{"id":10379,"date":"2015-02-23T00:00:21","date_gmt":"2015-02-22T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=10379"},"modified":"2025-06-19T13:35:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T03:35:56","slug":"nine-reasons-laos-bucket-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/nine-reasons-laos-bucket-list\/","title":{"rendered":"9 reasons Laos should be on your Bucket List"},"content":{"rendered":"

Travellers are always banging on about Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia – but little ol’ Laos<\/a> often goes overlooked. We here at Intrepid think that’s a crying shame because as great as the rest of Indochina is, there’s something special about Laos.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maybe we just like rooting for the underdog. But when you dig a little deeper, there’s no denying that Laos packs more than enough punch to make it a real contender for your favourite destination in Southeast Asia.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Why Laos should be on your bucket list<\/h2>\n

1. It’s super chill<\/h3>\n
\"laos-travel-blog---simon-matzinger\"

Image c\/o Simon Matzinger, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

We’re calling it – Laos is the most relaxed country in Asia. No one is in a hurry. You might find a shopkeeper\u00a0 asleep, operating on a trust system until he has finished his nap. The country is also really fertile, but the locals are content with just harvesting one rice crop a year.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

2. The food is awesome<\/h3>\n

You\u2019re far more likely to find a Vietnamese or Thai restaurant in your neighbourhood, so this one might surprise you, but hear us out. Nothing in Laos is processed – everything is fresh, healthy and flavoursome. Everywhere you turn, you\u2019ll likely stumble across mountains of fresh herbs, sticky rice, steamed fish and crunchy salads. Food porn in Laos is real<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. The sunsets are mind-altering<\/h3>\n
\"laos-travel-guide---willy-verhulst\"

Image c\/o Willy Verhulst, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Whether it\u2019s over the Mekong, from a vantage point over Luang Prabang<\/a> or across the rice fields or a rooftop bar in Vientiane – the lack of light and industrial pollution in Laos makes for clear, crisp and spectacular sunsets.<\/p>\n

4. Waterfalls for days<\/h3>\n
\"laos-travel-guide---

Image c\/o Lorna, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

The high annual rainfall and extensive rivers combine with mountainous terrain to create some of the world\u2019s most impressive waterfalls. For locals, waterfalls are the ideal spot for family picnics and spending time outdoors.<\/p>\n

For travellers, the Kuang Si Falls outside of Luang Prabang are the most accessible in all senses of the word. Not only are they easy to get to, but you can paddle and play in the huge complex of natural falls and pools. Get there!<\/p>\n

5. It\u2019s really, really green<\/h3>\n
\"laos-travel-guide---ville-miettinen\"

Image c\/o Ville Miettinen, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Everywhere in Laos is green and lush. Forests, rice fields, mountainsides, jungle, the huge variety of vegetables in the markets, the moss growing on ancient ruins\u2026 You can\u2019t move without being visually assaulted by some shade of jade.<\/p>\n

RELATED: VISIT LAOS ON THIS EPIC CAMBODIA & LAOS TRIP<\/a> OR THIS THAILAND & LAOS ADVENTURE<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

6. World-class handicrafts<\/h3>\n
\"laos-travel-guide---yeowatzup\"

Image c\/o yeowatzup, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

And not just the \u201chill tribe\u201d embroidery you see all over South East Asia (much of which now factory made for tourists). Laos has plenty of authentic textiles for sale from local artisans, in both traditional and more contemporary styles. The Hmong Story Cloths which tell creation stories, myths and folk tales, in particular, are pretty special.<\/p>\n

7. Coffee culture<\/h3>\n
\"laos-travel-guide---jurriaan-persyn\"

Image c\/o Jurriaan Persyn, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

An awesome coffee scene is one good thing the French colonialists left behind\u2026<\/p>\n

8. It’s Buddhist (and communist)<\/h3>\n
\"laos-travel-guide---ahron-de-leeuw\"

Image c\/o Ahron de Leeuw, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

You might never guess that Laos has a communist government given the prevalence of Buddhism in the country, but it does. In fact, it\u2019s one of only five remaining communist countries in the world (the others being China<\/a>, Vietnam, North Korea and Cuba).<\/p>\n

9. Laos cares<\/h3>\n
\"laos-travel-guide---khana-hmoong\"

Image c\/o Khana Hmoong, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Laos has made a huge commitment to responsible tourism and is eager to be South East Asia\u2019s premier eco-tourism destination. With many community based tourism initiatives, social enterprises to visit for meals and shopping as well as Intrepid Foundation projects to support, visitors to Laos can travel responsibly without much effort. It\u2019s a win for you, a win for Laos, and a win for the planet.<\/p>\n

Ready to find out why Laos rhymes with wow? (Sorry). Check out our Laotian small group trips<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Small on fuss, big on awesome. 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