Lost in Laos

For 2016, we head to Laos.

Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Vietnam in the East and Thailand in the West. Its capital Vientiane is a quaint little city on the bank of Mekong River and literally a stone’s throw away from Thailand’s Nong Khai Province.

In Vientiane, we find a number of beautiful Buddhist temples and museums. The most important of which is the Pha That Luang (Golden Stupa), located in a vast ceremonial ground in the middle of the city. Wat Si Saket, which is believed to be the country’s oldest surviving temple, is located near the night market. And if there is a night market, there is also a morning market, which is also the place where you can catch buses that goes to Thailand and other parts of Laos.

Moving around Vientiane is easy with Tuktuk right from the airport. Yes, this three-wheeled motor-taxi auto-rickshaw is a common in the Indochinese peninsula – Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia area.

If you are spending a week or so in Laos, go to Vang Vieng to see its limestone karsts and farther to Luang Prabang, a town that is enlisted in the UNESCO Heritage Sites for many good reasons from cultural to natural attractions. Vang Vieng is 4 hours by bus going North from Vientiane and Luang Prabang is 7 hours away, but there’s a 45-minute plane ride from Vientiane to this popular destination.

Where to stay? There are trusted brands like Best Western, Somerset and Novotel in Vientiane, but there are also good city hotels like Settha Palace, which is one of the most luxurious, and Vansana Riverside Hotel, which is highly recommended by locals. There are also Airbnb rooms in Laos!

The currency is Lao Kip. USD1=LAK~8,000. Easy to be a millionaire in Laos. But be sure to change them all back to your desired currency before leaving the country, or else you’ll have a stash of Kips for keeps.