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Pakse is the gateway to southern Laos, on the banks of the Mekong. It's a handy base for the coffee country of the Bolaven Plateau. Flying is the quickest way, taking 8h 50m. Overland, the cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Pakse is the bus via Kon Tum at $31 (689,000 LAK). The bus via Da Nang costs more and it will take a long time, around 22h - 22h 30m.
Distance from Hoi An to Pakse
Hoi An and Pakse are about 286 km (178 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 486 km by road. The quickest way to get from Hoi An to Pakse is by taking the flight, which takes around 8h 50m.
3 ways to travel from Hoi An to Pakse
There are three ways to travel from Hoi An to Pakse. You can choose between the bus, flight, and bus via Kon Tum. The journey takes 8h 50m–22h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus via Kon Tum with tickets starting at $31 (689,000 LAK).
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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 $72 (1,593,000 LAK).
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 $1.20 (31,000 VND), plus $0.30 (8,000 VND) 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 $7.00 (156,000 LAK) for a shared minivan and $10 (222,000 LAK) 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 $71 (1,567,000 LAK).
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.
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
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 $1.90 (50,000 VND) 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 $45 (1,000,000 LAK), 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 $230 (5,111,000 LAK).
Travel time, including airport transfers, takes around 8h 50m. Combined costs start from $240 (5,328,000 LAK).
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
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 $1.20 (31,000 VND) 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 $11 (300,000 VND).
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 $230 (5,111,000 LAK).
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 $2.70 (60,000 LAK) 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 $2.30 (50,000 LAK).
Check out our guide for Pakse Airport for more details.
Flight tickets are available on Bookaway.
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 $1.20 (31,000 VND).
A 7-hour bus from Da Nang to Kon Tum that costs around $13 (350,000 VND).
Another 12-hour bus from Kon Tum to Pakse with prices from $17 (450,000 VND).
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 $31 (689,000 LAK). While this might be the cheapest option, you may need to budget extra for accommodation in case you miss the connecting bus.
PRO TIP: 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 $1.90 (50,000 VND) 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 $40 (889,000 LAK) and takes just around 20 minutes.
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.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Hoi An to Pakse, roughly 286 kilometres (178 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $31 (689,000 LAK). The quickest trip takes 8h 50m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Hoi An to Pakse?
The distance from Hoi An to Pakse is 286 kilometres (178 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hoi An to Pakse?
The fastest way to get from Hoi An to Pakse is by flight and takes 8h 50m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Pakse?
The cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Pakse is by bus via kon tum with ticket costs starting from 689,000 LAK.
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 by Ela Teodosio
- Updated Bus by Ela Teodosio
- Updated Flight by Ela Teodosio
- Updated Bus via Kon Tum by Ela Teodosio
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.
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
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