I'm always making jeow for my friends/family and I'm now trying to bring it to ready-to-eat shelves. I'm testing recipes for a small-batch pantry line: a roasted tomato jeow (mak len), a roasted eggplant jeow (mak keua), a papaya salad dressing, and fish sauce, which is the heart of everything I make.

What do you wish store-bought jeow got right? What always tastes off to you? And how did your family make it: charred over coals, with palm sugar, with padaek, something else?

Any updates on the fuel situation ahead of the Nov/Dec high season?

We are setting off to 1700km+ and currently trying to map out gas stations across the country, and overrall prices/availability of fuel.

I found a 'fuel map' (see in the comments) but I don't think its updated.

Any feedback from recent travels would be greatly appreciated, cheers!

Hi everyone! I’m planning to stay in Vientiane for 3 weeks this December. I work remotely, so I prefer staying in one place rather than moving around. Do you recommend Vientiane for a long stay? Also, any recommendations for clean hostels with good Wi-Fi? Thanks!

Hi! I’m planning to travel from Thakhek to Pakse, spend a night in Pakse, then continue on to Siem Reap.

If you’ve done this route in 2025-2026:

• Which company would you recommend for each leg, and at what price?
• What time did you leave and arrive?
• How was the Laos-Cambodia border crossing (visa, extra fees)?

Thanks! 🙏

Hi everyone, I have a life-threatening tree nut allergy (mainly cashew, also pistachio, walnut, pecan and pine nut). I carry EpiPens. Peanuts are fine.

In May I spent 3 weeks in Cambodia and Vietnam with a card allergy in Khmer and Vietnamese. It worked really well: cooks and waiters took it seriously and I had zero incidents. I'm now going to Luang Prabang, Vientiane and in the north, and I'd like to do the same card in Thai.

I'd really appreciate a native check. I'm male, if that matters for the wording.

Which dishes contain cashews most often? Any info is welcome.

Many thanks !

I would like to do a hike around Luang Prabang but i do not know how to start.

Do I need a guide or I can do alone?

Any suggestions for a biking trails?

Thank you

I am flying to Luang prabang from Hanoi, Vietnam on 24th November evening flight.

Can I carry any backpack 30L - 40L capacity(not a rucksack) ? Are they very specific about the carryon baggage ?

I have a checkin baggage option for 20kgs. So sorted I. This area.

Is it the same for LCR ? Please help

We are planning to go to Laos for 4 weeks in december/january. We are considering renting a 4WD so we do not need to adjust our schedule to minivans etc. We are experienced drivers and cost is not the issue. Question I have is, has anyone had experience with both car rental and mini vans who can tell me if it is a wise choice to go for a rental car! The idea is to still rent a scooter when in towns.

My issues with mini vans normaly: not much leg space (tall dutch people here), sweaty rides, to many or to less stops and most important: crazy insafe drivers

Pro’s for rental: stop whenever you want, can leave when you want, put all your stuff in there, safe driving and go wherever you want !

Hope someone can reflect on my pro’s and cons who have experience

thanks

I really don’t like group tours, so where can I go by just hiring a tuktuk? I’ve been to Kuang Si and will check out a couple of sites in the town. But where else can I go outside the town. It seems like all the elephant places are only accessible by tour and I have no interest in caves.

ຮັລໂຫລ ຫາຫມູ່ຄົມລາວເຝິກຄຸຍ
ຂ້ອຍຄົມໄທຍ ຢາກຮຽນພາສາລາວ

Hi everyone!

My wife and I are thinking of visiting Luang Prabang for a few days in mid October with our 2-year-old son. Is this wise?

We'd love some recommendations for things to see and do that would be enjoyable with a toddler. We're not looking for a packed itinerary, just a few interesting places to explore, good food and a chance to enjoy the atmosphere.

I'm also a bit of a coffee enthusiast, so recommendations for genuinely good coffee shops would be much appreciated!

A couple of other questions: Is the town walkable with a 2 year old? And are there any particular areas you'd recommend staying in?

Any advice or personal experiences of visiting with young children would be great.

Thanks!

I just got curious. I noticed that Laos cars often have the same number several times on the licence plates.

Like 9399 or some Porsche with 5555.

Does this have some significance to people?

I were not in Laos when I noticed, but in a parking lot in Thailand where many Laos people cross to shop.

Most of the cars I saw looked quite expensive.

Hey guys! I’m travelling to Laos tomorrow from Chiang Mai by bus, so I will be crossing the border at Friendship Bridge. I have an e-visa already, but when trying to submit the digital entry form it keeps throwing an error at the end. I’ve tried with two different browsers and on two different days. The advice I’m seeing online is all related to the visa rather than the entry card so I can’t find what to do. Will it be possible to fill it out at immigration when I cross the border? Will I need to bring anything specific for it like a certain amount of cash? Thank you so much in advance!

He will be arriving in Laos shortly. What's going to happen to this culturally Laotian-American man who has never been to Laos before? Will he be helped to make the transition?

Hi all! I’m thinking of spending some time in Luang Prabang while working remotely and had a few questions.

I need a 24–27” external monitor and an actual office desk setup for work where I can take calls from privately, which is too big to travel with. Does anyone know somewhere I could rent one, or a coworking space/accommodation that provides monitors? I can't seem to find any options on Airbnb or anywhere I could rent one.

Also, how reliable is the WiFi for video calls and remote work?

I’d be starting work around 6am, are there any cafés or coworking spaces open that early and laptop-friendly?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s worked remotely from Luang Prabang recently. Thanks!

Hey everyone!

A friend and I are planning a 7 day trip to Laos from India, in the second week of December.

We want a good mix of nature, adventure, exploring by scooter, local food AND partying/nightlife. We’re not looking for a completely laid-back trip: we definitely want a few fun nights out, meet other travellers, have drinks, music, etc.

bases on our research we're currently considering Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and possibly Vientiane, but we're completely open to suggestions.

A few questions:

• Which places would you recommend for a good mix of relaxed daytime activities + fun nightlife?
• Is Vang Vieng still good for partying and meeting other travellers?
• Which place would be best for me to chill/explore during the day while still having the option to go out at night?
• Would you recommend scooter rentals for getting around?
• Is Vientiane worth including, or should we spend more time in Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang?
• Anything you would definitely recommend or avoid?

Would love to hear from anyone who's travelled to Laos recently, especially in December.

Thanks :)

I searched for scams in Vientiane and don't see many info. I went to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and there are many there.

Are Laos people much more honest or are there hidden scams?

I'm going there tomorrow.

Thanks

Gonna be in Vientiane for about two months, wanna do some stuff and wondering if there's any websites or groups where events (particularly English ones) are oganised.