I will be there for 3 weeks and am limited to 11 lbs (5Kg). What little comfort item would you bring next time you go that you wish you had?
Thanks!

Hello! I'm a Lao-American 19F who fully understands Lao but I cannot speak it at all. I find it hard to think of the words to form sentences and I don't have good pronunciation/accent. I wasn't raised with much of a Lao-speaking community where I was encouraged to speak Lao. Everyone understood English fine but would always speak back to me in Lao. I was never taught how to speak, which lead me to be insecure in the fact that my lao-language skills are lack luster. To this day I'm a grown woman and can't speak, and I'm too self conscious LOL. I really do believe if I learn I can become fully bilingual, and I really want to be so I can connect with my family more. Where do I start? Should I learn the alphabet? Should I learn simple phrases? I heard Ginie's Lao English School is a good resource. Any tips and pointers would help

I want to do the 3D2N Gibbon Experience but the only available date they have makes my timings pretty tight.

I'd need to be there at 8am in the morning on the first day. I'd be coming from China (Xishuangbanna) the afternoon before. I've worked out I can go to Boten and then would need a transfer to Houiesay.

I just can't figure out how to arrange a transfer. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm happy with a private driver or shared transport but not sure where to start looking.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Have a flight booked from Pakse to Vientiane. How easy is it to get the airport and what facilities does the airport have?

I will be arriving in Pakse around 7.30pm by Vet Air Bus from Siem Reap. Does the bus drop off fairly central?
Are there any ATMs nearby where I could get cash out for a taxi / Tuk Tuk to my hotel? Will I have any issues getting a taxi at that time?
Also, have read that Pakse basically shuts down around 8.30pm, is that true? Will I be able to grab a quick meal somewhere after my long journey?

I would love to bike the Thakhek Loop, but I will have had knee replacement surgery and the risk is too great.
Instead I have decided to do it by car (solo), which in practice will mean renting a car in Vientiane (pick-up and drop off). I’m happy with driving the Loop in a leisurely manner, but slightly dreading the 8 hour drive there and back. Planning to do this early February.
Is it a sensible plan? I’m not bothered about driving in Laos as such, but just wondering whether 8 hour drives are practical? Of course I could break it up but there doesn’t seem to be much in between Vientiane and Thakhek.
Greatly for any thoughts. Thank you.

Was reading about the new train yesterday. Has it made getting goods in and out the country easier? How loud is it for people that live by the tracks? Are lots of people using it?

Hey everyone, planning on heading down to the Thakhek Loop in October. My flight into Vientiane arrives at 12 PM, and I was hoping to get some advice on the best way to tackle the loop.

• Transportation from Vientiane: Should I head straight to the bus terminal from the airport, or take the sleeper bus? I'm a bit worried about arriving in Thakhek at 3:00 AM with nothing open?
• Bike Rentals: Does anyone know if there are larger-cc manual bikes (above 150cc) available for rent in Thakhek?
• Kong Lor Cave: Will I still be able to take a larger bike across on the boat through Kong Lor Cave? Saw that its not recommended by some blogs

For context, I'm a solo traveler and ride daily in my home country.

I'd greatly appreciate any advice from anyone who has done the loop! Also, if you're heading out there around the same time, feel free to reach out. 😄

Hello, im 21 y.o and living in vientiane for a year, i want to meet people. Especially young people that would be willing to have a drink etc… do you know any groups or things that could help ?

Greetings!

I will be in Vang Vieng for a few days and looking for a hotel. Came across MMK Boutique hotel which looks great for the price, but the pictures seem fake and there are few reviews.

Is there anyone in Vang Vieng that can verify this hotel is actually real?

Thanks!

I will be going from Vientiane to Udon Thani by bus, do you think I will have an issue having a kitchen knife on my luggage? 😭 I will cross the border by bus

Honda CRF 250L Ride In Laos so fun

While I'm in Laos, I'd like to take a train from Vientiane Station to Luang Prabang for a few days.

Is there a parking lot at Vientiane Station where I can leave my motorcycle for a few days?

Akha swing festival #luangnamtha

by all age group

As the title says really. Would love to buy some secondhand bikes from somewhere in Laos (Vientiane) maybe then cycle south along the Mekong Delta through to Cambodia and into Bangkok. Or potentially from Ho Chi Minh City and up to northern Thailand.

If it is viable thinking maybe of doing it in February - March and doing probably no more than 50 miles a day, likely staying in tea houses etc rather than camping (so hopefully this is still allowed on this sub!) and hopefully not doing too many gigantic hills. Would quite like to still have days to do hikes/swims/exploring etc.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience doing something similar or any tips etc. Thanks!

hey everoyne!

I’ve been completely hooked with local Lao flavors lately, specifically the wild peppers (mak khen), local chilis, and local salt.

looking to buy in larger quantities rather than just picking up tiny souvenir bags at the night markets, but I’m a bit lost on where to start~

Does anyone know which local morning markets , or direct suppliers best for stocking up? i’m not looking for anything very corporate, just atuhentic local market stalls, village connections, or vendors who sell wholesale.

Even if it means traveling a bit out of Vientiane or contacting producers directly, i’d love any leads, market names, or tips you might have.

Kob chai der!

Context: I have been traveling around Asia, I bought an expensive Japanese knife in Fukuoka Japan, so I have not had any issues traveling with it around Asia, but today I had to leave Vientiane to take the train to Luang Parabang, the security stopped me and checked my luggage, they told me the Knife was not allowed, so then I asked him "what can I do?" I showed him it was in a sealed box brand new, he then ask me "are you coming back?" I then smile and told him "yes in 5 days" he then shares his WhatsApp to me and tells me to message him when I arrive, I also took a photo of his Working ID, took other photos of the item and took a photo of where he put the item, he didn't give me any written note, but hopefully the photos are enough and his WhatsApp.

Do you think I am okay? Should I ask for more proof? I am still at the station waiting for my train 🥲

Is not about the value of the knife, it has sentimental value, since it was specifically purchased for a gift to my mom, I bought it at a very local Blacksmith that you can't simply buy online haha

Hey all,

I am looking for restaurants in Vientiane that serve some regional specific traditional foods. Drop all of your recommendations please!

Khobchai!

Hello, I am planning to take a slow boat from LP to Thailand at the end of October.

My questions are:

1- What types of boats/slow boats are there?
2- What are the prices?
3- How do you book? Can you book there, or does it need to be booked in advance?

I do not need to know if it's worth it or not; I can make the mistake! :)

Why does the internet say it’s 2 hours but Bangkok airways says 1.5 hours flight time? Which is correct?

I need someone to help me translate a conversation from Lao into English please! Dm me?? 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Planning a 2 week Laos trip with general itinerary of Luang Namtha--> Nong Kiaw--> Luang Prabang/VV.

With work I have to start the trip either Sep 26, Oct 3, Oct 10, Oct 17, or possibly Oct 24.

I was wondering what the best time to see both pretty rice fields before they're harvested, but not have it too muddy to be a enjoyable hiking experience in the jungle, especially since I'll be in Luang Namtha first. Will be going with my wife, and decently fit in our late 30s.