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Things to Do in Laos

From Luang Prabang's saffron-robed monks to the turquoise Kuang Si Falls - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them.

Travel guide - last updated September 2026

Laos moves at a noticeably slower pace than its Southeast Asian neighbors, landlocked and less developed for mass tourism, which is a large part of its appeal. Luang Prabang's UNESCO-listed old town, where saffron-robed monks collect alms each dawn, anchors most trips, with the Mekong River running through much of the rest of the country. Here are 6 places worth building a trip around.

Top attractions

The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.

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Luang Prabang

A UNESCO World Heritage former royal capital, where the daily alms-giving ceremony at dawn - lines of monks collecting food from kneeling residents - remains a genuine local practice, not staged for tourists.

📍 Luang Prabang

🚉 Nearest station: Luang Prabang on the Laos-China Railway, opened in 2021, about 11km from town with shuttle vans meeting each train - Vientiane is now two hours away instead of ten.

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Kuang Si Falls

Multi-tiered turquoise waterfalls a short drive from Luang Prabang, with natural swimming pools at several levels and a bear rescue sanctuary at the base of the falls.

📍 Near Luang Prabang

🚉 The falls are 29km south of Luang Prabang with no bus service: shared minivans and tuk-tuks leave from the night market area through the morning, about 45 minutes each way.

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Plain of Jars

Thousands of large stone jars scattered across the Xiengkhuang Plateau, dating back over 2,000 years, with their original purpose still not definitively established by archaeologists.

📍 Xiengkhuang Plateau

🚉 Phonsavan is the base, reached by bus from Luang Prabang or Vientiane in seven to nine hours, or by air; tuk-tuks run to Sites 1, 2 and 3, and you must stay on the cleared paths as unexploded ordnance remains.

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Mekong River

The river running through much of Laos, with a slow boat journey between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang (typically two days) as a classic, unhurried way to see the countryside.

📍 Huay Xai to Luang Prabang

🚉 Slow boats run two days from Huay Xai on the Thai border to Luang Prabang, overnighting at Pakbeng - it is a scheduled service, not a cruise, and remains one of the great river journeys.

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Vientiane

Laos's laid-back capital, with Pha That Luang - the country's most important national monument - and a noticeably quieter atmosphere than most other Southeast Asian capital cities.

📍 Vientiane

🚉 Nearest station: Vientiane (Khamsavath) on the Laos-China Railway, about 10km from the centre; the older Thanaleng station links to Nong Khai in Thailand across the Friendship Bridge.

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Vang Vieng

A town set among karst limestone mountains along the Nam Song River, known for tubing, kayaking, and cave exploration - Laos's main adventure-tourism hub.

📍 Vang Vieng

🚉 Nearest station: Vang Vieng on the Laos-China Railway, an hour from Vientiane, with tuk-tuks covering the 3km into town - the karst viewpoints and caves are then reached by bicycle or scooter.

Mark Laos, get the stamp

🇱🇦LAOSVISITED

🇱🇦LAOSLIVED

🇱🇦LAOSWISHLIST

In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.

Open MyPassportStory

Planning questions

How many days do you need in Laos?

A week suits Luang Prabang plus Vang Vieng or Vientiane well. Ten days lets you add the Plain of Jars or a slower Mekong river journey.

What's the best time to visit Laos?

November-February is the cool, dry season and the most popular time to visit. The wet season (May-October) brings heavier rain, especially in the south.

Is Laos good for a first-time visit?

Yes - Luang Prabang in particular is well set up for tourism and easy to navigate on foot, though transport between regions can be slower than neighboring Thailand or Vietnam given the country's more limited road infrastructure.

Do I need a visa to visit Laos?

Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at major airports and land borders, or apply for an e-visa online in advance. Check the official visa information for your nationality: laoevisa.gov.la.

What are some things to do in Laos on a tight budget?

Watching the alms-giving ceremony in Luang Prabang costs nothing (just stay respectful and keep your distance), local Lao food is very cheap, and the slow boat down the Mekong is a budget-friendly way to cover long distances compared to flying.

Can I rent a car in Laos, and what licence do I need?

You can, though the new railway and long-distance minivans cover the main route well. Laos requires an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence; a home licence alone is not valid, and insurance will not respond without the permit. Minimum age is usually 23 with a credit card or cash deposit. Hiring a car with a driver is common and inexpensive. Scooter rental is widespread in Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang and carries the same licence requirement plus a real accident risk on mountain roads. Official visitor information, including what you need in order to drive, is published by the Lao National Tourism Administration at tourismlaos.org.