Laos to Vietnam

I'm planning to travel through Laos in May June and want to cross from Northern Laos into Vietnam Any advice Gratefully accepted eg Visa Border crossing points mode of transport. Reply to this

We crossed using Na Maew - Nam Xoi last October. You can get an idea of what we did if you read our blog 'Mountain views and sore bums'. We had a little more cash than most backpackers and my research on the web had led to many horror stories of overcharging (especially on the Vietnam side) so we decided we were happy to pay alot up front and not suffer the uncertainty. There are definately public buses crossing here also but check and double check days and times before turning up. On the Laos side there is nothing, I think a songthaew runs twice a week to Vieng Xai and on to Sam Neua and that goes in the morning so you need to cross early (again check before turning up). The border is only open for a couple of hours each morning and afternoon. The villages on either side have nothing, you will be lucky to get anything to eat...we got cold rice and wilted cabbage. However don't let any of this put you off, you will be all alone on both sides of the border and the countryside is truly spectacular. The border crossing itself was one of the easiest we encountered. The guard on the Vietnam side even tutted at how much we had been ripped off in Saigon for a visa extension! Good luck and enjoy Reply to this