Grand Tour of Laos

Luang Prabang is a small but vibrant town in the heart of northern Laos. It is adorably picturesque with glittering temples, a mix of traditional Lao wooden houses and hints of European architecture, colorful markets and quaint streets famous for the daily sunrise alms giving ritual where food is offered to the monks. Luang Prabang’s picture postcard image includes French-style cafés, bakeries, restaurants and former French villas with green shutters, the town is a fascinating legacy to when Laos was part of French Indochina. This town is one of the most favorite destinations in Laos, this place has a lot to offer, from dozens of temples, stunning waterfalls, French colonial architecture, bustling night markets to river cruises. On the outskirts are vibrant rice fields and traditional local villages. Luang Prabang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and it is also the birthplace of numerous Laotian rituals.

Vang Vieng, in central Laos, is midway between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The small town is located in a truly beautiful area, surrounded by limestone karsts and rice fields, a river, and some nearby caves. What was once a party town, is now the adventure capital of Laos. From rock climbing to kayaking, hiking and mountain biking, as well as the blue lagoons, this is a town with tons to offer the adventure-seeking travelers. Vang Vieng is home to some of the most scenic motorbike routes in Asia which is one of the best ways to see all the sights. Rent a motorbike and drive the loop snaking past blue lagoons 1, 2 and 3, through local villages, past rice fields and stunning scenery, as well as many photo viewpoints. The road is tarmacked until it becomes a dirt track. The best time to visit Vang Vieng is between October to February, when the weather is not hot, and the humidity is manageable. The Nam Song River, lakes and small waterfalls will be in full flow after the rainfall.

Vientiane is one of the most laid-back capital cities in Southeast Asia. Unlike the bustling streets and concrete jungles of other capital cities like Bangkok and Hanoi, Vientiane feels more like a small quiet town than a capital city. Since it appears relatively untouched by modernisation, with distinctly low-rise architecture and modest urbanization, numerous tree-lined boulevards, the city receives far fewer tourists than its neighboring counterparts. Situated in the bend of the Mekong River, close to the Thai border, Vientiane was virtually destroyed by the Siamese army in the 1820s after an unsuccessful rebellion. When Laos was incorporated into French Indochina (the Indochinese Union) in 1893, the French colonists redesigned Vientiane; hence the French influences around every corner, such as with tree-lined streets, wide boulevards and quaint cafes ideal for people watching. Despite the city having less famous sights to see, Vientiane is best appreciated for its laidback atmosphere, French colonial architecture and smattering of revered Buddhist temples.

As Laos's second-largest city, Pakse lies in the south in Champasak Province, far from Luang Prabang and Vientiane. It is known for its proximity to the Bolaven Plateau, one of Southeast Asia’s most distinctive coffee-growing areas, graced with a remarkable mountainous terrain and stunning waterfalls. Travel another 46 km south of Pakse to Vat Phou, one of the most important sights in Laos. Literally meaning “Mountain Temple,” Vat Phou is a multi-level structure built on the slopes of the adjacent mountain, dating back to the Angkor period from the 9th to 13th centuries CE. The upper platform of the temple affords a wonderful view of the Mekong. Much like southern Laos itself, Pakse is characterized by a feeling that time has passed it by. This compact small town is easy to explore on foot. A visit to the famous Dao Heuang market and a sunset view on the Mekong River should not be missed.