Laos Travel Forum

My wife and I are spending 4 days in Luang Prabang in mid July. We would appreciate any advice on the "must see" sites in and around the town and any suggestions on day trips from there.
Thanks

I will be in Laos on the 23rd June for 7 days. Current plan is to cross the Huay Xai border from Thailand then take the boat to Luang Prabang, a couple of days there, then Vang Vieng and then Vientiante. Any recommendations from anyone? Should I go up to Muang Sing/Luang Nam Tha then go to Nong Khiaw instead of the boat trip? Also, should I stop in Phonsavan (between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng?

Hello, Would anyone know where I can find out bus timetable info in advance.
The route I will be taking would be from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng to Vientiane. I've found a few sites but some information is blurred. Are the roads safe in this region.

Hi, trying to plan for an itenary in end May.
Have not done any booking yet, am just trying to get some preliminary feedback on suggestion on itenary for 4D 3N or 3D 2N in Laos.

Please let me know what are the attractions recommended etc.

Thanks in advance!

I've heard both these places are very beautiful but am not sure what the best way to visit both is. I have about 6 days in Laos and i plan on staying in LP most of the time and going to the Nam Ou for only a day or 2. Any help?

thanks

Hello,

Is it best and cheaper to purchase your visa in advance for Laos or does it make any difference if you purchase it at the airport when you arrive?
Also I'm heading from Luang Prabang to Vientiane with the idea of stopping off for a couple of days in Vieng Vang as is popular. Although Vang Vieng looks beautiful landscape wise the town with it's happy meal bars et doesn't appeal to me. Is it worth stopping off here or best to go to Vientiane and spend a couple more days there?

Hello Vters,

Thanks for responding to my questions about Laos over the last few months. Finally, i'm heading to Laos tomorrow.

I will arrive at Vientiane's Airport and as soon as i arrive, i will need to go to the bus station and get a ticket to vang vieng. My question is, is there a money changer in AIrport? is the rate good? How much am i expecting to pay for tuktuk to Bus Station? Can i Pay usd? where should i change my money to lao kip? Vientiane or Vang Vieng?

thank you.

Hi!

Okay, that may sound a bit funny, but can you recommend any place where I can do literally nothing but relax? I think I need a travel-rest for a few days, and if Laos had a beach I would go there... what else could you recommend? It should be just a nice and calm place, not too difficult to reach, not a bustling city, just a nice scenic place - maybe something like a hill station?

Thanks for your advices,
ianchen

Hi,

has anyone of you been to Ban Na in Laos? Is it advisable to go there alone or will it be too expensive? I plan to go there this week, but I'm not sure if there is a group I can join - if I have to pay the guides all on my own it might be a bit expensive ^^.
How much do i have to expect to pay for a homestay?
Any tipps of how to get there (I know that I have to take a bus from Vientiane that passes Phabath - but which one and where from?)
I heard that since recently there also exists a pick-up service?

Thanks for your help,
ianchen

Dear fellow travellers,

In the near future I want to go from Vientiane to Hanoi by road.
What is the most convenient/quickest/shortetst option?

Thanks for letting me know,
Best regards,

Tobi

Hi

I've work out the plan for luangprabang base on what i've read so far, please review, thanks
7am – Pak Ou Cave
Minibus 15 000kip 25km (30mins)
2 Hrs boat ride 20000 kip (return) ppax
Entrance 20000kip
Stop at Whiskey village
9:30am Arrived at Pak Ou
11pm Boat Ride back to land
1pm Minibus 15 000kip
1:30pm arrive at town and take Van to Kuang Si Waterfall (1hr - How much??)
2:30pm Kuangsi Waterfall – Entrance 20 000kip
5pm -6pm back to Town

Hello,
i need some input on the latest pricing for activities in Vang Vieng, as most of the tips i found here was few years back.

I'm looking for a package with Kayaking + Cave Exploration + Tubing
According to a tips here, it says it cost USD 13 for full-day kayaking trip which, include tubing inside a cave and 4 caves exploration and tubing with guides. Anyone can confirm this? and how long it will take for this activity?

How much to do a River Swing?

I heard there is rock climbing in vang vieng, where can i find it?

To get to the starting point of the tubing, how much will the tuk tuk cost?

If i were to get a private van to Luang Prabang, how much would that cost?
thank you

Hello, I will arrive at Luang Prabang in a afternoon at about 4pm from Van Vieng. and I will be leaving for Phonsavan on the 3 rd day.

when i arrived at Luang Prabang, i most probably wil hang out at the town and rest in guesthouse. So i will have one whole day to visit around only.

Do you think i can visit kuangsi and pakou in one day? Other than Kuangsi and pakou, any place else worth a visit in my tight schedule? thanks.

We recently were in Laos in Luang Prabang and we found a good place to eat in "The House" restaurant (also known as the Banana Bistro). It's at the other side of the Phousi Hill near the nam khan river. It's next to the lao lao garden and hive bar. Unfortunately we've lost their businesscard and it's a brand new place so they are not yet in the guides and their website isn't working yet. So how can we get in touch ? Is anyone there who can get me their e-mail adress ?? It would mean a great deal to us if you could help us. Thank you

Hi
I'm being given so much conflicting information about getting a tourist visa for entering Laos from the Cambodian border my head spins.... My question is:
Do I have to go to the Laos Embassy in Phnom Penh (considering I'd be arriving right on Cambodian New Year and nothing will be functioning there for a week) or can I just take the bus from Phnom Penh with just a valid passport and obtain one at the border?
I really need an urgent reply as the answer will determine when I have to leave lovely Sihanoukville !!
Thanks a million. Oh, I'm Australian, if that makes any difference?

Hello Dear vters,

I'm looking for a guest house price range from USD10-USD15, aircon room which is in the city so that i can walk around the city for food at night especially, but not noisy at night. any recommendation?

Hello Vters, I found a blog with Laos's Bus schedule for Year 2006. I'm not sure if its still applicable now. please advice.. thanks

http://lao-bus-time-table.blogspot.com

Day 1 Arrive at Vientiane at 10:45am
1.30pm take bus to vang vieng arriving 5:30pm (4 hours)
Day 3 Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang 9am - 3pm (6hrs)
Day 5 Luang Prabang - Phonsavan (8 hrs bus ride)
Day 6 Phonsavan (plain of jars) - Vientiane

According to some website, it say Bus from Phonsavan to Vientiane can take 24 hrs if the road is bad? is that true? in that case, should i go to Phonsavan from Vang Vieng, then Phonsavan to Luang Prabang and lastly Luang Prabang to Vientiane?

I also heard the tour visit to the Plain of Jars cost about USD100 per person, is that true?

I think i've posted too many questions in this forum that everyone knows Blacksnail is going to Laos :P

thank you all in advance...

Hello,

I remember i bought some traveller books at the angkor wat for USD 5. are they books at similar price available in Laos? where can i find them in Vientiene

thanks.

Hello Vters,

Are Laos kids like cambodia kids? do they like to swamp around you and ask you for little gifts? I want to get prepared with little gifts if they are like them. thanks.

Hello,
I'm going to Vangvieng end of April, do you think if i were to stay in the RIverside Bungalow Fan Hut, i will be attack by mosquitos and other bugs at night?

thanks.

Hello,

I read from some post saying Phonsavan - Vientiane takes 24 hrs by bus?? is that true? in that case, maybe i should do this: Van Vieng - Phonsavan - Luang Prabang - Vientiane, as Van Vieng - phonsavan is 6hrs and Phonsavan - Luangprabang is 8 hrs.

And i heard the tour to the plain of jars in phonsavan cost about usd 60? it's really expensive its tat's true. please advice.

Hey Vters,

I've did some researches and i have this itinerary plan, can someone comment on this.

Plan 1: Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Huay Xai - Luang Namtha - Van Vieng - Luang Prabang - Phonsavan - Vientianne

Plan 2: Chiang Mai - Udon Thani - NongKhai - Vientiane - Phonsavan - Luang Prabang - Van Vieng - Vientiane?

which plan is better? thanks.

Hi,
I am looking for any advice for travelling between Vientiane and Siem Reap.
Is it a good idea to take a couple days to do this while stoping at certain towns in north-eastern thailand?
Is it better to just get to Siem Reap as quick as possible?
Which is better, train or bus?.

Any advice helps.

Thanks

I will be in Laos for a short trip and hope to go to vientiane and vangvieng. Is there any travel agent that offer an overnight trip to vangvieng? How much will it cost? Transport, hotel and guide. Or is it better to go on our own? Is a guide necessary? How much will transport by bus be? Can anyone recommend a clean reasonable guesthouse in vangvieng by the river costing about US$15? Thanks and appreciate any replies and advice. Jackie

any recommendations of budget lodging in Vientiane and Luang Prabang? Thanks.

Hello, I plan to visit Luang Prabang and XianKhuang from Vientiane. Should i go to Luang Prabang first or XianKhuang. Which route is more convenient?

if i were to spend a day in Vientiane without checkin in to guest house, is there anywhere i can keep my luggage? for 12 hrs?
thank you

I have heard horrible things about the bus from Vientiane to Hanoi and wonder if flying direct is an option?

What airlines would do this?

Thanks

hello friends... I will be using the international bus from downtown vientiane to udon thani which I understood is a direct bus and I would like know how long would the bus wait to allow passengers to do the immigration/stamping and will they allow us to leave our baggages in the bus....thank you

HEllo, I want to take a fast boat from LP to Vientiane, anyone got info on this? there is two of us travelling

Thanks