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10-Day Laos Adventure: Exploring by High-Speed Train
Laos is becoming incredibly accessible! With flights increasing, it's set to be a hotspot for Vietnamese travelers. You can fly directly from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or Da Nang, although Da Nang flights are less frequent.
Getting Around Laos: Your Options
- From Ho Chi Minh City: Fly to Vientiane, then take the high-speed train to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. If possible, book a flight from Luang Prabang back to Hanoi. Otherwise, take the train back to Vientiane for your flight home.
- From Hanoi: Fly to Luang Prabang, then take the train to Vang Vieng and Vientiane. A flight from Vientiane back to Hanoi concludes your trip. Hanoi offers a slight advantage with direct flights to both cities.
High-Speed Train Tips
When I traveled, train tickets weren't available online. Ask your hotel to purchase them – they usually charge around 80,000 VND as a service fee. Each leg costs about 250,000 VND. The trains are super-fast, making each journey only about an hour – so convenient!
Suggested 10-Day Itinerary
This itinerary starts with flying into Luang Prabang. If you fly into Vientiane, simply reverse the order!
- Day 1: Fly from Hanoi to Luang Prabang. Check into your hotel, stroll around the city, and relax.
- Day 2: Rent a motorbike in Luang Prabang and explore Kuang Si Falls. Afterwards, head back to town for food and more exploring.
- Day 3: Visit three key landmarks: Mount Phousi, the Royal Palace Museum, and Wat Xieng Thong temple.
- Day 4: Take the high-speed train from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. Check into your hotel (I recommend Vieng Tara Resort) and unwind.
- Day 5: Discover Tham Phu Kham Cave and the Blue Lagoon for a refreshing swim. In the afternoon, hike to the top of Nam Xay Viewpoint for that iconic "car" photo.
- Day 6: Spend the day relaxing by the Nam Song River, savoring local specialties and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere.
- Day 7: Take the high-speed train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane.
- Days 8-9: Explore Vientiane's highlights before flying back to Vietnam.
Estimated Costs
- Motorbike Rental: Expect to pay around 160,000-180,000 Kip per day, depending on the bike. A taxi from the train station to your hotel or vice versa will cost about 40,000-60,000 Kip.
- Food: Budget around 130,000-150,000 Kip for a filling meal with drinks.
- Accommodation: I booked my hotels on Traveloka. Prices ranged from 400,000-700,000 VND per night. For a splurge, Vieng Tara Resort is closer to 4,000,000 VND per night.
