the bus ,overloaded i think would be the word ,but cheap.
3/fly, comfortable seat , quick ,trolley dollies , expensive ,Vietnam airline $120 +$10 departure tax ,so, ok , i am getting older ,the plane (for once )won !

neonrickshaw
newbie
Posts: 2

#6 Posted: 5/6/2007 - 01:15


Hello, I just took this trip .... one of the best parts about Lao is slowing down to the pace over there. Why not start in Vientiene, and take your time wandering through the beautiful mountains on the way to louang probang... then fly to Hanoi from LP (about $115) good luck

neonrickshaw
newbie
Posts: 2

#7 Posted: 5/6/2007 - 01:17


Hello, I just took this trip .... one of the best parts about Lao is slowing down to the pace over there. Why not start in Vientiene, and take your time wandering through the beautiful mountains on the way to louang probang... then fly to Hanoi from LP (about $115) good luck