Travel from Hue to Savannakhet

Travel from Hue to Savannakhet: Connecting Laos and Vietnam with mr.hotsia

If you are planning a trip between Hue (Huế), Vietnam, and Savannakhet, Laos, don’t worry. I, mr.hotsia, have firsthand experience to share in detail about how to travel and important information you should know before your trip.

The route between Hue and Savannakhet has daily air-conditioned bus services from Hue Bus Station to Savannakhet Bus Station and vice versa. Buses depart in the morning and arrive by evening, with assigned seat numbers to ensure a comfortable and uncrowded journey.

For me, traveling from Hue to Savannakhet, I stayed atDMZ Hotelwhich is a good choice for budget travelers who want great value. It’s comfortable, has strong Wi-Fi, and is close to the bus station. When buying bus tickets, I recommend booking through the hotel or accommodation. Although the price may be slightly higher, it offers convenience with pick-up service from the hotel and a middleman to handle the purchase. I have encountered ticket sellers who keep passports during purchase and do not show the real ticket price to prevent us from knowing the actual cost.

Buses depart from Hue around 8:00 AM and take about 9 hours to reach Savannakhet, with a midday stop for lunch. I must say the food at the rest stop was not very appealing; it was rather bland Vietnamese food. I suggest bringing your own food from Hue to eat on the bus. At the rest stop, authentic Vietnamese pork sausage is sold and is very delicious, enough to replace a meal.

Passing the Lao Bao Border: The Major Gateway Connecting Two Countries

Crossing the Lao Bao border between Vietnam and Laos is easy and quick. Nowadays, you don’t have to fill out a border pass like before, but sometimes officials may still ask for it. I have crossed many times in all ways. It’s best to prepare a border pass form just in case. If you travel by plane like me recently from Hanoi, you don’t need to fill out a border pass; just show your passport to pass.

Atmosphere and Travel Experience Between Hue and Savannakhet

If you want to fully experience both sides, traveling by bus between Hue and Savannakhet is a great option. I enjoy the stopover at a small local restaurant serving simple Vietnamese dishes. Although the taste may not suit Thai palates, you get to see local life and experience the reality of this area fully.

Hue itself, though a small city, is full of deep charm in both food and unique culture.Food in Hueis something I really like. The hot noodles in Hue are different from Hanoi pho or Hoi An noodle soup. It’s a warm noodle soup perfect for northern Vietnam’s winter, and very affordable at only 20-30 baht.

I spent several weeks in Hue because the food was tasty and cheap, whether noodles or rice with curry, with many options like pork, chicken, or fish, all under 20 baht per dish. This made living in the city very convenient and economical, whether staying atDMZ Hotelor other guesthouses.

A Few Tips from mr.hotsia for Travelers

If you plan to travel by bus between Hue and Savannakhet, don’t forget to bring snacks or light food because the food on the bus or at stops may not suit your taste. Also, always carry your passport for crossing the Lao Bao border. For accommodation in Hue, I recommend staying near the Perfume River for convenience, close to markets and important attractions likeHue Imperial CityorThien Mu Pagodawhich are UNESCO World Heritage sites with long histories.

After exploring Hue, if you have time, try visiting Lang Co, located between Hue and Da Nang. It’s a beautiful, quiet beach town perfect for relaxing and enjoying a uniquely scenic sea view.Read more about Lang Co here

Recommended Vietnamese Food Videos

For food lovers, I, mr.hotsia, recommend watching authentic Vietnamese food videos I have compiled on my YouTube channel, featuringVietnamese Grilled Squid, Vietnamese Chicken BiryaniandVietnamese Nem Fangwhich will surely enhance your experience traveling in Hue and Savannakhet.

Summary

Traveling between Hue and Savannakhet is not as difficult as you might think. Daily air-conditioned buses make connecting the two countries convenient. I, mr.hotsia, recommend preparing food for the journey and your passport for border crossing, and choosing good accommodation in Hue to enhance your enjoyment of this city full of history, delicious food, and impressive atmosphere both day and night.