MABUHAY!
This is a photo and video journal of our bus ride adventure from Hanoi, Vietnam to Namphao International Checkpoint i.e. Vietnam - Laos border.
GETTING THERE
At first, I am very hesitant. "Going to Cambodia - by bus from Vietnam? Almost 22 hours of a tiresome bus ride? NO WAY!
I came to know this bus route from rome2rio app. I realized that this is a budget travel so I told my wife to try this and probably, this will be a great adventure.
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| Our travel route map |
I walked around Hanoi's Old Quarter to look for the Sinh Tourist bus booking office going to Laos. I found out later that you can go directly to the bus station and purchase your ticket for a cheaper price. But the hassle only is the travel to the bus station which is around 1 hour because of its location outside Hanoi's city center. You can try also booking online directly through their website.
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| The ticket price is 1,598,000 Vietnamese Dong equivalent to US$69 |
TAXI RIDE TO HANOI BUS STATION
Around 5pm, my wife and I together with 2 Japanese passengers, were picked up by a Vietnamese guy riding a motorbike. He told us to follow him when he collected our tickets. We walked behind him as he stopped by various hotels in the Old Quarter. The guy collected a total of 8 passengers including my wife and me. We were also surprised to meet 2 other Filipinos, both females within the group. Then our group boarded a taxi going to the bus station outside Hanoi's city limit. Our taxi ride was filled with laughter and music, as we get to know other foreign passengers and of course, the cool taxi driver.
(Note: The date and time stamped in the photo is not correct)
TRAVELING AS IT IS! COOL TAXI RIDE TO HANOI BUS STATION - A Video Footage
SLEEPER BUS RIDE TO VIETNAM - LAOS BORDER
Arriving at the bus station, we were given tickets to board a sleeper bus. Our couch was in the last upper-back portion of the bus. There is also a group of young American girls in the back portion. The driver instructed us that we will transfer to another bus going to Savannakhet, Laos at the second bus stop because the bus will go to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.
The ride is a little bit annoying because of the cramped space but you'll get the feel of it once the bus started to roll. The bus freebies included a pillow, blanket, toothbrush and 1 liter of water per passenger. The toilet is a little bit cramped also with no water.
CLICK the LINK to READ the related article: Business Travel to CHINA Day 3: From Foshan City to Baiyun International Airport
FIRST BUS STOP
After 3 hours, our bus parked in a bus stop to take our snacks and find a bigger restroom to use. Then when we boarded, a bus staff went to all foreigner passengers to collect from us our passport and US$10 for our immigration stamped fee. The American girl beside us advised us not to give our passports and money to that guy. We told the bus guy that we do it ourselves.
(Note: The date and time stamped in the photo is not correct)
March 27, 2018
At Namphao International Checkpoint Border of Vietnam
We arrived at Namphao International Border Checkpoint around 3am of local time. But we waited until 7am for the office of Vietnam's immigration border.
(Note: The date and time stamped in the photo is not correct)
CLICK the LINK to READ the related article: Travel to SINGAPORE: From Day 2 to Departure
EXIT FROM VIETNAM IMMIGRATION
The local passengers were separated from the foreigners. Upon entry to Vietnam's immigration office, the Asians were asked to pay US$ 2 for the immigration's exit stamped. For the citizen of ASEAN countries, it must be free. But I paid anyhow to avoid some trouble.
TRAVELING AS IT IS! TRAVEL TO NAMPHAO INTERNATIONAL CHECKPOINT (VIETNAM-LAOS BORDER) - A Video Footage
MEETING FELLOW FILIPINOS IN VIETNAM BORDER
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| A souvenir photo with our fellow Filipinos at Vietnam's border. |
CLICK the LINK to READ the related article: Trip to THAILAND Day 3
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