6-Day Laos Self-Guided Adventure: Tips from HCM
Planning a self-guided trip to Laos? Here's my real-life experience for a smooth 6 nights, 5 days journey from Ho Chi Minh City, packed with practical tips on flights, stays, transport, and must-do spots.
Flight from HCM to Vientiane
Round-trip tickets on Vietjet from Saigon to Vientiane cost about 2,950,000 VND per person. My flight wasn't delayed, but the pilot announced a 20-minute hold due to air traffic congestion. It was Mid-Autumn promo time, so we got 20kg baggage allowance per ticket – a nice bonus!
Getting a SIM Card
Right outside Wattay Airport, you'll spot plenty of SIM stalls. I skipped Shopee after reading reviews and bought on-site. We grabbed Unitel eSIMs: 8 days, 15GB for 100,000 KIP each. They set it up on our phones super quick. Coverage was solid – smooth browsing, no lags.
Where We Stayed: All Vietnamese-Owned Gems
Luckily, all three hotels had Vietnamese owners, making everything feel comfy.
- Vientiane: Apollo Hotel Vientiane
Cozy small rooms, clean enough for our one-night stop before Vang Vieng. Booked via Agoda for ~480,000 VND/night with breakfast. Heads up: no elevator, so lugging bags up 4 floors is a workout! 😂 - Vang Vieng: Confetti Garden Hotel
Stayed 2 nights in a Deluxe room with window views – $72 total after 10% FB page discount. Stunning town views, especially hot air balloons and paramotors at dawn. Breakfast was the best: varied menu, custom coffee. Vietnamese staff were super friendly and helpful. - Luang Prabang: The Secret Luang Prabang
Run by a young Saigon guy, right by Night Market for easy access. Spacious, breezy rooms with pretty design and balcony. Soundproofing isn't perfect, but it didn't bother us.
Getting Around
Used Xanh SM for airport-to-hotel or station runs in Vientiane – affordable, though the rides can be bumpy. Vientiane to Vang Vieng: minivan for 180,000 KIP/person (~2 hours; ask hotel to book). Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane: high-speed train (hotel booked tickets to avoid early mornings).
Renting a Scooter
Daily rentals run 180,000-200,000 KIP. Common models: Click, Scoopy, Grande. Perfect for exploring!
Detailed 6-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Vientiane Arrival
Landed late, checked in, then hit Night Market for dinner. Skip the riverside one for clothes/souvenirs if hungry – head to Sihome Night Market or the edge near Big C. We loved the Thai-style street eats next to Big C: tasty and cheap.
Day 2: Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Rented a scooter for morning sights: Mother Si Muong Temple, Patuxay, That Luang. Done by 11 AM, checked out, minivan to Vang Vieng. Driver dropped us at a corner – walk if close, or tuk-tuk (we paid 70,000 KIP for two, including hotel drop-off).
Checked in, scootered around, ate at crowded Oh La La (mostly Thai tourists, good flavors, fair prices). Coffee at riverside V Coffee, then back to hotel.
Day 3: Vang Vieng Adventures
Hotel breakfast, then Blue Lagoon 3 (12-13km away, quieter than #1's crowds). Crystal-clear water (chilly!), 20,000 KIP entry covers parking, seats, floats, showers – everything. Drinks and snacks reasonable too.
Afternoon: Hotel-booked kayak tour on Nam Song River, 180,000 KIP/person with pickup (4:30 PM slot to avoid midday sun). Evening Night Market: chill vibes, snacks, souvenirs.
Day 4: Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang
Breakfast, coffee at cute Ban Lao Coffee with epic views. Checked out at 10 AM, 70,000 KIP ride to train station (cheaper than roadside tuk-tuks). Shared minivan from Luang station to central hotel: 40,000 KIP/person – comfy and budget-friendly.
Day 5: Luang Prabang Chill
Laid-back day strolling the old town. Skipped far spots like waterfalls or Pak Ou Cave due to rough roads (even with paving, rainy season vibes made me nervous). Check weather and roads first!
Day 6: Luang Prabang to Vientiane & Home
5 AM: Joined the iconic Morning Alms Giving near Night Market/Royal Palace – a must-see cultural highlight! Then Morning Market.
11 AM: Shared minivan to station (60,000 KIP/person, hotel-booked; ~12km but loops for pickups). High-speed train back, arrive early (45 mins before departure; gates close 15 mins prior). Xanh SM to airport (21km, 45 mins).
Key Tips from My Trip
- High-speed train? Arrive 45 mins early – super punctual.
- Vang Vieng in October: Evening rains common – pack rain gear, check forecasts.
- Blue Lagoon roads: Bumpy start with potholes and wandering cows – drive steady!
- Laos roads aren't great, but traffic is polite – big vehicles yield, minimal honking.
- Tuk-tuks: Haggle hard, especially in Vang Vieng (no taxis/Xanh SM). We scootered mostly.
Laos was a breeze for self-guided travel – safe, friendly, and full of serene vibes. Safe travels!
