Travelogues Laos
270 Travel reports · Create a travel blog · About Vakantio
Vacation in Laos : Highlights & Travel Tips
Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s most relaxed and rewarding destinations, appealing to travelers who want a slower pace, rich culture, and beautiful river-and-mountain scenery. What makes it special is its laid-back atmosphere: saffron-robed monks collecting alms at dawn, quiet towns along the Mekong, French colonial architecture, and a strong sense of tradition that still shapes daily life. For many visitors, Laos feels less hurried and less commercial than its neighbors, making it ideal for those seeking authenticity, nature, and cultural depth.
Key highlights include Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-listed town known for its temples, night market, and waterfalls such as Kuang Si; Vang Vieng for karst landscapes, caves, kayaking, and hot-air balloon views; and the 4,000 Islands region in the south for river life and a more tranquil island escape. Travelers can also explore Buddhist temples, take Mekong boat trips, visit ethnic minority villages respectfully, and sample dishes such as laap, sticky rice, and fresh river fish. Practical tips: travel is generally easiest in the dry season, road journeys can be slow so allow extra time, cash is useful outside major hubs, and modest clothing is recommended when visiting temples. Choosing locally run guesthouses and tours can also help support communities while giving a more meaningful travel experience.
Best time to travel Laos
The best time to visit Laos is from February to March, when travel interest peaks and conditions are generally dry, comfortable, and well suited for sightseeing, river journeys, and exploring towns such as Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. November is also a strong choice, offering pleasant weather at the start of the dry season with fewer extremes than the hotter months that follow.
Best travel reports from Laos
COPE - Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise and our search for Laotian identity?
Links to past times on the left, present on the right :-/
Luang Prabang-Welcome to Laos
Warm welcome! As Thomas noted: how long has it been since we walked across the tarmac upon exiting an airplane – in this case, a propeller plane? Luang Prabang International...
Relaxing in Laos
After the exciting days in Ayutthaya and Lopburi, I flew back to Laos in mid-February 2026 - for dolce far niente and to conserve my travel budget.
Royal Reminiscences in Luang Prabang
In March 2025, I was in Luang Prabang for the third time, the old Laotian royal city. It is one of my favorite places, but gradually the mass of tourists is getting out of hand.
Vang Vieng, Backpacker Paradise
died after consuming adulterated alcohol served to them by the hotel owner. Outdoor Activities The incident has not diminished the place's popularity. The bars and nightclubs...
Stone jars and cluster bombs in Laos
Vietnamese War
On the mother of all waters
are quite chaotic. This means there is a risk of missing the boat. Contemplation instead of efficiency I was also told I should arrive at least an hour before departure to...
Laos - so viel Idylle hatten wir nicht erwartet
Wir sind zurück in Indonesien, mit unglaublich vielen neuen Eindrücken, Erfahrungen und vor allem einem neuen Visum in der Tasche. Unser bisheriges Visum war ein sogenanntes...
Luang Prabang - What matters?
After Easter comes before Easter
With the Scooter to the Pak Ou Caves
Wat Phonxay Xayxana SongKham
THE GIBBON EXPERIENCE
Aug 12th. Ban Houayxay, Laos. THE GIBBON EXPERIENCE. 🐒 Breakfast at 7 am, packing / repacking my things. I will spend the next three days in Kam Nam National Park and can only...
Laos - 4000 Islands, but no Sea
In the south of Laos, thousands of smaller and larger islands create a vast patchwork in the Mekong river stretching wide - a journey away from the beaten paths. A friend spok
On the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Ban Houayxay
Christmas 2025 - on the way to Thailand! A river cruise - a 'cruise' - on the Mekong... We had almost given up hope of making this happen. There are ten-day tours on cruise ships,...
COPE & National Museum
We often hear that Laos was the country subjected to the most bombings during the Vietnam War. The Ho Chi Minh Trail, which was actually a vast network of routes, primarily ran...
Nong Khiaw
After a week in Luang Prabang, we continue north to Nong Khiaw. We would have loved to travel up the Mekong and the Nam Ou Rivers by boat. However, the boat trips had to be...
Along the Nam Ou River - to Muang Ngoi and back
Living by and with the river
Nong Khiaw - Invitation to Breathe
Free Massage! On December 7th, 2nd Advent, we will drive from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw. A small village in northern Laos. Free Massage? Our driver (thankfully an SUV and a...
Temples and Tours
Temples and Tours… 3 days on a moped, 3 days on roads with asphalt, potholes, gravel – I don't know how many times Thomas shouted 'Attention' during the ride, so I'd be prepared...
Vientiane - 1.5 days on a temple and museum tour
... But first, it was cozy in the bus...
LAOS- kamikaze trips and natural beauty
Oh LAOS, you horny pig! What can I say about Laos except that it has a good chance of replacing Thailand as my absolute favorite country. Yes, the paradisiacal beaches and...
Mirror, mirror on the door, who has the most beautiful smile here?
A smile, often received, often given, sometimes just a moment fleeting across the face, sometimes wide and lingering. Surprising moments, surprising encounters, surprising...
Vientiane - Experience history, understand the present
How do I summarize these 24 hours? Totally surprised, we explore Vientiane for hours. A city full of contrasts: old, dilapidated houses, overloaded power poles, shining glass...
Continuing the journey to Vang Vieng - Hike to the Silver Cross Viewpoint and hot air balloon ride
Yesterday, I was supposed to take the train from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng in the late morning. A train line has been built with Chinese money from Kunming to Vientiane, the...
Entry to Laos - first temple tour through Luang Prabang
... but first a final goodbye after six hours on the sleeper bus ...
One week in northern Laos was enough for us
As already announced, the journey from Sapa/Vietnam to Luang Prabang/Laos was pure torture and strained our nerves... to the point that we were already considering continuing...
Between the lights - between the times - Christmas
Between the lights, between the times, Christmas. Images that resonate. On December 25th and 26th, on Christmas, we will travel for two days by boat from Laos to Thailand, from...
Back in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is increasingly becoming our hub in Laos. On December 13th, we head back, but it almost seems as if luck has turned a bit against us. First, there’s the rain, and...
Muang Ngoy
Since we have not yet taken a river cruise on the Mekong, we have decided to travel from Muang Ngoy on the Nam Ou to Muang Khua, near the border with Vietnam, with light luggage...
Hike around the Kuang Si Waterfalls
Kuang Si Waterfalls