Any experiences (as in what to watch out for) on the 2-day trip from the border to Luang Prabang? Also the 4-ish day slow boat trip from Luang P to Vientienne?

Also, anyone know if the supposed non-stop bus trip between Vientienne and Ha Noi can be broken into 2 parts to make 2 different day trips?

I'm assuming your referring to the boat from Huay Xai to Luang Pabang?!!?

Planned to take it once but something came up and the ticket went unused. From what I understand: cramped, uncomfortable, a mad rush to find lodging at Pak Beng... but unceasingly beautiful.

I'd expect the second leg of the journey to Vientiane to be similar.

You might be able to pick up a bus in Muang Khua and head through Dien Bien Phu. Do some research on this however as you don't want to head up that far north unnecessarily. Alternatively you might be able to grab a bus in Sam Neua and have time to see the Vieng Xai caves.

Thank you for all the suggestions. They give me some options I did not know about and can add to my flexibility ^

Yes, your assumption is correct! Where I live ATM the locals are like thirsty cattle going to the water trough, - as I found out waiting, yesterday, at the Canadian Embassy. We all had tickets, but a local with an attitude of "entitlement" just ignored everyone and pushed her way to the front of the que.

So your comments about getting on the boat and finding lodging is "same old, same old". It goes with the territory of travelling. No matter, as I am doing this because I want to and can stop and have a break...

Then you'll do just fine in Laos.

I did (or attempted) the trip to Luang Prabang from the Thai border. The boat was a bit cramped, but the scenery was great. Unfortunately, 3 hours into it, the boat hit a rock with the propeller and we became stranded next to a village with exactly 4 huts. This being Laos, information was not forthcoming about when we might start moving, and what was provided was not terribly honest.

Eventually, I saw them pull off the badly bent propeller and start attempting to forge it anew in a fire on the beach, and that was when I knew we were there for the night (boats can't travel at night). It was a miserable, cramped, cold night on the boat. They ran out of food and clean water. I flagged down a speedboat the next morning and hopped on it with one of my friends. We paid a lot just to get on and avoid a bidding war and 2 other couples managed to get into this. The people on the boat had the nerve to scream repeatedly about getting out tickets from us so that they would get paid for our passage...we did not give them up.

Now, imagine a canoe hurtling down the river with a jet engine, a dodgy boat pilot, and two helmets for 6 passengers. Oh, and if you hit a rock, it's all over. It wasn't fun, it was expensive, but we finally made it to Luang Prabang.

The other people left managed to get to LP at nightfall the next day, many hours late. Given the lies coming from the boat managers, we had no idea when a "rescue boat" was coming.

So, the moral of the story is...check the water levels before attempting this. It could have ended up much worse. Also all promises about which boat you get or conditions or whatever are total lies.

I've heard this story told by a handful of people. Yours was not an isolated experience.

FWIW, I am a Canadian and IF I travel by bus from Laos to Viet Nam, are there any issues I should be aware of regarding exiting Laos and getting a Viet Nam visa (say on the way to either Ha Noi or Dien Bien Phu) at the VN border with Laos?

Can I pay for visas with Thai Bhat or Lao Kip or only USD? I understand Thai, Lao and VN nationals are treated slightly differently from "westerners".

TIA for any info that is current (late 2013). ^

Dude, you need to get a visa ahead of time. There are no VOAs into Vietnam.

Actually, you can get a "visa approval letter" in advance if you're coming into an airport. Then you just pay a "stamping fee" at immigration. For land borders, I think you need a real deal visa in advance already stamped in your passport.

Laos on the other hand is quite happy to issue a visa on arrival. Also, in my experience, I was forced to pay a rather dubious "exit fee" of around $10 when leaving Laos.

So the LP info is wrong? The LP says otherwise, but I am willing to listen...

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/...ormation/visas

How long would it take to get one in BKK as I will be travelling overland?
It would be nice to get the latest correct info as it seems LP is wrong. Too bad since with their great travel book sales one would think they would publish current advice on their web site... I am looking for recent experiences - say this year, preferrably since June, 2013.

Oh and before I forget, I ain't NO DUDE, just a "bloke" taking a course in how to teach (non-colloquial) English...

It is correct (with the exception of visa costs in Phnom Penh) but your understanding of it is questionable. Upthread you said:

Which expresses a clear belief you can show up at the Vietnam border and get a visa. This is incorrect.

May I suggest researching on the Vietnamese embassy website for your country of origin? You'll find current and accurate information there.

For me, as an American going in a month and a half, I can get a visa on arrival, but ONLY if I already have a visa approval letter in my possession and only at the 3 international airports.

As I am in BKK, I will just apply at the Viet Nam Embassy here and get the visa. That way, I will have it without needing any letters nor having any
uncertainty when I leave Laos on a bus heading for the VN border. That was what I needed - information on getting a visa when travelling BY BUS from Laos to VN.

Thanks for the discussion...

Your visa will start on the day you tell the embassy you will enter, regardless if you actually enter on that day. So play your trip accordingly as many people get hung up in interesting parts of Laos and wind up losing a week or so on their Vietnam visa.

As in my previous note, I will get the VN visa here in BKK at the VN Embassy. Payment in THB.