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Laos, the "Land of a Million Elephants," is a neighboring country of Vietnam with many attractive tourist destinations that can be explored at any time of year. Choosing to travel to Laos in any season will offer unique and interesting experiences. However, if you want to fully enjoy the beauty of Laos with the most ideal weather, consider traveling between September and March each year. During this time, the weather is cool, with little rain, suitable for all tourist activities and unforgettable experiences.
Laos, the "Land of a Million Elephants," is a neighboring country of Vietnam with many attractive tourist destinations that can be explored at any time of year.
Here are 5 unique experiences that Dam Quoc Khanh suggests you have when you set foot in the "forgotten tourist paradise" of Laos:
Climb to the top of Nam Xay mountain to admire the sunset.
For travelers who love physical activity and exploration, Nam Xay Peak is a must-see destination when visiting Vang Vieng – a small, peaceful, fresh, and cool town nestled amidst the vast forests of northwestern Vientiane. It is famous for its majestic natural scenery, allowing visitors to admire panoramic views of Vang Vieng town and the surrounding limestone mountains.
From the center of Vang Vieng town, you can take a tuk-tuk or motorbike to the foot of Nam Xay mountain. Beginning your climb, you'll be immersed in pristine nature with lush green trees and the cheerful chirping of birds. After about 45 minutes of climbing, you'll reach the summit of Nam Xay. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the picturesque Vang Vieng town, the majestic limestone mountains, and the tranquil Nam Song River. Don't forget to capture some stunning photos at the summit of Nam Xay for your social media. After sightseeing and taking pictures, you can rest, relax, and enjoy the snacks you brought.
Experience the thrill of climbing to the summit of Nam Xay and taking photos on your motorbike, surrounded by a vast, expansive landscape.
According to Quoc Khanh, because the hike takes 45 minutes, the path is quite steep and rocky, so you need to be in good health to ensure your safety. You should wear shoes with good grip to easily move on the steep and slippery terrain. There are no food or drink vendors along the way, so bring plenty of water and snacks to replenish your energy.
Drifting along the Nam Song River, kayaking and tubing.
“Kayaking and tubing are both quite popular water sports in Vang Vieng. With Laos' hot and humid weather, water recreation is a top priority when visiting this place. You can kayak or simply relax on a tubing float on the cool river,” Quoc Khanh said.
Exciting water activities
Water sports are quite popular.
If you're a fan of adventurous activities, kayaking on the Nam Song River will surely provide exciting experiences for those who love exploration. This area is fortunate to be blessed by Mother Nature with a pristine landscape, from the lush greenery of the trees to the gently flowing river winding around limestone cliffs. You'll easily be captivated by the experience of kayaking while enjoying the majestic and romantic nature of this town nestled against the mountains and overlooking the river.
In addition, tubing is a very popular tourist activity in Vang Vieng, attracting visitors with its uniqueness and minimal skill requirements. When participating in tubing, you will be provided with a large inflatable float, allowing you to sit comfortably inside and drift along the river. The tubing route typically lasts about 3 km, along the town of Vang Vieng. This excursion allows you to immerse yourself in nature, enjoy the fresh air, and discover the unspoiled beauty of Vang Vieng. Along the riverbank, there are also many bars and restaurants where you can stop to rest, enjoy a drink, and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere.
The natural scenery is distinctly unspoiled.
Feel free to take photos at Patuxay Arch.
For those visiting Laos for the first time, the Patuxay Arch is an ideal destination. Located at the end of Lan Xang Avenue (or Thanon Luang Avenue) in the northeast of Vientiane, the capital city, the Patuxay Arch commemorates the soldiers who perished in the resistance against French colonialism in Indochina.
Patuxay Arch is located at the end of Lan Xang Avenue (or Thanon Luang Avenue) in the northeast of Vientiane, the capital city.
Stepping up to the tower, you'll be overwhelmed by the spectacular view of the capital city of Vientiane unfolding before your eyes. It's like a miniature painting encompassing all the essence of this beautiful city. Especially when strolling to the Arc de Triomphe at sunset, you'll be immersed in the tranquil life of the Lao people. This peaceful and warm scene reflects the very soul of the Lao people.
Patuxay Arch is not only an architectural masterpiece bearing the glorious historical imprint of Laos, but also expresses respect and gratitude to the heroes who sacrificed themselves for the independence and freedom of the country. Here, visitors can listen to heroic historical stories and feel the national pride of the Lao people.
In particular, strolling to the Arc de Triomphe at sunset will allow you to immerse yourself in the tranquil life of the Lao people.
Take a stroll around the Vientiane night market.
As the sun sets, painting the Mekong River red, the vibrant red-canopied stalls gradually open, awakening the lively night market in the heart of Vientiane. Located within Chao Anouvong Park, the Vientiane night market is like a colorful silk ribbon along the mystical Mekong River. Here you can find a wide variety of goods, from clothing, shoes, and bags to unique souvenirs such as phone cases, embroidered paintings, embroidered bags, woven baskets, and exquisite handicrafts.
As the sun sets, painting the Mekong River red, it awakens the vibrant night market in the heart of Vientiane.
The market sells all kinds of goods.
What makes Vientiane's night market special is its tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle often found in other local markets. "The food court at the night market is a highlight, with numerous stalls selling attractive and delicious street food. The prices of food and drinks at the night market are quite affordable, suitable for tourists' budgets," Quốc Khánh said.
Delicious street food
The food prices are quite reasonable.
Witnessing the alms-giving ceremony in Luang Prabang firsthand.
The Tak Bat alms-giving ceremony is an important cultural and religious ritual that takes place early in the morning in Luang Prabang. This ritual has become a long-standing tradition and holds deep spiritual significance for the local people.
The Alms-Giving Ceremony is an important cultural and religious ritual that takes place early in the morning in Luang Prabang.
Monks in their orange-yellow robes will walk along the streets of Luang Prabang.
At dawn, as the sunlight begins to filter through the trees, monks in their orange-yellow robes walk along the streets of Luang Prabang. They walk in long lines, silently and serenely, holding alms bowls to receive food offerings from locals and tourists.
“Usually, tourists don’t prepare their own food like sticky rice or sweets to offer as alms. But don’t worry, along the streets where the monks pass, there are many vendors selling baskets full of offerings for the ceremony, priced from around 80,000 kip. When you buy the items, you can sit in a chair the vendor has prepared to participate in the offering. My advice is to buy on Sisavangvong Street because if you buy elsewhere, you’re more likely to find no place to sit,” Quoc Khanh shared.
The monks walked in long lines, silently and serenely, holding alms bowls to receive food offerings from locals and tourists.
Laos travel tips:
ButMoveThere are two ways to travel from Vietnam to Laos: by land and by air. Traveling by land takes more time (approximately 24-25 hours) because you have to cross two border crossings and go through immigration procedures. Choosing to fly saves time but is quite expensive; currently, flights to Laos are not numerous or frequent, leading to high airfare prices.
ButMeans of transportationWhen traveling in Laos, tourists have many transportation options such as tuk-tuks, minivans, motorbikes… or between major cities, they can choose high-speed trains.
ButAccommodationTourists can use apps to book and pay in advance in Vietnam.
ButCurrency exchangeThere are two ways to exchange money: at the border crossing and in Laos.
ButPhone SIMThere are two mobile network providers that people commonly use: Lao Telecom and Unitel.
