Laos Packages/Deals & Travel Agents Near Me

Travelers who have visited Asia previously and are looking for something new—or rather, are looking for Southeast Asia as it was 50 years ago—should add Laos to their vacation list.

Unlike other Southeast Asian countries that have embarked on high-energy growth plans, Laos has remained low-key and developed at its own pace in relative isolation. Thus, each year, travel restrictions have decreased and travel-related services increased slowly but surely. Luang Prabang, a pretty, temple-filled city, now has several world-class resorts and luxury properties, as well as a modern airport. The capital, Vientiane, has started to boom because of investment from China and Thailand and has started to build in anticipation of increased tourism.

Most of the country, however, has not yet been seen by visitors since few leave the beaten path. Slowly, though, travelers are starting to discover the stunning scenery (mountain and jungle) in the provinces and the cultural and historical sites. Although modern conveniences and comfort may not be instantly available everywhere, those looking to truly "get away from it all" can go for days without seeing many other travelers. That sort of solitude does not last forever, however, so vacationers wanting that kind of peace and quiet should make travel plans soon.

Geography

History

The fortunes and misfortunes of this beautiful, landlocked country have long been tied to those of its neighbors in Southeast Asia. Through the centuries, separate Lao kingdoms were overrun repeatedly by Siamese and Vietnamese conquerors: Laos did not take its present national boundaries until French rule in the 1890s. After independence in 1953, it suffered through two decades of civil war, including invasion by the North Vietnam Army and saturation bombing by the U.S. Air Force, as it was drawn into the larger war based in Vietnam. In 1975, the new People's Democratic Republic deposed King Sisavang Vatthana, ending six centuries of royal rule.

After the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam in 1973, many Hmong fighters and their families took refuge in California, Washington, Texas and other U.S. states. More Hmong, joined by hundreds of thousands of lowland Lao royalists, fled the country when the Laotian Communists took over Vientiane in 1975. Many of these people were middle-class businesspeople and civil servants, and the Lao economy is only now recovering from this huge drain of productive citizens.

Economic decline and isolation following the 1975 coup left Laos one of the poorest countries in the world. Facing the starvation of its people, the government realigned the economy in the late 1980s to promote private enterprise and foreign investment. Most city dwellers are now much better off than they were previously. Prosperity has been slow to reach the rural areas, but with large amounts of foreign aid and the potential for income from the sale of hydroelectric power, the government is slowly extending services to these areas as well. Remarkably, despite all the hardships caused by foreign powers, most Lao people welcome visitors.

China has become the largest investor in Laos, dramatically outpacing neighboring Thailand and Vietnam. The Laotian government has signed dozens of contracts with China, including concessions for agribusiness industries, particularly rubber, timber, mining and telecoms. Tens of thousands of Chinese migrants have also established themselves in northern Laos and Vientiane.

Snapshot

Among Laos' chief attractions are Luang Prabang, beautiful mountain and jungle scenery, Asian culture and historical sites.

Vientiane offers visitors a wide range of accommodations, from basic guesthouses to plush boutique-hotels and everything in between. In the northern city of Luang Prabang, a few world-class resorts offer luxury and top-quality services. Other parts of Laos are still unsuitable for inexperienced travelers or those who desire modern comfort and convenience. Nevertheless, those who have traveled in Asia previously will find few major difficulties—and many rewards—in the cities of Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Laos is a particularly appealing destination for travelers who are willing to get off the beaten track and experience Southeast Asia as it was 50 years ago, with all the charms (and difficulties) that implies.

Potpourri

Laos is actively promoting itself as an ecotourism destination. Laos currently has 20 protected national parks and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Luang Prabang and the pre-Angkor Vat Phou temple complex.

King Fa Ngum, who founded the kingdom of Lan Xang ("Million Elephants") in the central Mekong Valley, made Theraveda Buddhism the official religion in 1356. "The Land of a Million Elephants" is now a tourism slogan in Laos; a three-headed elephant symbol adorned the former royal crest.

The Lao government recognizes 68 distinct ethnic groups in the country. Some hill and forest tribal groups are animist, but the large majority of Laotians are lowlanders who practice Buddhism.

Lao wats and Buddha images look a little different from those in Thailand and other Southeast Asian cultures. Traditional Lao wats have multitiered roofs that sweep downward. Lao Buddha images have streamlined bodies with robes that flare upward at the bottom.

During the Vietnam War, U.S. planes dropped more than 2 million tons of bombs over Laos—double the amount dropped over Germany during World War II. On a per-capita basis, Laos remains the most heavily bombed nation in history.

The origins of the huge, ancient, carved stone vessels at the Plain of Jars remain a mystery to groups who have studied them. A UNESCO survey found more than 300 fields of jars in northern Laos, estimating their numbers to be about 10 times what was previously believed.

Patu Xai, or Victory Gate, dominates Lane Xang Road. Reminiscent of the Arc de Triumph in Paris, the imposing structure was built during the 1960s with American concrete supplied for the construction of a runway. A sign on Patu Xai is typical of the Laotians' self-depreciating nature and states that construction was never completed "due to the country's turbulent history." The huge edifice is well worth a visit. Steps lead to the top, and visitors can enjoy a good view across the city.

One of the country's biggest exports and best-selling domestic products is Beer Lao. The brew is regarded as one of the finest beers in Southeast Asia. You can't miss it; Beer Lao represents more than 95% of the local beer market.