THE SHORT VERSION
Vientiane to Hanoi at a glance.
- From
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- To
- Hanoi Hà Nội
- Road distance
- About 747 km
- Straight line
- 481 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~9 h 45 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Hanoi to Vientiane →
- Border
- Laos → Vietnam. Passport and visa needed
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Vientiane
Vientiane is the capital of Laos and has several bus terminals, each serving a different direction. International buses to Vietnam leave from the Southern Bus 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.
Arriving in Hanoi
A ticket that says “Hanoi” may end at a terminal well outside the Old Quarter. If you booked with a tourist company, check whether it drops at its own office or offers a shuttle; otherwise allow time and a taxi or ride-hail fare into the centre.
- My Dinh Bus Station · Bến xe Mỹ Đình
West of the centre. Many routes to the north-west and the mountains, including Lao Cai, Sapa and Ha Giang. - Giap Bat Bus Station · Bến xe Giáp Bát
South of the centre. Public buses to the south, such as Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa and central Vietnam. - Gia Lam Bus Station · Bến xe Gia Lâm
Across the Red River to the north-east. Buses towards Hai Phong, Ha Long and the north-east. - Nuoc Ngam and Yen Nghia stations · Bến xe Nước Ngầm, Yên Nghĩa
Smaller southern and south-western terminals, used by some routes towards Hoa Binh and Mai Chau.
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 which terminal your ticket uses: the four stations are far apart.
- Some services from the mountains have dropped passengers on the western outskirts. Confirm the final stop when you book.
- Noi Bai Airport has its own direct buses to several destinations, so you may not need to go into the city first.
KEEP GOING
From Hanoi, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Hanoi
More buses from Vientiane
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
Partner links. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Vientiane from Hanoi by road?+
About 747 km by road (481 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Vientiane to Hanoi take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 9 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 Vientiane?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Vientiane include Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao), Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Hanoi to Vientiane?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Hanoi to Vientiane guide.
Where does the bus from Vientiane arrive in Hanoi?+
It depends on the operator. In Hanoi, services use My Dinh Bus Station, Giap Bat Bus Station, Gia Lam Bus Station, Nuoc Ngam and Yen Nghia stations. A ticket that says “Hanoi” may end at a terminal well outside the Old Quarter. If you booked with a tourist company, check whether it drops at its own office or offers a shuttle; otherwise allow time and a taxi or ride-hail fare into the centre.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Hanoi?+
A ticket that says “Hanoi” may end at a terminal well outside the Old Quarter. If you booked with a tourist company, check whether it drops at its own office or offers a shuttle; otherwise allow time and a taxi or ride-hail fare into the centre.
What kind of bus runs from Vientiane to Hanoi?+
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 Vientiane to Hanoi 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 Hanoi by bus?+
Direct buses from Hanoi include Noi Bai Airport (HAN), Thai Nguyen, Hoa Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh and more. See all connections on our Hanoi bus page.
Do I need a visa to take the bus from Vientiane to Hanoi?+
This journey crosses from Laos into Vietnam. Check the current entry and visa rules for your nationality before you travel, and keep your passport with you on the bus.
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: Vientiane to Hanoi bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Hanoi (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →