1. Bus – Hanoi to Vientiane
2. Flight – Hanoi to Vientiane
3. Private Tour in Vientiane
4. FAQ + Travel Tips + Info
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From Hanoi to Vientiane you can travel by sleeper tourist bus or plane.
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- When traveling from Hanoi to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, you have two convenient options: a direct flight or a tourist sleeper bus. Opting for a flight is the most comfortable and time-efficient choice. Covering a distance of approximately 800 km, the journey by sleeper bus or motorbike can take up to 20-26 hours, with tickets ranging from $30 to $60 per person. Keep in mind that sleeper buses pass through the Nam Phao International checkpoint, located about 70 km from Vinh. For a quicker and smoother journey, consider booking a direct flight from Hanoi to Vientiane, which takes just one hour. Vietnam Airlines or Lao Airlines operate around 3 to 5 direct flights daily between the two cities. While direct flights may be slightly more expensive, they offer convenience and time savings. Notably, there’s currently no railway connection between Vientiane and Hanoi, except for a new train route introduced in December 2021 from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
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- Vientiane, as the capital and largest city of Laos, beckons travelers with its myriad attractions, including temples, pagodas, historical monuments, and captivating natural landscapes. Many visitors exploring Vietnam also extend their journey to Laos. Notable landmarks in Vientiane include Patuxai Victory Monument, That Luang – Vientiane Great Stupa, Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), Wat Ho Phra Keo, Lao National Museum, Wat Si Muang, and Wat Si Saket.
- From Vientiane, travelers can seamlessly continue their adventure to Udon Thani or Bangkok in Thailand. Positioned approximately 10 km from the Thailand border crossing (Thanaleng – Nong Khai), Vientiane serves as a gateway for travel between Laos and Thailand. While Vientiane lacks a railway station, it boasts an airport and offers bus services to Thailand. Secure your bus tickets or direct flights from Hanoi to Vientiane online. Additionally, travelers can explore transportation options to Vang Vieng from Vientiane via train, bus, or minivan.
| Transfer Mode – Hanoi to Vientiane: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Plane (Hanoi to Vientiane) | 1 hour (direct flight) | $120-200/pp |
| Sleeper Tourist Bus (Hanoi to Vientiane) | 20-26 hours | $30-60/pp |
How do I get from Hanoi to Vientiane in Laos?
1. SLEEPER BUS from Hanoi to Vientiane
The most used land variant of transport from Hanoi in Vietnam to Vientiane – the capital of Laos, is transport by tourist sleeper bus. There is no railway to Vientiane from Hanoi, so an international long-distance sleeper bus is another option for traveling between these cities. If you do not want to travel by sleeper bus, some tourists do not like this option, so you will have to use the air connection.
If you are traveling low-cost and want to save money while traveling, then a sleeper bus is the cheapest option for transportation from Hanoi to Vientiane. Although the sleeper bus is a cheap option, it also has its disadvantages, in this case it is a long journey and travel time. For some travelers, this option may not be too convenient either.
The journey by sleeper bus to Vientiane from Hanoi takes approximately 20-26 hours, depending on the company you choose, it can also happen that this time can be extended. Bus transportation from Hanoi to Vientiane will cost you an average of $30-60/pp for a one-way trip.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Vientiane ➜
There are some international sleeper buses of different companies on this route, mainly Huyen Chau, Sarah Transport Laos, HTX Van Tai 27-7, Hoang Giang, Tung Mau, Duc Duong, Grouptour, To Vietnam Travel, Techbus VN and or Full Moon Party Tour.
All of these companies will offer you classic sleeper buses, which are plentiful in Vietnam and mostly go through the Cau Treo border crossing, which is approximately 90 km from the Vietnamese city of Vinh. It is also recommended to arrange visas for Laos in advance, so read all instructions carefully before ordering tickets to Vientiane.
Sleeper buses can depart from various stations in Hanoi, such as Nuoc Ngam Bus Station, you will see this information about departures in Hanoi and arrivals in Vientiane when ordering tickets.
2. DIRECT FLIGHTS from Hanoi to Vientiane
A direct air connection (or flight with a transfer) is another transport alternative for those who do not want to travel from Hanoi to Vientiane in less comfortable sleeper buses. Traveling by plane is of course the fastest transfer option between Hanoi and Vientiane, but on the other hand, this is definitely not a suitable transport option for low-cost travelers.
Direct flights from Hanoi to Vientiane cost an average of $120-200/pp and direct flights are mainly operated by Vietnam Airlines and Lao and Lao Airlines. Vietnam Airlines is Vietnam’s largest airline and Lao Airlines is the largest Lao airline for a change, and both will offer you Economy Class flights to Laos.
However, the flight schedules of direct flights from Hanoi to Vientiane are limited, there are also connecting flights in operation (e.g. from Thai AirAsia), but then it is good to consider whether it is even worth it in terms of time. Air connections operate from Noi Bai Airport near Hanoi to Wattay – Vientiane International Airport, located approximately 6 km from the city center.
Noi Bai Airport, which is approximately 25 km north of Hanoi, can be reached from the center of Hanoi by bus, private car, taxi or various shuttle buses. The great advantage of a direct flight is that in a short time you are in Laos and its capital, the flight time is only 1 hour.
However, with waiting to depart and then checking in at Vientiane, a direct flight will take you around 4 hours in total. Even so, it’s a big time saver compared to traveling by sleeper bus. You can easily find and book direct flights online even in advance, this is definitely recommended for all travelers.
3. TRAIN from Hanoi to Vientiane?
You cannot get from Hanoi to Vientiane by train, there is no railway. However, in the future, a railway connecting Central Vietnam with Laos should be created and built. In Laos, however, the first ever railway was opened at the end of 2021, connecting Vientiane and the Boten border crossing.
Very modern and fast trains on this railway also run through famous tourist spots like Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and Vientiane (see Laos railway map). So if you would like to combine your trip with a train trip, you can take a direct flight from Hanoi to Luang Prabang and from Luang Prabang then travel by Lao Railways train to Vientiane.
Trains on the Lao-China Railway have comfortable seats and offer cozy comfort. Even tickets for train connections in Laos can be easily searched and reserved online in advance, it is also recommended, tickets can sometimes be sold out. Some companies will even provide you with a private transfer to the train stations.
Train transport in Laos will surely enrich your travel in Laos, you can get to popular and popular places very quickly and you don’t have to travel here just by buses.
4. Book a Private Tour / Tickets in Vientiane
Some of you will also be looking for some option to book a private tour, excursion, attraction tickets or other tourist activities in Vientiane. All these possibilities will be offered to you in Laos by the Klook platform, where you can search for various activities or trips from various local guides and agencies.
There are a lot of offers, there are also tickets for attractions and interesting places, but also transfers between the airport and the capital or transfers around the city, etc. The advantage of this platform is that for most activities and trips in Vientiane or elsewhere in Laos, you can see and reviews from other travelers who have done such an activity.
Klook is one of the largest online platforms for finding interesting trips or tickets in Asia, but also elsewhere in the world.
BOOK a TOUR / TRIP in Vientiane ➜
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Hanoi to Vientiane:
1. How to book and buy bus tickets + flighs from Hanoi to Vientiane?
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- You can book tickets + flights from Hanoi to Vientiane on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- You can also search another route, e.g. Vientiane > Bangkok, Hanoi > Luang Prabang…
2. How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Vientiane?
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- Travel by plane to Vientiane from Hanoi takes about 1 hour – direct flight.
- Travel by sleeper tourist bus to Vientiane from Hanoi takes about 20-26 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Hanoi to Vientiane?
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- Travel distance to Vientiane from Hanoi by bus is about 800 km, by plane about 500 km.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Hanoi to Vientiane?
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- Travel by plane to Vientiane from Hanoi costs about $120-200/pp – direct flight.
- Travel by sleeper tourist bus to Vientiane from Hanoi costs about $30-60/pp.
5. What is the best way of transport from Hanoi to Vientiane?
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- The best and fastest way of transport from Hanoi to Vientiane is definitely to use a direct flight – only about 1 hour. Direct flights cost about $120-150/pp. Flight schedule to Vientiane is a bit limited.
6. What is the cheapest way of transport from Hanoi to Vientiane?
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- The cheapest way of transport to Vientiane from Hanoi is to travel by tourist sleeper bus. The most cheapest bus ticket costs about $30/pp. Bus is a cheap option but it is not so comfortable for this long journey.
7. Is there a train from Hanoi to Vientiane?
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- No, there is no direct train from Hanoi in Vietnam to Vientiane in Laos. But in December 2021 there was opened a new railway between Vientiane and Boten in Laos and this train goes also via Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng. So you can book direct flight to Luang Prabang and from Luang Prabang you can travel by train to Vientiane.
8. Is it possible to travel by boat from Hanoi to Vientiane?
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- No, it is not possible to travel by boat to Vientiane from Hanoi, there is no boat connection.
9. Where you can travel from Vientiane?
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- You can travel to Thailand, e.g. to Bangkok or you can visit Luang Prabang – another top visited place in Laos. There are various tourist buses and minivans between Vientiane and Luang Prabang (but you should know – there is no train to Luang Prabang). Another popular travel route is from Vientiane to Udon Thani by bus+train.
- You can also travel to southern Laos, e.g. by bus or plane + bus to Don Det via Pakse.
10. What are the most interesting things and facts about Laos?
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- Laos is a cultural tapestry enriched by Luang Prabang’s UNESCO charm, the vital Mekong River, and the enigmatic Plain of Jars. Traditional Lao cuisine tantalizes taste buds, the Baci ceremony weaves spiritual ties, and Vieng Xai Caves harbor hidden histories. Bolaven Plateau is a coffee paradise, while Wat Phou echoes ancient spirituality, Pak Ou Caves cradle abundant Buddhas. Read also this full article: 15 Interesting Things of Laos.
11. What is the weather and climate in Laos?
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- Weather in Laos varies between distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season, prevailing from May to October, brings heavy rainfall and heightened humidity, contributing to lush landscapes and abundant rivers. In contrast, the dry season, spanning from November to April, features lower humidity and cooler temperatures, making it an ideal time for travel with clear skies and enjoyable outdoor activities.
12. What you can buy and bring home from Laos?
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- Laos presents a diverse range of souvenirs and original gifts or toys that capture its cultural richness. Traditional clay jars, silk scarves, woven baskets, silver jewelry, coffee, and a coffee maker offer a blend of artistry and functionality. Traditional fabrics, rice papers, embroidered book covers, and ceramics reflect the country’s storytelling heritage and artistic traditions. Toys, puppets, and essential oils contribute to a varied collection that echoes the cultural tapestry of Laos. Read more: What to bring from Laos?
13. Is traveling in Laos cheap or expensive?
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- In summary, traveling in Laos is a cost-effective and budget-friendly experience. From affordable accommodations, local street food, and transportation to reasonably priced cultural and adventure activities, Laos caters to the needs of budget-conscious travelers. Entrance fees to historical sites and healthcare services are generally economical. While Laos provides an inexpensive travel environment, it’s advisable to allocate a contingency fund for unforeseen circumstances, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey. Read this article: Prices in Laos.
14. What is the official currency of Laos and how to exchange money?
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- The official currency of Laos is the Laotian Kip (LAK). Travelers can exchange money at various locations, including banks, currency exchange offices, and some hotels. While banks might offer better exchange rates, they often have more restricted operating hours. It’s advisable to keep an eye on the current exchange rates and, if possible, conduct larger transactions at banks for potential cost savings. Additionally, some establishments may accept U.S. dollars or Thai baht, especially in larger cities, but it’s generally recommended to have the local currency.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Vientiane ➜
