Laos - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 707

The Phoutthavong Guest House ( 054-341074; Rte 1E; r 80,000K; ) has 10 new
rooms with shared bathrooms or en suites to choose from. The Souriya Hotel ( 054-341111;
Rte 1E; r 50,000-80,000K; ) is OK for a night, too.
There's a Lao Development Bank (Rte 1E) but no internet cafe.
Scheduled buses leave from near the market for Vientiane (85,000K, six to eight hours,
334km) at 5.30am, 6.30am, 8am and 8pm, stopping at Vieng Kham (Thang Beng;
35,000K, 1½ to 2½ hours, 100km), while other transport to Vieng Kham leaves
throughout the day. One bus goes to Tha Khaek (60,000K, six hours, 202km) at 7.30am.
GETTING TO VIETNAM
Lak Sao to Vinh
Getting to the border The Nam Phao/Cau Treo border crossing (open 7am to 4.30pm) is 32km from
Lak Sao. Sŏrngtăaou (20,000K, 45 minutes) leave every hour or so from Lak Sao market. Alternat-
ively, direct buses from Lak Sao to Vinh (120,000K, five hours) leave several times a day between
noon and 2pm (you may have to change buses at the border).
At the border You'll need to prearrange a visa if heading into Vietnam. There's an exchange booth on
the Laos side with ungenerous rates and, inconveniently, the Vietnam border post is another 1km up
the road.
Moving on On the Vietnamese side beware of an assortment of piranhas who'll offer to take you to
Vinh by minibus for US$30 - it should cost US$5 per person. A metered taxi costs around US$40
while a motorbike fare is 200,000d. Hook up with other travellers to improve bargaining power. These
woes can be avoided by taking the direct bus from Lak Sao to Vinh. Once in Vinh take the sleeper
train, Reunification Express ( www.vr.com.vn ) , direct to Hanoi.
Tha Khaek to Dong Hoi
Getting to the border The Na Phao/Cha Lo border (open 7am to 4pm) is so out of the way it might
be better to opt for an easier crossing elsewhere. Transport on either side is slow and scarce, though
there's a daily sŏrngtăaou from Tha Khaek (50,000K, 3½ hours, 142km) at 8am bound for Lang
Khang, 18km short of the border.
At the border This is a small, sleepy border post. On the Vietnamese side the nearest sizeable city is
Dong Hoi. Remember to organise your Vietnamese visa in advance.
Moving on A direct bus from Tha Khaek to Dong Hoi (90,000K, 10 to 14 hours) leaves four times a
week at 7pm, making this the easiest way to pass through this border crossing.
For more information about crossing these borders in the other direction, Click here .