Things to do in  Laos

Yes. Although infrastructure is patchy, Laos is a great destination for travelers with a sense of adventure and no mobility restrictions. The ancient royal city of Luang Prabang is the best known of the nation’s three UNESCO World Heritage sites, while great food, rich tribal traditions, and outstanding hiking charm throughout the nation.

The UNESCO-listed city of Luang Prabang is Laos’ most famous tourist destination. Positioned at the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, it offers gilded temples, alms-seeking monks, vibrant night markets, lush river trips, and tranquil countryside—not to mention a wealth of boutique hotels and fine dining restaurants.

Beyond Luang Prabang, Laos has something to offer almost every type of traveler, from fascinating cultural experiences to the local and French-influenced food Gordon Ramsay praised. Adventurous travelers can try hiking, ziplining, kayaking, cave tubing, rock climbing, and more; culture vultures can enjoy village stays, handicrafts, and historic temples.

That depends. If you only want to see Luang Prabang, three days is enough. If you’d like to get a taste of the country’s full diversity, from the mountainous north to the riverine south, you’ll need three weeks. One week is enough to cover Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Vang Vieng.

Luang Prabang is a better choice for first-time visitors to Laos than Vientiane, though you should really visit both. Vientiane is Laos’ capital, but Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site with beautifully preserved architecture, timeless culture, and a wealth of hotels at all price points.

Yes. Though not quite as cheap as its low average income would suggest, affordable street food and public transit mean backpackers can travel Laos for around US$35 per day if they stay in hostel dorms. Luxury lovers can splurge over 30 times that amount on 5-star hotels such as Luang Prabang’s Amantaka.