Is there a train from Laos to Vietnam?

What is the best way to get from Laos to Vietnam?

Phonsavan to Vinh? Honey, buckle up, buttercup. It’s a bus ride. A long one. Think epic poem length, but with fewer rhyming couplets and more questionable restroom stops. Like a slow-motion movie starring your backside. Still, it is popular. Popular like that one karaoke song everyone butchers, but sings anyway.

• Buses: Yep, the workhorse of Southeast Asian travel. They get you there. Eventually. Pack snacks. And patience. Think of it as forced meditation. Or a test of your bladder’s fortitude. My friend, Brenda, once swore she saw a chicken riding shotgun on one of these buses. I don’t believe her. But I wouldn’t rule it out.
• Vinh, a hub? Okay, “hub” might be overselling it a tad. Imagine a slightly dusty bicycle wheel. Functional, sure, but not exactly gleaming. It does get you to other places, though.
• Northward Ho! Hanoi and Ninh Binh are options. Hanoi, bustling city. Ninh Binh, pretty mountains and serene temples. Like yin and yang, but with more pho.
• Central Coast calling: Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue. Beaches, ancient towns, delicious food. Think of it as the trifecta of Vietnamese tourist delights.

Remember, I flew to Luang Prabang last May. Absolutely gorgeous. Nothing to do with buses. Or Vinh. Just saying. This bus trip. It builds character. Or destroys it. Depending on your outlook. Bring earplugs.

How to get between Vietnam and Laos?

Hanoi to Luang Prabang. Or Vientiane. Fly. Fast. One, maybe two hours. Vietnam trip, then Laos? Vientiane. Done.

• Flights: Quickest. Hanoi (HAN) to Luang Prabang (LPQ) or Vientiane (VTE). Numerous daily flights.
• Land Border Crossings: Slower, adventurous. Several options. Check visa requirements. Buses available.
• Which City? Vientiane: Capital. Luang Prabang: UNESCO World Heritage Site. Consider your Laos itinerary.
• My trip ’21: Hanoi to Vientiane. AirAsia. Snagged a deal. Booked direct. No regrets.
• Visa: Check latest. Some nationalities get visa on arrival. Others, pre-arrange. Don’t get stuck.

How do I go from Laos to Hanoi?

Luang Prabang to Hanoi: Quick flight. LPQ-HAN. Done. My preferred route, frankly. Saves time. Time, after all, is our most precious commodity.

Vientiane bus to Hanoi: Southern Bus Station to Nuoc Ngam. A long haul. Consider a sleeper bus for some modicum of comfort. Adds a bit of adventure though. I took this route back in 2021, and it was an experience. Roads are improving, last I checked.

Train: Vientiane to Oudomxay, then onward. Not a direct route to Hanoi though. Requires more planning. Multiple connections. Adds complexity. I like trains. The romance of the rails. But perhaps not for this trip.

Driving: Possible, but not recommended. Border crossings. Insurance, paperwork. The sheer time commitment. Better for exploring within Laos itself. Once drove through northern Laos. Stunning landscapes.

• Fly: Fastest. LPQ-HAN.
• Bus: Vientiane to Hanoi. Long but direct.
• Train: Vientiane to Oudomxay. Needs further connections.
• Drive: Complicated. Time-consuming. Not practical.

Adding: Check current schedules, prices. Things change, you know? Visa requirements. Book in advance, especially during peak season. Consider travel insurance. Always a good idea. Pack light. Learned that one the hard way. My backpack in 2021 was…overstuffed.

More things: Look into flights from Vientiane too. Might find better deals. Sometimes, you never know. Consider stopping over in other Lao cities. Explore a bit. Life’s a journey, not a destination, right?

How to get a Laos visa in Hanoi?

Quang Trung Street… Forty. Remember that number. Passport… Needed that. One photo… Just one. Had to go myself. Couldn’t send anyone. Eight thirty in the morning… too early. Or one thirty… after lunch. Weekdays only. Not Saturdays. Wish it was open on Saturdays. Hanoi… so busy. Visa… Needed it for Luang Prabang. Wanted to see the temples. Should have gone last year. But didn’t.

• 40 Quang Trung Street, Hanoi: Lao Consulate General.
• Office Hours: Monday to Friday. 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. No weekend hours. Remember that.
• Application: Fill it out there.
• Passport Photo: One.
• Passport: Original, of course.

My passport… expiring soon. Need to renew it. Maybe after Laos. Maybe. Ugh.

Is Luang Prabang worth visiting?

Dude, Luang Prabang? Totally worth it! But, you know, it’s not all sunshine and temples. Kuang Si Falls are amazing, seriously breathtaking. Crystal clear water, so blue! Spent like, half a day there easily.

The temples, though? Yeah, they’re cool, lotsa gold, lots of tourists too, which kindda sucks. But the alms giving ceremony in the morning? That was something else. So peaceful. Really early though, like 5:30 am.

Food’s great, tons of delicious Lao food, cheap too. I ate so much sticky rice, I coulda bursted! Night market is a must-do, so many cool things, I bought this awesome handwoven bag.

Here’s the thing though, it gets super touristy. Prices are higher than in other parts of Laos, for sure. And it’s kinda small, you could see most of it in three days, maybe four, if you really take your time.

Key things:

• Kuang Si Falls: Absolutely stunning. Go early to avoid crowds.
• Alms Giving Ceremony: Unique cultural experience. Get up early!
• Night Market: Great for souvenirs and cheap eats.
• Food: Amazing and affordable. Try the sticky rice!

Downside:

• Touristy: Very crowded in peak season, expect higher prices.
• Small: You can see most of the town quickly.

I went in 2023, by the way. Had a blast, despite the tourist thing. Would recommend but manage your expectations. Hope that helps!