Where am I again?
Region: Northern Laos> Province: Hua Phan> Location: Sam Neua

Getting There and Away

Air

Lao Airlines runs three flights a week between Sam Neua and Vientiane. The cost is $72. The flight leaves Vientiane at 09:00, arriving at 10:10 on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. On the same days, they turn around and fly from Sam Neua at about 10:40. The planes are generally the smaller Chinese "Y" models, seating 15 people. If there are not enough bookings, the flight will probably not run.

Bus

The main departures from Sam Neua are three large buses which leave for Vientiane each day. Two of these go via Phonsavan in eastern Laos, while the third goes via Luang Prabang. One driver travels the entire distance, on rare occasions pulling over for a short roadside nap. The roads in and out of Sam Neua are not well paved, and in the rainy season this can result in landslides, road blockages and huge delays. It is a fairly regular occurrence at this time of year for the bus to be stuck in the middle of nowhere for days at a time. Be warned.

To/From Vientiane
09:00 departure, standard bus, 120,000 kip, approx 20 hours
12:00 departure, VIP, 130,000 kip, approx 20 hours.
Goes via Muang Kham, Phonsavan, Phoukhoun and Vang Vieng. Prices vary accordingly.

07:30 departure, standard bus, 120,000 kip, approx 24 hours.
Goes via Vieng Thong, Nong Kiaow, Pak Mong, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. Prices vary accordingly.

In addition, a number of tuk tuks and songthaews depart for local destinations on a regular basis. The Tourism office has a slightly confusing list of transport and when they run, based on tourist attractions in the region. Some of the most popular are:

To/From Viengxay (for the government caves)
Tuk tuks depart every half hour from 06:00 to 15:30. The 50-minute journey costs 7,000 kip per person.

To/From Sop Hao
The border into Vietnam at Sop Hao recently opened officially for international travellers, but can be a little unreliable. This is a good way to head through to Hanoi if you enjoy a good adventure, and like to get off the beaten track. One truck or bus per day leaves Sam Neua at around 06:00 and costs 12,000 kip. It is also possible to get a tuk tuk from Viengxay to the border.

To/From Suan Hin (Hin Tang Archaeological Park)
A bus leaves at around 06:00, and a songthaew at around 12:00, cost 14,000 kip. Get off at Houamuang, from there is an 8km walk(!) to the park.

Vieng Thong (Hot Springs)
One songthaew departs at 07:00. The cost is 26,000 kip. Although the journey is only 158 km, because of bad roads it takes 7 hours. Depending on demand another songthaew may leave at 12:00. It would be more comfortable to go with the 07:30 Vientiane bus.