LAOS TRAVEL GUIDE
Sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam, Laos is one of South-East Asia’s newer holiday destinations, having only opened its doors to tourists in the late 1990s. Since then the country has made huge developments in its infrastructure and gone from being a place frequented only by the intrepid to one that can accommodate both budget backpackers as well as more luxury-orientated tourists.
Vientiane, the capital city, may be tiny compared to Bangkok in neighbouring Thailand or other capitals in the region, but it is packed with interesting French colonial architecture and cultural attractions. Luang Prabang in the north is the country’s real visitor gem, offering stunning natural beauty, pretty old buildings and a wealth of fascinating Buddhist structures. For fun and frolics on the backpacker trail, put Vang Vieng firmly on your list while for trekking make Luang Namtha your top choice.
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LAOS WEATHER - When to Go
The climate of Laos is typical of South-East Asia and is predominantly monsoon tropical in nature. There are only three seasons in the year; the cool season (November to March), the hot season (April to early June) and the rainy season (late June to October) and daytime temperatures are consistently high throughout the year. Though weather patterns are fairly consistent between northern and southern regions, the north is generally the cooler of the two.
The cool season is the ideal time to visit Laos as daytime temperatures are hot but not excessively so and chances of rain are slim. In the north, evenings and early mornings can be quite cool at this time of year so packing a sweater or light jacket is advisable. Holidays can be taken in the hot and rainy seasons but for many visitors, the extreme humidity is uncomfortable.
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LAOS HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Luang Prabang: once the capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, Luang Prabang in the north of Laos is the most charming city in the country and its most popular visitor destination. A unique blend of French colonial buildings and traditional Buddhist temples make for pleasant viewing on a stroll around the compact city centre while out of town attractions such as the Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Waterfalls are ideal for those ready to wander further afield.
On a sightseeing tour of the city, the Wat Xieng Thong complex is an essential stop, offering several different Buddhist temples, each with its own unique and ornate decorations. Not to be missed also is the colonial beauty of the Royal Palace and the interesting museum housed within. Come evening, the Night Market is where the action is. You’ll find some of the best shopping opportunities here, not to mention the best examples of local life. Luang Prabang has an international airport servicing short flights to nearby cities, including Bangkok and Vientiane.
- Vientiane: though it is the country’s capital city, Vientiane is not as popular as the more culturally rich Luang Prabang. However, it still has plenty in the way of attractions. Among the highlights of this relatively small capital, the elaborately decorated Pha That Luang is considered a must-see while the Lao National Museum is also not to be missed.
Popular landmarks include Patuxai, an Arc de Triomphe-style archway, and the Fountain, around which are some great dining establishments. A trip to the Morning Market is a good way to sample local edible delicacies and experience traditional Vientiane life. The city can be reached by bus from Vang Vieng in about 3 hours, 30 minutes or by air from several major South-East Asian cities.
- Vang Vieng: once just a sleepy little town serving as a stop-off point on the lengthy bus journey between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, Vang Vieng is now a major visitor destination offering a mix of stunning scenery and a lively backpacker-fuelled ambience. The karst menhirs that form the backdrop to the town are its most notable geographical feature but take a look around in any direction and you’re met with some pretty awesome natural sights.
Days can be spent drifting along the Mekong River on rubber inner tubes while evenings are best spent enjoying a few bottles of Beer Lao with likeminded travellers or catching a movie at a bar or guesthouse. The nearby caves are well worth a visit, as is the waterhole with its rope swing. By bus, Vang Vieng can be reached in about 7 hours, 30 minutes from Luang Prabang.
- Si Phan Don: otherwise known as Four Thousand Islands, this region in the south is best known for its stunning Mekong River scenery and the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia. The islands of Don Khong and Don Det are the chief visitor sites, with the latter being more popular with the backpacking crowd. Both islands offer opportunities for hiking and biking as well as swimming in the river. From Vientiane, it’s a short flight or a 10-hour bus journey to Pakse, then a short journey by road and a ferry to the islands.
- Luang Namtha: the largest city in Luang Namtha Province can be reached from Huai Xai, a Laos-Thai border town, in 5 to 6 hours. It’s not a destination with a great deal going on but it is home to a thriving trekking scene, with many of the hill tribe villages in the mountainous surrounds included on the itineraries of the city’s two main trekking companies. There are also plenty of places that rent bicycles to visitors who prefer to explore the immediate area without assistance.
- Savannakhet: the country’s second largest city is also its business capital and is a 9-hour bus journey from Vientiane. There’s not a lot to do here, but pay a visit to the Savannakhet Tourist Office and you can get details of some interesting walking tours and eco-tourism treks. For sightseeing, the 16th century That Ing Hang stupa and the 15th century Wat Sayaphum temple are must-sees.
- Other Laos Highlights: for more trekking possibilities, check out Muang Xay or Tha Khaek while for a historically and culturally enlightening experience, head for Phonsavan from where you can access the famous Plain of Jars.
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LAOS HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Local food is invariably spicy but can be tailored to meet Western palates. The fiery, chilli-infused papaya salad known as tam maal hung and the tasty noodle soup known as pho are the country’s signature dishes. Colonial influences have ensured that baguettes, pâté and good wine are also a common feature of local cuisine. Eating out is cheap as a rule and dining establishments are ubiquitous in all major tourist destinations.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: Laos is not famed for its nightlife and aside from in the capital, you won’t find many places that stay open much after 23:00. There are plenty of bars, however, where you can watch the sunset while enjoying a few cold glasses of the delectable local brew, Beer Lao. Vientiane has a couple of nightclubs and a bowling alley where drinking after midnight is possible.
- Laos Accommodation: A well-established backpacker destination, Laos offers an abundance of cheap guesthouses and budget hotels. Tourism is slowly opening up to a broader market and in Luang Prabang and Vientiane you’ll find a burgeoning selection of more refined establishments including luxury hotels.
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LAOS FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
There are no direct flights between the UK and Laos.
There is an airport in Vientiane, with regional flights arriving from and departing to Bangkok and other nearby South-East Asian cities.
To reach Laos from the UK therefore, your best option is to fly to Bangkok and travel overland, or catch a further flight. Connecting flights from Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong are also possible options in order to reach Laos.
Try Expedia.co.uk, Lastminute.com or ebookers for flight options to Laos via Bangkok.
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