Luxury Bikepacking from Luang Prabang to Da Nang – 14 Days Across Laos & Vietnam

Luxury bikepacking trip from Luang Prabang to Da Nang with full route, daily highlights, hotel stops, and stunning scenery across Laos and Vietnam.

This post covers my luxury bikepacking adventure from Luang Prabang in Laos to Da Nang in Vietnam.

A 14-day journey packed with epic climbs, remote villages, scenic descents, and cultural highlights across two countries.

Every stage brought something unexpected, from peaceful mornings in the mountains to rainy rides and endless café stops.

Want to see what it looked like on the road?

Check out the YouTube video below for a visual recap of the route, daily highlights, drone shots, and a behind-the-scenes look at my 14-day bikepacking journey from Luang Prabang to Da Nang.

Below is my day-by-day route, including distances, elevation gains, accommodations, and links to cafes and restaurants where I stopped.

My Bikepacking Route

This table breaks down my route, listing each day’s start and end points, distance, and elevation gain

Day 1: Luang Prabang to Namuang-Gnai

After five relaxing days in Luang Prabang at The Namkhan Resort, getting back on the bike wasn’t easy. I left town pretty late, not feeling particularly motivated, thinking I could just knock out the 65 km stage quickly. But I quickly realized this wasn’t going to be a chill ride.

My legs felt heavy from all the downtime, and the energy just wasn’t there. The road conditions were worse than expected, and the stage ended up with over 1,000 m of elevation gain. Most of it packed into the second half, which was pretty much non-stop climbing.

To make things more challenging, there was only one guesthouse in the area, and let’s say, it wasn’t great. The staff weren’t exactly welcoming, and they clearly knew they were the only option for miles. I wouldn’t stay there again unless I had no other choice—and from what I heard, other bikepackers had the same experience.

If you’re planning this route, try to adjust the stage to skip that guesthouse altogether. The ride was manageable, but the finish definitely left something to be desired.

Day 2: Namuang-Gnai to Vang Vieng

Today was one of the toughest stages of my luxury bikepacking trip so far. It was 121 km with more than 2,300 m of elevation gain. The first 30 km were almost entirely uphill, with some seriously steep sections. To make things worse, I had no real breakfast. Needless to say, it was a brutal start.

At the summit, I finally found relief. There were a few restaurants and a café with panoramic views. I stopped for nearly an hour, ordered two main courses and a strong coffee, and just let my legs recover. It was the perfect spot to catch my breath and enjoy the scenery.

I was really looking forward to the downhill, but unfortunately, the road conditions were terrible. The descent was filled with trucks struggling to make it uphill, and the surface was so rough I had to take it slow, which made the whole downhill stretch more tiring than relaxing.

The rest of the route was gently rolling, passing through interesting local villages with beautiful backdrops. I finally arrived in Vang Vieng, where I checked into the Riverside Boutique Resort—an absolutely stunning place right by the water. After such a long day, it was exactly what I needed.

It was a tough ride but an incredible destination to wrap it up.

Day 3: Vang Vieng to Phonhong

I got a late start out of Vang Vieng, so I knew early on I wouldn’t make it all the way to Vientiane. After about 82 km, I decided to call it a day and checked into a simple but comfortable guesthouse in a small town along the way.

There wasn’t much to see on this stretch. No major sights or highlights, just a stage to make some distance. The riding was fairly easy, with just a few small climbs sprinkled in. The town had plenty of restaurants, cafés, and even massage places, making for a nice and relaxed evening.

One of the best parts of the day was meeting another backpacker from the UK, and chatting with her gave me a much-needed boost. Motivation was low when I left in the morning, but connecting with a fellow rider on the road always lifts the spirit.

It was not the most memorable stage but a solid day on the journey south.

Day 4: Phonhong to Vientiane

Since I didn’t make it to Vientiane yesterday, I still had about 70 km to cover today. The route was mostly on the main highway, with no real climbs and moderate traffic. The road conditions were decent, and it was a straightforward ride, though definitely not the most exciting.

Once I entered the city limits, the last few kilometers took me through a mix of dirt roads and urban sprawl. There wasn’t much to see. No scenic landscapes, just lots of buildings and construction zones. From a cycling perspective, it was a bit of a boring stage, but I was happy to finally arrive in the capital.

It felt more like an active recovery day than anything else. It was not tough or thrilling, but it was necessary to close out this leg of the journey.

Glad to be here. Time for some city rest and a new rhythm.

Day 5: Vientiane to Pakxan

Today was more about covering distance than chasing views. After leaving Vientiane, I cycled mainly on the main state road, which offered good asphalt but little scenery.

The first 50 km were fairly pleasant, riding alongside the Mekong River with occasional views across to Thailand. It was a calm stretch that allowed for a solid rhythm, though nothing too spectacular.

After about 50 km, I merged onto a busier section of the highway, and from that point on, the ride became more about managing traffic and staying alert than soaking in nature.

Day 6: Pakxan to Vieng Kham

Today was another one of those low-key stages. It was around 90 km, with just 250 m of elevation gain and not much in the way of scenery.

But even on the quieter days, something always happens. Along the way, I met another bikepacker, and we decided to ride together. We ended up staying at the same hotel in Vieng Kham, which was a nice spot for the night.

We had great conversations, shared dinner, and exchanged route ideas and tips for the days ahead. It was a simple day on the bike, but moments like this remind you that it’s not just about the ride. It’s about the people you meet along the way.

Day 7: Vieng Kham to Kong Lor

The plan was simple: meet early with the other bikepacker for breakfast and beat the heat before climbing the next mountain. But, of course, things never go quite as planned.

Before even getting to breakfast, I discovered a flat tire. So, the day started with patching tubes instead of sipping coffee. Once that was sorted and breakfast was finally done, I hit the road.

And just two kilometers in, flat number two. What a day, man. At that point, I knew I’ll go tubeless—no question.

Eventually, I got rolling again and started the day’s main climb. It wasn’t too hard, and the views at the top made it all worth it. From there, it was a long descent on decent roads and then a right turn toward Kong Lor, where I planned to slow things down.

I ended up staying three nights in this peaceful little town. The highlight was exploring the massive Konglor Cave by boat, a surreal, unforgettable experience.

The cave stretches over seven kilometers through the mountain, and cruising through its dark, echoing chambers was magical.

Back in town, I stayed in a small bungalow with a view, spent the afternoons in a hammock overlooking tobacco fields, and just soaked it all in. Kong Lor was pure peace—and a much-needed pause in the middle of the ride.

Day 8: Kong Lor to Khoun Kham

With the Vietnam border just a few days away, I planned a few short stages while waiting for my Vietnam visa to be approved.

Today was supposed to be easy—just 41 km—and I was fully expecting a chill, relaxed ride. But, as bikepacking often reminds you, things rarely go exactly to plan.

The morning started great. Smooth roads, time to take a few videos and drone shots, and everything felt calm. But then I turned a corner and bam. A brutal headwind straight in my face.

The road stretched out endlessly in front of me, with no turns, no shelter, just me versus the wind. It was more of a mental battle than a physical one, slowly grinding my way through.

Eventually, I reached my destination and found a lovely little hotel and, even better, a cute café where I treated myself to coffee and sweets. After that windy grind, it felt amazing just to sit back, relax, and take it easy.

Now, fingers crossed that that Vietnam visa will arrive.

Day 9: Khoun Kham to Lak Sao

It was another short and scenic ride today. It is around 55 km, rolling up and down through beautiful landscapes.

The ride was enjoyable overall, but the wind showed up again, especially in the last few kilometers. Luckily, I was already used to fighting headwinds from the day before, so it didn’t hit me as hard this time.

The big news? My Vietnam visa finally arrived! That means tomorrow, I’ll be crossing into country number three on this trip.

I found another great hotel and a lovely little café, where I spent the afternoon planning my route through Vietnam, printing out my visa, and getting everything sorted.

Laos has been an incredible ride, but now it’s time for the next chapter: Vietnam, here I come.

Day 10: Lak Sao to Tây Sơn

I left my hotel early in the morning, well-rested and fueled by a great breakfast, ready to enter Vietnam.

The ride started with a steady uphill climb since the Laos–Vietnam border sits at the top of a small mountain pass. It wasn’t overly difficult, just a long, gradual ascent.

About a kilometer before the border, I started seeing trucks lined up, which was a reassuring sign that I was on the right track. The border crossing itself was smooth and easy.

I checked out of Laos without any issues, and since I already had my Vietnam eVisa, I breezed right through immigration. I now have 90 days in Vietnam and am ready to make the most of them.

It was a beautiful, long descent from the border. Perfect roads, almost no traffic, and pure joy after the morning’s climb. I cycled down to the first town in Vietnam, where I found a fantastic hotel with a high-floor room and a great city view.

Day 11: Tây Sơn to Dong Le Town

I kicked off the day early, rolling out into the quiet backroads of northern Vietnam. The first hour was pure joy. Gentle climbs and descents, almost no traffic, and the crisp morning air made it all feel calm and alive. The scenery was beautiful, and it was one of those stretches where everything just flowed.

After about an hour I joined the Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi highway, and with it came lots of traffic, noise, and a completely different kind of energy. Still, with the weather forecast looking iffy for the next few days, I pushed to cover as much ground as possible.

By the end of the day, I had cycled 117 kilometers, arriving in Dong Le, a tiny town with minimal hotel options. I found nothing special accommodation-wise, but it was enough for the night. I grabbed some local food, settled in, and called it a day.

Day 12: Dong Le Town to Dong Hoi

As the weather forecast warned, it rained all night, and I woke up to wet streets and gray skies. But I couldn’t bring myself to spend another day in that small town. There was nothing to do, and the hotel was far from cozy. So I packed up, braced for the wet, and started pedaling.

The first 10 km were rough: pouring rain, soaked clothes, a muddy bike, and that uncomfortable chill that creeps in fast. I stopped at a tiny roadside café for a warm breakfast, hoping for a break in the weather. Surprisingly, the rain did ease off.

The rest of the ride was dry but far from scenic. It’s just a push on busy roads. At one point, I even tucked in behind a truck to cut the wind and push the pace. It was not the most relaxing day on the bike, but I was determined to make it to Dong Hoi.

After 101 km, I entered the city and checked into my hotel. Ready for some rest. I stayed three nights, hoping for better weather to explore. But sadly, it rained nonstop, and the cold made wandering around feel like a chore.

Day 13: Dong Hoi to Hue

I initially didn’t plan on going that far, but my legs felt amazing. I had a tailwind, and deep down, I just really wanted to get closer to Da Nang, so I went for it.

What started as a regular ride turned into a 164-km day—one of the longest stages of the trip so far. The conditions were on my side, and I was in the zone, pushing hard and moving fast. It was one of those days where everything just clicked.

I made it to Hue, a charming little city full of character. I stayed three nights, finally enjoying sunshine, warm weather, and a proper break. I spent the days exploring, eating well, and recharging, and I really loved the vibe of the place.

It was a big ride, a perfect stop, and a well-earned reset before the final stretch to Da Nang.

Day 14: Hue to Da Nang

After 14 incredible days on the bike, today marked the final push of my luxury bikepacking trip from Luang Prabang in Laos all the way to Da Nang, Vietnam.

It was a 111 km ride with 800 meters of elevation gain, and although the conditions weren’t ideal, nothing would stop me from reaching the finish line.

I started early, motivated and focused. It was cloudy and cold, and the rain set in before long. As I hit the day’s main climb, things got worse.

Relentless rain, thick fog, and almost no visibility. I could barely see the road, and more importantly, cars could barely see me. It was honestly a bit sketchy, and reaching the summit felt more like surviving than cycling.

But then, magic. Just a few hundred meters into the descent, I rounded a corner, and suddenly, the fog lifted, the sky cleared, and I was greeted with sunshine and bright blue skies.

Finally, I arrived at my destination and checked into the Holiday Beach Hotel. I had a room on a high floor with a stunning ocean view, which was the perfect place to rest and recharge.

After two weeks, three countries, and countless memories, I’m incredibly proud to have made it all the way to Da Nang. For now, I’ll be relaxing by the beach, eating all the Vietnamese food I can get, and letting the bike take a well-earned break.