Destinations

Located along a bend of the Mekong River, the city exudes a laidback atmosphere and old world charm with French colonial architecture. For many years a sleepy backwater capital of an equally backwater state, as Laos has slowly opened up to foreign investment and tourism Vientiane has undergone vast changes and continues to expand.

Natural wonder, backpacker mecca, party central, Vang Vieng, 155 kilometres north of Vientiane on the road to Luang Prabang, has been given many labels. The small town’s striking river landscape lined with towering karst has lured travellers right from the get-go and remains stunning despite being well-visited.

Xieng Khuang province is the site of the mysterious Plain of Jars, the origins of which is unclear, inciting international debate. The best place to explore the Plain from is Phonsavan.

The charming city of Luang Prabang, once the capital of Laos and still considered to be its spiritual heart, breathes a rich meld of French Indochinese architecture, Theravada Buddhist temples and a magical atmosphere.

Situated in southern Laos, near the Thai border, Pakse is the capital of Champasak province. The town itself features Franco-Chinese style architecture and a colorful market stocked with fresh produce grown in the nearby Bolaven Plateau, a highland region inhabited by a number of ethnic minority groups.