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Backpacking In Laos

Posted by Chris

In-between Vietnam & Thailand is a skinny country called Laos and within this country lays many awesome sights waiting to be seen. Laos has a population of about 6.5 million & is a bit smaller in size than the state of Nevada. The terrain of the country is mostly mountainous & tropical which makes it perfect for backpacking. Since Laos is a land-locked country, access to the ocean doesn’t exist, but the Mekong River flows through Laos from north to south and creates about 2/3 of the border with Thailand.

The Best Back Packing Spots Along The Mekong River

Throughout Laos there are many small cities tucked away in the mountains in picturesque settings. One of the most popular paths to take starts at the northern Thailand/Laos border, by taking a quick boat ride across the Mekong River to the opposite bank at Huay Xai and then making your way towards Luang Prabang. The city of Luang Prabang is a decent size at over 100,000 people and here you can buy any supplies you might need and stay in nice lodgings. You can get around on foot, but most choose to travel through the city by bike or motor-scooter. Motor-scooters line the street wherever you go.

After getting your fill of the sights & surroundings of Luang Prabang, the next spot further south to hit up is at Vang Vieng. This city is for tourists and with good reason. The surrounding area is very beautiful with many daily activities you can do. Biking, kayaking & caving are just to name a few are very popular around Vang Vieng. The main street in this city is littered with bars, restaurants and guesthouses for tourists, so be prepared for a welcoming environment.

Continuing on a backpacking journey; not far from Vang Vieng is the capital of Laos, Vientiane. The population of Vientiane is about 200,000 oddly enough, the city is right about on the Thailand/Laos border. As with any capital city, there are numerous sights to see and museums to visit. Among the most popular sights are Buddha Park and Pha That Luang (The Golden Supa).

Backpacking Through East Laos

Eastern Laos will see far fewer travelers as not as many ‘touristy’ cities exist there. Most eastern Laotian cities are much smaller and do not have the same warm welcoming feel to foreigners, but this should not be a deterrent, but perhaps make the location even more attractive.

Because of this lack of tourist infrastructure you will more than likely see the real Laos, which means you will be traveling by foot, car or bus to each destination along your way. A popular path down eastern Laos starts in the far south at Attapu (Attopeu). This is a very small city and it really only has one hotel. There is one main street in the city with only a few choices for restaurants. The locals are very friendly towards foreigners and the surroundings in the city are tropical as you can imagine.

The next stop after Attapu (Attopeu) is a city about an hour north called Salavan. Salavan is another small city but it has two very exotic attractions that make it very unique. The first of which, is a tour of the surrounding area on elephant back. This experience alone can make your entire trip to Laos worth your while. Additionally you can explore through the Bolaven Plateau and the small villages within.

Two more cities make for a great finish to an eastern Laos backpacking tour; Ban Lak Xao & Sam Neua. Ban Lak Xao is mainly a hub for tourists coming into the country from Vietnam, but its historical roots as a main trade route for silver and gold created a unique jewelry trade in the city. You will likely see many villagers from remote hill tribes, dressed in traditional clothes. Ban Lak Xao is good for a short stop and then Sam Neua makes for a great ending.

Sam Neua is a larger town, so this means familiar menus in English at restaurants and more choices for guesthouses/hotels. Some historical architecture has been preserved like the Wat Pho Xai, but Sam Neua really is not the Lao ‘frontier town’ that many travel guides describe it as. It comes across more as a rural hub that does not really reach out to tourists. The surrounding caves should not be missed if you can find a tour guide through them and for continuing your travel, there are two flights in and out of Sam Neua everyday.

Laos is a country filled with mystery to most westerners. Many probably could not even point out the country on a map, despite its roll in the Vietnam War & communist past. In recent years the country has opened its doors to tourists. The mountains, valleys and villages of Laos can now be explored and should be. The great currency exchange rates, ethnic restaurants & foods and breathtaking sights the country has to offer a traveler should not be missed by anyone. For the avid backpacker, Laos should definitely be in your top 10 list of where you plan to go.