Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. Located between Vietnam and Thailand, Laos is known as “the forgotten country of Southeast Asia”. However, this country of elephants does not lose its tourist attractions in Laos.
Laos provides its visitors with many experiences that you should not hesitate to experience if you are traveling to Laos.
To explore all of Laos, we’ve gathered the best things to do in Laos during your trip to Southeast Asia. Enjoy!
Witness the Monk’s Almony Ceremony in Luang Prabang
The first thing to do in Laos for tourists is to see the monks’ alms ceremony. The monk ritual is a tradition both in Luang Prabang and in other cities. It is famous all over the world and is also called Tak Bat or procession of souls. So one of the things to see in Laos is to see the whole procession during your trip to Laos.
The ceremony starts at 5:30 every morning. Take a bike ride or a walk through the main streets of Luang Prabang. You will see a long line of monks performing the alms ceremony. The monks walk quietly through the streets, barefoot, to collect the food that the people of Luang Prabang give them. Don’t look them in the eye or touch them, Laotians follow the guidelines that Buddhism indicates each morning. Tourists can also reserve a seat to give food and flowers to the monks.
Visit the Royal Palace of Luang Prabang
The Royal Palace is now the national museum of Luang Prabang, located on Sakkaline Road. For those who love history, architecture and culture, it is impossible to ignore this place during a trip to Laos. From the outside, you will admire the beauty of the traditional buildings, decorated with elaborate designs and precious gold inlays. Please note that when entering the museum, visitors should not wear shoes and take pictures inside the buildings. They should dress discreetly.
The most precious thing that the Royal Palace of Laos keeps is the Prabang Buddha statue. It is a national statue, the national treasure of Laos. It is made of pure gold, weighs up to 48 kg and is 83 cm high. On the occasion of the Lao New Year, Buddhist dignitaries and high officials of Luang Prabang will go to Xieng Thong Pagoda to gather this Buddha statue and perform the New Year ritual and bathe the Buddha in perfume.
Explore the Vientiane Night Market
The Lao night market is not as noisy and busy as other markets. Although many tourists visit and shop there, the buying and selling environment remains quiet and peaceful. It is like the peaceful way of life of Lao people.
Vientiane Night Market is located on the campus of Chao Anouvong Park, which is about 300m long. One side is adjacent to Pangkham Street and the other is adjacent to the Mekong River. The market is open from 6 to 10 pm daily. In the market, the stalls are arranged in a very scientific and orderly manner. Here, visitors can buy everything from clothes to souvenirs, typical handicrafts of the region, and especially the night bars with typical Lao food. This seems to be the most popular attraction in Vientiane at night.
Admire the Vestiges of the French Colonies in Vientián
When visiting Laos, rent a bike and explore the French airs in Vientiane – the capital of Laos. Contemplating Vientiane’s colonial past is one of the things to do in Laos. Colonial houses stand side by side with temples, pagodas and signs in Lao and French. A place where contrasts go hand in hand, creating a most striking atmosphere.
Once part of French-ruled Indochina, Laos’ architecture, food and even local languages retain a European influence. Wander around Vientiane and visit the artisanal bakeries, whose croissants, comparable to the best in Paris, will make you think you are in France.
You now know some of the places you should not miss when visiting Laos. And if you want to learn more, come back to check the second part of our article.
When are you planning to visit Southeast Asia? We would love to read from you; don’t forget to leave a comment below!
