Laos

Laos is a small landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, and Thailand. The capital city of Laos is Vientiane. Laos was colonized by the French during the late 19th to 20th century. Laos was a communist country beginning from 1975 to the present. The population is over 7 million people. The currency is 21,879 kip to $1.00. English and French are languages spoken in major cities and the hospitality business, but Hmong and Lao are languages spoken in rural areas. Some Laotians speak and read Thai. You may change dollars at major Laos airports and border crossings between Thailand and Laos. From my experience, I am having difficulty changing my kip back to Thai baht or US dollars at the airport. I guess the best bet is to buy souvenirs back in your home country. The most popular cities to visit are Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Luang Namtha. I visited three cities except Luang Namtha.

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Kuang Si Waterfall

LUANG PRABANG

Luang Prabang is my favorite city in Laos. I can spend a week or two staying here because it is small, clean, and quite peaceful. Everything is in proximity to each other, like coffee shops, restaurants, and boutique stores. Luang Prabang is located in the northern part of Laos and runs along the Mekong River and Nam Khan River. This town was established more than a thousand years ago, and it is well-kept to its original. It is a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site. Old buildings are well-kept, and residents and business owners must receive approval before remodeling or starting new projects. Laos was colonized by the French between 1853 and 1953 and briefly occupied by the Japanese during World War II. Luang Prabang is no different from any nation in SE Asia. Many of the buildings and their food still have the remnants of French influence. Luang Prabang is the home of Kwang Si Waterfall (I highly recommend a visit), Pak Ou Caves, and Mount Phousi.

Mount Phousi is worth the hike, to see the view of the town and the stunning sunset. My recommendation is to bring a bottle of water because of the humidity and hot sun in the afternoon. Also, don't forget to have a meal or drinks at the night market nearby after the hike. There are a variety of activities in Luang Prabang. My suggestion is to do some research to see what your interests may be. As for me, I like to walk around the town enjoying the local morning market, antique architecture, and boutique stores, and visit as many coffee shops as I possibly can.

Slow Boat from Chiang Khan, Thailand to Luang Prabang Laos

There are several ways to get to Luang Prabang. By bus, plane, train, and slow boat. For the last two trips, I preferred a first-class sleeping train from the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue Grand Station) to Chiang Mai. Then either bus or private car to Chiang Rai. I typically stay a few nights in Chiang Rai sightseeing and enjoying the town before taking a bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong and spending a night there and taking a bus to Chiang Khong the next morning. I spent one night in Chiang Khong to anticipate a slow boat departure the next morning to Luang Prabang. The company that operates the tour is Nagi of the Mekong. I found this company to be reputable and reliable. They will pick you up from a hotel in Chiang Khong by car to the Thailand border and take a bus across the Mekong River to the small town of Houi Xai in Laos. Here you must go through the customs and visa process. You may apply for your visa completely electronically while in your country. I did it last time when they first authorized an electronic visa and found it was easy and convenient and no issue while crossing the Laos border. Actually, you may go across the river on your own and find a hotel for one night before taking the slow boat to Luang Prabang, but I found it was easier to stay at the Thailand border and have someone pick me up and take care of my carry-on that way. For a one-way trip along the Mekong River, it is less than $200, including a guide/translator, lunches, a hotel in Pakbeng, and transportation to your hotels in Luang Prabang. The trip to Luang Prabang is two days and one night. You either book a one-night stay in Pak Beng on your own, or you can pay extra for Nagi to make arrangements for a one-night stay in Pak Beng. As for me, I would rather have Nagi's book to avoid misunderstanding when arriving in Pak Beng, and Nagi also provides transportation to your hotel when arriving in Pak Beng. I enjoy taking a trip along the Mekong River just to enjoy the scenery along Thailand and Laos.

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Slow boat to Luang Prabang, Laos

Hmong children living along Mekong River selling scarves and souvenirs to help their families.

The trip down the river takes two days and one night, and you will arrive at Luang Prabang in the evening. Therefore, please book your logging in Luang Prabang as soon as possible. I'm planning to visit Luan Prabang for the third time, but I found out the hotels are pretty much sold out in Chiang Khong, and I have limited availability in Houi Xai, and the hotel I normally stay in Luang Prabang has already sold out many months ahead. Therefore, I will not be planning to visit Laos next year. My recommendation is to book your hotel at least 9–10 months ahead to ensure you assure your preferable hotels. For the slow boat, I believe the max allowance is 18 persons per boat, and it has very limited availability. If you have limited time, please book your seat in advance as soon as possible. Taking a trip along the river is not only relaxing, and eyes open, especially when visiting tribal villages along the river. I have learned so much and really appreciate what I have at home. These people live on minimal basics. There was no electricity until two years ago, and I am not quite sure if they have safe and clean running water in the village. I don't want to spoil your future trip, but I will share a few pictures with you. Pictures tell a thousand words more than I can explain. I did some research before visiting the villages. I bought some bubble gums, chocolates, slippers, and daily essentials for them. The boy in a picture with a swollen cheek. He cried the entire time we were there due to pain, but his mother had no means to take him to a doctor and the doctor was two hours away by boat. We chipped in some money and told his mother to take her son to a doctor.

VIENTIAN

Vientiane is the capital city of Laos. I only spent two nights on a connecting flight back to Bangkok from Luang Prabang. While waiting for the next flight to Bangkok, I had the opportunity to visit a few historical monuments and temples. I also have the opportunity to visit the COPE museum. This museum reminded me of the past, and the Vietnam War has affected my life and so many more lives than you thought, especially in Laos and Cambodia. It was the Vietnam War, but I didn't realize that Laos received the most bombing by the American military. Over two million tons of bombs were dropped in Laos, and approximately 50 thousand people were injured and killed by cluster bombs and landmines. The war ended almost 50 years ago, but clearing of unexploded bombs still continues. For more information about the COPE museum, please click on the link below.

The COPE Museum of Laos—Atlas Obscura