How to Get From Hoi An to Pakse
Bus via Da Nang · Flight · Bus via Kon Tum
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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 400 kilometre (249 miles) distance from Hoi An to Pakse. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Pakse as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Hoi An to Pakse?
There are three ways to travel the 400 km distance from Hoi An to Pakse. You can choose between the bus, flight, and bus via Kon Tum.
The journey takes between 8h 20m–20h 45m and the quickest way is by flight (8h 20m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus via Kon Tum with tickets starting at 674,000 LAK ($31).
22h - 22h 30m
1,558,000 LAK ($72)
8h 50m
5,212,000 LAK ($240)
20 hours
674,000 LAK ($31)
Already in Pakse?
Onward from Pakse
Once you're in Pakse, here's where to next — 5 researched onward routes to pick from.
Hoi An to Pakse by Bus via Da Nang
Travelling by bus from Hoi An to Pakse is a budget-friendly option, with combined fares from 1,558,000 LAK ($72).
But before you get too excited about the price, here are some things you need to know:
The bus journey from Hoi An to Pakse takes around 24 hours. That's a really long time on the road.
There is no direct bus. You will take a bus from Hoi An to Da Nang, and then at least 2 buses from Da Nang to Pakse.
This is not a luxury service, and the buses for the 2nd leg of the journey are often crowded with people, and occasionally carry cargo onboard.
Still interested in taking a bus to Pakse from Hoi An? We break down the steps below.
Step 1: Bus from Hoi An to Da Nang
The cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Da Nang is by bus.
Take bus LK-02 for about an hour. Note that these buses do not enter Hoi An's Old Town. You'll have to look for the nearest bus stop. A ticket costs 31,000 VND ($1.20), plus 8,000 VND ($0.30) if you're carrying bulky luggage.
The last stop for the bus is at Da Nang Central Bus Station, which is just a few minutes' walk from where you can find the buses bound for Pakse.
Alternatively, you can book a minivan or a private transfer in advance via BookAway. Rates start from 152,000 LAK ($7.00) for a shared minivan and 217,000 LAK ($10) for a private taxi.
For more transport options, check out our guide for Hoi An to Da Nang.
Step 2: Da Nang to Pakse by Bus
It's a long journey by bus from Da Nang to Pakse, around 21h.
That's because buses often take the long way around, first going through Savannakhet before driving south to Pakse.
Also, expect to take more than one bus. You will take a sleeper bus from Da Nang across the border. But once in Laos, we can't promise that the connecting bus will be as comfortable.
We recommend travelling with Laos Easy Go Travel because they will handle all the transfers for you. You can rest easy that you won't miss your connecting bus, or buses. A ticket costs 1,533,000 LAK ($71).
Laos Easy Go Travel departs from Hoang Van Thai Road, about a 10-minute walk from Da Nang Bus Station.
Consider processing your Laos visa at the Laos Embassy in Da Nang for added convenience.
Ready to book your bus?
Immigration process at Lao Bao Border
About 6 hours into your journey, your bus will stop for an immigration checkpoint at the Lao Bao Border.
Prepare 50,000 VND ($1.90) for your Vietnam exit stamp.
For the Laos side, if you didn't get a visa in Da Nang, you can get a visa-on-arrival at the Lao Bao Border. This costs 978,000 LAK ($45), and we recommend paying the exact amount in dollars. Currency conversion is quite bad here. And you'll end up losing some money if you pay in Vietnam dong or Laos kip.
Hoi An to Pakse by Flight
Short on time? Taking a flight is the fastest way you can get from Hoi An to Pakse.
It's not that simple, though. Some things worth noting:
Hoi An doesn't have its own airport. The nearest one is in Da Nang, around 1 to 1.5 hours away.
There are no direct flights from Da Nang to Pakse. Sometimes you'll find a flight with one layover, but most times there are 2-3 stopovers.
Flights can be very expensive for this route, with airfares starting from 5,000,000 LAK ($230).
Travel time, including airport transfers, takes around 8h 50m. Combined costs start from 5,212,000 LAK ($240).
Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang Airport
The easiest way to get from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport is to take a shared minivan. Book this beforehand so you won't have to worry about it on the day of your trip.
Ticket prices start from 31,000 VND ($1.20) and travel time is around 1h - 1h 35m.
When travelling in a group, it will be more cost-effective to take a taxi. Rates from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport start from 300,000 VND ($11).
Step 2: Flight from Da Nang to Pakse
There are, unfortunately, no direct flights from Da Nang to Pakse.
If you're lucky, you can book a flight with only one layover, usually in Vientiane or Ho Ci Minh. But most times, flights from Da Nang to Pakse make at least two stops: one in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, and another one in Vientiane.
Indirect flights from Da Nang to Pakse take at least 7 hours. Airfares can be quite expensive, with rates from 5,000,000 LAK ($230).
Step 3: Pakse Airport to the City Centre
The best way to travel the 5 km from Pakse Airport to the city centre is by taxi. Fares start from 60,000 LAK ($2.80) and the journey takes about 20 minutes, depending on where your hotel is located.
Alternatively, you can make it more local with a tuk-tuk. This open-air vehicle should be comfortable enough for the short trip. But note that it's not much cheaper than a taxi ride, with fares from 50,000 LAK ($2.30).
Check out our guide for Pakse Airport for more details.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Hoi An to Pakse by Bus via Kon Tum
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.
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:
A 1-hour bus/minivan/taxi ride from Hoi An to Da Nang with fares from 31,000 VND ($1.20).
A 7-hour bus from Da Nang to Kon Tum that costs around 350,000 VND ($13).
Another 12-hour bus from Kon Tum to Pakse with prices from 450,000 VND ($17).
Here's the catch: Buses travelling to Pakse from Kon Tum (via Mai Linh Express, VietLao, or Dung Vi) 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.
If you really want to take this route, we recommend asking your hotel or guesthouse for help in reserving the bus. Having a Vietnamese-speaking person make the reservation will make the process much easier.
Total travel time of taking a bus from Hoi An to Pakse via Kon Tum is around 20 hours. Combined fares start from 674,000 LAK ($31). While this might be the cheapest option, you may need to budget extra for accommodation in case you miss the connecting bus.
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.
Border crossing and immigration process
This bus route from Hoi An to Pakse via Kon Tum crosses the border via the Bo Y International Gate.
Prepare 50,000 VND ($1.90) for the Vietnam exit stamp.
Important: The Bo Y International Gate does not accept e-visas or process visa-on-arrival.
If you need a visa to enter Vietnam, make sure you get it beforehand at the Laos Consulate Office in Da Nang. Visa processing here costs 870,000 LAK ($40) and takes just around 20 minutes.
Route Update History
Updated Flight by Ela Teodosio
Updated Bus by Ela Teodosio
Updated Bus via Kon Tum by Ela Teodosio
Updated Flight by Admin
Updated Bus via Kon Tum by Ela Teodosio
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Hoi An to Pakse. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance from Hoi An to Pakse is 400 km.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Pakse?
Pakse is a transport hub and gateway to southern Laos. Its strategic location, comfortable accommodations and tour offerings make it a convenient basecamp for travellers visiting the nearby Bolaven Plateau and Wat Phu.
Admittedly, there is not much to do in this riverside town. But if you're looking for a relaxing yet strategic place to take some time off, then your best choice in the south is Pakse. Walk around town, visit some temples, explore the local markets, or just sample traditional Lao dishes.
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About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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