Nam phu literally translates into ‘water mountain’, and is the Lao equivalent of fountain. While Nam Phu in Vientiane is not the largest or most spectacular fountain in the city, it’s known by no other name and acts as the central landmark of downtown Vientiane. The fountain is a legacy of the historic French presence in … read the full post

Every Southeast Asian city has a market that’s a treasure trove of exotic bits and pieces; while Laos cannot rival the markets of Chiang Mai and Bangkok, in Vientiane Talaat Sao, or the morning market, offers a great selection of local offerings, mostly of the fabric-based kind. The name is a bit of a misnomer, however, … read the full post

In 2012 Vientiane completed a massive redevelopment project along the riverside. Previously it was home to little more than rustic sunset shacks and simple eateries. At times, the river was higher back then, as the Chinese had yet to complete their many damming projects upstream on the Mekong, and during some wet seasons the many … read the full post

Laos produces some exceptionally good coffee; some locals boast that it’s the best in the world. Of course, this depends on personal taste, but for those who like their coffee rich and strong, they’ve come to the right place. Most all of the coffee produced in Laos is grown on the Bolaven Plateau in southern … read the full post

If you’re in the neighbourhood of Vientiane’s Thai consulate and you’re hungry but all Lao food-ed out, you’ll find an abundance of Korean restaurants. Of the various to choose from, we reckon Seoul has the best food, cooked fresh and seasoned well. The atmosphere is far from romantic, with high ceilings, white walls and bright … read the full post

Fifty kilometres northeast of Vientiane, a red dusty road winds through farm villages, beneath the boughs of subtropical trees, and ends at a bend in the Nam Ngum River. Here, on an ancient temple site, sits Ban Pako Eco-Resort. While no remnants of the ancient temple are visible, a sense of tranquility instills a timelessness … read the full post

For a small country with such a tiny population, Laos has seen more than its fair share of bombing and devastation and today, across the country efforts continue to slowly but surely clear the countryside of un-exploded ordnance. In the meantime, on the outskirts of Vientiane it’s possible for travellers to get their hands on … read the full post

One of the best French colonial legacies in Laos is the abundance of French restaurants serving classic French cuisine. After a few weeks, or months, of trekking around in tattered boardies and living off of pho, it can be a very refreshing experience to put on your most dapper-looking threads and indulge in some elegance. … read the full post

Courtship has its rules and customs in all countries and it helps to be aware of unforeseen cultural expectations. Here are some ground rules to keep in mind in Laos. The Lao, generally speaking, are a flirtatious lot. Sexual innuendo and proposition-fuelled banter form a central aspect of social interaction. In a country where white … read the full post

For travellers seeking an exotic dining experience, Laos offers opportunities from crunchy crickets fried in chillies to savoury chicken testicle pudding. For those travellers with a less adventurous palate, meals in the countryside are often limited to fried rice and noodle soup and for vegetarians, sticking to a meat-free diet is almost impossible. In Vientiane, … read the full post