THE SHORT VERSION
Don Det to Vientiane at a glance.
- From
- Don Det ດອນເດດ
- To
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- Straight line
- 567 km
- Return route
- Vientiane to Don Det →
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Don Det
Don Det is one of the 4,000 Islands in the Mekong in far southern Laos. Bus tickets to Don Det combine a bus or minivan to Ban Nakasang with a short boat ride to the island.
- Ban Nakasang boat landing
Minivans and buses stop here; small boats cross to Don Det.
Arriving in Vientiane
Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
- Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao)
City buses, plus buses to the Thai border and some regional routes. - Southern Bus Terminal
About 10 km from the centre. Routes south and many international buses to Vietnam. - Northern Bus Terminal
About 9 km from the centre. Routes north, such as Luang Prabang.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Check that your ticket and terminal match your direction.
- Buses to Vietnam cross at border posts such as Lao Bao or Cau Treo. Check visa rules first.
KEEP GOING
From Vientiane, the road continues.
This trip includes a boat crossing. For ferry routes and timetables, see our sister site FerryConnect.
Other ways to reach Vientiane
More buses from Don Det
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How long does the bus from Don Det to Vientiane take?+
Journey times depend on the service and any boat connection. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Don Det?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Don Det include Ban Nakasang boat landing, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Vientiane to Don Det?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Vientiane to Don Det guide.
Where does the bus from Don Det arrive in Vientiane?+
It depends on the operator. In Vientiane, services use Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao), Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal. Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Vientiane?+
Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
What kind of bus runs from Don Det to Vientiane?+
Tickets to Vientiane usually combine a bus or van with a boat. The vehicle type, seat style and boat connection are shown for each departure on 12Go.
Can I book the Don Det to Vientiane bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Vientiane by bus?+
Direct buses from Vientiane include Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Vang Vieng, Khon Kaen, Luang Prabang and more. See all connections on our Vientiane bus page.
Does the trip to Vientiane include a ferry?+
Yes, Vientiane is an island, so the journey includes a boat crossing. Check whether your ticket covers the boat and the transfer from the pier, and allow for weather delays.
FOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Don Det to Vientiane bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Don Det (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →