| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 97km |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Rolling then flat |
| Blog | 3rd Jan - Sabaidee Pi Mai (Happy New Year) |
| Gallery | Vang Vieng to Vientiane |
The journey
From Nam Ngum resort we rode back to the Laos Zoo junction and turned left. The road was rolling with small ascents and descents via friendly villages to Pak Kagnoung. The surface was good and the road was deserted. It's possible to get a ferry from Pak Kagnoung to route 13; we stayed on route 10. There was some traffic and more development along the river to Keune Kang, where route 10 turned left. It was dead straight and flat across rice paddies to Tha Ngon. The best restaurants in Tha Ngon are floating on the river next to the bridge - you can even be driven up and the down the river in a private dining boat.The traffic got heavier until the road turns into dual-carriageway for the last 15km into Vientiane. On two-lane roads, the biggest danger is from traffic over-taking in the other direction. The sun was noticeably fiercer and hotter than further north.
The low to mid-end guesthouses in the town centre of Vientiane were all full when we arrived at 4pm (we checked about 10 places). There were many further out so it's possible to find cheaper accommodation than the one we went for. Although not as picturesque as Luang Prabang, it's worth spending a few days in Vientiane enjoying the fancy restaurants, making use of the bike shop and generally stocking up for the journey east. Makphet restaurant near Lani guesthouse is staffed by former street kids and serves excellent food. The Buddha park (see next day) makes a good day trip.
The room
Lani Guesthouse281 Thanon Setthathirat, Ban Hai Sok, Vientiane
Tel: 021 214 919
$30 for double room, bathroom with hot water, very nice breakfast.
Exceedingly nice, quiet, garden setting, well furnished room. Attractive colonial building.