I traveled to Laos for a week in early October. Although I had read many travel guides beforehand, there were still some things I wasn't fully prepared for when I actually landed. Here are some key points to share.
The Best Travel Route
From the geographical location, it's easy to see that Vang Vieng is between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, so: Vientiane -> Vang Vieng -> Luang Prabang or Luang Prabang -> Vang Vieng -> Vientiane are both viable options. These three cities form a straight line, avoiding backtracking and wasting time on the road. Additionally, Vientiane is very close to Thailand, and Luang Prabang is close to China, so you can consider these two points when choosing your route.
Prohibitions ❌ • Do not bring e-cigarettes! They will be confiscated at airports and train stations! • Pay attention to dress code when entering temples: long sleeves, long pants, remove shoes • Some special places like clinics also require removing shoes
SIM Card
Get a 5G-supported carrier at the airport or train station upon arrival. Avoid ETL; LTC and Unitel are better options.
Must-Download Apps Before Travel
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You must download these apps before your trip, because airport/station Wi-Fi coverage is insufficient and mobile internet speeds aren't fast. You'll definitely need these apps to get a taxi from the airport/station to your hotel, as hailing a taxi directly on-site can easily cost you more. • LOCA. A very important app! Besides using it for taxi services, LOCA PAY within the app will help you solve major payment issues • KOKKOKMove. Tuk-tuk service, cheap, a good choice if you don't prioritize comfort • Any translation software that supports Lao language. Many drivers and merchants don't speak English very well, so having a translation app can reduce communication barriers
Payment Issues
Cash
Laos is still a country that prefers cash, so exchanging a certain amount of Kip (LAK) is necessary. No need to prepare too much cash, start by exchanging $100 worth, ATMs are quite common in the three major cities, you can withdraw more when needed.
Digital Payment
Besides credit cards, LOCA PAY (just download LOCA, it's a one-stop solution for taxis, payments, eSIM, etc.) is the most mainstream payment method, covering tuk-tuks, taxis, restaurants, shops, basically covering 80%
Reasonable Time to Spend in Each City and Hotel Location Selection
Vientiane • Time to spend: 1 ~ 2 days • Hotel location: Near the Prime Minister's Office is fine, most must-see attractions and food streets are nearby
<ImageGallery columns={2} images={[ { src: "/posts/travel-to-laos/Vientiane-city1.jpeg", alt: "Vientiane" }, { src: "/posts/travel-to-laos/Patuxai.jpeg", alt: "Patuxai" }, { src: "/posts/travel-to-laos/Vientiane-city2.jpeg", alt: "Vientiane" }, { src: "/posts/travel-to-laos/PhaThatLuang.jpeg", alt: "Pha That Luang" } ]} />
Vang Vieng • Time to spend: 3+ days • Hotel location: Near Tmark Resort. Nam Xay Mountain, paragliding, hot air balloons, Blue Lagoon, Tham Chang Cave, Tham Nam Cave, rafting, etc. are all nearby, with outdoor activities aplenty
<ImageGallery columns={2} images={[ { src: "/posts/travel-to-laos/tmark.jpeg", alt: "Tmark Resort" }, { src: "/posts/travel-to-laos/VangVieng.jpeg", alt: "Vang Vieng" }, { src: "/posts/travel-to-laos/BlueLagoon.jpeg", alt: "Blue Lagoon" }, { src: "/posts/travel-to-laos/BlueLagoonOutside.jpeg", alt: "Hiking" } ]} />
Luang Prabang • Time to spend: 2 ~ 3 days • Hotel location: Near L'Elephant Restaurant, food str