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Traveling Thai, Cambodia, Vietnam trio

by DSwede

[Copied from my post to a forum question]I've been to all of the places you mentioned. And I've spent several months in a few of them too. I will agree with the posts above and say that your original plan is too much in too short a time. Five countries in 5 weeks leaves for 6 days minimum in each country once travel is taken into account. Land travel in SEA can take a while, so 6 days will only let you see maybe two places with any respectable amount of time to do them justice.India would definitely be worthy of a 5 week (or longer) visit by itself. Bali is a big island and can eat up a few weeks easily.The only other point that I will interject at the moment is if you do the Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam trio, I suggest doing Vietnam first. That is not because I like it least/most or because its more expensive/cheap... but simply due to the required Visas.Thailand does not require Visa,...

mineral rich country

by picek

For its wide variety of minerals and gem Laos could be rich country, if ... (you're free to end the sentence by yourself). Browse the shops (and sometimes markets) in cities such as Vientiane, Pakse and Luang Prabang and see variety of 'stones', the precious gems - these are hidden in remote and unaccessible, well guarded Lao mountains: the locations of mines will rest unknown to you and me forever. Well, not everyone is entitled to the business, at least not a vast majority of Lao commoners and strangers.Some may actually want to take 'stone' back home. Indeed - they're pleasant to an eye and fine to touch, with its individual properties for each piece. Some may actually believe in their 'magic' properties. Price usually begin at 8 USD in certified shops - for the smallest pieces. Depending on size, variety and rarity, the price will rise accordingly.

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boat trips on Mekong

by picek

It is one of the Asia's largest rivers and a lifeline of the region. It makes it worth to travel some time by Mekong, the best by slow boat, the public one. You will pass diverse landscapes from mountains through plains - depends on part of river. We did quite often the trip between Vientiane and Pak Lay (Sayabouly province) by boat. I'd say best to take slow one but that means up to 9 hrs on the seat and you need your own meal (no such things as restaurant on the deck exist, maybe some snack shop only). The speed boat is terrible both for your ears and for your safety, but if you cannot wait, well then you go as you please. I also see that this route is not as popular with tourists, so it may be fine alternative for those who wish to travel less crowded part of Mekong and into more of the main path places.Most people travel the ordinary 2 day northern Mekong way from Houay Xay - Luang...

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rain forest, the very best of ...

by picek

Visit jungle in Laos if you get a chance. Lots of areas with forest are being cleared yet some places are left intact. This also mean, when speaking on such place you need to know exactly where are you going to and it's thing one is not advised to do alone.Some adventure-like agencies from Luang Prabang or Vientiane now already organize such trips for some time, but it is not cheap and it is also not possible at any given time, which depends on season. I had oportunity to go with my father-in-law who stays at forest very often and know it well and once by car through jungle on dirt road, when we wanted to take 'shortcut'. Both times in Sayabouly province, near Thai border.We sometimes as well stayed overnight, which is the most magic time in Jungle. We went to find wild food directly from the place, such as ferns, mosses, crabs, little fish and mushrooms, which we later cooked from...

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Adaptor Plugs

by DSwede

Laos uses 230V, 50HzLaos has a variety of electrical outlets being used. However, most common plugs will be the European 2-pin plug and the USA flat 2-pin:http://electricaloutlet.org/type-chttp://electricaloutlet.org/type-aIn remote corners of the country, a variety of outlets may be found.Old French 2-pin, and Old European 2-pin with ground lugs, as well as USA 2-pin with ground are common.These thankfully can all accommodate the type C or A respectively above.

The Warmest Hearts

by DSwede

Laos has some wonderful people. They wear their smiles openly and are genuinely happy to see you come through their streets and share an exchange even if it is just a wave and a smile.I personally think the people in the south of Laos, and those in the smaller towns are more sincerely openhearted, and the kids take this to the extreme.When walking, or biking around these areas, everyone smiled and waved. The kids would typically come running to us to say hello. One of their favorite things was to slap hands with us, and give "high-fives". This little group of kids (pictured on my Laos page) followed our bicycles and laughed the whole way for a few kilometers.This other old gentleman was probably the grandfather of the little home along the banks of the Mekong outside of Si Phan Don. When the little long boat driver decided we should take cover from the rain, we beached the boat and ran...

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Cheap Accomodation on the go

by DSwede

I did a bit of research on accommodation before coming and borrowed a friend's guide book. However, I would say that guesthouses in Laos open almost daily.There is no shortage of places to stay here. The true discount ones are the ones that have just opened up and have not yet been reviewed and made popular by things like the Lonely Planet.Particularly if it is the off-season, couple that with the number of guest houses, and they are putting each other out of business with the competition. There are enough guest houses for thousands more than there are actual tourists...When you get off the bus, tuk-tuk, mini van, they will swarm you trying to get you to their guest house. Simply look for the cheap ones and negotiate something.Vientiane - stayed near the fountain for 75,000 kipVang Vieng - stayed on the river by the foot bridges for 45,000 kipLuang Prabang - stayed down the street from...

Monarchy vs The Party

by DSwede

The Royal Family (presiding in Luang Prabang) befriended the French and more or less invited their colonization in turn for support against attacks from the north (mostly coming from China). However, the communist propaganda centered in Vientiane shows the French to be cruel imperialists focusing on stealing all of the Laos' resources with brutality, theft and slavery. It is quite an interesting point in my opinion to see disparity between these two cities in their slants on the political histories and importance they held.The Anti-French and Anti-American typical communist propaganda is strong in Vientiane museums, all the while never mentioning the royal family that the Party exiled to live in the remote caves of the north. The Luang Prabang museum shows the amicable relations between these foreign countries and only the observant museum reader might notice how that all miraculously...

Good incoming travel agency.

by cachaseiro

I work in Laos from time to time as a tourguide bringing in danish tourists and i have had some good experiences with Vansana travel & tours.I have had hotels, busses, flights and local guides booked through them and it always went very well and they have shown a good level of professionalism towards me.If you need an incoming agent then they are not a bad choice.http://www.vansanatravel.com/

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money matters in Laos

by seagypsy

Some Lao banks such as BCEL and Lao Development will exchange A$ but many money exchange booths/kiosks or gold and jewelry shops won't. So it's best to have a combination of U$, Euros, or Thai bahts. With regards to TCs, Lao Development doesn't charge to exchange TCs into kip but BCEL charges nearly U$1 per TC regardless of the denomination of the TC so it's best to cash TCs in larger denominations.

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Top 3 Hotels in Laos

La Residence Phou Vao  Luang Prabang

 4 Reviews and 278 Opinions  TOUGH MANAGEMENT While this facility may be nice, I know the management is tough and does not have... 

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Settha Palace Hotel  Vientiane

 5 Reviews and 132 Opinions  Settha Palace is a small luxury family owned hotel.It has its importance as a historical example of... 

 Hotels in Vientiane

Ban Sabai Riverside Bungalow  Vang Vieng

 84 Opinions

 Hotels in Vang Vieng

163 Hotels in Laos
 
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Favorites: Cities in Laos
  1. Luang Prabang Favorites
  2. Vientiane Favorites
  3. Vang Vieng Favorites
  4. Pakse Favorites
  5. Ban Phonsavan Favorites
  6. Ban Pak Beng Favorites
  7. Champasak Favorites
  8. Ban Houayxai Favorites
  9. Ban Pak-Ou Favorites

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Questions and Answers

trusmibatik profile photo

Q:  do any VT have any experience with the VIP overnight sleeper bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang??? is it reasonably... 

singnomore profile photo

A: I took the VIP bus from Luang Prabang to Vientienne in 2010. There is a toilet on the bus. I was on the upper deck and the airconditioner was very weak. So it was a VHB... 

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