Planning a Laos Holiday or Honeymoon
One of my favourite trips of all time started with the Indochina loop from Thailand into Laos, and it’s a part of the world that really stayed with me. We boarded a long boat in northern Thailand for a slow journey down the Mekong River, which stretches all the way from China to the south of Vietnam. Thinking about a Laos holiday or honeymoon? Let's go!
Why Choose Laos?
Laos feels slower, quieter and less developed than its neighbours. You’ve got:
- peaceful riverside towns
- beautiful temples and Buddhist culture
- rural landscapes and a slower pace of life
- a more low-key, less commercial feel
Laos is not about ticking off loads of sights, it’s about soaking it all in.
The Mekong River Experience
We spent two days travelling down the Mekong by slow boat from Chiang Rai in Thailand, stopping overnight in the tiny village of Pakbeng, which barely had electricity at the time. The journey itself was incredible, and watching life unfold along the riverbanks was a highlight in itself: children playing along the water’s edge, small villages dotted along the river - a completely different pace of life.
It’s not the quickest or most comfortable way to travel, but maybe that's exactly the point...
Luang Prabang
Arriving into Luang Prabang was a real WOW moment. This UNESCO World Heritage town completely blew me away and is still one of my favourite places in Asia. Some of the highlights were watching saffron-clad monks at the temples, cycling through the surrounding countryside, visiting the Pak Ou Caves, swimming at the Kuang Si waterfalls and sunset views from Mount Phousi.
There’s also a lovely French influence throughout the town, which gives it a completely different feel to other parts of Southeast Asia. It’s one of those places that’s easy to fall in love with.
Beyond Luang Prabang
After Luang Prabang, we travelled on to Vang Vieng. At the time it was known for tubing and its party scene, which has since been scaled back, but the setting itself is beautiful with limestone mountains and river views.
We finished in Vientiane, the capital, which is a quieter stop and works well as a short stay before travelling onwards.
Planning Your Laos Tour
Laos isn't usually a standalone trip, and works well with a wider Southeast Asia itinerary including Thailand, Vietnam and/or Cambodia. Things to think about:
- how to fit it into a route
- whether to include the Mekong slow boat
- how long to spend
- how much ground you want to cover
It’s not a fast-paced destination, so giving yourself time to enjoy it properly makes a big difference. Laos is one of those places that feels very different to the rest of Southeast Asia, a bit quieter, slower and a little more under the radar.
Ready to start planning a Laos holiday?
