Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Luang Prabang - Hanoi ...?
Replies: 4 - Last Post: Dec 8, 2012 7:21 AM Last Post By: nsantafe
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Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Luang Prabang - Hanoi ...?
Hi,we'd like to do the route in the title, did anybody else here do it this way? Anyway, have a few questions about that :-) How much time do we have to plan? What are the best things to see? Did anybody do the Mekong river tour? What about the visas - are they easy to obtain in Bangkok? Is it better to go by bus/train?
So, that's it. Looking very forward to your answers and are very curious about your experiences!!
Greetings
Anna & Max
2
It's a very popular route followed by thousands of travellers every year. Bangkok to Chiang Mai is easy - bus/train/flight, up to you. Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang you can fly in an hour, but to catch the scenery take a bus or minivan up to Chiang Khong then a boat downriver to LP. Slow boat takes two days, speed boat takes 7 hours, or bus from the border to LP takes about 14-16 hours. From LP to Hanoi the overnight bus from hell takes about 24 hours or you can fly in an hour for around $160-180. You can get your Laos visa on arrival at the border for $30-35. For Vietnam get your visa in Bangkok or Luang Prabang or Vientiane if you're going by land or not sure. If flying into Vietnam you can get a pre-approved visa via an online agent. Google it.4
If time is no problem I would say to do Bkk-Chiang Mai-Pai-Border cross and Mekong river two day tour to Luang Prabang-Vang Vien-Phonsavan-Vihn-Hanoi...The trail is very clear and completed by thousands each year which means that it's quite easy to follow. Laos vias are completed at the border and Vietnam I would recommend Luang Prabang which was very easy.
We did this same route last year and have loads of posts, photos and tips:
www.everydaysomewhere.com
