Bottled water is the way to go for a traveler anywhere, I've never been to a country where it wasn't available everywhere.

It's very easy in Laos to find clean cheap accom with separate rooms having proper window screens which make mossie nets unnecessary. You can often see if the place has window screens from the outside and can pass by those that don't. When checking in to a new place I often spray the room with mossie spray right away before unpacking while shaking the bedding and drapes and then depart for a bit to let the air clear up. I usually pay about $10 to $15 US a night for rooms.
This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.
This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.
AMTs are plentiful in all the major tourist destinations. Stock up if going to really out of the way places. USD is the easiest foreign currency to exchange. Euros can be exchanged in big destinations like Vientiane or Luang Prabang. I always bring a few crisp clean USD 100s in case of emergency.

Hi everyone,
I have 9 days in Laos next month, flying in and out of Vientiane, and I'm lost :-)
I want to visit Luang Prabang for sure (2-3 days), then do a little bit of everything (scenery, villages, food, museums...), with about 2 days of fun/relaxation toward the end of the trip, and then 2 days in Vientiane (incl. departure).
Vang Vieng seemed like a good place for fun, with river activities and zip lining. Any other options with convenient access to Vientiane (close by or flying)?
My first 2 days are on the weekend at the end of Chinese new year and during tet holiday in Vietnam, so it doesn't seem like a good idea to fly straight to Luang Prabang. Is there somewhere I could fly to in the north, that would not be overrun by hoards of microphone blazing tour groups? Looking for some quiet place to stay a couple of days before heading to LP or maybe a boat trip to LP.
Thanks for your help!