Bus ride from Vientiane to Luang Prabang

You are tempted to take the bus ride from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, and have read about the beautiful scenery, but are worried about the insecurity and the poor condition of the road? Do not think twice: if you have a day to spare, do it!the bus in Laos

going to Vientiane by bus in LaosLonely Planet (2010) still talks about the armed attacks by the Hmong insurgency that took place in 2003-2004 on the Route 13 from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, but when we bought tickets, our travel agency based in Vientiane (DD Travel) had never heard about these incidents. The French guide book Le Routard also talks about the “bad reputation” the road has and the attacks that have taken place on it. road from Viantine to Luang PrabangTo be absolutely sure (or as sure as one can ever be), we ended up questioning DD Travel a lot and the only incident that he remembered included a Frenchman called Vincent, who “treated the Lao people like shit” and who owed money “all over”. An another local source confirmed that it was no surprise that “he got what he had asked for” (he was eventually killed on that road, but that was in the end of the 90s and had nothing to do with insecurity or road condition…)Vientiane Luang Prabang bus routeAssured, we purchased the tickets. We were asked to be in front of our hotel at 7am. A mini van came to pick us up and drove us to the Northern bus station (this took almost one hour!). After some waiting around, our rather old bus finally left at 9am. The long journey begun. There were a lot of stops and often we had no clue why. There seemed to be just one driver and he liked to smoke a lot. The road kept turning left and right, went up and then down, so maybe he needed his cigarette in order to concentrate? Once we stopped in front of a monastery to pick up two young monks. food along the bus routeWe had been warned about this road so much in advance that we were expecting much worse but in fact it felt quite safe. The road was quite flat during the first two hours, and the climbing up begun only around 11am. We had been advised to sit on the left hand side (when the destination is in front of you) as this way we would not see how dangerous the road is, but in our opinion it made no sense: the cliffs were all over, on both sides. Sometimes on your left, sometimes on your right. And honestly, if you have done a little bit of driving in the Alps or other mountains, you will soon realize that this road is a piece of cake. The only advise we followed was to sit close to the security exit: an easy way to get out can become handy!Vientiane Luang Prabang bus routeThere were plenty of stops to buy water and drinks, noodle soup and fried rice (we didn’t eat as we had had a decent breakfast before taking off). One could even buy fried frog legs and dried fish… and something else we did not recognize!village people in LaosHonestly, when you hear about the insecurity on the road, I think the only thing you should be worried about is the quality of your bus.  Many people we had talked to in Vientiane had said that they had a flat tire (some even twice during the same trip). It didn’t happen to us, but even if it did, it would have probably only meant an hour delay. The only thing that could worry me is the brakes, but that is something difficult to verify before you jump onto the bus… right?Laos busWe arrived in Luang Prabang at 8.30pm, almost 12 hours after we had left Vientiane. Was it worth it? Yes, because we saw some beautiful scenery and dramatic-looking mountains. Yes, there were many stops, but we were in no hurry. Would I recommend it –yes. For 160,000 kip, the journey is worth every penny.

Updated on February 2014: I wrote this piece one year ago and it is today the most-read article of my blog. I am happy that so many people find it useful! However, I have received a lot of questions and I think it is important to clarify some points.

  • Yes, there are night buses, but I would personally take a day bus just because it feels safer. If there is a problem, you would need sun light, right?
  • In case you choose to take the overnight bus, have a torch and warm clothes with you.
  • You cannot really check the bus condition (brakes etc.) but you can be on the safer side if you travel under good weather conditions. If possible, do not travel by bus under the monsoon and extreme weather conditions. Vientiane and Luang Prabang are both lovely places to be stuck in, so wait a few days for better weather is my suggestion!
  • Many people have asked me about DD Travel, so here you have the business card I was given in February 2013:DD Travel and Ticketing contact information

Lastly, other interesting articles about Laos:

PS If you are on Facebook, why not to follow Pearlspotting there too?

72 thoughts on “Bus ride from Vientiane to Luang Prabang

  1. Pingback: Lao Airlines and other means of transport to and from Laos | pearlspotting

  2. SC

    I can now imagine the Vientiane-LP bus route. I’m also visiting Laos next month with some friends and was also thinking if it was worth saving money through taking the bus or flying to LP as I’m a budget traveler. Thanks for this article. My one question though is if there are also night trips available? Although, we’d miss the scenery you’ve depicted.

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hello! If you have limited funds, then why not the bus.. Yes, there is a night bus, too. Personally, I would think twice about taking the bus (day and night) only if it was raining a lot. But even then, go to DD Travels (mentioned in my article) and ask for their opinion. Locals know best! Have fun in lovely Laos!

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  3. Alex

    Hi, I am planning a trip to Laos next year (as part of a RTW trip) and this is the only bit I am worried about! Your article has reassured me (slightly) so thanks

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi Alex,

      Happy to hear that you found the article useful!
      If you stick to the day bus, and travel under decent weather conditions, I am sure you will be fine!
      Have a great trip. I loved Laos! Don’t hesitate to ask other questions…

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  4. Trisia

    hello, will be trip to laos april next year, because it’s only short trip and traveling alone, to short the trip i’m planing overnight bus to luang prabang. hope it’s goin to be fine fine along the journey. and thank you for your write, for helping me to imagine the situation 🙂

    Trisia

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hello Trisia,

      Thanks for visiting my blog!
      Are you traveling before the monsoon begins? Take a torch and warm clothes with you for the night bus, and I am sure you will be fine. Ask DD Travel (mentioned in my article) about travel details.

      Enjoy Laos –it is lovely!!!

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      1. Dark Lips

        Thanks for sharing this. I’ll be traveling from Vientiane to Luang Prabang then to Chiang Mai on January 2014. Now I know what to expect on this journey. Both excited and scared LOL.

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      2. Miia Post author

        Good that you found it useful! Do not forget a sweater or something a bit warm. We were in Laos in Feb and LP was quite a bit cooler than Vientiane.

        Have a lovely trip!!!

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  5. Dark Lips

    Thanks for sharing this. I’ll be traveling from Vientiane to Luang Prabang then to Chiang Mai on January 2014. Now I know what to expect on this journey. Both excited and scared LOL.

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  6. Pingback: Top Ten of 2013 | pearlspotting

  7. Sara

    Hey – Thanks for posting. Can I ask how you booked your ticket? I will be in Laos next month and weighing the options – flight or bus – between the two cities.

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi Sara,

      We purchased the tickets from DD Travel & Ticketing office, located on Norkeokoummane Road.

      In fact if you find Douang Deuane hotel, and your back is facing this hotel, then DD Travel is on your left hand side, on the other side of the street 🙂

      I would think that your travel choice depends also on your itinerary: where are you coming from and going where?

      PS Do not miss Chokdee Cafe in Vientiane (see my other posts) 🙂

      Have an excellent trip and let me know if you have more questions!

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  8. Sara

    Wow thanks for all of your help!!! We will arrive in Vientiane and then take an early bus to Vang Viang for the day. Then we want to take a ride either that evening or the next morning to Luang Prabang. We are trying to get straight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane – do you think I could book the return trip from that company? I will be in Vientiane and could perhaps stop at their offices. Thanks again!

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi Sara, good to hear from you 🙂

      I am curious about something: why do you want to return to Vientiane after Vang Viang? Why not to sleep in Vang Viang (it is half way between Vientiane and LP) and continue directly to LP?

      Maybe I understood something wrongly, but I would do the following. Arrive in Vientiane and sleep there.Take a bus early morning to VV and spend 1 or 2 nights. Continue from VV to LP. Spend as many days as you want in LP. Leave LP in the morning and return to Vientiane in the evening.
      Makes sense?

      I am confident DD can organize all the tickets for you! I will try to find their email and contact info tomorrow for you.

      Take care and so excited you are going to Laos -I love it!!

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      1. Sara

        I think I just didn’t explain it well. We are going to be traveling from Siem Reap. I think we have changed our plans a bit and will fly to LP – spend 2 days there – then catch a bus to vang vieng for the day and from there travel to Vientiane. If you can get the contact info for that travel office it would be great – or if you have any recommendations for traveling between the cities it is greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for all of your help and responses!

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      2. Miia Post author

        Hi Sara,

        Sorry about that wrong assumption! I thought I must have misunderstood bc the itinerary made no sense to me 😉

        We traveled from Siem Reap to Vientiane but you are making a smarter choice by going first to LP (by flying?).

        The email address of DD Travel is Noi407@hotmail.com
        (this is the card I was given in Feb 2013 and I hope it is still valid)

        I think I will scan the business card and add it to my post since so many ppl ask about it.

        I am pretty sure they can help you.

        Can I ask you, how long will you be in that region and which countries will you visit? Lucky you 🙂 Have fun!

        PS Have you seen my other posts about Siem Reap, Vientiane etc?

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      3. Miia Post author

        Hi again Sara!
        Ple
        ase re-check my post, I added the business card of DD Travel to my post.

        I also wrote to them yesterday to see if the email is correct and they just now responded to me! I wrote back and said that probably someone called Sara will email you. So, the email is working and they seem efficient 🙂

        Good luck.

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      4. Sara

        Wow Miia – really! I can’t thank you enough! I will be sure to check out your other blog posts for tips. We were still planning our trip so I think I was not good at explaining. But your information is so so helpful! I’m going to contact the travel agency and see if we can book buses through them since you had a good experience – thanks for reaching out to them. As far as traveling goes we will be in Cambodia and Laos and then I will be in Thailand for 2 weeks. It’s very exciting!

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    2. Miia Post author

      Hi Sara! I hope you will have a great trip 🙂 We did one month in Sth East Asia exactly one year ago: KL, Siem Reap, Vientiane, LP, Bangkok, Koh Lipe, Langkawi, KL. And Laos was by far my favorite place!! I thought ppl were very kind and I liked the food. It is a very poor country so I like to help them out 😉 We even left a lot of old clothes at the Red Cross in LP.

      The person at DD Travel is called Noi.

      PS Where will you be in Thailand? We did not like Koh Lipe… https://pearlspotting.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/koh-lipe-mixed-feelings/

      Let me know how you advance with your plans please 🙂

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  9. Ilona

    Hi there! Thanks for sharing this information 🙂 I’m still wondering if this would be the same for going from LP to Vientiane? Me and a friend of mine would love to go to Laos in April this year and we’re planning a route from Shanghai. The only thing we’re still looking for is the route between LP and Vientiane. We would love to take a plane, but I can’t find any planes who fly from LP to Vientiane.. so we’re wondering if it would be okay and safe enough to go there by bus, could you give us some tips? Thank in advance!

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi Ilona! I don’t see why it would be different from LP to Vientiane… ultimately it depends mainly on your budget and time available 🙂

      We flew from Siem Reap to Vientiane, took a bus from V to LP, and then we flew from LP to Bangkok. There are daily planes from LP to V and there are plenty of travel agencies in LP. However, if your days are fixed and want to book in advance, then contact the DD Travel? I scanned their business card so just email to them.

      PS Maybe have a look at this post: https://pearlspotting.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/lao-airlines-and-other-means-of-transport-to-and-from-laos/

      And let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

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  10. Dan Weber

    It’s true that there are no longer security threats along Hwy 13, but the travel agent was being disingenuous pretending not to know about earlier problems and blaming the French victim instead of the attackers. When I first started traveling this road more than 10 years ago, no bus left the station without an armed guard. Thank Marx and Lenin, those days are past, but the author is right to worry about details like brakes. To say that maintenance standards are low is understatement.

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hello Dan! Thank you for taking time to comment.
      I am sure things have changed during the last ten years. When is the last time you took this road?
      Is there something you think I have ignored in the post? Please comment –appreciated!

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      1. Dan Weber

        In fact,I just took a VIP bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang yesterday. It was VIP only in the sense that it was a
        Vehicle
        In need of
        Parts
        Or if you prefer: Very Inconvenienced Passengers
        14 hours, several of them trying to find shade by the roadside while the driver improvised a replacement for the ruptured water line. If it had been a brake line (as crossed your mind), we’d all be dead. I’ve experienced blowouts and landslides on this route as well. But I keep coming back for more.
        I totally agree with your post, It’s worth the inconvenience to get a good view of the mountains and the lifestyle of the villagers along the way. Better yet, cycle it if your fit. I’m 65 years old and I’ve managed to pedal my way over the mountains more than once.
        Good travels!
        Dan

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      2. Miia Post author

        Wow, I could not have waited for a better response!! Thank you Dan so much for taking time to write (and for making me laugh about the “VIP”).

        I understand that accidents, potentially bad ones, still happen.. right? Do you hear a lot about them? Anything one can do to maximize one’s safety?

        Good and most of all safe travels to you too! Cheers.

        Ps I am writing right now about India. If it interests you, check out my blog in maybe two hours.

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      3. Dan Weber

        I never hear about accidents. There is no free press in Laos and the government media doesn’t like to report bad news. In every country we have historical revisionism, but it’s retroactive. Here it’s done in real time. Lao friends did tell me that a bus went off the mountain on a curve about three years ago and 10 passengers died. My impression is that probability of being in an accident is quite low compared to probability of being slightly inconvenienced.

        Optimum months for travel are November-December-January, when the air is clear, the vegetation is still green and pavements are dry. During rainy season I was once delayed by a landslide. From mid-February until the rains come, the air is so filled with smoke from field clearing that visibility is limited.

        By the way, there’s a new international bus service from Loei, Thailand direct to Luang Prabang. It takes 12 hours and costs 700 baht (about $24 US) While less spectacular, the route is still interesting, and it’s safer.

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      4. Miia Post author

        Hi Dan, and thanks again for your fantastic response and information!!! I am sure there will be many travelers interested in that new bus line. Is that road in much better condition?

        Yeah, I didn’t expect the local press to write about the accidents, but what about fellow expats and tourists? Laos is a small place, I am sure words travel fast 🙂 When we were in V and LP, the bus service between those two cities came up in every single conversation. Even if many ppl had had flat tires or some other minor problems, no one had had a horror experience (thank god). But I did hear about that accident three years ago 😦

        PS Do you go to Chokdee Cafe in V? Such a great place to meet people!!! Loved that place.

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  11. 'Ain

    Hi Miia,
    I’ll be traveling by bus from LP to Vientiane early nov this year. May I know how ‘mountainous’ the route is? Winding all the way up and down most of the way? Or only at certain places? I am worry as u mentioned the road is dangerous, and the accident cases are not make known to public. It is not as scary as those infamous mountain roads in India, isn’t it? If it is winding all the way up to 12hrs…I might have to rethink my plan.

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hello and thank you for taking time to write!

      No, the road is nothing like North Indian or Alpine roads. I was wondering about this too, but no, I was never scared. I never looked outside and never saw a 50 meter drop (what you want to avoid I understand), so I think you will be ok.

      Honestly,most of the bad reputation was coming from those insecurity issues in the past, and not the road itself. Of course today you have maintenance (lack of it) problems but still, it is less the road itself.

      Good luck and let me know how it goes 🙂 And if any questions, contact the travel agency for more help!

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  12. InaHas Lina

    Hi Miia,

    Thanks for sharing this! I’ll be traveling from Viantiene to LP and reading your blog make me feel good about taking the bus…

    Cheers! 🙂

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  13. Dan Weber

    Hi Mila,
    I commented here before about the new bus service from Loei, Thailand to Luang Prabang. Had a chance to try it this week. Departed Loei 8 a.m. with only 15 of the 40 seats occupied. Plenty of room to stretch out. Toilet on the bus. Included in ticket price: snack, water, coffee and lunch. Re-engineered paved road crosses a new bridge over the Mekong. Plenty of great views, but only one precarious mountain ascent. Arrived in Luang Prabang at 6 p.m. feeling great.

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi Dan, I remember you! Nice to hear from you.

      Sounds like you had a very good trip! Do I understand correctly that this bus does not stop in Vientiane? Anyhow, excellent news 🙂 Thanks for providing us with this update.

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      1. Dan Weber

        Right. This bus goes no where near Vientiane. It passes through Xaiyabouri Province to the west of Mekong. It’s shown as road 4 on Lao maps. It’s a viable option for travelers who get off the beaten path in Thailand and visit beautiful Loei Province.

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      2. Miia Post author

        Ok! I see (more or less) but obviously time to visit google map again 🙂

        Ps How is the weather now over there? Rain?

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      3. Dan Weber

        It’s quite humid. There have been some good rains, so the countryside is green and smoke free. The rainy season here is unpredictable, but it seldom rains for more than a couple of hours in one day. Google map doesn’t know about the new bridge over the Mekong between Sayabouri and Luang Prabang. Big G will tell you “ferry required”.

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  14. Fairul

    thanks for the entry..will be doing the bus trip itself this Friday but somehow Im planning to make the booking a day earlier before the planned trip itself…is it risky by doing so? or i need to book few days in advance?

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi! We booked one day in advance and this was during the high season, so you will probably be ok… But of course booking earlier is always safer! Have a nice trip 🙂

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  15. bat sheva amir

    hi,
    after reading this post we decided finaly to take bus from vientiane to luang prabang.
    do you know if dd travel in vientiane still available to buy bus tickets ? as missing reply from them.
    if we arrive from bangkok sleeping train to nong khai at 7.45 in morning and to continue to luang prabang same morning.
    do you know if there is ticket bus counter in nong khai so we can buy the tickets there ? i read that there is a v.i.p bus at 9.00 we will have enought time for this one ?

    thank you for your help,

    bat sheva amir

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi, thanks for your comment. I communicated with DD Travel some months ago so I would think yes…. Resend the message to them? They have usually been very good at responding.

      I am sorry but I have no idea about tickets in Nong Khai 😦 I looked at the map and saw it is just across the border, so logically speaking they could sell them, but honestly, I don’t know. The schedule does seem a bit tight to me. You have to go through the customs plus get a car to Vientiane which is 30km from Nong Khai.

      I am really sorry for not being able to be much of help! I would resend the email to DD Travel (you saw the business card and used that address?) and ask for an urgent response.

      Good luck!! And if you get stuck in Vientiane for one night, it may not be that bad. I don’t know your travel schedule, but it is a rather pleasant town.

      PS This gets maybe confusing, but if you arrive in Vientiane after 9am, and really want to get to LP the same day, walk into DD Travel.
      As I think I mentioned in the article, we were taken from our hotel by a minibus to a bus station that was quite far away. Once we reached that bus station, we again waited for quite a while. What I am saying is that even if you arrive late in Vientiane, you may be able to get your own taxi and rush to the bus station to catch the bus. See what I mean? You can always ask!!

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      1. bat sheva

        Yes, i used your business card..
        So i understand that i can arrive to the bus station and buy ticket in place ?
        Thank you fot yout help !
        Bat sheva

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      2. Miia Post author

        Hi again, I don’t know. Did you see Dan’s earlier msg? He may be in a better position to help!
        Good luck!!
        PS Resend the email, I would say..

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      3. Dan

        For travelers who already have a Lao visa or don’t need one: There is an international bus from Udon Thani in Thailand to Vang Vieng in Lao. It stops to pick up passengers in Nong Khai at the downtown bus station. It does not stop in Vientiane. From Vang Vieng there is regular van service to Luang Prabang. Sorry, I don’t remember times, but it’s early morning from Udon. NO VISA=NO TICKET

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  16. Jenny

    Very helpful Thanks!
    Did you visit the Gibbon Experience? Any views/tips please? We would probably travel from LP or maybe even fly from VT? Have you heard anything helpful?
    Jenny (London)

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi Jenny, thanks for your msg! No, we literally did just a few days in Vientiane, then the bus ride to LP, and about one week in LP. No great excursions, just relaxing and good food. But I am sure the Gibbon E. would be The Ultimate Adventure!! Sorry I am not a lot of help but you could always email that travel agency whose card I scanned in the article.

      When are you traveling? Where else are you going to? Enjoy your trip and let me know if you have other questions 🙂 Best, Miia

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  17. Stephen Haigh

    Hi Mila. Interesting reading thanks. I first went to Luang Prabang by a short looking bus in 1996. Left Vientiane to Vang Vieng stayed the night then caught another bus the next day. I still remember somewhere on the road seeing a burnt out bus and then a little further on someone coming out of the jungle onto the road with a rocket launcher causually hanging over his shoulder. I remember spectactular scenery. I flew back to LP in 2004 for a week. I am planning on doing the road trip again with my wife , 7 year and 3 year old in May. Will break the trip in VV. Wondering about the buses or if I am better to get private car since I will be travelling with young ones. The buses sounds as though they’ll be alright though. Also thinking about leaving LP on the Shompoo river cruise back into Thailand. Any thoughts.
    Cheers
    Stephen

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hello Stephen,

      Happy new year and thanks for your msg!

      Wow, what experiences you had in -96 (not so long ago) ! I guess it was considered quite dangerous at that time?

      Hmm traveling with 3 + 7 year old ones… I would say that you will probably be fine, but as you know, the problem is when something goes wrong. If the journey is smooth, then fine, excellent, you will be very happy, but if something goes wrong, you may not want to be stuck during the dark hours with your little ones… Depends on luck I would say. Infrastructure is limited along the road.

      This said, to give you an idea, in India we always travel with a private car and a driver, but didn’t feel the necessity to do the same in Laos.. but it was just two of us!

      As to the boat trip, I would like to do something similar one day. During this trip we had a bit of bad luck and honestly I didn’t want to push my luck any further, so we avoided these boats rides. I did hear the security is very minimal. I don’t know if and how it would be possible, but I would be tempted to bring my own life jacket, especially for the kids…..

      I am sorry for not being able to help more. You could also send an email to that travel agency whose card I scanned. They were very helpful and informative (+frank) with us. And do not forget to drop me a line when you return to tell how the trip went! This post is by far my most read article, so other travelers would be interested in hearing your experience I am sure 🙂

      Have a great & safe trip!!

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi Rajani, so sorry about missing your message! You will be taking the Vientiane – LP route by car? I’d say have a chat with a local travel agency (like the one whose business card I copied) about the latest situation. I am sure you can send them an email and tell them you got their name from my blog. Personally I think you will be fine as long as you have lots of water & food with you, and drive during the day time.
      Let me know how it goes! Have a safe trip 🙂

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  18. Edward Magri

    Hi all ! I have just booked my flights to Vientiane for the last 2 weeks of November – staying in Auberg Sala Inpeng. Im travelling solo. Its my first experience in Laos and would’nt mind company 🙂 Anyone willing to join ?? 🙂 🙂 🙂

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  19. Edward

    Hi all! Very interesting Blog Miia! Love it! 🙂 I found this extremely informative and helpful…I am actually visiting Vientianne for 15 days end November, and Im travelling solo staying in Sala Inpeng. Never been to Laos before, but have a strong feeling i might get hooked 🙂 🙂 🙂 Would’nt mind company if anyone’s willing to join my random adventure!! 🙂 You can find me on Skype as: ‘Ewibonzo’. Looking forward to some adventurous positive feedback 😀

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    1. Miia Post author

      Enjoy your trip and hope you find travel company! Go to Chokdee Cafe in Vientiane (see my other posts) and I am sure you find like-minded ppl 🙂

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  20. betty smith

    Hi, I wondered if you can give me some advice. We are going from VV to LP in a month and have realized that the road sounds very precipitous, with lots of sheer drops. My partner is very scared of precipitous roads! Can you tell me if the precipitous roads are for most of the journey or just a small part of it? And as we are going toward Luang Prabang is that side of the road next to the sheer drops on away from then? Thanks so much.

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi Betty, sorry for responding so late. Are you already on your way? If you know the roads in the Alps, then you have nothing to worry. V-> LP road is not that bad, not at all. As for the “which side”, I wondered the same thing and sat on the right, but it doesn’t make much difference I think. The drops (the word is a bit excessive) are on both sides. Hope this helps.

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  21. Lin

    Thank you so much for posting this!! It was super helpful. I have a couple quick questions that I’m hoping you can help answer!
    1. Is there a toilet on the bus?
    2. Does the bus make a stop in Vang Vieng? If not, do you know if I can take a bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng and another bus from Vang Vieng to LP the same day? Or is that too rushed? Thanks!

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hey Lin, yes there is a toilet (at least in the bus we took). And yes, it stops in VV (you can ask the driver to stop almost anywhere along the route…) but I don’t think you have time to visit VV and catch a later bus. Remember, the bus we took in the morning arrived after the sunset…

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  22. Stephen Haigh

    Hi Miia
    I am replying about my post Jan.2015 with some information on our May 2015 trip.
    My wife, 3 and 7 year old and I travelled from Vientiane to Vang Vieng by private car. This was easily organised at the boarder with prices displayed. Also from VV to Luang Prabang easily done again the night before we wanted to travel at local travel agents. The road travel was good and awesome scenery. I can’t remember the cost but it was a comfortable way to travel with a young family. From Luang Prabang we took the local river boat for the two day Mekong river trip back to Thailand. We wanted the Shompoo river boat but this wasn’t running the week we were there, however the boat we had wasn’t crowded and no problems. Life jackets were on board. We bought our tickets at the boat after getting there early. In LP the agents prices were expensive compared. We had no problems at all travelling with young children.
    Regards
    Stephen

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi Stephen! Apologies for my belated response but I have a 1 year old daughter at home, keeping me more than busy 😉

      Thank you so much for keeping me and other readers updated. This post is by far the most-read article I have written in my blog, so surely many other travelers will find your information useful.

      I may contact you one day about traveling with small kids 😉 Meanwhile, greetings from Paris and take care. Thanks again for your msg.

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