Laos - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 677

GETTING TO VIETNAM: SAM NEUA TO THANH HOA

Getting to the border If you're crossing the Na Meo/Nam Xoi border (open 7.30am to 11.30am and
1.30pm to 4.30pm), take the daily bus from Sam Neua's Nathong bus station bound for Thanh Hoa
(180,000K, 11 hours, 8am). Buy your ticket at the bus station itself to avoid being overcharged on the
bus.
At the border Heading into Vietnam you'll need to have prearranged a visa. There are no ATM facil-
ities at this remote border crossing. On the Lao side there are a couple of restaurants.
Moving on There's a night train from Thanh Hoa to Hanoi departing at 11.30pm and arriving incon-
veniently at 4am.
For more information about crossing this border in the other direction, Click here .

Information

Agricultural Promotion Bank ( 8am-noon & 1.30-4pm Mon-Fri) Exchanges Thai baht and US
dollars at fair rates.
BCEL ( 8am-3.30pm Mon-Fri) Has a couple of ATMs dispensing kip, plus can exchange
most major currencies.
Lao Development Bank ( 064-312171; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri) On the main road 400m north of
the bus station on the left; exchanges cash and travellers cheques.
Post Office ( 8am-4pm Mon-Fri) In a large building directly opposite the bus station. A tele-
phone office at its rear offers international calls.

Provincial Tourist Office ( 064-312567; 8am-noon & 1.30-4pm Mon-Fri) An excellent tourist
office with English-speaking staff eager to help.

8am-10pm) A relatively reliable internet cafe. Tam.com Internet Service (per min 150K;

Getting There & Away

Lao Air ( www.lao-air.com ) flies to Vientiane on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (915,000K,
1½ hours). The airport is 3km from town.
Set on a hilltop, Sam Neua's main bus station is roughly 1.2km away (túk-túk 8500K)
from town. There are three buses a day to Vientiane (170,000K, 22 hours) via Phonsavan
(80,000K, eight to 10 hours) at 9am, noon and 2pm. It's a sinuous but beautiful hike
through the mountains. An additional 8am bus to Vientiane goes via Nong Khiaw