Vietnam to Laos

The whole of Laos is laid- back in my opinion. I've spent a month in Laos Si Pan Don (sitting on a hammock with a book and do absolutely nothing), Champasak (temple), Pakse (Bolaven lateau), Savannakhet (dinosaur museum), Tha Khek (caves), Vientiane (capital city with more temples/the vertical runway), Ponsavan (Plain of Jars), Luang Prabang (world heritage site) and Vang Vieng (tubing/caving/kayaking/hot air ballon) and its still not enough. So it all depends on you really - what are your interest? temples? doing nothing? Bear in mind its long hours of travelling by bus or if you have the money to spend you can fly.

I took the bus from Hanoi to Vientiane - took 23 hours but it wasnt bad like most blogs tell you. Take the bus on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Go to seat61.com for more info.

We just did the trip from Hanoi to Nong Khiaw a couple of weeks ago. Timings were taxi from Hanoi to Mai Chau - could have got a bus for less (4-5 hours 90$USD). Stayed 2 nights. Then taxi (5 hours 93$USD) to Na Meo border crossing, this would have been at least 2 buses and would have taken twice as long - the road is poor and very remote but spectacular. Changed a few dong to kip with the Vietnamese border officials.
Don't cross border into Laos without a lift to Vieng Xai is the adviice. Although if you got stuck on Laos side the border officials will find you a bed with local family. Apparently there is a bus from Vietnam mid to late afternoon however we hitched a lift in a jeep very easily. Hardly any traffic - again this is a very remote spot. Stayed 2 nights in Vieng Xai which was a highlight of our trip.
Then songthaw to Sam Neua (we had to charter it as no other passengers). Overnight stay and 8.00am small bus to Nong Khiaw which arrived at 6pm. Don't get the 7.00am large bus as it takes much longer because of many stops. The small bus was full so glad we got to bus station over an hour before departure.
From Nong Khiaw stayed then boat to Muang Noi - back to NK by boat then onto Luang Prabang by boat (7 hours and only runs if sufficient passengers - day before we went it hadn't run). Luang Prabang a complete contrast but a delight.
The only panic was that there were no ATMs working after Hanoi and until we got to Vieng Xai where there were 2 next to each other ( very new) and a bank to change dollars to kip. Also the Laos border officials wouldn't accept our $100 note- don't think they'd take $50 ones either. Happily changed it at the first bank we came to.
Have a good trip!