Buses from Hanoi to Vientiane

Buses from Hanoi to Vientiane

Hanoi
Vientiane
Sun, Aug 9
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Hanoi to Vientiane Destination Reviews

NM
Naomi M
Long journey but not as horrible as the other reviews make it sound. The journey is long but the bus was comfortable, had good AC, and a bathroom (I went on Tues; they say the busses on Tue/Thu/Sat are better). One stop around 9-10pm for food/bathroom. Got to the border ~2am and cued up to be first for border crossing in the morning. The bus got quite hot when not on during the night (~2-6am) but was otherwise quite chilly while running (bring a sweater/pants). At the border you need to have your visa already, pay 50k dong to leave Vietnam and 30k kip to enter Laos (or $1-2/dong equivalent). Another stop around lunch time then arrived on time. The roads in Laos can be a bit bumpy. The staff are efficient; if you pay attention, follow their hand gestures and are polite, they are nice enough. They yelled at one guy who was being super rude and pushy but that's not their fault.
Hanoi to Vientiane, Bus VIP, HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7), Jul 16, 2026
BC
Breonna C
OK! First of all, if taking the buses to save you $100, don't do it. You take the bus to have a unique experience. To slow travel. To push outside of what you know. But most of the reviews are from folks who were looking for a standard travel convenience while saving money. You will be disappointed. But we LOVED our journey. And if you're excited to take the bus. Here's your life hack toolkit! First of all...review the reviews! Some brokers connect you to better buses than others. This one was great. But we met others who had less than stellar experiences. That said, if you get a bus you're uncomfortable with in ANY way, just call 12go and rebook. Safety is never worth compromising. And some folks we met that booked on other routes paid for multiple bunks but were squished into fewer beds. I HIGHLY recommend ensuring you book a VIP 20 or 21 (indicating the number of beds on the bus) vs. the VIP 40 (way too many people). Again, the increase of cost is small for the comfort. The best seats are in the middle of the bus on the uppers if you can get them (windows, less bumps, more comfortable). I prefer the lowers but I don't mind not having a window because I'm asleep most of the time. I highly recommend you take the 5:45pm/6pm bus out of Hanoi. It will have very few stops but you sleep. The bus arrives at the border of Laos at 1am and then there are restrooms (bring toilet paper!) and food options there. It will park at the border until they open at 7am and they let everyone through. When you book, you will get a voucher but you need to exchange it for ACTUAL TICKETS at the bus station. Get there early. At least an hour. Exchange your tickets, you will have to ask around to find your bus stall. The folks at the desk might know but don't count on it. Give yourself time. Meet the drivers, get your bags on, grab a seat. The real cheat code to a good trip (by train or bus) is to pre game with good snacks. Make sure you get Bahn Mi that you love, have fresh fruit, water and your favorite sweet and salty snacks. A pre game the day before your travel makes all the difference. Options on the road can be great but don't count on them. The border crossing is going to be hectic. Roll with it. You should ABSOLUTELY get your visa at the embassy BEFORE you board the bus. Visas on arrival are not typically issued at the border crossings for all buses and you have no way of knowing exactly where your bus will cross in advance. Don't chance it. The bus WILL LEAVE YOU. The visa process is simple, you go to the Lao Embassy in Hanoi and drop off your passport, two passport photos and complete their application (I recommend you go first thing in the morning) and they can usually have it back at the end of day or early the next morning. When you cross, you will have your visa inspected. Then you will need to have it processed (pay for a stamp 15K Dong each), then get a Lao stamp. It took us an hour to get through it all but it was a fun adventure with all the other foreigners. Then you walk through the border crossing all the way to meet your bus. You can leave your luggage on the bus and just cross on foot. Then you're back on the bus and have another 2-3 hours until another long stop for lunch, bathrooms and hydration. We slept most of the journey. After that it's about another 4 hours to Vientiane Southern Bus Station. The bus station is outside of town and you will need to get a TukTuk. Many of the vendors/stalls along the journey will have both Vietnamese Dong and Laotian Kip. Ask for change in kip so you have some when you get to the bus station. Once you're in town there are tons of ATMs. But you will have to haggle for your TukTuk ride into town. It's about 100K-150K kip. Life is about taking the road less traveled and a 24-hour bus ride across the Laotian border definitely qualifies. We enjoyed the journey so much and have taken trains and buses all across South East Asia. Enjoy! I'm on IG @liveBQD for more!
Hanoi to Vientiane, Bus VIP 20, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jun 26, 2026
L
Lola
We were asked to share a bed. The PDF did not say anything about fees. When there is a customs charge on both sides of the boarder. When we said we did not have money they threatened to take our bags and leave them on the bridge between Vietnam and laos. Luckily the police were kind to us and stamped us through anyway. The bus staff were a little rude at the boarder. However the bed was comfy and clean. They did make food and toilet stops. And the WhatsApp number for the company communication was good, always replied fast and helped with problems.
Hanoi to Vientiane, Bus Royal Cabin, HT Travel, Jun 14, 2026
FM
Fatima M
Smooth and comfortable ride, but I got to the border only to find out they don't do land visas here. If you need to get a land visa, be sure to go to the Lao Boa border. The ride back and to Hanoi or to the Lao Boa border can be anywhere from 3mil-4mil dong
Hanoi to Vientiane, Bus VIP, HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7), May 31, 2026
AN
Alfie N
They should Defintely make people aware of needing to visit the embassy and getting a visa when advertising this certain bus
Hanoi to Vientiane, Bus VIP Luxury 24, HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7), May 20, 2026
CT
Cam T
Too long and wayyy too tired The trip starts 30 mins earlier than the time
Hanoi to Vientiane, Bus Big Private CaBin, HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7), Apr 28, 2026
•M
•kimmy’s M
Stayed too much time in the border almost 9hours…after laos immigration stamped our passport around 8am we kept on waiting the bus till 10am with another bus….the bus has changed we dont know our luggages been transfered also…only the time when we reach vientiane
Hanoi to Vientiane, Bus VIP, HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7), Apr 4, 2026
AM
Abigail M
And
Hanoi to Vientiane, Bus VIP Luxury 24, Son Hue Bus, Feb 13, 2026
JC
James C
Best way to travel from Hanoi to Laos. Well coordinated between different modes
Hanoi to Vientiane, Bus Royal Cabin + Van + Train, Asian Bus Travel, Jan 22, 2026
D
Dakota
After reading lots of mixed reviews and feeling worried/daunted by this trip, I was very happy with my experience. I slept comfortably with no bumps or motion sickness thanks to a careful bus driver (and dramamine, just in case). My driver was also very helpful and reached out regarding how to retrieve my ticket from the station using the voucher.
Hanoi to Vientiane, Bus VIP Luxury 24, Son Hue Bus, Jan 9, 2026
4.4
77 customer reviews
5
30%
4
26%
3
19%
2
25%
1
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Hanoi to Vientiane Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Techbus VN JSC
VIP 24
15:10
17:30
$45.71
To Vietnam Travel
Sleeper 41
15:30
16:30
$32.38
Techbus VN JSC
Van + Sleeper Bus
15:50
17:10
$32.38
Grouptour
Sleeper 41
16:10
15:30
$30.48
Grouptour
VIP 33 Sleeper
16:30
16:50
$35.43
  3.0
Sapa Discovery Travel
Budget Sleeper
17:00
15:00
$34.28
VietNam Travel Bus
Sleeper 44
17:20
13:20
$35.91
Techbus VN JSC
VIP 24
17:40
17:30
$43.81
HTX Van Tai 277
Sleeper
18:00
17:00
$24.76
  3.8
HTX Van Tai 277
Sleeper
18:30
17:30
$24.76
  3.8
Asian Bus Travel
Royal Cabin + Van
20:15
18:15
$59.05
  2.0

How to get from Hanoi to Vientiane by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Hanoi to Vientiane by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Hanoi to Vientiane a conscious and budget-friendly option.

Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.

Here is the list of operators serving the route: .

How far is Hanoi from Vientiane?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 6 km between Hanoi and Vientiane.

How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Vientiane by bus?

Buses normally need between 17h and 1d 20m hours to get to Vientiane from Hanoi. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.

On this route, VietNam Travel Bus (Việt Nam Travel Bus) offers the fastest service. Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour) buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.

Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.

How much does it cost to get from Hanoi to Vientiane by bus?

The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.

Anyway, travelling by bus between Hanoi and Vientiane remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7) and costs USD 36.19. A VietNam Travel Bus (Việt Nam Travel Bus)'s ticket will set you back USD 36.19 on average.

Travelling by bus essentials

  • If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
  • VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
  • Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
  • If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
  • Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
  • To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
  • As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
  • Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
  • If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.

Transportation from Hanoi to Vientiane

Facts about the bus from Hanoi to Vientiane

Cheapest Bus$37
Fastest Bus17h
Earliest Bus8:00 AM
Latest Bus6:30 PM
Daily Bus Routes16
Distance6 kilometers
Bus CompaniesAsian Bus Travel, Grouptour, HT Travel, HTX Van Tai 277, Huyen Chau, Laos Easy Go Travel, Sarah Transport Laos, VietNam Travel Bus