The best things to do in Laos

It has been a few years now since I returned from my trip to Southeast Asia and Laos. Yet Laos remains one of the countries that impressed me the most, thanks to its authenticity, simplicity and the beauty of its landscapes. I remember crossing the border from eastern Thailand, in Isan, into Laos as if it were yesterday. As I moved from one country to the other, I felt as though I had gone back in time by at least 50 years, and it was a truly lovely experience. Laos is a country I recommend to anyone looking for authenticity. There are far fewer tourists than in neighbouring Asian countries, probably because Laos has no coastline and is completely landlocked. But the country is absolutely worth visiting! Are you wondering what the best things to do in Laos are during your stay? In this article, I’ll tell you everything!

Even though the country remains relatively off the tourist trail, there are still a few places of interest for tourists, as there are everywhere. They are definitely worth visiting during your stay, but there is much more to see in this beautiful country. Here, I’ll share a list of the main places of interest in Laos, as well as several other ideas to help you make the most of your trip. Very few people really know Laos, and many travellers have no real idea what to see or where to go. I hope this information about the country will also make you want to visit. If you are already planning your trip, don’t hesitate to read my article on the best time to go to Laos.

So, let’s take a look at the must-see places in Laos, from the south to the north of the country. To make things easier, I have divided the country into four different regions.

For those who prefer to plan their activities before setting off, I recommend taking a look at this site, which compares activities and helps you find the best prices.

Southern Laos has some beautiful places to discover, with natural landscapes, temples to visit and plenty of opportunities to rest and relax.

A real institution in Laos, the 4000 Islands are known as a popular stop for many travellers. Depending on your tastes and what you are looking for, some islands will probably appeal to you more than others. Located on the border with Cambodia, these islands stretch across the Mekong River and move at the same rhythm as Laos itself: very slowly…

Most travellers come here to rest, enjoy the surroundings and swim in the waterfalls or in the Mekong River. There are 3 main islands: Don Khon, Don Det and Don Khong.

Visiting Laos: we had a good time on the 4000 Islands, didn’t we?

Don Det is the most touristy and “developed” island in the archipelago. If you are looking for authenticity rather than pizzerias, it is better to choose Don Khong, where I stayed, or Don Khon.

So, what can you do there over a few days? Rent a kayak to explore the Mekong, visit a few temples such as Wat Chom Thong and Wat Phu Khao Laew, cycle around the islands, go tubing on the river, visit the waterfalls, take a boat trip to see the Irrawaddy dolphins, or simply wander through the local villages. In short, you won’t run out of things to do if you spend 4 or 5 days in the area. Leave your watch behind and simply enjoy the slow pace of life you’ll find there…

Also known as the “Little Angkor of Laos”, the temple of Wat Phou, not far from the town of Champassak, is a really nice stop for anyone who loves ancient sites and history. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, would you believe it?! It is definitely worth visiting if you are in the area. It once belonged to the Khmer Empire, the same civilization behind the Angkor temples in Cambodia. The visit to the temple is very enjoyable and it is one of the few major “cultural” sites in Laos.

The Bolaven Plateau, a must-see in Laos

If you are still wondering what to do in Laos, this is something you should really enjoy, whether you are travelling alone, with friends or as a couple. I had the chance to go there with my wife and another couple of travellers we had met along the way, and I have wonderful memories of it. So, what should you do? Rent a motorbike in the city of Pakse and set off on a road trip for a few days through the Lao countryside, past coffee plantations, smiling local children, wildlife and, of course, breathtaking natural waterfalls. Be warned: depending on the season, temperatures can be cool, as this part of Laos is at a higher altitude. If you love nature, this is definitely the place for you and a stop not to be missed, even if it has become quite a popular attraction.

Central Laos is, overall, less visited than the south and north of the country, with fewer tourist areas. Many people simply pass through while travelling between Paksé and Vientiane by night bus.

Much less famous than the Bolaven Loop, the Thakhek Loop runs through the middle of the Lao countryside and takes you away from the classic Laos itineraries. Looking back, I am really disappointed that I didn’t take the time to go there during my one-month stay in Laos. I really should have. After reading the Bloup Trotters’ travel stories, I can only recommend going there.

For anyone looking for authenticity while travelling to Laos, this should make you very happy. On the agenda: rough roads, encounters with locals, beautiful waterfalls and swimming in turquoise waters… So, are you convinced yet?!

By northwestern Laos, I mean the region between Vientiane and Vang Vieng. I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Laos’s capital, Vientiane.

While I was there, I wasn’t exactly in the best situation, as I almost had to have a tooth pulled out… I must admit that, compared with other Asian capitals, I wasn’t especially excited about being there. However, there are still a few places to visit in the city that you shouldn’t miss. Here are the main ones:

• Pha That Luang: an emblematic temple of Laos. Covered in gold, it is the largest monument in the country,
• Wat Phra Keo: another temple in the city, known for once having housed the Emerald Buddha,
• Vat Sisakhet: quite simply the oldest monument in the city,
• Buddha Park: located outside Vientiane, this is one of the craziest places to visit in Asia…,
• Patuxai: the Lao triumphal arch, located in the park of the same name. This monument is well worth a visit while you are in the area.

Personally, I recommend renting bicycles and getting out of the city’s touristy areas. There are plenty of places where you can wander, meet people and have some great little adventures.

Located on the road between the Lao capital and the beautiful city of Luang Prabang further north, Vang Vieng is one of those places in Laos that became known for partying, although there is much more to it than that. A few years ago, the Lao government decided to crack down: many bars and clubs were closed as part of the fight against drug trafficking. The town had become too much of a party destination, with stories of tourists drowning in the Mekong River due to the combination of tubing and alcohol, which had damaged the area’s reputation. Fortunately, it seems things have calmed down a lot since then.

Here, you enter a magnificent mountainous region. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful area in Laos, with incredibly diverse landscapes, breathtaking journeys along the Mekong River and, above all, countless opportunities to get off the beaten track. If I have one regret about my visit to Laos, it is not renting a motorbike for a week to explore this northern region properly. Exploring the northern and northwestern parts of the country remains, in my opinion, one of the best things to do if you are looking for authenticity and want to avoid tourists. Most travellers do not go much further than Luang Prabang. I continued up to the north of the country, crossing the Vietnamese border at the famous city of Dien Bien Phu. A memorable experience…

Laos is one of those countries where the capital is not the best-known city. Luang Prabang, at least by name, is known by many people. This city, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, has everything it needs to charm visitors, even though it attracts a lot of tourists. I stayed there for almost a week, so I got to know it quite well. There is plenty to do in and around Luang Prabang. Here are the most famous things to see and do:

Visit the temples

Luang Prabang is full of beautiful temples, and a visit to Wat Xieng Thong will certainly leave an impression. It is known as the most beautiful Buddhist temple in the country, and I must admit that the golden decorations adorning the temple are truly beautiful. From a cultural point of view, you can also climb the sacred Mount Phu Si, which, after a 300-step staircase, offers a magnificent view over the city. Both places are really nice to visit if you have time.

Activities in and around Luang Prabang

The city and its surroundings offer plenty of activities and lots of things to see and do. Honestly, you can easily spend a week here without getting bored! Here are just a few activities and ideas:

• The waterfalls of Tat Si Kuang: one of the great classics, these waterfalls are a real must during your stay in Laos. Even though it is a very touristy spot, it really is worth seeing. Imagine a series of colourful lagoon-like waterfalls surrounded by lush vegetation. You can picture it now, can’t you?! Ideally, visit in the morning, as I think that is the best time.
• The night market: a real institution, and probably the most charming Southeast Asian market I have ever seen. It is also very touristy, but you can find beautiful things at low prices, as well as very cheap and delicious food for your meals…

• Walking around the city: it might seem obvious, but if you really want to discover a place, you can rarely go wrong by simply going for a walk. Here, you can get lost in the alleys that run through the city and even meet some of the locals. In the early morning, you can witness the monks’ alms-giving ceremony, a truly lovely moment to experience… Take the opportunity to walk along the Mekong River and enjoy the beautiful scenes of everyday life. While you’re there, don’t hesitate to visit the Bamboo Bridge, a wooden bridge that is destroyed by flooding and rebuilt every year…
• Outside the city, the Pak Ou caves are also a nice stop if you have time. So, what’s on the agenda? Several caves to visit, boat trips and all of that in a magnificent jungle setting,
• Finally, if you love animals, don’t hesitate to visit the Elephant Conservation Centre, a kind of retirement centre for elephants. There are no elephant rides here, just the chance to spend time close to these pachyderms.

If you are looking for beautiful places to stay at very reasonable prices, I particularly recommend taking a look at Villa Oudomlith, the Ban Vivanh guest rooms or Villa Y Not Lao.

And if you are still planning your trip, I invite you to check this site to find the best prices for flights from where you live to Laos.

I had the opportunity to go on several walks in northern Laos, although not enough for my liking. You won’t find much information about northern Laos in the Lonely Planet or Le Routard guides, as according to those guidebooks, there is not much to do beyond Luang Prabang. However, I would advise anyone looking for authenticity to go and get lost in northwestern and northern Laos. Rent a motorbike and explore the regions around Oudomxay or Luang Namtha. Here, you are close to the borders with China and Myanmar. The region is famous for its splendid landscapes, and hikers will love discovering ethnic minority villages at the end of the world, lost in the jungle… I really regret not going further north, and I hope to do so when I return to Laos.

Among the things I would have liked to do in Laos, but didn’t have the opportunity to experience, is a visit to Bokeo Nature Reserve. I had heard a lot about the reserve, as it is apparently one of the top things to do in Laos. Wildlife lovers should be delighted by the tigers, elephants, buffalo and especially the gibbons, those very funny little monkeys. The famous “Gibbon Experience” allows you to take the experience even further by staying in one of the superb huts set high up in the trees…

Among the wonderful things to do in Laos, a trip on the Mekong River is one of the most enjoyable. I’m mentioning it here while talking about northern Laos because there are several beautiful places in this part of the country where you can travel along the Mekong. So, don’t forget to take a trip on the river, whether you are in southern Laos, around the 4000 Islands, or in one of the many other places along its banks.

I personally had the chance to take three superb boat trips on different parts of the river:

• Luang Prabang to Pakbeng: a wonderful day on the Mekong River, where I was able to observe fabulous landscapes and scenes of everyday life along the river. Magical.
• Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoy: a very beautiful route up the Nam Ou River towards the Vietnamese border, in a splendid setting. Stopping in Muang Ngoy for a few days is a great idea…
• Muang Ngoy to Muang Khua: the last section before heading up towards Vietnam. From there, you have access to a superb road leading to the Dien Bien Phu border crossing.

If you are planning a trip to Laos, I have written a complete article on the travel budget for a trip to Laos, which I hope will help you.

If you have just arrived in Luang Prabang and are looking for a good place to stay, I invite you to check the latest deals on Booking.com.

I hope this article has helped you imagine your perfect stay in Laos. Which activities and places to visit tempt you the most?

See you soon.