1

Pakse is worth stopping off at for a few days as it is a great base to explore the bolavan plateau, large waterfalls and scenery. The town itself is nothing spectacular. Its also not too far from Champasak anciant ruins. Of course 4000 islands is a great stop on that route and a good place to potentially see the Mekong dolphins.

I don't believe there is a direct bus to Dong Ha. Its about 4hrs from Pakse to Savannakhet. There is a local bus from Savannakhet to the Lao Bao border crossing (which you walk over yourself), about 6 hrs. (I arrived in Dong Ha 7am and traveled to Pakse, arriving there at after 10pm including 1hr wait at Savannakhet, thus doing your journey in reverse). You'll find minivans at the border to Dang Ha and the occasional bus 1.5hrs.

2

Pakse town itself is not much. You can visit Champasak from there about 1 hour south on Mekong or Bolavan Plateau. Pakse to Savannakhet is about 6 hours by bus.

3

Hi both of you, thanks very much for this information, it's really helpful. It all sounds possible at least so that is reassuring!

4

Yes possible but its well worth breking up the journey where possible. Looking back Herbie is right about the Savannakhet to Pakse route, more like 6 hours than 4.

5

Yes possible but its well worth breaking up the journey where possible. Looking back Herbie is right about the Savannakhet to Pakse route, more like 6 hours than 4.

6

Should take about 4 but bus stops at various bus stations for about 20 mins in and around Pakse and then crawls along at about 30 kms an hour for 2 hours looking for passengers, then food break then drives along about 130kms an hour for 2 hours then break, then crawls along at about 30 kph for about 2 hours into Savannakhet. If you get a VIP bus it may go quicker. Oh and stop just outside bus station when leaving for people to buy bread and snacks. You can get the bus from the East bus station out near the stadium, no need to go all the way out to the north bus station as it says in LP guide.

7

I think we might break the journey in 4000 islands for a few days, then have another non-bus day in Savannakhet, rather than stopping in Pakse. Did you have any problems at the border at all or is it all quite straightforward? We'll get our visas in advance for Vietnam.

8

There used to be a VIP bus that was direct to Dong Ha. It left at 8 AM and got to Dong Ha at around 4:30 PM. Tickets were sold at Savann banhao guesthouse in Savannakhet as this is where the bus left from.

There is a Vietnamese consulate near Dao Houng Coffee. You must have a visa for Vietnam before arriving at the border.

9

I've done this alot in 2009 whilst working between dongha and savannakhet. There is a direct bus from savannakhet to Hue, which stops in Dong Ha. It leaves every morning about 8-9am.

There is also a private line that runs between savannakhet and dongha based out of the Savanbanhao guesthouse in savannakhet which runs a few times a week.

If you want to break it up, another option is to use songthaews between Savannakhet and the border - they run all day. Yo would first need to take one to Seno from outside the savannakhet main market, then Seno to the border stopping wherever you want - Phalanxay, Phin or Sepon all have things to see for a day. Walk through the border then there are lots of minibuses waiting to take you the 90 minutes downhill to dongha.

If staying in Dongha a few days dont miss the Vinh Moc tunnels, the riverside beer bars below the bridge near the market and a trip 13km to the beach at Cua Viet.

10

Thanks so much, I think a direct bus will be easier this time round as we are short on time and just rushing through, so I'll try to get tickets on the VIP bus I think. Thank you for your help!