Bus from Ventienne to Chiang Mai

I%26#39;m going from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani then to Ventienne to apply for a tourist visa. I know that this route involves an overnight bus, then another bus to Nong Khai then another tuktuk to cross the bridge. But coming back from Ventienne I hear that you don%26#39;t need to go through all that, and that there is a direct bus back to Chiang Mai? Does anyone know the details?

What time would the buses leave?

Any cheap and clean guesthouse recommendations in Ventienne?

Thanks