Laos forum

If you are arriving overland from Danang, you might consider hanging out in southern Laos, since you'll already be in that general area. Pakse and the Mekong River, Bolevans Plateau, Champasak and Wat Phu (and more river), and even the 4,000 islands, although that last one may be more backpacker/tourist than you want. From there it is an easy onward trip down to Cambodia or over to Thailand too.

Vientiane and Luang Prabang are also excellent choices, and Luang Prabang has a few standard day trips that will get you on the river and/or out in the boonies. But it is a fair journey by road to get to Luang Prabang, and you'd be spending a good chunk of that week getting there.

Don't discount Vang Vieng from just the stories you've read either. Those limestone karsts are spectacular and it isn't difficult to avoid the party scene in VV if you wish. Regards.

There aren't "airlines" in Laos, there is an airline. It's reasonably safe (standards have improved much over the last few years) and ridiculously expensive. As far as I know, only Laos Air serve Luang Prabang, but you can check with some others here to confirm.

Yeah I should have specified that. There are different airlines that fly into Laos from other points. Didn't know Bangkok airways did though. I don't know how Laos Air gets any business at all excepting internal flights where they have a monopoly, because they're expensive.

If you're worried about Vang Vieng 's bad reputation due to the drunken tubing scene just stay on the southern edge of town away from the zombies. Rent a bike and explore the valley across the river, take a kayak down the river or explore some of the caves. Still plenty of great scenery and peaceful places all around the Vang Vieng area.

They haven't had a crash in 12 years.

Also their volume of air traffic is low... which limits opportunities for a crash. Not saying they aren't doing a good job, just saying statistically if you don't fly much, your opportunities for crashing are smaller. But one crash, pow, your record takes a big hit, because the numbers are crunched prortionally. They fly over my house every day, twice a day. I wish I could use the airport, but the expense of doing so is prohibitive.

Or even in the Thai Airways mould. The only non-Thai Airways flights I have seen flying into Savanakhet are US Air Force and Thai Air Force C-130s (the US Air Force ones I recently discovered were doing MIA remains repatriation). So I think Laos Air maintains its monopoly on that particular location. Anyway, without a visa agreement, it's use remains a no-go for me.

Posted from within Vietnam.

Nong Khiaw, a side trip upriver from Luang Prabang, is one obvious alternative. Similar riverside limestone karst scenery and a decent tourist infrastructure with absolutely no attempt to turn it into a party town.

Hi,
I think Luang Prabang with a night in Nong Khiaw with a slow boat trip back to LP would probably satisfy your desire for beauty. There is plenty of natural beauty to be found close to Luang Prabang and the town is pretty with lovely architecture (yes, thanks UNESCO)
I wouldn't suggest spending more than a day in Vientiane if you only have a week in the country. In fact I'd skip it altogether unless there is something in particular you really want to see.
I flew from Vientiane to LP in July, its not that expensive for a one off trip, particularly given you're in Laos such a short time.
enjoy your trip