THE SHORT VERSION
Vientiane to Vang Vieng at a glance.
- From
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- To
- Vang Vieng ວັງວຽງ
- Road distance
- About 130 km
- Straight line
- 108 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~1 h 45 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Vang Vieng to Vientiane →
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 Vang Vieng
Most guesthouses are close to the centre. Tuk-tuks meet arriving buses.
- Vang Vieng bus stops
Tourist buses and minivans; most tickets include a guesthouse pickup.
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.
- The road north to Luang Prabang is mountainous. Larger buses can be easier if you're prone to motion sickness.
KEEP GOING
From Vang Vieng, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Vang Vieng
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 Vang Vieng 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 Vientiane to Vang Vieng 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 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 Vang Vieng to Vientiane?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Vang Vieng to Vientiane guide.
Where does the bus from Vientiane arrive in Vang Vieng?+
It depends on the operator. In Vang Vieng, services use Vang Vieng bus stops. Most guesthouses are close to the centre. Tuk-tuks meet arriving buses.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Vang Vieng?+
Most guesthouses are close to the centre. Tuk-tuks meet arriving buses.
What kind of bus runs from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?+
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 Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng by bus?+
Direct buses from Vang Vieng include Luang Prabang, Udon Thani, Thakhek, Pakse, Chiang Mai and more. See all connections on our Vang Vieng 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: Vientiane to Vang Vieng bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Vang Vieng (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →