Laos is one of the few Communist countries left in the world. Until 1988 tourists were not allowed access to Laos, but the country has now opened up and it is perfectly feasible to travel all over the country, preferably with a recognized tour company, although plenty of backpackers do it independently. The number of tourists is expected to continue increasing over the next few years as more and more people discover the delights of this laid-back country of mountains and rivers. For now, Laos remains relatively isolated and undeveloped. Its capital, Vientiane, is more like a big village than a crowded Asian hub and life throughout the country is slow-paced. Most people come to Laos and make a brief tour of Vientiane and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang with perhaps a brief detour to the mysterious Plain of Jars. But those who make the effort to explore further afield will be well rewarded with luscious landscapes, friendly people and unique glimpses of a country hardly changed for over a century.
Fast facts:
Location: South-East Asia.
Time: GMT + 7.
Area: 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles).
Population: ~7.26 million (2020).
Capital: Vientiane.
Geography:
Laos is a landlocked country bordered to the north by China, to the east by Vietnam, to the south by Cambodia, and to the west by Thailand and Myanmar. Apart from the Mekong River plains, along the border of Thailand the country is mountainous, particularly in the north, and in places is densely forested.
Language
The official language is Lao, however, many tribal languages are also spoken. French, Vietnamese and some English are spoken.
Religion
The majority of the Lao people are Buddhists. The Laos-Lum (Valley Laos) people follow the Hinayana (Theravada) form of Buddhism. The religions of the Laos-Theung (Laos of the mountain tops) range from traditional Confucianism to animism and Christianity.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz.
Social Conventions
Religious beliefs should be respected. Lao people should not be touched on the head. Handshaking is not that usual; Lao people greet each other with their palms together and a slight bowing of the head. Take care when discussing politics and related subjects in conversation so as not to cause offence. Shorts or revealing clothes are not always acceptable. It is a legal requirement to carry an ID document or a passport, and fines for not having one for presentation on demand can be high. The Lao government prohibits sexual relationships, including sexual contact between foreign citizens and Lao nationals, except when the two parties have been married in accordance with Lao family law. Penalties for failing to register a relationship range from fines to imprisonment.
These Laos tours and Laos itineraries are designed to give you some suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Laos, and they showcase some of the routes that we’ve found work particularly well. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely for you by one of our specialists based on your particular tastes and interests.
Do you need a visa to visit Laos?
=> Visitors to Laos must obtain a visa from one of the Laotian diplomatic missions or online unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or qualify for visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
Can you get Laos visa on arrival?
=> The Lao government issues 30-day tourist visas on arrival at all international airports and most international border crossings. The whole process is very straightforward. You need between US$30 and US$42 in cash, one passport-sized photo and the name of a hotel or guesthouse.
How long do you need in Laos?
=> 10 days to two weeks is an ideal time to spend in Laos on an introductory trip. The three stops are very well worn stops for the average backpacking tourist and you'll find loads to do. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it enough to make a return trip and visit some more out of the way places.
What should I pack for Laos?
=> Clothing, Footwear and Accessories. T-Shirts, Short and Other Light Clothing – Laos is warm and sunny most of the year, meaning you'll want to pack t-shirts, shorts and other summer clothing. Since laundry services are cheap and readily available, four to five days worth of clothing is ideal.
Why should I visit Laos?
=> From Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, steamy Jungles to the mighty Mekong; Laos is just so dang naturally beautiful from every angle. ... Then there's the Mekong River, which winds its way through some pretty exotic and fascinating areas, like the 4000 Islands and Don Det.
What is the best time of year to visit Laos?
=> The small, landlocked country of Laos is best visited between October and April, when the weather's warm and dry throughout. River travel is best between November and January, when high water levels make passage easy along Laos' main waterway, the Mekong River.
What are the seasons in Laos?
=> Laos has two main seasons, the rainy season which runs between May and October, and the dry season which lasts from November till April. The latter can be further divided depending on the average temperatures.
Why Should You Take our Laos Private Tours?You'll get a flexible trip plan tailored to your interests, needs and budget. While we suggest a plan, it's you who decides where to go, when to start, where to live, and how long to stay there.
You can choose the accommodation and food that suit your tastes.
Local guides in a Laos private tour only get your needs focused, and have enough time to answer all your questions.
You'll travel in a private car, spacious and comfortable, with your driver who is always ready to escort you to the next destination.
Laos Private tours can be available at a reasonable price while ensuring quality. As the trip is planned around your needs and interests, no money will be wasted on things you don’t want to do or see.
Leave all the hassle of the organization to us and enjoy the quality time with your family or friends. We’ll offer you all the help you need for the trip.
Here are our inspired Laos Tours and Itineraries for you.
Departing | Trip name | Days | From USD | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
16 December, 2024 |
Fantastic Circle Of Myanmar, Cambodia & Laos TourMandalay, Myanmar to Luang Prabang, Laos |
30 days | Contact us | View Trip | |
16 December, 2024 |
15 Days The Best Of Myanmar And Laos TourMandalay, Myanmar to Vientiane, Laos |
15 days | Contact us | View Trip | |
16 December, 2024 |
Laos Vietnam And Myanmar Highlights Tour In 2 WeeksLuang Prabang, Laos to Mandalay, Myanmar |
14 days | Contact us | View Trip | |
16 December, 2024 |
Cambodia & Laos Discovery TourPhnom Penh, Cambodia to Luang Prabang, Laos |
17 days | Contact us | View Trip | |
16 December, 2024 |
13 Days Myanmar Laos Highlights TourYangon, Myanmar to Luang Prabang, Laos |
13 days | Contact us | View Trip | |
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located in Ba Dinh district, nearby Temple of Literature, West Lake, Hanoi Flag Tower, Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was built in two years from 1973 to 1975. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum takes some inspiration from Lenin's in Moscow. The Mausoleum, which was made of marble and granite, features a three-stored structure. In the second store places the famous President’s body, lying as if he were sleeping in the simple clothes worn when he was alive. Above the portico of the mausoleum, the words "Chu tich Ho Chi Minh" (President Ho Chi Minh) can be clearly seen chiseled into the pediment, which is supported by twenty stout granite-covered pillars. The materials that constitute the building, from exterior granite to interior wood, were contributed by people from all over the country. Even the garden that surrounded the Mausoleum has a collection of plants and bonsais donated from all regions in Vietnam. In front of the mausoleum is the 79 cycad trees, symbolizing Uncle Ho’s 79 springs of life.
Besides, Ba Dinh Quare in front of the Mausoleum is a place where President Ho declared the independence of Vietnam on September 2, 1945. The square has 240 patches of grass divided by intersecting concrete pathways; visitors are heavily discouraged from walking on the grass.
Moreover, you can continue to discovery Ho Chi Minh Complex by visiting the nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum, which contains an account of the man's life as told in allegory and his personal effects, and the Presidential Palace, on which grounds Ho Chi Minh lived after taking power (he never really moved in, contenting himself with living in the former electrician's quarters, then in a custom-built stilt house from the 1950s till his death).
Thang Long Puppet Theatre is a famous cultural place for domestic and foreign tourists. It is situated on Dinh Tien Hoang street and nearby many other attractions in Hanoi as Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi Old Quarter, Ly Thai To Park, Hanoi Opera House, etc. It provides the water puppet show which is unique Vietnam traditional art.
The Theatre was established on October 1969 and now become the leading brand name of Vietnamese water puppetry. The Theatre has of preservation, maintenance and development of the traditional water puppetry; confirm-reinforce its brand name; contribute significant part to the advertisement and speed up the cultural and art exchange and cooperation in the world. There are often 5-7 shows every day to satisfy with demands of audiences.
The main content of water puppet show is about daily life of Vietnamese farmers (cultivating, tending buffalo, catching fishes…), communal entertainment (swimming contest, dragon dancing…), or historical legends (Le Loi returns precious sword…). Performances are accompanied by a Vietnamese orchestra playing traditional music using drums, wooden bells, horns, bamboo flutes and cymbals. There are also authentic Vietnamese operatic songs telling the story that is being acted out by the puppets. And the main music used in the water puppetry performance is music of Cheo which is the specific traditional art in the Northern plain.