Laos expands buses for Pi Mai rush

Vientiane’s Southern Bus Terminal added six extra daily departures for Pi Mai Lao, lifting service to 70 trips a day before the New Year travel rush. (laotiantimes.com) The expanded schedule runs from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., up from the usual 64 daily trips, according to terminal manager Souksavat Sisouk. He said passengers had already started arriving on April 8 and that evening VIP departures were filling fastest. (kpl.gov.la) The southern terminal is Vientiane’s main hub for long-distance buses to southern and central provinces, including Pakxan, Thakhek, Savannakhet, Pakse, Salavan, Sekong, Attapeu, Don Khong, Veun Kham, and Xieng Khouang. Published fares this month ranged from 180,000 kip for Vientiane to Pakxan to 630,000 kip for Don Khong and Veun Kham. (kpl.gov.la) Pi Mai Lao falls in mid-April, and 2026 celebrations are running from April 14 to April 16, when schools, offices, and many businesses close for the national holiday. That annual shutdown pushes more people onto interprovincial transport at the same time. (vientianetimes.org.la) The bus increase also comes during a broader transport squeeze in Laos tied to higher fuel costs and shortages. On March 23, Vientiane introduced a flat 10,000-kip fare on selected electric bus routes through May 30 as part of a fuel-saving plan. (kpl.gov.la) Officials have also been widening cross-border bus links in April. Laos and China launched a new international route on April 11 connecting Xishuangbanna in Yunnan with Xiang Kok village in Luang Namtha, adding another overland option during the holiday period. (laotiantimes.com) At the terminal, staff told passengers to book ahead for VIP coaches, double-check route and seat details, and load luggage promptly because fully booked buses may leave as soon as boarding is complete. For Pi Mai week, Vientiane is trying to keep the holiday crush moving rather than let it build into station-wide congestion. (laotiantimes.com)