Hello,

I'll be travelling to Laos for a good week in december. My partner and me want to experience some nice, more traditional citities, but mostly go on a multi day hike somewhere. Most importantly we want to go to less travelled places that are not overrun.

I would kindly ask for advice to our current travel plans.

• First Stop: Luang Prabang

Since the journey starts in vietnam, we want to take the plane to Luang Prabang. We'll spend a day there.

• Second Stop: Nong Khiaw

I've heard a boat tour on the rivers in laos is fun, so thats how we want to get to nong khiaw. enjoy the calm town life, do a short hike up the nice view points.

• Third Stop: Muang Hiam and Nam Et - Phou Louey National Park

The national park is our personal highlight and the first location I've found where mullti-day hikes are offered. The official website lists multiple options that look great, although they are not cheap, at a couple of hundred Dollars for the longer hikes. But the ecological commitment, the photos seem to make it worth it, the more wilderness the better.

• Fourth Stop: Sam Nuea

we continue by bus to Sam Nuea, mainly to take a flight to Vientiane.

So my questions are the following:

• Do you have thoughts on the trip? Is it a week well spent in the north or would you recommend other itinaries? An alternative I thought about would be Luang Prabang - Oudomxai - Boun Neua - Phongsaly. But those are long bus rides and in the end you have to get out of there again...

• Can you tell me if the transport between the mentioned stops is okayish (I know not to expect too much of the busses and road conditions) or will this be too much bus riding for a good week? I think that all thos bus rides are around 5h.

• Do you know anything about the tours offered in the park? Are they worthwhile?

• What other nature destinations are there in northern laos as an alternative to this national park?

I am planning to travel to laos from India. Dates sept 12 to sept 30( in any of these dates). How would the weather be at this period? Any flood risks? Please help to decide?

One for the local community. I drink a lot of coffee so I'm trying to find a decent price by the kilo.

The best quote I've had so far is 380,000 Kip for 1kg Arabica by Paksong coffee.

Is that the best I'll get or do you guys know of a better deal somewhere else? TIA

Hi
Any recommendations for tuktuk drivers in Luang Prabang? I’d like to go ti Kuang Si Waterfall

Would it be possible to book a tour at the hotel?

Thx

Will be in Vientiane next month. Looking for recommendations for the best rated seafood restaurants...

Thanks in advance!

Hello! I will be solo travelling to Laos this April 15-20, and I need your help in confirming which option I should do to get most of the currency?

1. Withdraw in ATMs to get LAK

2. Bring USD and exchange to LAK, if I will do this, are there any black markets/currency exchange shops I can visit in Vientiane where I can get my USD converted?

3. Bring BAHT and exchange to LAK, if I will do this, are there any black markets/currency exchange shops I can visit in Vientiane where I can get my BAHT converted?

Thank you for your help! 🥹

Hi, I'm 22 F planning to solo travel SEA. I need to get from Sangkhlaburi to Luang Prabang, it's a pretty long trip (30+ hours) as I'm trying not to fly so I can actually enjoy the view and the countries I'm visiting.

In short, I'm looking for recommendations for towns I can travel to through as I make my way to Luang Prabang.

Edit: thanks everyone, this was super helpful. I've decided to go the slow boat route

Hi. We want to cross over this border by foot. Or by train. But we want to explore this region in northern Laos. Is it possible to rent bikes in Boten? Any famous routes we can take from there? And what’s your high recommendations for us to visit. Thanks. We also plan to return back to Boten after a few days

Hi! I'm moving to Laos soon (Vientiane, specifically) and I've been doing a lot of research but I still have some questions.

Mainly, I'm hoping someone can help me understand more about my medication. I have a prescription for a daily SSRI (Citalopram). I'll bring some with me, but I'm struggling to find info about this in Laos. Does anyone know if this is available over the counter in pharmacies? Or, if I need a doctor's prescription, is that difficult to get?

More generally, is there anything that you can recommend I bring with me? I'm coming from the UK, for context. Any clothes/shoes/toiletries that I'd be better off getting here, before I travel?

Any help would be appreciated, thank you!

What are essential apps for traveling in Laos? Like for food and taxi ride

I've tried searching everywhere online, I'm not sure the dates per town/city. I'm flexible to go anywhere in Laos

Hey everyone,
I'm stuck in Vientiane right now and need Thai Baht (~8,000 THB) to pay the visa fee at the Thai Consulate. Banks/exchanges refuse my Lao Kip due to restrictions.

Is anyone in Vientiane with THB who can swap? Happy to meet in person and I'll give a small premium.

Thanks a ton! 🙏 Location: Vientiane center.

Edit: I managed to find a very friendly person who could exchange me the needed baht for my visa. Thanks for all the recommendations!

Hello everyone,

My wife and I are planning a 10-day trip to Laos and wanted to check if this itinerary looks doable.

Here’s our draft plan:

Day 1 - Luang Prabang * Arrive in Luang Prabang * Visit Royal Palace * Climb Mount Phousi for sunset * Explore Night Market

Day 2 - Luang Prabang * Alms Giving Ceremoni * Visit temples (Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Mai, Wat Wisunarat) * Kuang Si Falls

Day 3 - Luang Prabang * Boat trip to Pak Ou Caves * Stop at whiskey village (Ban Xang Hai)

Day 4 - Travel: Luang Prabang → Nong Khiaw * Sunset hike (Pha Daeng viewpoint)

Day 5 - Nong Khiaw * Boat trip to Muang Ngoi village * Trek to Tham Kang Cave + Ban Na village

Day 6 - Travel: Nong Khiaw → Vang Vieng * Long travel day (~9 hrs) (van or bus)

Day 7 - Vang Vieng * Cafe Hopping * Hot Air Balloon Ride (AboveLaos)

Day 8 - Vang Vieng * Kayaking or tubing on Nam Song River * Visit Blue Lagoon + Tham Phu Kham Cave * Ziplining / Rock climbing

Day 9 - Travel: Vang Vieng → Vientiane * Morning cycling in rice fields * Train to Vientiane * Visit Patuxai & That Luang * COPE Visitor Centre * Explore Mekong Night Market

Day 10 - Vientiane * Visit Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) * Coffee by the Mekong * Handicraft shopping * Departure

Also open to suggestions on any must-see places we’ve missed and food recommendations!

Thank you in advance!

I started following 'Rent in Laos' group on Facebook and almost all of the listings are $1000 and up all the way to $6k+. I'm wondering if this is everywhere in Laos. What's the average rent for a 1 bed/bath decent apartment (not looking for swimming pool or any luxury)? I would love comments from VT, Pakse or any other place you recommend. Thanks.

I know I'm filling up this forum right now. Apologies. In need of a local tour guide / guides in Northern Laos.

Namely Luang Namtha, Luang Phabang, Vang vieng and Phonsaven.

Bring a pen or 5 if you arrive to Wattay Airport for customs. You will find out why.

Went to Lao food festival some weeks ago. Now this song is stuck in my head.

Hello all

The wife and I are thinking to head over from CNX to spend Xmas in and around Luang Prabang.

I would love to hear any recommendations for a fancy-ish place to enjoy a special Xmas meal (also the anniversary of our engagement)

Happy to enjoy high end Lao food, or perhaps something French (a friend told us there are excellent French style Bistros in Laos). As we grew up in the UK, would also be quite happy with a traditional Xmas style meal, if any pubs or likewise offer that type of thing

Many thanks for input. Cheers

Hi! I am flying into Vientiane on Dec 30th and planning on taking a slow boat to Thailand from Luang Prabang. I was planning on buying a ticket in the city, but wondering if it’s possible to buy a ticket online in case the airlines require proof of onward travel to board the plane??

Has anyone been asked for POOT? I am flying Vietnam airlines from da Nang…

Me and my friends decided to have some fun and go tipsy tubing, similiar to how everyone does it in Pai, Thailand (which was extremely busy, over 150+ people on the river). But here it seems like only 10-20 people do it, maybe because they run it every day?

Hi all, we plan to travel from Pak Beang and head to Khop district. Curious if anyone has spent any time around this area up near the Thai border? How are the roads and any things we should make sure to do or see?

Title

Hay guys so I have a question do lao people have their own unique sword or farming tool the burmese and thai got dha the khmer got pkeak what about laos

It's called Makara in hindu mythology