Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 170

GETTING TO LAOS: NORTHERN BORDERS
Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua
Getting to the border Buses from Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua (110,000d) leave daily at 5.30am.
It's advisable to book your ticket the day prior to travelling. This bus takes you through the Tay Trang/
Sop Hun border crossing and drops you off in Muang Khua in Laos. The journey typically takes
between seven and eight hours, but can be longer depending on the roads and border formalities. Oth-
er destinations in Laos from DBP include Luang Prabang (495,000d, 6am), Nam Tha (350,000d,
6.30am) and Udomxai (230,000d, 7.30am).
At the border The Lao border at Tay Trang, 35km from Dien Bien Phu, is open daily between 7am
and 7pm. Crossing into Laos most travellers can get a 30-day visa on arrival (US$30 to US$42, de-
pending on your nationality). Have photo ID and additional cash (around US$5) on hand for occasion-
al local administrative fees.
Moving on From Muang Khua there are buses to Udomxai.
For more information about crossing this border in the other direction, Click here .
Thanh Hoa to Sam Neua
Getting to the border Those seeking a backwoods adventure can try the Na Meo/Nam Xoi border
crossing. If at all possible take a direct bus and avoid getting onward transport on the Vietnamese side
of the border where foreigners are seriously ripped off. There's a daily 8am bus from Thanh Hoa's
western bus station (Ben Xe Mien Tay) to Sam Neua (310,000d), but expect overcharging.
At the border The border is open from 7am to 5pm. Lao visas are available here. Readers have repor-
ted no hassle from border officials, but they may try to offer you bad rates for all currencies - you'll
get a better deal in Na Meo hotels. It's best not to get stuck on the Laos side of the border as transport
is extremely irregular and there's no accommodation. Na Meo has several basic, serviceable guest-
houses.
Moving on There's unbelievable overcharging on this route (unless you're on a direct bus). Viet-
namese bus drivers demand up to US$50 for the trip to Thanh Hoa (it should cost about US$8).
For more information about crossing this border in the other direction, Click here .
TOP OF CHAPTER
Dien Bien Phu
0230 / POP 72,700
On 7 May 1954, French colonial forces were defeated by the Viet Minh in a decisive
battle at Dien Bien Phu (DBP), signalling an end to the days of their Indochine empire.