Let’s get started!!! Viet Anh has just completed a 10-day self-guided trip to Laos, and now I’m very excited to share the beautiful memories from my journey wandering through Northern Laos.
Speaking of Laos, I would compare its beauty to that of a mountain girl. She is innocent, with eyes as clear as jade, beautiful like the waterfalls deep in the forest. Her hair flows like the Mekong River coming from the North.
She hides her beauty behind endless green forests, making her still a mystery, fresh and alluring to those who love exploration. Peaceful, simple, quiet, and serene is what Viet Anh can say about Laos.
Scenery outside the bus from Dien Bien to Luang Prabang
Information about buses from Vietnam to Luang Prabang (operating in Hanoi) is not fixed. Some buses run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while others operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and some run every day. Therefore, I recommend everyone go to the Nuoc Ngam bus station to book tickets a few days before departure.
For those far away, you can call to book in advance through the VIETTRANS bus company – Hotline: 093 254 1114. Departures are from Hanoi (with two pickup points: Old Quarter of Hanoi and Nuoc Ngam bus station) passing through the Nam Can border gate (Nghe An) to reach Luang Prabang.
Ticket price: from 900,000 to over 1,000,000 VND/one way (depending on the time).
Note: It is advisable to book bus tickets 2-3 days in advance at the Nuoc Ngam bus station (Hanoi).
Traveling to Luang Prabang from Ho Chi Minh City
If you are traveling from Ho Chi Minh City, you can:
Or 1. Fly to Hanoi to take a bus to Laos.
Or 2. Take a bus to Kon Tum (Bo Y border gate) and then catch a bus to Pakse – Vientiane, and continue on to Luang Prabang.
Taking a motorcycle or private car to Luang Prabang
Bringing a vehicle to Laos is very simple. I have a friend who once brought his motorcycle to Laos, and he shared that “you just need the original documents and an international driver’s license” to bring your vehicle across. At the border, they won’t make it difficult; you only need to pay a fee.
For motorcycles, you can take your regular driver’s license to the road transport department in your city to exchange it, which takes about 7-10 days. I haven’t looked into car licenses yet.
Vietnam-Laos border gates you can use:
- Tây Trang Border Gate (Dien Bien)
- Loong Sap Border Gate (Moc Chau)
- Bo Y Border Gate (Kon Tum)
- Nam Can Border Gate (Nghe An)
- Cau Treo Border Gate (Ha Tinh)
- Cha Leo Border Gate (Quang Binh)
- Lao Bao Border Gate (Quang Tri)
- Na Meo Border Gate (Thanh Hoa)
Note: Visas are generally accepted at all border gates. E-visas are only accepted at three border gates: Nam Can, Cau Treo, and Bo Y!
