A tour through Southeast Asia will surely take travelers through Thailand and Vietnam, perhaps on to Bali or the Philippines, but many might miss the budget-friendly gem of Laos.
Laos, or more accurately, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, is tucked between Thailand and Vietnam, and in recent years it’s gained popularity with travelers. Whether you’re a backpacker or an adventure traveler looking for new ground to cover, Laos can offer some of the very best of authentic travel experiences.
Luang Prabang is perhaps the most well-known Laotian city. Temples, restaurants and shops are tucked between and around the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers here. You can walk along either river and enjoy views of the surrounding mountain ranges. You can rent a motorbike and cruise into the mountains for a refreshing swim at Kuang Si Waterfalls, visit a buffalo dairy farm or rice field cafe, or stay in the city and learn about the history of Laos at the National Museum or UXO Visitor Center.
Vang Vieng is about three hours southeast by car and an hour by train from Luang Prabang. This small city is perfect for nature-lovers, but it was formerly a designated backpackers party capital. According to CNN, over the last decade or so, the city has emerged from its hedonistic party packers scene into an age of agritourism and good old nature-loving appreciation. Nowadays, travelers can enjoy water activities here such as tubing, kayaking, and canoeing along the Song River, take a bike out into the mountains, go cave hopping and swim in hidden lagoons.
Nong Khiaw •Though you may hear from other travelers and Reddit posts that there’s not much to do in Nong Khiaw, that might be exactly the point of visiting. Enjoy nature and strap on your hiking boots for some easy to challenging treks through the surrounding mountain ranges. The town, though small, is placed within a beautiful region of limestone peaks and will surely delight travelers who love a more lowkey stay.
Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Nom Khiaw are brimming with house stays and hostels. These are some of the most common accommodations you might find in Laos and both can be excellent options depending on what you’re hoping for.
Hostels in Laos often appeal to a younger crowd, in fact, you may be hard pressed to find anyone over the age of 30 at a hostel. A hostel is a great budget-friendly way to travel. Here, you can chat with other travelers to craft the perfect itinerary, enjoy amenities like pools, free breakfast, in-house bars open late, and be transported back to your college years when you throw on those flip flops to shower in the communal bathrooms. Not so “ahhhh” relaxing, but manageable.
For those who enjoy more intimate travels, a house stay can offer many of the same benefits as a hostel, but with your own room and shower. Though it might not be as popular as Thailand or Vietnam, Laos is a great country to visit and most travelers find it’s easy to do at a reasonable price.
