Laos forum

1. Is this period high or low in terms of tourism?
Low season

2. I will go from VT to LP, should I take boat(would the water level be sufficient?) or bus? which offers a better experience? fyi, i'll travel from LP to Huay Xai/Chiang Khong and then on to Chiang Mai by boat, so will get a fair share of boating experience here.
You can't go by boat from VT to LP and no boat to Chiang Mai. Only boats from LP to the Thai border. Yes there is enough water to do the boat trip almost any time of year, just buy the ticket same morning and go, no need to pre-book. VT to LP flights cost $82 and take less than an hour, bus is cheap but takes about 10 hours.

5. Is it ok to give Vang Vieng a miss?
It's a convenient stop-off point travelling by road from VT to LP, and it's in a beautiful area, so yes it's worth while.

I think the bus was about 120,000 kip, less than $20. That's a memory, its cheap though. I flew that part of my trip a few months ago. Next time I'll bus it though. I flew because I didn't want anything to do with the tubing scene, but then I heard later that's its actually easy be in VV and be separate to that part of town!
I think just checking out Guesthouses when you get there is the most fun and you wont miss out, there heaps of places to choose between. Just Suss prices on here or in a lonely planet so you have a bit of a price guide in mind.
Have fun

if it is low season, then I can assume that i can walk in to any guesthouses or hotels in VT, VV, and LP and no need to pre-book?
Sure no problem. Maybe if you're picky you won't get your first choice but you will definitely find a room without pre-booking. I usually phone ahead the day before if I have a place in mind, but it's not really necessary.

if VV is worth the while, then i think bus would be ideal. how much would the bus cost?
See http://hobomaps.com/TravelVangVieng.html
Vientiane-Vang Vieng probably 40,000 or 60,000 kip. Peanuts.

the boat ticket price for LP-HX?
Downstream it costs 220,000 kip but I think it's slightly cheaper upstream. 200,000 kip when I last checked. The boat ramp and ticket office is right there in town with prices clearly marked. Agents will naturally charge more.