Vientiane

Are you talking about me??? Yep, I was one of the many folks wandering around for a few hours with full backpack on looking for a room in Vientiane. I think problem was exacerbated as I arrived in Vientiane very late in the afternoon. Ended up with the grottiest room in the whole of SEA for one night until I got a better hotel next morning.

I was actually talking about you specifically as you did look pretty foolish. But I could have been talking about the ones wandering around this morning as well...

Apart from booking a room....carrying a small backpack is also a good idea ;-)

Or just whip out three or four $20 notes. Plenty of available rooms in the $50-60-80 range these days ;-)

That is true Bob.

I'l echo the lesson:

If you are going to arrive in Vte later than, say, 4 PM, and you want an inexpensive ($10-25) but decent room, book ahead. Most especially if you get in after dark.

Been there; done that.