Vientiane
Landscape
Vientiane or the City of Crescent Moon is the capital city of Laos located northeast by the Mekong opposite Nongklai’s amphoe Sri Chiangmai of Thailand. The identity culture and structure of French fine arts and original Lao traditions remain to be seen. During low season, the serenity and simplicity of the locals are still there, which is different from other Asian capitals.
Sightseeing
You may brighten your day with coffee and Lao-style stuffed baquette before talking a walk along the Mekong River for a nice view or hiring a Samlor to tour round. Outstanding must-visits are Phradhatu Luang and temples such as Wat Sri Muang. Wat Ong Tue, Wt Sisaked including Ho Phrakeo, Ho Kham, Talad Chao and Pratoo Xai. In the afternoon, go outbound to see the Buddha image park at Wat Xiang Kouan and enjoy the view at Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge before coming back to sip Lao beer with mouthwatery food by the Mekong with a view of Sunset.
Sleeping
Accomodations in Vientiane vary from guest houses at 300-400 baht/night to 5-star hotels at 4,000-8,000 baht/night You may
walk to look for a place to stay at your choice around the city.
Eating
In the evening, you may take a walk by the Mekong where there are a lot of food shops that sell simple food like Thai-Isan, Vietnamese, Indian, European, Scandinevian and French as well as local dishes.
Vang Vieng
Landscape
Vang Vieng is a small town in the embrace of mountains with Maenam Zong flowing through the heart making it look like Guilin in Chaina especially in the morning when fog lines fly over across the huge mountains and the river. If you stay by the reiver, never miss a chance to get up for this view. Strange but true, Vang Vieng is a twin town of Thailand’s Pai with the same geography and setting.
Sightseeing
There is no significant sight to see in Vang Vieng, but what makes this small town in the valley known among the tourists are the must-try activities along the Zong River kayaking and rubber ring rafting. Found plenty of here are beautiful caves with Tham Chung; Tham Pookham; Tham Chang and Tham Nam as the must-visits.
Sleeping
Vang Vieng is among Lao’s touristique towns that come first in the list, not difficult at all to find a place to stay. Accommodations are available at your choice including guest houses, bungalows, budget hotels and luxurious resorts. Tourists usually like to stay by the River Zong to enjoy the beautiful view all day long.
Eating
Vang Vieng is another touristique town complete with everything, especially food. There are a number of food shops at your choice with Lao, Thai, Europeon; and Indian dishes. Outstanding here is the cozy seating in each food shop where you can lean on the soft cushing enjoying movie seletions from morning till evening, ideal for those who just a long day tour.
Luang Prabang
A city of over 40 temples as Luang Prabang, the must-visits for those with limited time include the most important and beautiful temple Wat Xieng Thong; Phra That Chom Si; Phra That Si Thong on the mountain in the city heart with a viewpoint overlooking both rivers Khan and Mekong; Luang Prabang Palace with a good mixture of Lao Lan Chang arts and French architecture; Wat Mai with gold-lacquered painting on the wall; Wat Saen Luang Prabang’s one and only temple with huge standing Buddha image; and Wat Wishunrat a temple of half-side melon shape all can be completed in one day.
For those who have more time, Luang Prabang has a lot of interesting groups of temples including that at the entrance up to Wat Phosi; the one on the opposite of Mekongs and small temples on the opposite of River Khan. Besides, there are natural sights to visit such as Tham Ting a cave by the Mekong with over 2,500 Buddha images; Luang Prabang’s most beautiful waterfall Namtok Kuang Si; and Namtok Tad Sae a medium-sized waterfall with a huge emerald green pond as a natural swimming pool for you to swim at all time.
To tour round the places in the city, just hire a bike from shops in Luang Prabang with a map with you to make it within a day. For natural sights outside the city, a samlor or 4-wheeled vehicle is needed at negotiated prices.
