"Lao People Democratic Republic" Top 5 Page for this destination Laos by calcaf38

Laos Travel Guide: 3,592 reviews and 8,810 photos

The Vat Si Saket Temple in Vientiane - Laos

I visited Laos after 15 years spent without traveling (except to France to visit family, which is homework, not tourism).

Laos is magical, a profoundly spiritual place, awfully poor in material goods but rich in every other way.

Imagine a quiet twilight, barely disturbed by chimes and whiffs of charcoal smoke. Huge Buddha statues glow by candle light. The slow boats glide by on the Mekong...

Even after 6 years, I can still feel the magic of Laos.

I entered Laos from Thailand, at the honkytonk Chiang Khong / Huai Xai crossing. Then I took a speedboat down to Luang Prabang, where I spent enchanted days. Then one fun night in Van Vieng, a couple of days in sleepy - moldy Vientiane, and I was back home. But part of my heart is still there in Luang Prabang, among the gentle bells and the aromatic smoke. Almost every day, I think of going back. Do you think they take in middle aged Jews in Buddhist temples?

Pros and Cons

Pros:Culture, Architecture, History, Hospitality, the Mekong river
Cons:Inaccessibility, Oppressive and secretive government
In a nutshell:Almost heaven

Last visit to Laos: Apr 2000
Intro Updated Mar 7, 2006
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Reviews (27)

Markets - "Just Looking, Thanks." Shopping (2)

You won't buy much at the markets of Luang Prabang or Vientiane, yet what a profusion of odd items, strong smells, and... more travel advice

Pha That Luang - Vientiane Things to Do (12)

This huge gilded stupa is a sight to behold. You can climb up to higher levels, although once you're "in it," you don't... more travel advice

"Modern" Vientiane Things to Do (12)

Vientiane doesn't feel like a capital at all. If you like to travel in time as much as in distance, Vientiane is for... more travel advice

The Vientiane Temples Things to Do (12)

The two most interesting temples in Vientiane are the Vat Si Saket, which has fantastic statuary all around the... more travel advice

Favorites (2)
See All Your personalized soundtrack
Hotels (2)
See All The fanciest Hotel in Luang Prabang
Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Shades of Old Lan Xang
Transportation (3)
See All The Friendship Bridge back to Thailand

Comments (21)

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Nemorino Oct 16, 2011 at 12:31 PM

I still really like your tips from your visit to Laos eleven years ago. In the meantime the country has probably changed a lot. I wonder if the hotels and restaurants still look like something from Sparks, Nevada, after a nuclear test.
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Elisabcn Nov 30, 2010 at 3:31 AM

Nice page about Laos. Hope to find still some "magic" when I will visit it, some day. Thanks for sharing
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craic Jul 22, 2009 at 3:56 AM

it seems as if you quite liked this country
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angiebabe Apr 19, 2008 at 1:59 PM

I love your photos here - beautiful scenery, great to see the interesting architecture & local life. I knew someone in Queensland, Australia who used to talk about some of his youth there when his Dad worked in Laos b4 it was closed some yrs back.
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volopolo Mar 21, 2008 at 2:54 PM

Fantastoc country in south east Asia. I hope that i been here soon!!
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Sininen Mar 15, 2008 at 9:44 PM

I was in Laos in September and loved it. Browsing through your page was like being there again. Happy Birthday from Finland!
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saracen Nov 4, 2007 at 8:36 PM

Hi - I have to agree 1000% with you, LPB is almost paradise. I have such great memories of my all too short time in Laos, a country I am sure could rightly claim to be the friendliest in the world.
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PierreZA Nov 3, 2007 at 7:24 AM

Very interesting! Well written and great practical tips, thanx
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Tijavi Sep 13, 2007 at 7:00 AM

Your posts are delightfully well-written. Luang Prabang sounds magical, indeed. Thanks for sharing.
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thedouglas Sep 3, 2007 at 1:34 PM

Thanks again for checking out my Burma therapy - yes, its a different proposition to Laos - but well worth it. Research and planning essential.