Vientiane Local Customs

The Lao people (and a few tourists) seem to be fitness fanatics. If you get up early and walk down the road by the river at around 6.30-7.30am you'll see people doing vigorous aerobics workouts with music blaring out through speakers (techno-style music)

Also you'll see lots of people jogging, stretching etc all over the place.

One of the more interesting sights of Vientiane are the saffron robed monks that you will undoubtedly encounter on your travels there. They walk around the various cities looking for alms. This tradition benefits both monks and those who give them sustenance. The idea is that by waking up each morning with the thought of giving, one is more at ease with the world through their generosity. So, you will see monks making their rounds each morning and countless shop owners waiting to give them some offering.

With over 58% of the population considering themselves Buddhist, Laos has been highly influenced by the neighboring Thai and Khymer societies. I found the Buddha images in Cambodia the most appealing but those in Laos were also a sight to behold.

Laos is an open country. What I mean open is not the politic policy but the thinking of the parents/ elderer on marry matter.

In Asia, parents always have some say in their children's marry matter. In Vietnam, a lady must get married before 25 and a guy must get himself a wife before 28. However, I asked the Laotian here what is the age they ought to get marry? Those lady looking at me like I am an alien..

Finally I found out that there is no specific criteria or age for a person to get marry in Laos. Even though their daughter fall in love with a poor, old and ugly guy, as long as it is what the daughter chosed, the parents will just prepared their wishes and give their full support.

I was touch with the culture. It is neither like chinese society where staying single is not a choice, nor like some society that there is a certain age to get engage.

For laotian, lady or gentleman, as long as you like, you can do whatever you want.

I put this tips under local custom.. hmm because not sure where else should I put it.

If you are taking bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang, the hours taken on the bus is long, and the road is constructing through mountains.. I guess, because I only see mountains around.. and there is no toilet nreak available.

The bus driver will stop at the corner or the road.. (all in a sudden) and shout: toilet toilet!! Then most of the local will rush down the bus, look for a scenic location to solve their problem.. for foreign guy, they will usually hesitate at the beginning, then follow.. for foreign girl.. well from my observation, most of them stay in the bus and pray that the bus will reach the destination soon...

The best solution I can think of is drink little water. From my few years experience travelling between Singapore and Penang in bus for 10 hours, I can skip all the toilet breaks provided that dont drink before the journey. Keke..

Laotian are generally friendly and helpful. I heard this along my way to Laos but proved it myself when I reached Laos.

So just relax and enjoy the slow pace life in Laos. Most people including me love this country and intend to revisit it.

A country surrounding with mountains..

Even being the busiest city in Laos, Vientiane is an oasis of peace and calm compared to Hanoi, Phnom Penh or Bangkok. Here you will find very little traffic, mostly motorbikes, and no traffic jams. In fact, I can hardly remember any traffic lights, and of course it was not a suicide to cross the streets, as in the above mentioned cities!!

Yes, you may have the pleasure to use the Lao people toilet, i.e. the squatter. These may look extremely unappealing at first, but you should love them by the end! You should know how to use them so you know what you're doing when that time comes when you are up against one, well here it goes...

1) Get bare footed
2) There is normally a rack to put your pants, use it, if not well put your pants somewhere.
3) Place feet on feet pads and just squat down
4) Release the bomb (1 or 2).
5) Ut-oh, no toilet paper, what to do? (Bring some before if your smart, but biodegradable ones only). But normally you won't have any so here's what to do: there is a bucket and troth of water for a reason... take your LEFT HAND and wet it and clean the spot... now you can see why they don't eat with their left hands!!!
6) Ut-oh, no flusher, but there is a hose and pail. Fill the pail with the water from the hose; pour the water into the toilet from the pail and it will (should) go down.
7) Put your pants and shoes on and congratulations you're done!