Pakse to My Tho: Drive Guide, Stops & Scenery

Most travelers fly between Laos and Vietnam, but the road from Pakse to My Tho offers something rare: a 600-kilometer passage through three distinct countries (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam) without a single border crossing. You'll drive along the Mekong's left bank, pass through the Bolaven Plateau's coffee heartland, cross into Cambodia's northeastern forests, and finish in the Mekong Delta's orchard-laced canals.

The route follows National Road 13 south from Pakse to the border at Veun Kham, then continues as Cambodian National Road 7 to Stung Treng and Kratie, before curving east on National Road 73 to the Vietnam border at Trey Koh. On the Vietnamese side, National Road 22 meets up with the Ho Chi Minh Highway, which delivers you to My Tho's doorstep. This is not a highway sprint; it's a landscape-changing, multi-culture drive that deserves three full days.

The driving time for Pakse to My Tho is roughly 13.5 hours of pure wheel time, excluding stops. But the real question—is it worth driving Pakse to My Tho—depends on your appetite for rough stretches. The Laotian section is newly paved and smooth, but once you cross into Cambodia, expect potholes and gravel in places. From Kratie onward, the road improves again.

Fuel stations cluster around major towns: Pakse, Stung Treng, Kratie, and My Tho. In between, you'll find small pump stands selling gasoline from 55-gallon drums, especially on the Cambodian stretch. Carry extra cash in Lao Kip and Cambodian Riel, as card payments are nonexistent outside cities. Petrol economy for a mid-size SUV is about 12 km/l, so plan for four full tanks for the entire route.

• Border crossing: Veun Kham (Laos) to Dom Kralor (Cambodia) is open daily 6 am–8 pm.
• Cambodian visa: Available on arrival for most nationalities; bring a passport photo.
• Vietnam border: Trey Koh (Cambodia) to Xuân Thông (Vietnam); expect a quick vehicle inspection.
• Road quality: Lao 13 is in excellent condition; Cambodian 7 has rough patches; Vietnamese QL22 is good.

Heading south from Pakse, Route 13 climbs the Bolaven Plateau's escarpment. Here, the temperature drops, and you're surrounded by cascading waterfalls like Tad Fane—a twin falls plunging 120 meters. The plateau's volcanic soil produces some of the world's finest Arabica coffee, and roadside stalls sell bags for $3 a kilo.

Beyond the border, Cambodia's landscape flattens into dry forest, where you might spot hornbills and gibbons. Near Stung Treng, the Mekong River widens to over a kilometer, and you can take a boat to the rare, freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins at Kampi. The final leg into Vietnam is a transition to emerald rice paddies and fruit orchards, with My Tho's riverine labyrinth of canals.

Local commerce along the route is scattered: markets in Pakse, Stung Treng, and Kratie offer everything from woven Khmer scarves to dried fish. In Vietnam, be sure to stop at a Mekong Delta orchard for fresh rambutans and durian.

Infrastructure safety is a mix of decent asphalt and unmarked rural roads. In Laos, look out for the occasional water buffalo sauntering across the road; in Cambodia, watch for overloaded logging trucks. Vietnam's roads are the busiest, with motorbikes darting from side lanes. Always wear seatbelts, use a helmet on any two-wheelers, and carry a basic first-aid kit.

For families, the route is rewarding but long. The kids will love the dolphin boats at Kratie, the waterfalls on the Bolaven Plateau, and the maze of canals on a traditional sampan in My Tho. Strap child seats into the back, and plan for plenty of leg-stopping breaks. Pet-friendly travelers are better off leaving larger pets at home; the heat and rough terrain can be hard on them. However, small dogs can ride in a crate, and many guesthouses along the route accept pets if you negotiate at check-in.

Fatigue management is crucial for this drive. The monotoNous stretches between Kratie and the border can lull you to sleep. Schedule a break every two hours, and identify safe rest zones: the border towns, the markets, and the service stations. Pakse, Stung Treng, and My Tho have quality hotels if you need to overnight. For power naps, use the shaded picnic areas near the waterfalls, but avoid roadside bushes as they can conceal hazards.