What's up guys! We're here in Laos
and in this video we're going to show you our favorite places to visit
in the country. So hope you enjoy it! Laos is a landlocked country situated
in the center of Southeast Asia. It's a hidden gem compared to its more
popular neighbors of Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. But with its remote
lush landscapes, laid-back atmosphere, and rich cultural diversity, Laos stands out as a
unique destination with an enchanting charm like no other. We spent a month traveling around the
country and absolutely loved it. In this video, we highlight 10 beautiful places to
visit in Laos. Now let's dive in! We are Zac and Ine. We make helpful videos about destinations around the world so you
can easily plan your own adventures. Starting things off, we have Vientiane, the
capital city of Laos which is located on the banks of the Mekong River. Unlike the usual
hustle and bustle of other capital cities, Vientiane boasts a more relaxed and slower-paced
experience. You can stroll through the street, savor the local cuisine at the night market,
and marvel at the city's beautiful temples. Make sure to visit Wat Si Saket, the oldest
Buddhist temple in the city. Another highlight is Patuxai Monument, also known as the
Victory Gate. And if you have more time, head to the Buddha Park just outside the
city. Vientiane is a great jumping off point for visiting the rest of Laos, but we
don't recommend spending too much time here. Located in southern Laos, the Bolaven Plateau
sits on a volcanic tableland. Known for its beautiful natural landscapes, this destination is
home to a number of majestic waterfalls. In fact, the highest waterfall in the country can
be found here. But the area is also famous for its authentic villages and lush coffee
plantations, where you can learn about the coffee making process and indulge in a freshly
brewed cup. The easiest way to explore this plateau is by motorbike loop or guided tour from
the city of Pakse, which sits just to the west. Located in the Luang Namtha province of
Laos, Nam Ha National Protected Area is the perfect destination for adventurers and
nature enthusiasts. Sprawling across an area of 2,224 square km, this park is a treasure of
biodiversity. Here, you can find lush forests, exotic wildlife, and traditional tribal
communities. The best way to experience this area is by trekking, kayaking, or mountain biking.
We opted for a guided day hike through the dense jungle, which was a little over 15 km and had
975m of elevation gain. It was a challenging hike, especially with the humidity. But we enjoyed all
the lush tropical plants along the way. We stopped stopped at a local Khmu Village for lunch, where
our guide told us all about their lifestyle as well as the different ethnic minorities that
you can find around Laos. We left our guide's contact details in the description below the
video in case you want to join a trek with him. Muang Ngoi is a sleepy little village located
in the north of Laos. Tucked in a peaceful valley between between lush green mountains, this
town feels remote and isolated. There are only a few gravel streets with a dozen guesthouses and
restaurants. As you would expect, most travelers come to relax and enjoy the riverside setting. But
we also recommend taking the opportunity to visit the surrounding area. You can hike to three
nearby local villages, kayak down the river, or visit the nearby waterfall. As this town
is mainly accessible by boat, there's no quieter place than Muang Ngoi. Stay a few days
here to fully embrace the slow pace of life. Nam Kan National Park is located in western
Laos near the border of Thailand and Myanmar. With 1,360 square km of pristine forest, this park
is is home to diverse wildlife and plant species. What makes Nam Kan National Park different is
the unique way that you explore it. The Gibbon Experience, a world-renowned ecotourism initiative
within the park, gives travelers the chance to zip line above the jungle canopy, observe wild gibbons
in their natural habitat, and sleep in uniquely designed tree houses. This all well contributing
to the local community and forest conservation efforts. We embarked on a 3-day journey,
starting in the town of Huay Xai. We have a full video all about this wild experience
that you can find on our channel as well. The 4,000 islands is an archipelago in the
south of Laos, right next to the border of Cambodia. It's a unique landscape consisting of
countless land patches scattered throughout the Mekong River, most of which are too small to be
inhabited. The most famous islands are Don Det and Don Khon. While Don Det is a backpacker's
paradise known for its affordable bungalows and captivating sunsets, Don Khon boasts a
number of waterfalls. No matter which island you decide to stay on, you can visit both
of them since they're connected by a French Colonial Bridge. Both islands offer a laid-back
vibe and have a number of superb restaurants. The island here has some new concrete roads, which makes it perfect to just
rent a bike and explore around. Stretching over two provinces, the Thakhek Loop is
one of the most authentic areas to explore. It's not exactly a destination but rather a scenic
motorbike loop that starts and ends in the city of Thakhek. This 450 km or 280 mi journey
features steep karst mountains, lush forests, refreshing springs, and numerous caves. The
loop also passes through remote villages, offering a glimpse into authentic Lao
culture. The main highlights include the majestic Kong Lor River Cave, the
Dragon Cave Viewpoint, the Cool Springs, and The Rock Limestone Forest, where you can
zipline over deep valleys. We have another full video about this loop, where you can
find more specific details on how to do it. Vang Vieng is a small town located in the
heart of Laos. Situated on the banks of the Nam Song River and surrounded
by stunning limestone mountains, the town is renowned for its unparalleled
views and range of adventures to choose from. You can indulge in thrilling activities
like tubing or kayaking down the river, exploring the vast cave systems, hiking up to
one of the steep viewpoints, or riding in a hot air balloon to take in the stunning vistas
from above. One of our favorite things to do was exploring the beautiful countryside and
attractions by motorbike. There are also a few different Blue Lagoons on the outskirts of town
that offer relaxation after a day of adventures. The charming town of Nong Khiaw is situated
on the banks of the Nam Ou River in the jagged northern region of Laos. Known for its stunning
mountain scenery and laid-back atmosphere, Nong Khiaw is rapidly gaining a name for
itself as one of the best places to visit in the country. There are tons of hiking and
outdoor opportunities here, whether you like to soak in the sunset views from the Som Nang
Viewpoint, hike the challenging Pha Daeng Peak, kayak down the river, or discover the hidden
caves and surrounding countryside. With buses running from Luang Prabang many times
per day, it's also easy to get here. Finally, we have one of our favorite destinations
in all of Southeast Asia. Luang Prabang is located in northern Laos at the confluence of the
Mekong and Nam Kan Rivers. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that blends
incredible natural beauty with historical charm and a rich cultural heritage. This is
where most of the attractions are located, including the night market, the Royal Palace, Haw
Pha Bang Temple, the local mountain viewpoint, and the streets filled with well-preserved
architecture. But the best thing to do in our opinion, is to venture beyond the Old
Town. Take a sunset cruise on the river, learn how to harvest rice at the Living Land Farm,
or marvel at the cascading Kuang Si waterfalls. Laos is a unique and complex country. And while
we've shared some must-see destinations in this video, there's much more to discover. That's
why we've got a whole other video packed with essential travel tips for navigating this hidden
gem. This includes everything you need to know about safety and dangers, visas, how to get
between destinations, how to get around, travel itineraries, and more. If you're planning your
Laos trip, we recommend keeping things organized with our interactive travel planner. Find a
discount code in the description below the video. We also included important links that you'll
need for your Laos adventure in the description, such as an interactive map with all the places we
mentioned. We'll catch you on the next adventure!
