Direct flight
Fastest and most convenient way to cross the border
Bus
Cheapest option with direct cross-border routes
Bus + boat
Scenic journey through mountains or Mekong region
Train
No railway connection between the two countries
Quick answer: You can travel from Hanoi (Vietnam) to Laos by plane or long-distance bus. Flights are the fastest and most comfortable option to reach places like Luang Prabang, Vientiane, or Vang Vieng, while buses are cheaper but take much longer (often 24+ hours). The choice depends on your budget and time.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: Hanoi to Luang Prabang ~1000 km by bus, ~400 km by plane.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Plane: Luang Prabang 1.5 h, Vientiane 1 h, Vang Vieng 8–10 h (plane + bus) | Bus: 25–27 hours depending on destination.
- 💰 Cost: Hanoi to Luang Prabang $110–150 by plane, $40–50 by bus | Vientiane $120–180 by plane, $25–28 by bus | Vang Vieng $140–170 by plane + bus, $40 by bus.
- ✈️ Plane: Fastest but more expensive, direct flight to major cities.
- 🚌 Bus: Cheapest option with long travel times.
Last updated March 2026
Travel from Vietnam to Laos – Transport Guide
Laos is a popular next destination when traveling in Vietnam, known for its mountains, nature, and authentic atmosphere. The country offers places like Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane, or Phonsavan, all accessible from Vietnam.
Transport infrastructure in Laos is more limited, so travel times can be longer, especially by road. The most common way to travel from Vietnam to Laos is by sleeper bus, which is the cheapest option but also the slowest.
The best and fastest option is a direct flight to major cities like Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Overall, there are two main ways to get from Vietnam to Laos: sleeper bus or flight.
Tickets and flights between Vietnam and Laos can be easily searched and booked online in advance.
Top destinations in Laos: Vientiane, Luang Prabang & Vang Vieng
When traveling from Vietnam to Laos, the most popular destinations include Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Phonsavan, and Savannakhet. These places are accessible mainly by bus, but due to long travel times, flights or train transfers within Laos are often more comfortable.
A major improvement is the Laos railway (since 2021), connecting Vientiane with Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and northern Laos, making travel faster and easier.
Laos is known for its Buddhist culture, temples, and diverse ethnic communities in mountainous regions. Before your trip, it is recommended to check weather in Laos to plan your journey better.
| Travel Route – Vietnam to Laos | Mode | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi to Luang Prabang | Plane | About 1.5 hours | $110–150 |
| Hanoi to Luang Prabang | Bus | About 26 hours | $40–50 |
| Hanoi to Vientiane | Plane | About 1 hour | $120–180 |
| Hanoi to Vientiane | Bus | About 25 hours | $25–28 |
| Hanoi to Vang Vieng | Plane + Bus | About 8–10 hours | $140–170 |
| Hanoi to Vang Vieng | Bus | About 27 hours | $40 |
✅ How do you get from Vietnam to Laos?
-
- There are 3 options how you can travel to Laos from Vietnam:
1. Travel by tourist sleeper bus (Hanoi to Luang Prabang or Hanoi to Vientiane…)
2. Travel by plane (direct flights to Luang Prabang or Vientiane)
3. Travel on motorbike (for the most experienced travelers)
- There are 3 options how you can travel to Laos from Vietnam:
✅ How to book bus tickets or flights from Vietnam to Laos?
-
- You can book and buy bus tickets or flights from Vietnam to Laos online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
✅ Is it possible to travel from Vietnam to Laos by train?
-
- No, it is not possible to travel by train, because there is no railway between Vietnam and Laos. But there is a plan to build some railway in the near future.
✅ Is there a railway in Laos?
-
- Yes, there is a new railway from Vientiane to Boten border crossing in the north of Laos. This railway was opened in December 3, 2021 and you can also travel by this train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. You can book train tickets in Laos online or at the railway station 3 days before departure of the train. You can use seat trains on this railway. You can also check Laos Railway Map.
✅ What is the most fastest way of transport from Vietnam to Laos?
-
- The most fastest way of transport to Laos from Vietnam is to travel by plane. There are direct flights between big cities, e.g. Hanoi > Vientiane, Hanoi > Luang Prabang, the most frequented air lines.
✅ How long is the flight from Vietnam to Laos?
-
- Flight from Hanoi to Luang Prabang takes about 1.5 hour, flight from Hanoi to Vientiane takes also about 1.5 hour. There are also various flights with stopover, so in this way it can take a bit more of your travel time.
✅ How do I get from Hanoi to Laos?
-
- The best option how to get to Laos from Hanoi is to take a direct flight to Luang Prabang or Vientiane. Another way is to travel by sleeper tourist bus to Phonsavan, Luang Prabang, Vientiane or Vang Vieng, but this way of transfer is not comfortable and takes a lot of travel time.
✅ Where you can travel from Laos?
-
- From Laos you can travel by bus/minivan or plane to Thailand (via Vientiane or Pakse) or Cambodia (via Don Det / Si Phan Don in southern Laos) or China via northern Laos. Thailand, Cambodia, China are the neighbouring countries.
✅ How to explore Laos?
-
- Laos offers various options of transportation. There are various tourist buses, minivans, train by Lao-China Railway, flights, boats on Mekong river or you can rent a bicycle, scooter or motorbike. You can also use various private taxi companies in the big cities. Read this article: Transportation in Laos.
How to book and buy tickets or flights for Laos online?
➜ You can book and buy bus tickets or flights for Laos (+ another countries in Asia) easily online. There are some trusted companies, but there are 2 leaders in booking service – 12go.asia and Baolau.
1. Search + Book tickets / flights for Laos at 12go.asia:
-
- It is one of the best search and booking website for Southeast Asia, especially for Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia…. 12go.asia offers various well-known transport companies in Asia. Read the information before you book and buy tickets and flights online. 12go.asia has almost all the most frequented travel routes in Laos. Bus E-tickets acceptable in your smartphone or tablet (Recommended – print your tickets). You can read reviews of customers.
2. Search + Book tickets / flights for Laos at Baolau:
-
- Another popular search engine for online booking tickets for tourists in southeast Asia, various companies, e-tickets and wide range of countries: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philipinnes, Myanmar, China... Baolau has also almost the all most frequented travel routes in Laos. (Recommended – print your tickets).
👮 Border Crossings Between Vietnam and Laos
Tây Trang Border
This border crossing near Dien Bien Phu is a popular route to northern Laos. The mountain scenery around the area is one of the highlights of this route.
Na Mèo Border
Na Mèo Border in Thanh Hoa Province is a quieter crossing often used for travel to Sam Neua and northeastern Laos.
Nậm Cắn Border
This crossing in Nghe An Province connects central Vietnam with Laos. Roads are mountainous, but the landscapes are beautiful along the way.
Cau Treo Border
Cau Treo is one of the busiest and most convenient border crossings between Vietnam and Laos, especially for routes to Vientiane.
Lao Bảo Border
Lao Bao Border is commonly used for travel from Hue or Da Nang to southern Laos and Savannakhet.
Bờ Y Border
Bờ Y Border in Kon Tum Province is more remote and suitable for adventurous travelers exploring central Vietnam and southern Laos.
📜 How to Get an E-visa for Laos?
Getting a tourist e-visa for Laos is simple and the whole process can be done online. The Laos e-visa is usually valid for a stay of up to 30 days.
- Visit the official Laos e-visa website: laoevisa.gov.la.
- Complete the online application form with your passport and travel details.
- Upload a passport photo and scanned passport copy.
- Pay the visa fee online by card.
- Wait a few days for approval by email.
- Print your approved e-visa and show it together with your passport when entering Laos.
Popular travel routes from Vietnam to Laos ⏬
The most frequented travel routes in Laos ⏬
Travel routes from Laos to Vietnam ⏬
Travel routes from Laos to Thailand ⏬
Travel route from Laos to Cambodia ⏬
Travel route from Laos to China ⏬
👉 Comparison of Transport Options from Vietnam to Laos
By Plane
I think flying is the best option if you want comfort and to save time. Direct flights are fast and reliable, but usually more expensive than buses or overland travel.
By Bus
Tourist buses are the cheapest and most popular way to travel from Vietnam to Laos. The mountain scenery is beautiful, but some routes are very long and roads can be winding.
By Train + Bus
I recommend combining train and bus if you want a more comfortable overland journey. There is no direct train to Laos, so you still need a bus after reaching central Vietnam.
By Car or Motorbike
This is a great option for adventurous travelers who want flexibility and mountain landscapes. However, some border crossings have restrictions for motorbikes and road conditions can be challenging.
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel from Vietnam to Laos:
How much does it cost to travel from Vietnam to Laos?
Flights from Vietnam to Laos usually cost about $110–180/pp, while sleeper buses cost approximately $25–50/pp.
How long does it take to travel from Vietnam to Laos?
Direct flights take about 1–2 hours, while sleeper buses from Hanoi to Laos can take 24–27 hours.
What is the travel distance from Vietnam to Laos?
The distance depends on the route, e.g. about 800 km from Hanoi to Vientiane by land.
What is the fastest way to get from Vietnam to Laos?
The fastest and most comfortable option is a direct flight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Laos.
What is the cheapest transport option to Laos?
The cheapest option is usually a sleeper tourist bus from Hanoi or central Vietnam.
Is there a train from Vietnam to Laos?
No, there is currently no direct railway connection between Vietnam and Laos.
Can you travel by boat from Vietnam to Laos?
No, there is currently no direct international boat route from Vietnam to Laos.
Are there direct flights from Vietnam to Laos?
Yes, there are direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
What are the main international airports in Laos?
The main international airports are Vientiane International Airport and Luang Prabang International Airport.
Where can you travel from Laos?
From Laos, you can continue to Thailand or Cambodia by bus, train, or direct flight.
Where to get a Laos e-visa?
You can apply for a Laos e-visa online at laoevisa.gov.la.
