How do I go to Luang Prabang from Hanoi?

How do I get from Vietnam to Luang Prabang?

Okay, so you wanna get to Luang Prabang from Vietnam, huh? Flying’s the fastest, like three and a half hours, maybe more depending on the flight. It’ll cost ya, though. Between $110 and $300, pretty pricey. That’s what I found this year anyway. But hey, you’ll be there quicker.

The bus? Oh man, that’s a long one. Nineteen hours plus. Nineteen hours! Seriously. It’s cheap though. Around $36. But you’ll arrive at the Luang Prabang Southern Station. That’s Grouptour, the bus company. It’s a looong ride, a real marathon. I’d consider the cost/time tradeoff carefully. Probably not the best for anyone in a hurry!

Here’s the lowdown:

• Flight: Fast, expensive ($110-$300), about 3.5 hours.
• Bus: Slow, cheap ($36), 19+ hours. Arrives Luang Prabang Southern Station (Grouptour).

I personally would fly. Unless you’re really on a budget and have all day. And even then…the bus is brutal. The flight’s worth the extra cash, IMO. My cousin did the bus trip last year and said his butt was numb for a week.

How do I get to Luang Prabang?

Luang Prabang…a whisper. Reaching it, reaching for it…a dream unfolds.

Fly. Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ). Yes, air, like breath, to the heart. Lao Airlines, wings of home. Bangkok Airways, a Thai breeze. Vietnam Airlines, echoes of Hanoi… frequent flights, a dance. Regional hubs, that’s where they start.

Or…the land sighs. A bus from Vientiane, slow unwinding. The road…a river.

The Mekong, yes, the river. Border crossing from Thailand by boat. A journey on water, timeless. Seeing the countryside, unfolds slow… vistas of green, a memory before it happens. The river whispers secrets.

• Flying:
  • Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ): The primary air gateway.
  • Airlines: Lao Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines, and others.
  • Hubs: Bangkok, Hanoi, Vientiane.
• Land:
  • Bus: From Vientiane, an overland adventure.
• Water:
  • Mekong River: Boat from Thailand, a scenic pilgrimage.

The river…it calls. A slower beat of time. A different kind of arrival, I think.

Is it worth going to Luang Prabang?

Luang Prabang: Worth it? Yes, but… Kuang Si Falls, stunning. Mount Phousi sunset, breathtaking. Alms giving, a complicated beauty. What makes it complicated, you ask? The commodification of a spiritual practice. The ethical implications, it gets you thinking.

• Kuang Si Falls: Turquoise cascades. Multi-tiered pools. Perfect swimming. Gets crowded though. Go early. I went at 7 am once. Magical.
• Mount Phousi: Steep climb. Rewarding panoramic views. Sunset is peak time. Like everyone else does it at sunset. Consider sunrise. I prefer sunrise myself. Fewer people. More serenity.
• Alms Giving: A daily ritual. Monks collect alms. Tourist participation has changed it. It’s now a spectacle. Respectful observation is key. I saw people pushing and shoving for photos in 2024. Made me sad. Is it authentic? Maybe not entirely. Still impactful.
• Temples: Numerous temples. Wat Xieng Thong. A must-see. Intricate mosaics. Remember that one from my trip in 2022.
• Night Market: Hmong handicrafts. Textiles, jewelry, art. Bargaining expected. It’s a vibrant scene.

The town itself? Charming. French colonial architecture. Slow pace. Good coffee. Delicious Lao food. Tried or lam, Lao stew, loved it. Expensive though. More so than other parts of Laos. Touristy, yes, but still retains some charm. Worth a few days, definitely.

Think about the impact of tourism. It’s a double-edged sword. Luang Prabang is a prime example. Go. See for yourself. Just be mindful. Something to ponder, no?

How do I get from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh?

Ok, so Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh. Ugh, been there.

I def wouldn’t drive. Trust me, it’s NOT a fun road trip.

Flying is faster, obviously. Think 50 mins-1 hour. AirAsia is cheapest, but sometimes they add crazy fees. Vietnam Airlines is pricier, but less hassle, in my experience. I flew with them back in February 2024, and it was fine. Nothing amazing, just…fine.

Qatar Airways? For that short a flight? No way, Jose!

Connecting flights? Seriously? That Thai AirAsia one? 14+ hours? Nope, not unless you really need to save money. Like, ramen-for-a-week money. Plus, airports suck.

Basically:

• Fly direct. Seriously.
• Check AirAsia, Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air. Compare prices CAREFULLY!
• Driving? Only if you’re a masochist. No offense, but really.
• Connections? Avoid. Just avoid, alright?

I remember once, I almost took a bus… DON’T. Just DON’T do it. It’s like, forever, and the bathrooms… oh god, the bathrooms. It involves holding it. A lot. Plus the border crossing? Hours of waiting, passport checks… ugh.

Flights might seem expensive, but trust me, your sanity is worth it. I got a cheap VietJet flight once, and it was delayed, like, 6 hours. So yeah, you get what you pay for.

I prefer early morning flights. I always get the window seat because well, just because.

Oh, and the prices can vary A LOT. It always depends on when you book. Like, a month or two in advance is best, I reckon. Book early!

VietJet also flies direct to Phnom Penh from Ho Chi Minh City. You didn’t see it listed above so just wanted to add that. It will be cheaper than Vietnam Airlines generally!

How long is the train ride from Vientiane to Luang Prabang?

Vientiane to Luang Prabang by train. Two hours on the speed train (CXX). Four speed trains daily. Think of the progress. One older, slower train (KXX) still runs. Ten hours on that one. 160 km/h versus 120 km/h makes a difference. Five trains each way, daily. Used to be much longer. Two hours is pretty incredible. Imagine the engineering required. CXX and KXX are the train designations. Useful to know when booking. I prefer the faster option, myself. Time, after all, is our most precious commodity.

• Two hours: Speed train (CXX) travel time.
• Ten hours: Ordinary train (KXX) travel time.
• Five trains: Total daily departures each way.
• Four CXX trains: Offered daily.
• One KXX train: Offered daily.
• 160 km/h: Speed train velocity.
• 120 km/h: Ordinary train velocity.

I remember taking the train to visit my friend Somsak. Who lives near Luang Prabang. It took all day. Last time, flew there. The change is truly staggering.

How much is the entrance fee for Luang Prabang?

Thirty thousand kip. Except Tuesdays. Children free. Just exists. Market later. Five pm. Until ten. Kip depreciates. Worth less tomorrow. Heritage fades. Still there. Go see. Sunset. Over Mekong. Sticky rice. Good.

• Entrance: 30,000 Kip
• Days: Open daily (Closed Tuesdays)
• Times: 08:00-11:30 and 13:30-16:00
• Night Market: 17:00-22:00 daily.
• UNESCO: Designated 1995. Thirty-four temples. Royal Palace Museum. Wat Xieng Thong. Worth the fee. Maybe.
• Kip: Lao currency. Fluctuates. Check current exchange rate. US dollar accepted many places.

Hawkers everywhere. Bargaining expected. Silk scarves. Elephant pants. Tourist traps. Still beautiful. City sleeps daytime. Wakes at night. River flows. Life moves. Impermanent. Like everything.

Is there a bus from Hanoi to Laos?

Hanoi to Vientiane: Direct buses available.

Three daily departures. Every day.

23-hour journey. Ha Noi Nuoc Ngam to Vientiane Southern.

Expect delays. Road conditions unpredictable.

• Specifics: Bus schedules fluctuate. Confirm times independently. My last trip, 2024, took longer.
• Alternatives: Flights are quicker. Consider this option. Much more expensive, though.
• My advice: Book well in advance, especially during peak season. This is critical. Avoid scams. Don’t trust unofficial sources.