A Quick Intro to Laos

The only landlocked country in southeast Asia, Laos may not have beaches but it does have lots of beautiful mountains, cascading waterfalls and lush, green scenery. Laos was one of my favorite countries in southeast Asia due to its serenity and outstanding natural beauty.

The pace is much slower and more peaceful here than in neighboring countries, making it a great place to relax and unwind.

One of the most visited places in Laos is Luang Prabang, which sits the sacred confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan. Filled with temples, traditional Lao wooden houses and old French colonial buildings, Luang Prabang is very charming with a laid back vibe. A popular day trip from Luang Prabang is a trek to Kuang Si Falls, combined with a visit to a nearby hill tribe community.

At one point Laos was often in the headlines due to backpackers having tubing accidents in Vang Vieng, which is 5 hour’s drive south of Luang Prabang. After numerous casualties (mainly due to drugs and alcohol) the government cracked down and cleaned things up. Tubing in Vang Vieng was shut down for a while but has since reopened and is still an very popular tourist activity.