| Cycle Touring Routes > Laos > Houei Xai to Vientiane > Map > Day |
Ride/Road - The ride out of Vang Vieng started out
with beautiful scenery. Similar to the last two days. As
we got closer to Phon Hong our surrounding became
less spectacular and traffic continued low at this point.
Throughout the ride we had no shoulder and lots of
potholes. Several times I had to readjust my front
panniers as they popped off the rack. I also had to be
careful not to lose my balance when I fell in some of the
holes or run into traffic trying when trying to avoid a
hole.
Going downhill I had to keep my eyes peeled for
undulated patches of asphalt that have melted in the
heat. Sometimes these lumps in the road are hard to
spot especially when speeding downhill.
After 10 k we passed a village with small shops and a
market.
Accommodations along this ride - 15k south of Vang
Vieng we passed a guesthouse and then another
guesthouse after 25-26 kilometers.
Villages are scattered along the road, not many
services for toilet, but plenty of nice isolated bushy
areas for privacy.
We again enjoyed our packed lunch under a thatched
roof rest stop. We have found numerous shelters with
shade along the road to use as rest stops. The Lao
women and girls wear beautiful long silk skirts.
Problems with low vehicle traffic and cattle - The low
traffic presented a few challenges for us. The cars
speed by faster than normal because drivers feel
they're alone on the road. They also drive in the
middle of the road and practice dangerous passing
techniques, such as passing on blind curbs or when
there is foot traffic on both sides of the road. Herds of
nervous cattle also take over the road and get
spooked by our presence. We carefully weaved our
way passed them as they kicked up their heels and
scattered in all directions.
Hills - Hilly ride with three hard climbs. The entire day
we experienced rolling hills and a persisted headwind.
The days are much cooler and that helps when going
over the hills.
Phon Hong town is located at the intersection of Hwys
13 and 10. We stopped her to spend the night instead
of continuing east on Hwy 10 toward Thalat and Na
Nam. Our final goal was to get to Vientiane in time for
my birthday and from Phon Hong to Vientiane via Hwy
10 it is 106 k (63.6 miles) to Vientiane. From Phon
Hong via Hwy 13 it is 70 k (42 miles) to Vientiane.
We cut 9 k (5.4 miles) off our ride for the next day by
staying at the Vang Xang Resort 9 k south of Phon
Hong on Hwy 13.
Other accommodations in Phon Hong - We saw two
guesthouses north of Phon Hong on Hwy 13. The first
guesthouse was 7k (4.2 miles) north of Phon Hong
and the second was 3k(1.8 miles) north of town.
We did not find accommodations in Phon Hong town,
but we did see the billboard announcing the Vang
Xang Resort that is 9 kilometers south of town.
Slept - Vang Xang Resort
Location - 9 kilometers south of Phon Hong just off
Hwy 13. Entrance is well signed.
Cost - $10.00 USD
Amenities - Enclosed compound with a dozen or more
bungalows attched. Small, with en suite bath, hot
shower over toilet, a/c, fridge, and TV (Thai/Lao
channels). Quite location away from the road and
town. The bungalows were relatively clean.
Plenty of room to park bikes inside the bungalow.
with beautiful scenery. Similar to the last two days. As
we got closer to Phon Hong our surrounding became
less spectacular and traffic continued low at this point.
Throughout the ride we had no shoulder and lots of
potholes. Several times I had to readjust my front
panniers as they popped off the rack. I also had to be
careful not to lose my balance when I fell in some of the
holes or run into traffic trying when trying to avoid a
hole.
Going downhill I had to keep my eyes peeled for
undulated patches of asphalt that have melted in the
heat. Sometimes these lumps in the road are hard to
spot especially when speeding downhill.
After 10 k we passed a village with small shops and a
market.
Accommodations along this ride - 15k south of Vang
Vieng we passed a guesthouse and then another
guesthouse after 25-26 kilometers.
Villages are scattered along the road, not many
services for toilet, but plenty of nice isolated bushy
areas for privacy.
We again enjoyed our packed lunch under a thatched
roof rest stop. We have found numerous shelters with
shade along the road to use as rest stops. The Lao
women and girls wear beautiful long silk skirts.
Problems with low vehicle traffic and cattle - The low
traffic presented a few challenges for us. The cars
speed by faster than normal because drivers feel
they're alone on the road. They also drive in the
middle of the road and practice dangerous passing
techniques, such as passing on blind curbs or when
there is foot traffic on both sides of the road. Herds of
nervous cattle also take over the road and get
spooked by our presence. We carefully weaved our
way passed them as they kicked up their heels and
scattered in all directions.
Hills - Hilly ride with three hard climbs. The entire day
we experienced rolling hills and a persisted headwind.
The days are much cooler and that helps when going
over the hills.
Phon Hong town is located at the intersection of Hwys
13 and 10. We stopped her to spend the night instead
of continuing east on Hwy 10 toward Thalat and Na
Nam. Our final goal was to get to Vientiane in time for
my birthday and from Phon Hong to Vientiane via Hwy
10 it is 106 k (63.6 miles) to Vientiane. From Phon
Hong via Hwy 13 it is 70 k (42 miles) to Vientiane.
We cut 9 k (5.4 miles) off our ride for the next day by
staying at the Vang Xang Resort 9 k south of Phon
Hong on Hwy 13.
Other accommodations in Phon Hong - We saw two
guesthouses north of Phon Hong on Hwy 13. The first
guesthouse was 7k (4.2 miles) north of Phon Hong
and the second was 3k(1.8 miles) north of town.
We did not find accommodations in Phon Hong town,
but we did see the billboard announcing the Vang
Xang Resort that is 9 kilometers south of town.
Slept - Vang Xang Resort
Location - 9 kilometers south of Phon Hong just off
Hwy 13. Entrance is well signed.
Cost - $10.00 USD
Amenities - Enclosed compound with a dozen or more
bungalows attched. Small, with en suite bath, hot
shower over toilet, a/c, fridge, and TV (Thai/Lao
channels). Quite location away from the road and
town. The bungalows were relatively clean.
Plenty of room to park bikes inside the bungalow.
| Day 5 Vang Vieng to Phon Hong (Vang Xang Resort) 9k south of Phon Hong, Laos Kilometers 98.8 | Miles 59.2 |