SLEEPER BUS RIDE ADVENTURE FROM VIETNAM BORDER TO SAVANNAKHET, LAOS

March 27, 2018
MABUHAY!

This is a photo and video journal of our travel to Savannakhet, Laos aboard a sleeper bus.

GETTING THERE

Our travel route map from Vietnam's border in Namphao International Checkpoint to Savannakhet, Laos.

EXIT FROM VIETNAM - ENTRY TO LAOS
After an exit stamped in Vietnam border, we were instructed to walk more than 100 meters towards Laos immigration building for an entry stamped. The weather is a little bit cold and damp due to the higher elevation were in.

A souvenir shot of my wife with fellow Filipinas

Laos border immigration building

Souvenir photo at Namphao International Checkpoint

A small altar 

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LAOS IMMIGRATION ENTRY
For the citizen of ASEAN countries in which Laos is a member, the fee for the entry visa stamped is free. But we were requested to make a donation of US$2 per passport holder for Laos environmental advocacy.

Filling up an entry card

SLEEPER BUS RIDE CONTINUED
When all the passenger's passports were already stamped with an entry visa to Laos, our bus rolled on. The mountain road is long and winding. The images my camera captured from the bus window are typical houses on stilt with hip and gable roofs. The mountain scenery is really breathtaking.

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TRAVELING AS IT IS! SLEEPER BUS RIDE TO SAVANNAKHET, LAOS - A Video Footage

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FIRST BUS STOP

Our rice lunch

BUS TRANSFER
The driver of the first bus from where we took off from Hanoi, Vietnam told us to transfer to a bus going to Savannakhet and they pass in this bus stop. Then the driver gave us money for our fare. I took a picture of this home base concrete hollow blocks factory.

We boarded a blue bus going to Savannakhet. I asked the conductor of the bus to assist us to the bus station going to Mukdahan, Thailand. Then he requested additional money so he can get us a Tuk-tuk tricycle cab. I gave him US$ 3.

Female vendors selling snacks on the bus

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Majority of the building in Laos has this architectural motif.

SECOND BUS STOP
The food shops at this bus stop are kind enough to accept our remaining Vietnamese Dong. We bought noodles and banh mi bread for our snack.

GOING TO SAVANNAKHET - MUKHDAHAN BUS STATION

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This dinosaur statue is a well-known landmark in Savannakhet, Laos

The bus conductor hired a tuk-tuk tricycle cab to take us to Laos-Mukdahan Bus Station.

EXIT FROM LAOS - ENTRY TO THAILAND
We boarded another bus to cross from Savannakhet, Laos to Mukdahan, Thailand. Most of the locals aboard this bus are working in  Thailand.

We reach the Laos border at 5:30pm. We presented our passports to a lady immigration officer for an exit stamp. She told us to pay a total of US$ 4 for overtime pay. The government office in Laos is only up to 5pm. I gave her US$ 20. Then she smiled and said OK giving me back the US$20. Her gesture tells me she has no change.

Crossing the Thailand-Laos Friendship bridge

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