The party is over in Vang Vieng, six months after the Lao government’s crackdown on the illegal bars that once lined the picturesque Nam Song. The change is so dramatic that people still arrive asking where the party has gone, shocked at the pace of change in a country not known for acting swiftly on … read the full post

Vang Vieng was until recently known as the party mecca of the Southeast Asian backpacker trail, with thousands of youngsters flocking to the central Lao town for unlimited drinking, dancing and tubing down the Nam Song. But all that changed in August last year when government authorities stepped in to shut down the bars lining … read the full post

There are certain pharmaceutical and medical needs that travellers may have that are slightly awkward to satisfy — say, asking around Vientiane whether you can get the morning-after pill or miming to a pharmacist that you have intestinal worms. If you’re in Laos, here are a few helpful tips that will hopefully help you avoid … read the full post

Though perhaps best known for its nearby NBCAs (national parks), Savannakhet is also the perfect spot for a few days of unwinding. Lose yourself in the smoky scent of Lao sausages on the grill, the late afternoon giggles of schoolchildren, a Mekong River sunset and a stroll through historic streets. Constructed by the many French … read the full post

Boat rides, jungle treks, a few waterfalls and the Plain of Jars; aside from these, there really aren’t that many crucial sights to see or things to do in Laos, which is precisely why so many people love it. Travel here is about interaction with people, relaxing in a bungalow, riding the local buses and … 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

Accessing the internet in Laos is possible pretty much right throughout the country via several options, including some hotels in the more remote towns, such as Phongsali, which offer decent WiFi connections. But the problem with relying on hotel WiFi is that many of the less touristed towns simply don’t have hotels with free WiFi … read the full post

Laos has a rustic appeal to many travellers who enjoy getting away from the sealed and packaged amenities of the West. Unfortunately, our immune systems aren’t always up to the task and accidents can happen when trekking through the jungle or spelunking in slippery dark caves. Here are some things to keep in mind when … read the full post

Vientiane’s nightlife may not be the most raucous or exciting in Southeast Asia but if you know where to look there are a few great little spots to be found away from the backpacker haunts that serve up Beer Lao and little else. While most of the city’s nightlife is based along the river and … read the full post

Vientiane’s music scene is still in its infancy and far less prominent than in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Yet if you find yourself weary of karaoke, a handful of local bands usually play shows on the weekends, with a few more peppered across weekdays. Local bands feature both Lao and falang musicians, mostly … read the full post