When traveling up to Ha Noi the open tour buses are the easist, you can buy a ticket all the way to Ha Noi that allwos you to get on and off at all the major spots.

You should get a sleeping bus though, because some of the bus rides are very long.

It is not that expensive either really.

The train is ok as well, you jsut have to be more organized at getting the bus stations and buying tickets.

When I went to Lao the visited the Pathet Lai caves and the Plain of Jars. When went the Pathet Lao caves the area was freezing, so check the weather for your time of year.

The plain of jars a qutie cool, although unlike what the guide book says, site 2 and site 3 are not easily visited by cycle. The road is bad and there are little to no signs.