I have no experience riding a motorbike in Laos, so can't help with that.

I've never been asked for a "community fee" or anything similar, nor have I ever heard of such a thing in Laos. The only time I've paid money in villages has been when I've spent the night there, and felt it was appropriate for my hosts.

Interesting villages are found just outside of both Luang Namtha and Muang Sing. I found more traditional, basic villages in Muang Sing, which on the whole was less developed (and less touristy) than Luang Namtha on the two occasions that I've been. My last trip was in 2014. Given the proximity of China, it wouldn't surprise me if there have been notable changes since I was last there.

I don't know what to say about trails: villages aren't particularly difficult to find if you start walking out of town. Don't expect to follow "standard routes". If you can, get a hold of an older LP guide (the one from roughly 2010/2011 is excellent), which should have lots of good ideas, even if it's a bit out-of-date.

You shouldn't have any issues with local unrest in Thailand or Laos. Some of the more remote villages in Laos can be a little wild - I've never had any problems whatsoever, but use common sense, particularly when deciding where to try and spend the night.

Chiang Rai province has some beautiful, interesting places. Mae Salong has an interesting history, and lots of options for hiking in the surrounding countryside. For more off-the-beaten-path places in Laos, head to Muang Sing and the surrounding region. I don't know if much has changed there recently: I haven't been since before they built the bridge to Burma.

Just for you guys that have been wondering, it is still NOT POSSIBLE to cross from Laos to Myanmar BUT may be possible from Myanmar to Laos, if you have a Lao visa in advance.

I tried to cross with my wife, who is Lao, from the Muang Mom International Port in Ban Mom, Bokeo Province but was refused. I was told by the Lao police officer manning the customs post that they have upgraded their systems to process international travellers and that he had the capability to stamp me out but that the Myanmar side could not process my passport therefore he would not stamp me out and directed me instead to the Sam Liang Kham river crossing at the casino in Laos crossing to Sop Ruak in Thailand from where we had to travel to Mae Sai and Tachilek.

I forgot to confirm this but I very much doubt they issue Lao visas on arrival at the Muang Mom International Port.

When we got to Tachilek, we were prevented from onward travel because they took my took my wife's passport at the bridge. I had a visa but she did not. (I thought she had a free pass as is usually the case for ASEAN nationals but in Myanmar this is not the case.)

However after knocking around in Tachilek for a few days I was able to establish that the reason the crossing is not yet open to foreigners is more likely political rather than a technical issue. I asked about the Wan Pong Port at the Myanmar border post and was told not to go there, that this was a 'restricted area.'

In fact, as I was informed by a rather chatty tuk tuk driver who took me out past the airport and about as far as possible before hitting a checkpoint on the way to Kengtung, that the Wan Pong port area is under the control of the Shan State Army and not the Burmese government.

Therefore, IF you are able to find someone or some way to get you there, they will quite possibly stamp you out, because they would like to have recognised authority there. Possibly what happened with the other guy who was refused entry to Laos, who knows? He probably didn't have a Lao visa in his passport.

I believe if you have a visa in advance, Muang Mom International Port is open to arrivals by boat from China, and if you were able to leave Myanmar with a stamp somehow and had a visa in advance they would let you in. The good thing is if it fails you are not completely stranded because you can always get a boat to Thailand, there are plenty in the area...

If you are going to be in Chiang Mai, it might make sense to enter Laos in the north, and go by boat to Luang phabang. I found Vientiane a bit disappointing. Either way, from LP, you can go to Nong khiaw, then on by boat to Muang ngoi neua, and Muang khua, and then get the bus to Dien bien phu in Vietnam. It is a very scenic journey.

Assuming you are flying in and out of Bangkok, save your time in Bangkok for the end of your trip. I don't know what you want to see in Laos, but a direct flight on to Luang phabang, and then Chiang Mai to the southern islands would probably work for you. If you have a few days spare after the beach, then fly to Siem reap return from Bangkok.
You won't need to stay in hostels, there are plenty of cheap double rooms in guesthouses or bungalows.

Just for you guys that have been wondering, it is still NOT POSSIBLE to cross from Laos to Myanmar BUT may be possible from Myanmar to Laos, if you have a Lao visa in advance.

I tried to cross with my wife, who is Lao, from the Muang Mom International Port in Ban Mom, Bokeo Province but was refused. I was told by the Lao police officer manning the customs post that they have upgraded their systems to process international travellers and that he had the capability to stamp me out but that the Myanmar side could not process my passport therefore he would not stamp me out and directed me instead to the Sam Liang Kham river crossing at the casino in Laos crossing to Sop Ruak in Thailand from where we had to travel to Mae Sai and Tachilek.

I forgot to confirm this but I very much doubt they issue Lao visas on arrival at the Muang Mom International Port.

When we got to Tachilek, we were prevented from onward travel because they took my took my wife's passport at the bridge. I had a visa but she did not. (I thought she had a free pass as is usually the case for ASEAN nationals but in Myanmar this is not the case.)

However after knocking around in Tachilek for a few days I was able to establish that the reason the crossing is not yet open to foreigners is more likely political rather than a technical issue. I asked about the Wan Pong Port at the Myanmar border post and was told not to go there, that this was a 'restricted area.'

In fact, as I was informed by a rather chatty tuk tuk driver who took me out past the airport and about as far as possible before hitting a checkpoint on the way to Kengtung, that the Wan Pong port area is under the control of the Shan State Army and not the Burmese government.

Therefore, IF you are able to find someone or some way to get you there, they will quite possibly stamp you out, because they would like to have recognised authority there. Possibly what happened with the other guy who was refused entry to Laos, who knows? He probably didn't have a Lao visa in his passport.

I believe if you have a visa in advance, Muang Mom International Port is open to arrivals by boat from China, and if you were able to leave Myanmar with a stamp somehow and had a visa in advance they would let you in. The good thing is if it fails you are not completely stranded because you can always get a boat to Thailand, there are plenty in the area...

16 streets around Hoan Kiem lake are shut to cars and motorbikes on weekends: Dinh Tien Hoang, Hang Khay, Le Thai To, Le Lai , Le Thach, Tran Nguyen Han, Dinh Le, Nguyen Xi, Trang Tien, Lo Su, Hang Dau, Hon Kiem, Luong Van Can, Hang Bai and Bao Khanh.

3.5 weeks for so many places in 3 countries is too short, you should perhap spend your whole trip in Vietnam or Vietnam & Luang Prabang