How to Get from Hoi An to Pakse

Travelling by bus from Hoi An to Pakse is a budget-friendly option, but finding information and booking tickets can be challenging.

Your best bet is to seek help from your hotel staff or a reputable travel agency in Hoi An. They can assist you in arranging the trip since there are no direct buses, and it likely involves one or two transfers.

We recommend taking Da Nang Bus for your trip. It offers a convenient 12-hour direct journey from Da Nang to Pakse, crossing the border at Lao Bao. The bus departs at 6:00 AM and a ticket costs [price 1,050,000 VND]. However, keep in mind that this is not a luxury service, and the bus may occasionally carry cargo onboard. Below, we break down the steps of travelling from Hoi An to Pakse via Da Nang.

There are no direct flights between Hoi An and Pakse, but you can fly with a layover in Ho Chi Minh City. This option typically involves flying from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, followed by another flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Pakse. It's important to note that flying this route, with its layovers, can take at least 8 hours. Additionally, flights can be more expensive than taking the bus. Booking a few weeks in advance is highly recommended, as prices tend to rise closer to the departure date. A one-way ticket typically starts at $320 and the total travel time, including layovers, is around 8h 20m.

When travelling by bus from Hoi An to Pakse, there is another option via Kon Tum, but we don't recommend this due to its complexity and potential for missed connections. But if you're considering this option, read on for the details. Kon Tum is located in Vietnam's Central Highlands, bordering Laos to the west. The Bo Y International Border Gate, about 40 km west of Kon Tum City, will be your entry point into Laos. Travelling from Hoi An to Pakse via Kon Tum requires multiple transfers:

1. A 1-hour taxi ride from Hoi An to Da Nang
2. A 6-hour bus transfer from Da Nang to Kon Tum
3. Another 12-hour bus transfer from Kon Tum to Pakse

Here's the catch: Buses travelling to Pakse from Kon Tum (via Mai Linh Express or VietLao) typically start from Pleiku. They only stop in Kon Tum if you reserve a seat a day in advance by calling the bus company directly. If you don't make a reservation, chances are you can't get a bus connection from Kon Tum to Pakse. The total travel time from Kon Tum to Pakse is around 12 hours, including the border crossing at Bo Y. Note that this route crosses a different border from the bus via Da Nang. Expect to pay about [price 9.4 USD] for the ticket from Da Nang to Kon Tum and about [price 17.7 USD] from Kon Tum to Pakse. While this might be the cheapest option, you may need to budget extra for accommodation in case you miss the connecting bus.

IMPORTANT: This option requires more planning and flexibility compared to the bus route via Da Nang. There's a chance you might miss a connection in Kon Tum if the bus doesn't make a stop there.