Heh all, Can you please help!!!! Im here in Vang Vien in Laos and waiting for a few days to get my Visa to Vietnam....how the hell do I get from here to Ho Chi Minh...with out flying...as its nearly 200 USD...
Cant seem to find on the LP if there is a crossing in Lao Bao...The travel agents here said she called her agency in Vientiane and they dont do busses fromt here to Ho Chi Minh??
So any info from ANYONE at all would be a GREAT help....am travelling on my own aswell...which isnt a problem if I had some good advice to go on...reason I want to start in Ho Chi is to make my way up and into China....
thanks thanks
Brigette
Reply to this Hi Brigette. We have a friend who crossed from Cambodia up into Laos - he got various buses, a truck, a moto and two ferries to get from Kratie (Cambodia) to Si Phan Don (Laos). We did hear rumours that it is a one way crossing and that you can't cross into Cambodia that way from Laos but not sure how true that is... If you are looking for a more main stream definite route how about heading to Bangkok (easy from Vientiane) then bus through Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh - it would take a while but is fairly straightforward! We have costs for the buses and trains for that route which I could send you if you want to do that way (we did it earlier this year from HCM to Vientiane) - just let us know! Vikki
Reply to this Hi. I just got back from my travels. I've crossed the border from Hanoi to Laos. My suggestion is to head to Vientiane, which is just 3 1/2 hours from Vang Vieng and will probly just cost you around 80,000 kips by bus. From Vientiane, you can ask around. The capital has 2 main bus stations, the North and the South station. I believe the South Station has busses that ply the Vietnam route. The border is Cau Treo (vietnam side) and the pass is called Kaew Naou Pass, which is one of the most spectacular passes Ive passed. The terrain in mountainous/hilly, and you will pass by such amazing limestone formations called karst, jaw-dropping waterfalls by the roadside, etc.
The bus ride will take you straight to Hanoi I believe, and it will cost you about $15 one-way. The borders open about 7AM and close 5PM. If you get to the border after those times, the bus will wait at the border which isn't too bad, since they've timed most trips so that the wait won't be too long. Travel will take 20 hours from Vientiane to Hanoi. Be careful though of your belongings. Many scam artists, pickpockets (even drivers of the bus you're taking - like my ride). Just be vigilant and don't leave your stuff unattended. Otherwise, it will be an OK ride. Good luck and have a safe one.
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