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Laos

"Backpacking route planner Laos" was last updated on Jan 14, 2013

So, suggestions for travel routes in Laos?

Traveling in Laos is pretty straightforward, infrastructure has developed the past years meaning newly paved roads and more transportation options.

Here you go!

The itineraries below are included the 2-day slow boat to Luang Prabang.

From North to south:

Time: 3-4 weeks

Huay Xai (stopover) Luang Prabang Vang Vieng Vientiane
Savannakhet Pakse 4000 Islands

Voen Kham/Stung Treng (Lao/Cambodia border)


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From North to South, entering Eastern Thailand from Southern Laos:

Time: 4 weeks

Huay Xai (stopover) Luang Prabang Udomxai (stopover)
Phongsali Back to Udomxai Nong Khiaw Sam Neua
Phonosavan Vang Vieng Vientiane Savannakhet Pakse

Vang Tao/Chong Mek border crossing

  • You can also travel directly to Vientiane from Udomxai, Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha, Huay Xai (airplane) and Sam Neua (airplane). There are buses from Sam Neua to Vientiane (20-24 hours), but via Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw and more.

Entering Eastern Thailand from Vientiane:

Time: 2-3 weeks

Huay Xai (stopover) Luang Prabang Nong Khiaw Sam Neua
Phonosavan Vang Vieng Vientiane

Nong Khai border crossing (Laos/Thailand)

The Friendship Bridge (Nong Khai crossing) is easily accessed from Vientiane. Arrange bus or van transport across the bridge, and border cross to Thailand to Thai town of Nong Khai. From Nong Khai there are trains and buses to Bangkok (bus takes about 9 hours).

Map Your adventure itinerary guide eBook
Entering Northern Vietnam from Northern Laos:

Time: 1 week

Huay Xai (stopover) Luang Prabang Udom Xai (stopover if possible) Muang Khua (in Phongsali, overnight)

Tai Xang/Tay Thrang border crossing (Lao/Vietnam border)

After you've been in Luang Prabang, take the bus to Udom Xai and from there switch bus to Muang Khua. Stay the night and grab the first morning bus to Dien Bien Phu (06.00 am) on the Vietnamese side.

Vietnamese tourist visa is not available at the crossing.

Another option:

Time: 1 week

Huay Xai (stopover) Luang Namtha (stop-over) Muang Sing Back to Luang Namtha (stop-over) Udomxai (possible overnight) Muang Khua (in Phongsali, overnight)

Tai Xang/Tay Thrang border crossing (Lao/Vietnam border)

Expect a 4-hour bus ride from Huay Xai to Luang Namtha and another 2 hours to Muang Sing.

Muang Sing is the backpacker town of the far north Laos. To get there, you have to travel to Luang Namtha. Luang Namtha can be accessed by bus from Udom Xai, Luang Prabang or Huay Xai. If you take a bus from Huay Xai, you don't need to take the slow boat to Luang Prabang.

Vietnamese tourist visa is not available at the crossing.

Another option:

Time: 9-14 days

Huay Xai (stopover) Luang Prabang Nong Khiaw Sam Neua

Na Maew/Nam Xoi border crossing

Bus from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw takes about 3-4 hours, and another 12-13 hours from Nong Khiaw to Sam Neua. Buses for Thanh Hoa in Vietnam leave Sam Neua's bus station (10-11 hours), and then another 3-4 hours to Hanoi.

Vietnamese tourist visa is not available at the crossing.

4th option:

Time: 12 days

Huay Xai (stopover) Luang Prabang Nong Khiaw Sam Neua
Phonsavan

Nam Chan border
Vinh (Vietnamese town)

Bus from Sam Neua to Phonsavan takes about 8 hours, and from Phonsavan to Vinh the trip takes about 11-12 hours (leaves the bus station at 06.00 am). From Vinh, you can travel to central Vietnam to Hue and Hoi An.

Vietnamese tourist visa is not available at the crossing.

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Other pages you'll enjoy:

Map of Southeast Asia
Flight tickets
Border crossing North Thailand to North Laos
Travel insurance claim form

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