udon thani to hanoi - the best way

[pumpjack]

im going to udon in may, i want to see vietnam / hanoi halong bay and then move onto saigon for few days then overland ( maybe ) to sihanoukville then overland up to koh chang then bkk

 

can anyone recommend the best viable cheapest way either overland or by air.    i think i will take a flight from hanoi to saigon / Ho chi minn.  

 

please point me in right direction if i go by bus overland from nakhom panom and things to see or is there anything to see,   i have been in nakhon panom once and sat at a bar overlooking the mekong and i seen the high mountains of laos ( look very beautifull ) but maybe a boring road trip ? 

 

advise please and any links to busses / flights etc. 

 

 cheers jack 

Edited March 20, 2018 by pumpjack

[Andyfez]

Well the bus from Savannakhet goes to Hue and Da Nang.

Then catch a train or bus north or south.

There's also a direct service 3 times a week to Hanoi.

 

However the attached timetables may be out of date, so check.

[Ulic]

I have traveled through Vietnam by train. Cheap as chips. A discount

if you are 65. No farang double pricing. Very comfortable in the sleeper cars. 

[Hardie]

Probably Fastest Overland: Viangchan (Vientiane) first, get Viet visa, then on to Sam Neua, nice enough town for a night or two, then cross the border, and on to Hanoi. Options: stop at Plain of Jars, Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng along the way with some minor backtracks... 

 

There may very well be direct buses now from Viangchan or Luang Prabang to Hanoi, not sure. There should be a flight or two also VTE-HAN, did it often in the 90's...

 

If you're adventurous, there might be a crossing now near Dien Bien Phu, not sure. Good luck and have fun, inbox me if you want more free advice...

[my friend I]

The road from Thakhek is ok. The road from Savan takes eight hours just to the border. Good Vietnam consulate in Savan.

 

Do not miss Ninh Binh just south of Hanoi. Avoid the weekend. Train to HCMCity.

 

Visa on arrival for Cambodia best to have U.S. $30. You need a passport photo and maybe a card showing vaccinations. Sihanoukville is an ugly construction site now and getting worse. Maybe try Kep. If you are crossing from Ha Tien only use the Vietcamthai mini bus co. The others are unprofessional. Or take a moto.