Vientiane northern bus terminal

Travelers from Luang Prabang  heading to Vientiane,Vang Vieng or Phonsavan have to go to Naluang Bus terminal which is for the southern  destinations.
Another terminal Kiew Lot Sai Nuan(near airport) is for northern route such as Huay Xai,Luang Namtha,Phonsaly or Udomxai.

06:00am:--Early express bus Luang Prabang to Vientiane.Fares:115,000 kips which was booked previous day.

08:30am:--Reached Xieng Ngeun District,many sharp corners along this hilly stretch

09:30am:--Ban Nammok,distance to Phoukhoun is 45km and Phatang 125km.

 11:00am:--Pass by Honsarab Primary School and Ban Phou Leu Elementary School.Looks like English must be the medium of instructions as noted by the school's name. Distance to Vang Vieng is 127km,Phou Khoun is 25 km.

11:20am:--Wat Phakaeng.

11:50am:--Reached a road junction,quite a busy town(Sameypho).Xaiphavang Guesthouse  in vicinity.(Tel:020-538988,2133774).A tour  agent  to Thummalort Landscape.Tel:020-5343339,5389888.

12:05noon:--Muang Baykalo,Ban Latcha.Along the way you could see the Lao Loum thatched houses nearby the main road.

12:30noon:--Ban Nam Paek,Ban Koe Kouang.

1:10pm:--Kasi,there were some Chinese restaurants here.

1:15pm:--Lunch time near a restaurant which is just like a rest area lay by for long distance travellers.
We had a half hour break.A simple three dishes rice cost 15,000 kips.

1:50pm:--More smaller towns emerged along the way,Ban Mong Ko,Vieng Kham,Vieng Thong,Bouam Puok.

2:10pm:--Dan Din

2:30pm:--Phatang,there's a Nadao Primary School.

2:45pm:--As the bus began to descend from the highlands, beautiful limestone hills landscape that looked  similar to that of Guilin in China's Guangxi Province.
Vang Vieng's spectacular valley surrounded by karsts mountains.

3:05pm:--Namone.

3:20pm:--Houaymo,another 14 km to reach Phon Phan.There's a Kham Heung Guesthouse beside  a huge lake.Toll gate at this point.Smaller towns. Ban Silivay and Ban Houaypat ahead.

4:30pm:--It's getting warmer as the bus descended towards the valley,now at Phochang District.In the far distance,the city of Vientiane(Viengchan) became noticeable.

4:50pm:--Ban Seoy Xoun and Bhumao Province,10km to ViengKham.

4:55pm:--The Nam Cheng River.

5:15pm:--Another toll gate at Nam Pa Nai.

5:20pm:--Ban Phone Kham Tai,a bustling town.You have the Sisaketh Construction Company Ltd,Houtaxai Kindergarten,Meng Lee Guesthouse,Maykale Guesthouse and the evening market about to start.

5:30pm:--Location now is at the outskirt of Vientiane passing by villages like Ban Tao Thane,Ban Phone Xay,Ban May,Ban Sivilay(Phuphet Guesthouse),Ban Bandi,Ban Nongsa.

5:45pm:--Ban Nanga village with Nakha Primary and Secondary School,Ban Songka(Songpeuai Primary School),Ban Soukhoung(Ilay Lower Secondary School and Rattana Business Administration College)in the vicinity.

 6:00pm:--Ban Pancheng with lots of big seafood restaurant here. Ban Si Keo(Lao Fuda Company Ltd,Nilamith Guesthouse,Bounkeuot School) and approaching junction to city center.

6:15pm:--The bus follows a direction to Nongdaung and finally arrived at the Northern Bus Terminal of Vientiane.

Vientiane's Northern International and Domestic Bus Terminal is very modern and huge about 5km on the outskirt of city.
Getting to the city relies on the tuk-tuk or the cheaper songtheaw services.Fares about be 20,000kips.
Wat Simuang temple area is where the many backpackers guesthouses were located (Thanon Setthathirat Road)




Located beside Thanon Setthathirat, Sabaidee Guesthouse was just beside TrueCoffee Restaurant A family owned guesthouse and the owner Mdm Noy is a Lao Loum whose hometown is in Luang Prabang.








 

Mdm Noy's younger son  manages the reception counter.
Her eldest son completed his degree in Information Technology from the University of Chiangmai and a SEA Games gold medalist in TaeKwanDo.








View of the mixed dorm double decker bed.
Lights off instruction at 10:00pm
Locker for shoes downstairs near main entrance,while individual lockers for backpacks near the beds.
Bathroom with hot water on shared basis.
Rates:USD8/night