After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most chilled-out people on earth mean destination Laos is fast earning cult status among travellers.

Laos is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has disappeared in a frenzy of bulldozers, concrete and reality TV elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in Vientiane it’s hard to believe this sort of languid riverfront life exists in a national capital. Then, of course, there is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia.

The Authors

Itineraries

Histoy

The Culture

Environment

Food & Drink

Vientiane & Around

VIENTIANE

Orientation

Information

Dangers & Annoyances

Sights

Activities

Monument to Mekong Walking Tour

Courses

Festivals & Events

Sleeping

Eating

Drinking

Entertainment

Shopping

Getting There & Away

Getting Around

AROUND VIENTIANE

Ban Pako

Phu Khao Khuay Npa Vientiane to Ang

Nam Ngum

Ang Nam Ngum

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

(Former) Saisombun Special Zone

Northern Laos

LUANG PRABANG

PROVINCE

Luang Prabang

Around Luang

Prabang

Nong Khiaw

Muang Ngoi Neua

Nam Bak & Pak Mong

XIENG KHUANG

PROVINCE

Phonsavan

Plain of Jars

Phonsavan to Nong

Haet

Muang Khoun (Old Xieng Khuang)

Muang Sui

HUA PNAN PROVINCE

Sam Neua (Xam Neua)

Around Sam Neua

Sam Neua to Vieng Xai

Vieng Xai

Nam Noen

Nam Noen to Nong

Khiaw

UDOMXAI PROVINCE

Udomxai (Muang Xai)

Around Udomxai

To Luang Prabang Via

Pak Beng

Pak Beng

LUANG NAM TNA

PROVINCE

Luang Nam Tha

Boten

Narn Tha River Trip

Luang Nam Tha to

Huay Xai

Muang Sing

Xieng Kok

PNONGSALI PROVINCE

Phongsali

Udomxai to Phongsali

Muang Khua

BOKEO PROVINCE

Huay Xai

Around Huay Xai

SAINYABULI PROVINCE

Sainyabuli

Around Sainyabuli

Central Laos

BOLIKHAMSAI & KHAMMUAN PROVINCES

Paksan

Paksan to Lak Sao

Lak Sao

Tha Khaek

Around Tha Khaek

SAVANNAKHET PROVINCE

Savannakhet (Muang Khanthabuli)

Around Savannakhet

Dong Phu Vieng Npa

Sepon (Xepon) & the Ho Chi Minh Trail

Southern Laos

CHAMPASAK PROVINCE

Pakse

Around Pakse

Champasak

Wat Phu Champasak

Don Daeng

Uo Moung (Tomo Temple)

Kiet Ngong & Ban Phapho

Se Plan Npa

Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands)

Bolaven Plateau

SALAVAN PROVINCE

Tat Lo

Salavan

Around Salavan

SEKONG PROVINCE

Sekong (Muang Lamam)

Around Sekong

ATTAPEU PROVINCE

Attapeu (Samakhi Xai)

Around Attapeu

Dong Ampham Npa

Directory

Transport

Health

Lanquaqe

Behind the Scenes

Index

World Time Zones

Map Legend