Laos - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 732

From the northern bus terminal (Rte 13) , sometimes referred to as 'Km 7 bus terminal',
agonisingly sweltering local buses crawl north for Savannakhet (40,000K, four to five
hours, 277km), Tha Khaek (70,000K, eight to nine hours) and, for those with a masochist-
ic streak, Vientiane (110,000K, 16 to 18 hours), every 40 minutes or so between 6.30am
and 4pm. Fancier air-con buses also leave for Vientiane (140,000K, 10 to 12 hours)
throughout the day from the southern bus terminal.
For buses or sŏrngtăaou anywhere south or east, head to the southern bus terminal (Rte
13) , also known as 'Km 8 bus terminal' (it costs 15,000K by túk-túk to get there). For Si
Phan Don, transport departs for Muang Khong on Don Khong island (including ferry
40,000K, three hours, 120km) between 8.30am and 3pm, and for Ban Nakasang (for Don
Det and Don Khon; 40,000K, three to four hours) hourly between 7.30am and 4pm. A
sŏrngtăaou runs to Kiet Ngong (Xe Pian NPA) and Ban Phapho (25,000K, two to three
hours) at 1pm.
To the Bolaven Plateau, transport leaves the southern bus terminal for Paksong
(25,000K, 90 minutes) hourly between 7am and 4pm, stopping at Tat Fan if you ask. For
Tat Lo take the Salavan bus (25,000K, three to four hours, five daily).
Buses leave the southern bus terminal for Vietnam's Danang (180,000K, 18 hours) at
7pm, and Hue (160,000K, 15½ hours) at 6.30pm.
Regular buses and sŏrngtăaou leave Talat Dao Heung (New Market) for Champasak
(20,000K, one to two hours).
Mai Linh Express operates a daily minibus service from outside the Saigon Champasak
Hotel to Lao Bao (140,000K, 6.30am) on the Vietnamese border. Ask about other fares to
Vietnam within the hotel.