I can't recommend this drive enough, mostly good hard top road breaking up occasionally in places with great Mekong views most of the way.

We left The Friendship Bridge, I intended to take the first right turn but missed it so turned west at the next opportunity, subsequently missing a little of the route.

The first stop was to look at Vientiane from the Thai side, a long standing ambition. We did this after a quick look at the dodgem cars being serviced.

Vientiane.

Soon the river narrowed as it passed through gorges.

Fast moving water over shallow dangerous rapids.

After about 3 hours we got to Chiang Khan where we intended to stay the night. I found this a disappointing town, little access to the river from the street and the guest houses were a bit basic. 600B for a mattress on the floor, albeit a polished timber floor.

We had a late lunch of excellent flat noodles in soup and drove back to Chiang Rai that day.

Chiang Khan

Thanks to Chuckd from this forum for helping out with the route from Uttaradjit to Loei with out passing through Phitsanulok.

I describe this drive in the Chiang Rai forum.

You beat me to it. Looks like you saw some nice country. Hope to make the trip some day. Nice photos.

Glad you enjoyed the drive, as did I when I made it earlier.