Hanoi to Vientiane

About the ride from Hanoi to Vientiane

When visiting Hanoi, you shouldn’t miss out on an opportunity to visit the laid back capital of Laos, Vientiane. If you’re traveling towards Thailand, Vientiane is the perfect stop in your long journey. The capital of Laos is a very relaxing city, where you can hop from one cafe to another, or try the local beer, Beerlao while sitting next to the slow streams of the Mekong River.

When traveling the 750 km from Hanoi to Vientiane, you have one option – traveling on a local sleeping bus. The sleeping bus takes somewhere around 25 hours to arrive from Hanoi to Vientiane. The bus will make stops frequently for toilet breaks and food, but it’s not possible to board the bus after it’s departure point, 8 Ngo Gach. The boarding time in Hanoi is 30 minutes before the departure.

Once you get to Vientiane, you’ll arrive at the Southern Bus Terminal, which is 11 km outside of the city. You have several options to get to downtown Vientiane from this bus station. Tuk-tuks will cost you $5 to $6. If you want a cheaper option, catch bus #29 that will take you to the Central Bus Station for $0.50.

 

What to see when traveling from Hanoi to Vientiane?

The bus ride from Hanoi to Vientiane will take you on a 750 km journey across two beautiful, scenic countries, Vietnam and Laos. The bus will make a stop every 3 to 4 hours for food and for use of facilities, but there aren’t any stops along the way where you can hop off and explore.

The bus departs at 16:30 and before the sun goes down, you’ll be able to see Hanoi one more time. As you leave the urban area, the sun will finally set, and there won’t be much to see until the morning. Try to use this time for rest so that you have lots of energy to explore Vientiane once you arrive.

In order to get some sleep, it’s always useful to have some earbuds or noise-canceling headphones with you, as traveling by bus and with lots of other people can get noisy from time to time. If you can’t sleep on the moving bus, bring a good book with you to dive into, so you don’t get too bored on the trip.

You should arrive at the Keoneua – Nampao (Lak Sao) border early in the morning. Just as the sun is rising, and as you enter Laos, you’ll be greeted with never-ending scenic landscapes. As you ride through Laos and approach your destination, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to snap some pics and videos for your Instagram stories. 

On arrival into Vientiane, pick your mode of transportation to the city center (tuk-tuk or a local bus), and head to the downtown area for your first stroll around the city. As you ride towards the city center, you’ll pass next to one of the city’s landmarks, the Patuxai Arch.

You’ll probably arrive in the late afternoon, and most of the landmarks and temples will already be closed by that time. You can use this time to find accommodation, or if you already booked it, find a way to transfer to it and settle in. If you want to explore the city,  grab some Lao food and watch the beautiful sunset on the Mekong River. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars on the riverfront. 

During your stay in Vientiane, make sure to check out some of the most famous landmarks, such as That Luang, Wat Sisaket, Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), Wat Inpeng, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Si Muang.

 

How to get from Hanoi to Vientiane

Taking a bus

The bus ride from Hanoi to Vientiane is a 25-hour long journey in a comfortable, direct, double-decker local sleeping bus. The buses are fully equipped for your comfort and ensure a safe trip. You’ll also be glad to hear that all buses have air conditioning and toilets on board. The seating is organized in two-level sleeping seats, allowing you to lie down completely and rest until you arrive in Vientiane.

The buses have amenities that will make your ride cozy. You’ll get a free blanket once you’re on board, and there are snacks and drinking water available. Nevertheless, make sure to stock your bag with some food and drinks before you board.

 

Crossing the border from Vietnam to Laos

The bus passes the border crossing, Keoneua – Nampao (Lak Sao) international border. In order to pass the border without any issues, make sure that your passport is valid for the next 6 months, and you get hold of a Vietnam/Laos Visa, which you must get in advance. If there are delays at the border, the bus will not wait for you.