VACATION DETAILS

A four-hour car ride (or six-hour bus ride) north from Vientiane, this town is a center for karstic geologic formations. Nearly vertical limestone cliffs and spires jut up from the floor of a bucolic river valley that lies about 100 mi/160 km north of the capital. The setting is stunning, but despite its natural beauty, visitors will either love or hate Vang Vieng. For the backpacking fraternity it is simply heaven; for the cultural traveler it is an example of how damaging tourism can be to local culture. The once-sleepy riverside town, perfectly located to break up the journey between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, is overrun with cheap guesthouses, bars and restaurants serving Western food. All the Western comforts and support mechanisms are there—so much for adventure travel. As a result, backpackers settle in Vang Vieng for weeks at a time doing very little but lying around watching TV, getting stoned or tubing down the river. Their presence has also encouraged locals to start dealing drugs, and the town has a reputation for the easy availability of opium and amphetamines.

Tubing trips along the Nam Song river are popular, but be aware that the current is very fast in places—inexperienced swimmers have drowned on these trips. Check river conditions locally before signing up for any trip. Several spectacular caverns (some developed, some not) are within a few hours' walk from town.

Located in Laos' far northwest corner, 472 mi/760 km northwest of Vientiane, near the borders with Myanmar and China, Muang Sing is a good place to see some of the country's most colorful hill-tribe people. Once the largest opium market in the Golden Triangle, Muang Sing still has a number of opium dens (no matter what anyone tells you, opium is illegal in Laos), but the city is also a center for more legitimate commerce for a great variety of ethnic groups.

The town itself is very small and doesn't have a great deal to offer unless you are intending to use it as a base for treks into the hills. Visitors will notice the influx of Chinese migrants and trucks with Chinese license plates. The region is exploited for its natural resources such as timber, which all heads for China. The stripped hillsides have been planted with rubber trees. The morning market on the outskirts of town is worth a visit. To get to Muang Sing, you can travel by road from Luang Prabang or fly to Luang Nam Tha and take a passenger truck.

Chiang Khong is village by the river in the Chiang Rai Province of Northern Thailand. The village is a pit stop for travelers crossing the Mekong River to Laos. In AD 701, Chiang Khong was part of the small city-state founded by King Mahathai. Juon, as it was originally called was occupied by the Siamese in the 1880s. Chiang Khong extended to the Yunnan Province in China until the French turned Mekong’s northern bank into French Indochina a decade later. Present-day Chiang Khong is a village with a busy market, many temples and a popular Giant Catfish festival held annually every April. A friendship bridge was built in 2013 to join the Laos and Thailand border.

Hanoi is a city with a history that dates back to the 7th century. In 1954 Hanoi was declared the capital of the Democratic Republic of North Vietnam, and in 1976, following the Vietnam War, it became the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This political history has made Hanoi one of the country's most fascinating cities to explore. The most renowned of all the monuments is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It is dedicated to Vietnam's most well-respected President, who in 1945, led his country to independence. Other highlights include the Museum of History, containing ancient artifacts from Cambodia, Thailand, Japan and China, the 11th century One Pillar Pagoda and legendary Sword Lake.

Excursions

While visiting Vientiane, you’ll delight in the legendary Lao hospitality and the country’s unspoiled beauty. Until recently, Laos was forbidden to foreign travelers. Vientiane, capital of Laos, is busy and hectic in comparison to the rest of the country, but it is quiet compared with any other capital city in Asia. Vientiane, as are the other major city of Laos, is situated on the Mekong River, which forms the lifeline of the country. Vientiane’s major attractions are the serene Buddhist monasteries that dominate the city streets. The city has kept its timeless charm with tree-lined avenues, brightly painted temples and quaint French architecture. Explore Wat Si Saket. Built in 1818, it is the city’s oldest temple and features over 6,800 Buddha images, which are all ritually cleansed at the time of the Lao New Year. Hophrakeo, once the royal temple of Lao monarchy, was built in 1565 and has been used as a museum since 1970. The main structure, which originally housed Prakeo, the Emerald Buddha, now contains some of the finest Buddhist sculpture and artifacts found in the country. Special displays include antique brass drums and palm leaf manuscripts. Also visit the most famous landmark of Vientiane, the soaring stupa Pha That Luang (Royal Stupa), which was constructed in 1566 by King Setthatirat, founder of the Vientiane capital.

Luang Prabang is the crown jewel of Laos and perhaps the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The ancient capital of the former Kingdom Lan Xang, it is nestled in the mountains at the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers, and is an enchanting and charming destination. The town is adorned with gilded temples on nearly every street corner and saffron robed monks strolling through the quiet city center, giving it a unique charm of bygone days and rich cultural heritage.

Chiang Mai is a city built on the roots of a traditional heritage that dig deep into the soil of time. It's a city with a beautiful cultural personality of its own. In addition, it's been blessed with much majestic beauty in nature. The people themselves are an unforgettable part of Chiang Mai. Handicrafts of silk, silver and wood are timeless souvenirs for visitors from all over the globe.

Bangkok is chief port capital of Thailand and one of the most important cities in Southeast Asia. It is the epitome of the country's kaleidoscopic blend of old and new. It is an expression of Thai respect for tradition coupled with their vibrant involvement with modern progress. Rama I built the walled Grand Palace, which contains Temple of the Emerald Buddha. During the 19th century, Bangkok was known as the Venice of the East because of its many canals, which served as streets and commercial thoroughfares. Houses perched along the banks of the remaining canals are still common sight. Some of Bangkok’s most distinctive features are the approximately 400 Buddhist temples, known as wats. Bangkok is Thailand's economic center. Other sights to see include Temples, monuments, museums, Vimarnmekh Mansion, and Jim Thompson’s House.

Excursions