CocoBreaks: Laos – the humble Southeast Asian country with plenty to shout about

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, more commonly known as just Laos, is bordered by Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, and becoming gradually more popular with those who’ve caught the Southeast Asia travel bug. 

Still largely unspoiled by footprints of tourists, however, Laos has all the components of what makes the region so attractive – from breathtaking landscapes and an abundance of rich culture, to centuries-old traditions and heritage. But what really make this gem by the Mekong River so special is the local charm and the peaceful “Zen” lifestyle. It’s just too easy for tourists to succumb to the laid back vibes and float along with the Laos journey of life. 
 

The lovely locals
 

Behind all the tranquility and smiles the country exhibits today, however, Laos holds a heartbreaking past. It is the world’s most heavily bombed country in history. During the Vietnam War, the CIA led an operation, now known as the “Secret War”, in which more than 270 million cluster bombs were dropped on Laos. Eighty million bombs did not detonate and remain active, scattered around rural areas where farmers and their families are in constant danger.

To ease your mind, as a tourist you’re perfectly safe as long as you stay away from jungles that do not have trails.
 

How to get there

The quickest and most affordable way from Hong Kong to Vientiane (the capital of Laos) is through Vietnam Airlines. This includes a short one-hour transit in Hanoi, but you’ll be in Vientiane in a total of four hours for less than HKD2,500. A visa is easily acquired on arrival at the airport for about HKD150. 
 

Vientiane

Vientiane is the biggest city and the capital of Laos. 
 

A monk offering blessings

There are hundreds of temples in Vientiane, all unique in their own way. The more popular are Wat Sisaket, Haw Phra Keaw and Wat Si Muang. Be sure to get blessed by the local monks, who will tie a white yarn around your wrist while reciting a prayer to protect you from bad luck. Visiting temples is free to the public.
 

Victory Monument

Victory Monument is a must-visit landmark. Located right in the centre of the capital, the huge arc allows sightseers to climb to the very top and overlook the whole city. The entry fee is about HKD10. 
 

Buddha Park

Buddha Park, one of the world’s most unique recreational parks, is filled with cultural statues of all sizes. It’s a quick 20-minute bus ride from the centre of Vientiane. Locals come here on the weekend to enjoy the grass, clean air and a picnic. The entry fee is a mere HKD5 for the whole day. 
 

School kids helped by the volunteer programme

Volunteering or taking a service trip with IVHQ will offer you an experience of a lifetime, with everything from construction to childcare workers desperately needed. Giving back itself is very humbling, and the programme offers so much more. The first week is culture week, where participants will enjoy bespoke cultural activities and sightseeing to fully immerse themselves the Laos culture. 

Throughout the trip, you will inevitably build strong friendships with the other volunteers as you bond every evening at the guesthouse and take trips to other cities on the weekend.
 

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a riverside town just north of Vientiane. You can take a public bus from Vientiane and get there in about four to five hours for HKD40 (the bus is very clean and has air-conditioning). This is the destination for the more outgoing, party-loving crowd.
 

Arriving at one of the five massive outdoor bars 

Tubing is by far the most popular thing to do in Vang Vieng. Imagine yourself sipping on a cold drink, floating down a river on a sunny day. That’s pretty much the idea. With five bars to stop at from start to finish (that number has been reduced massively after some nasty drunken accidents), you’ll stay well lubricated while enjoying the great outdoors. The tubing costs around HKD40, but you’ll end up spending around HKD250 at the bars. 
 


Local kids playing in the massive Tham Poukham Cave

Rent dirt bikes or ATVs and take a 45-minute scenic drive to the Blue Lagoon, a natural spring pool with surreal blue water. A little walk up the trail will lead you to Tham Poukham, a massive cave waiting to be explored. Do be careful, as you could get very lost in the dark, but that’s almost part of the fun. The dirt bikes and ATVs cost about HKD350 for the whole day, while entry to the cave is just HKD10. 
 

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is a city farther north of Vang Vieng, filled with culture and breathtaking scenery. From the capital, Vientiane, you can take an overnight sleeper bus that takes around 10 hours and costs about HKD150. 
 

Kuang Si Waterfalls (Photo source)
 

The number-one thing to do in Luang Prabang is to visit the glorious Kuang Si Waterfalls. With dozens of cascades, it’s a typical Travertine waterfall, throwing down beautiful turquoise streams and pools for the public to bathe in.

You can rent a Tuk-Tuk for HKD100 to get there, but hiring a motorbike and taking the drive yourself lets you fully appreciate the scenic route, while stopping for multiple golden selfies, of course. Renting a motorbike for 24 hours costs about the same – HKD100. 
 

Local Children looking for competition

One of the greatest aspects of Laos is how beautiful and friendly the people are. Away from all the tourists, you can easily meet locals in their villages. They do, in fact, have villages that target the tourists, such as the paper and whiskey villages, which, as you might guess, make their own paper and whiskey. However, it’s off the grid where you can really get to know local life. 

On the way to Kuang Si Waterfalls there’s a village called Ba Na Pho. They don’t have a store for souvenirs or much to offer, materialistically – but they do have smiles and cute kids. Ba Na Pho is really off the beaten track. To find it, head towards Kuang Si Waterfall from the city; after the third bridge, look for a big coloruful sign which says – Welcome to Ba Na Pho School; from there, you can go for a nice stroll and perhaps play soccer with the kids. 
 

The view from Mount Phousi (photo source)
 

Located in the centre of Luang Prabang, Mount Phousi is the ideal place to watch the sunrise/sunset with panoramic views of the whole city and the rivers surrounding it. There are 328 stairs climb, but each step will be worth it. The entrance fee is under HKD20. 

Last piece of advice: go visit Laos as soon as possible, before more and more tourists cotton on. It’s truly one of the last untouched Southeast Asian countries. 
 

Novice monks admiring their home city from the Victory Monument
 
Photo: Byrant Cheng/Coconuts Media

 
 


Got a tip? Send it to us at hongkong@coconuts.co.


 



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