THE SHORT VERSION
Vang Vieng to Vientiane at a glance.
- From
- Vang Vieng ວັງວຽງ
- To
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- Road distance
- About 130 km
- Straight line
- 108 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~1 h 45 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Vientiane to Vang Vieng →
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a riverside town of limestone karsts between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Tourist buses and minivans run to both, and the expressway has made the Vientiane trip much quicker.
- Vang Vieng bus stops
Tourist buses and minivans; most tickets include a guesthouse pickup.
Arriving in Vientiane
Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
- Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao)
City buses, plus buses to the Thai border and some regional routes. - Southern Bus Terminal
About 10 km from the centre. Routes south and many international buses to Vietnam. - Northern Bus Terminal
About 9 km from the centre. Routes north, such as Luang Prabang.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Check that your ticket and terminal match your direction.
- Buses to Vietnam cross at border posts such as Lao Bao or Cau Treo. Check visa rules first.
KEEP GOING
From Vientiane, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Vientiane
More buses from Vang Vieng
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Vang Vieng from Vientiane by road?+
About 130 km by road (108 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Vang Vieng to Vientiane take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 1 h 45 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Vang Vieng?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Vang Vieng include Vang Vieng bus stops, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Vientiane to Vang Vieng guide.
Where does the bus from Vang Vieng arrive in Vientiane?+
It depends on the operator. In Vientiane, services use Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao), Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal. Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Vientiane?+
Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
What kind of bus runs from Vang Vieng to Vientiane?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Vang Vieng to Vientiane bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Vientiane by bus?+
Direct buses from Vientiane include Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Luang Prabang, Thakhek and more. See all connections on our Vientiane bus page.
FOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Vang Vieng to Vientiane bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vang Vieng (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →