Highliights of Laos?
Hi,I am going to Laos in February (along with Burma), and I am trying to decide the highlights to do in about 8-9 days. Vientiane for two nights, Luang Prabang for 3 nights, and then I am thinking of one of these: Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars, Phongsoli and do a home stay (for none night if possible), and Vieng Xai, which the Lonely Planet makes sound very intriguing, but it looks like it is really a long haul by bus, and I don't see any airports near there. I also am not sure how we would get to Phongsoli - I cannot find an airport near there either.
Any comments are much appreciated!
SSS
1
Highlights for some, lowlights for others. Phonsavan was not a highlight for me. Phongsali is a long way from LP, not sure you will have time for that. Vang VIeng maybe wort a visit now they have got rid of all the riverside bars, should be quiet, scenery around there is really great. Vieng Xai is good but so far from LP or Phonsavan, you will need 3 days just to get there and back. You could look at flights to Sam Neua but only a few a week. Most folk do LP_VV-VTE in a week. Other places to g near LP is Nong Khiow, about 3 hours by bus, pleasant spot on river, can go on river 1 hour north to village.2
Phonsavahn and the Plain of Jars is definitely worth a visit if you have an interest in History, Archeology and landscapes. If you are after discos and night-life, forget it. Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and Vientiane are the usual suspects.3
If you are after discos and night-life, forget it.
This is one of the things I enjoyed about Laos. Unlike some capital cities, Vientiane isn't a "tourist" city - just normal people going about their daily business. Very good French cafes there. Vang Vieng - awesome scenery. Luang Prabang - tizzied up and very "pretty", lots of tourists. Nice just sitting by the river. Visit Kuang Si Falls, lovely place.
4
We're in Laos now, just finishing up our 8 days here. We also started in Myanmar. In Laos, we started in Luang Prabang for three nights. Yes, it's full of tourists, but it's a very peaceful town and I could have stayed longer. We then went to Nong Khiew for two nights. Took the minibus there, did a good waterfall hike during our one full day, and then took a private boat with some other people back to LP, where we spent one more night. We flew to Vientiane yesterday and will leave tomorrow. Two nights and one full day is plenty here.We didn't go to Vang Vieng because the crazy scene was still happening when we were planning, and Nong Khiew looked like it had similar scenery. It's also closer to LP, so less time in a bus.
Hope this helps!
7
Two nights and one full day is plenty here.
Have you been there before? It's strange the number of posters who think Vientiane not worth much of a mention. I was there for three nights and could have stayed longer.
