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From the quiet colonial streets of Savannakhet on the Mekong to the lantern-lit old town of Hoi An: this overland trip crosses the Annamite mountains from Laos into central Vietnam. It is a long day on the road, but you swap dry river plains for green hills and finally the coast.
Savannakhet to Hoi An by bus
One combined ticket covers the trip, with a sleeper bus and a minivan. The journey takes from about 11 hours, longer with border queues, traffic or delays.[1]
On booking platforms, tickets cost about $35 (November 2026).[1]
The crossing is Dansavan in Laos and Lao Bao in Vietnam. The Lao checkpoint is open from 07:00 to 22:00.[2] Vietnam accepts e-visas at the Lao Bao land gate, so you can arrange your visa online before you leave.[3]
Comparing your options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeper bus + minivan | About $35[1] | From about 11h[1] |
Tips for traveling from Savannakhet to Hoi An
- Sort your visa first: Have your Vietnamese e-visa or visa exemption ready before you reach the border.
- Keep valuables with you: Passport, money and electronics belong in a small daypack at your seat, not in the luggage hold.
- Pack water and snacks: Roadside stops have limited choice, so bring your own.
- Know your address in Hoi An: Save your accommodation address offline so you can show it to a taxi or motorbike driver on arrival.
Timetable
| Bus Savannakhet - Hoi An $ 34.94 11h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Savannakhet to Hoi An, including current prices and schedules.
The combined sleeper bus and minivan ticket is the standard way to do the trip, at about $35 on booking platforms.
Plan for at least 11 hours, including the border crossing and vehicle changes. Traffic and border queues can add to that.
Most nationalities need a visa or an exemption for Vietnam. E-visa holders can enter at the Lao Bao land gate, so you can arrange it online in advance.
The crossing is Dansavan on the Lao side and Lao Bao on the Vietnamese side. The Lao checkpoint is open from 07:00 to 22:00.
No. Hoi An has no airport of its own, and the overland ticket is the usual way to travel between the two.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: Savannakhet to Hoi An timetable. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
- [2] Department of Immigration of Lao PDR: DANSAVAN INTERNATIONAL BORDER GATE. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
- [3] Viet Nam Government Portal: More choices for foreigners with e-visa to enter and exit Viet Nam (Resolution 389/NQ-CP). Retrieved October 29, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.