*This trip took place from April 26-30, 2017. I will share my past experiences that I have written about.
The current environment may have changed somewhat.**


This trip came about very suddenly. When the phone rang on Sunday, my brother had a vacancy for a motorcycle trip through Laos. Without hesitation, I immediately agreed. Well, I'm living my dream now (I'm so easy, whoever invites me to go anywhere, I go). We called to arrange a meeting on Sunday, went to do the paperwork on Monday, and set off on Tuesday. Hmm... isn't that a bit too fast?

No text provided for translation.

This trip involves transporting your motorcycle by train and then riding it to the Nong Khai border crossing. This option is ideal for those who prefer a less strenuous journey.


The cost of transporting a 125cc motorcycle is 828 baht per unit. The passenger fare for a second-class sleeper car is divided into two prices: 688 baht for the lower bunk and 758 baht for the upper bunk. While waiting, passengers can take photos until the train departs at 8 pm.

The seats in the carriage face each other, so your legs might touch.


The next morning, around 9:00 AM, we arrived in Nong Khai Province. Today, Ms. Key, a famous female biker, will travel from Udon Thani to see us off at the checkpoint in Nong Khai before we enter the Lao PDR. We stopped for breakfast at a restaurant along the Mekong River, where we talked about our next trip (Wow! This trip hasn't even started yet!). It was several hours later than we had planned before we finally set off.




Upon arrival at Nong Khai Customs, the main documents required for clearance are:
For individuals:
- Passport
- Smart card driving license
- Copy of ID card
- Copy of house registration (optional)

Vehicle Documentation:

Required documents for vehicles:

  • Original vehicle registration book: The vehicle must be free of any outstanding finance agreements. If the name on the registration book does not match the owner, a power of attorney authorizing the vehicle to be taken out of the country must be provided. This document should be stamped with the appropriate revenue stamp.
  • Certified translation of the vehicle registration book: This translation should be in English and can be obtained from the Department of Land Transport.
  • Two copies of all documents: Both the original documents and their certified translations should be photocopied and certified as true copies.

The passage describes the author's experience attempting to cross the border from Thailand to Laos with a motorcycle under 250cc. Despite being informed that such vehicles are not permitted entry, the author decides to proceed and faces uncertainty at the border.

Here is a more formal and academic translation:

The author encountered a potential obstacle while attempting to cross the border from Thailand to Laos with a motorcycle under 250cc. Despite being informed by Thai authorities that such vehicles are not permitted entry into Laos, the author decided to proceed, acknowledging the risk involved. Upon reaching the Laotian border, the author experienced anxiety and uncertainty regarding their ability to continue their journey.

After clutching the sacred amulet around his neck and praying silently, the heavens finally smiled upon him. "Congratulations! You're moving on!"
The suspense was palpable, like watching The Star talent show, searching for the next big star. Thank you for all the encouraging SMS messages. Cheers!


After passing through the checkpoint, we continued our journey to Vang Vieng, a distance of approximately 150 kilometers. However, the journey took over 5 hours to complete.

Due to the abundance of gravel on Laotian roads, driving at high speeds is not recommended. Additionally, the extreme heat necessitates frequent stops for water breaks.

We finally arrived in Vang Vieng after a long search for accommodation. Prices have increased since our initial research, with riverside accommodation on the Song River costing 200,000 kip (approximately 1,000 baht) per night.

Due to budget constraints, we found new accommodation at a hotel in the city center for 120,000 kip per night (approximately 600 baht).

A note about the accommodation: Unfortunately, my experience wasn't ideal. The air conditioning in my room wasn't working properly, and the Wi-Fi signal didn't reach the room, requiring me to sit outside to use it. If you're planning to stay here, I recommend checking the internet connectivity beforehand.

After showering, I wandered around looking for something to eat. The restaurants all looked the same, with about 70% of them being made-to-order. I decided that it didn't matter which one I chose, so I picked one that wasn't too crowded and wasn't too noisy (I was tired from the day). This restaurant was the one! (I can't remember the name, haha)


A typical dish costs around 100 baht, which is the standard price for restaurants in tourist areas in Laos. While it may be a bit expensive compared to Thailand, the portions are generous. If you're not a big eater, you might even find yourself full after one dish. I had the opportunity to dine at such a restaurant and enjoyed two meals there. The owner was very friendly and provided excellent service.

The first day was a bit rough, but it was a good start to my first motorcycle trip across the country.

This morning, we arrived at the Blue Lagoon. It's not difficult to find, just follow the signs and you'll be there in no time. There is an entrance fee of 10,000 kip (50 ฿).

"Stopped by here for breakfast. The presentation looked good, but the taste… was a bit too bitter."

After breakfast, it is decided that it would be better to visit Tham Pu Kham Cave first and then return to play in the water.

No text provided for translation.

The walk is not far, and many elderly Korean people walk up the path.

Image

The air inside the cave was pleasantly cool, with an atmosphere like this:

I paid respects to the reclining Buddha statue in the cave. This statue is considered new, as the original statue was reportedly thrown into a ravine by a foreigner. A new statue has since been installed. I was fortunate to be able to see it during my visit.




After playing in the water until we were content, we went looking for a place to stay. We found this room for 100,000 kip (500 baht) right on the waterfront. It had free Wi-Fi. After we had settled in, we went out for a ride in the afternoon. Our next destination was Pha Tang.


On our way, we met a biker named Xiao Yao (apologies if the pronunciation is incorrect) who had traveled a long distance from China. He was on his way to Luang Prabang after starting his journey in China. After a brief conversation and well wishes, we parted ways. We wish him a safe journey.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

Along the way, we stopped at scenic spots to take photos and soak in the cool water to refresh ourselves. Oh, what a pleasure!

We stopped by our usual restaurant for dinner. The food was delicious, the portions were generous, and we left feeling full. Afterwards, we headed to our accommodation due to the storm. The wind was blowing so hard that things were flying everywhere. It seems like our plan to visit the Sakura Bar tonight might have to be cancelled.


After the storm subsided, around 11 pm, we went down to check out "Sakura Bar".


This place is full of foreigners, Westerners, and Koreans. After a while, my eyes were full, but my stomach started to growl again, so I started looking for a late-night snack. I found "Man Si Bami Kiew" and ordered a large set for each of us. We also added a set of dim sum. Tonight was a good night. I ate until I was full, slept well, and got a good night's rest.

Waking up in the morning, there was a local fresh market near my accommodation. I took a stroll and had a look around.

The majority of vendors here sell forest vegetables, fruits, and herbs. However, I was unable to locate the fabled unusual items, which was a little disappointing. Nonetheless, it was a valuable opportunity to observe the community's way of life and how its residents interact.



No text provided for translation.

After finishing our walk, we stopped for breakfast and stumbled upon a dish called "pho." The noodles resembled the thin rice noodles we have at home. It was generously filled with tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, pork, and beef. The price was reasonable, and the broth was flavorful and well-balanced. The portion was huge, and even with my large appetite, I was stuffed. This bowl of pho was a winner, the best I've had so far.


Before leaving, pay a visit to temples and shrines to pay respects to the sacred objects.


We then stopped for another photo at Wat That Luang, amidst the scorching sun and the time constraints of our journey to reach the border before it closed. This unfortunately prevented us from exploring the interior, leaving us with a tinge of regret.



The trip has ended successfully. For those who want to ride a motorcycle to visit, it is recommended to come during the cool weather, as it will be more enjoyable. If you come during the hot season, you may experience heat exhaustion (the temperature during the visit was around 38-40 degrees Celsius). You will need to stop and rest periodically.

The roads in the city are easy to navigate. Traffic drives on the right side of the road, unlike in Thailand. However, drivers should be cautious of older drivers, who may make sudden turns without signaling or using their turn signals.

The majority of the roads between provinces are gravel roads with occasional paved sections. High speeds are not possible. The most significant expense on this trip was water, which costs around 5,000-7,000 kip.

(Approximately 25-35 baht) It's about twice as expensive as Thailand. It was a significant trip for my first international motorcycle ride. If I have the chance to come again, I'll definitely come again.^^


The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

#vang vieng#laos#vang vieng#laos#motorcycle
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