Tourism in Laos
Encyclopedia
Tourism
is the fastest growing industry in Laos
. It is governed by a ministry-level government agency, the Lao National Tourism Administration
, located in Vientiane
.
Vientiane
Refer to main article Vientiane
.
Luang Prabang
Refer to main article Luang Prabang
and part of Laos Northern Heritage Route (together with Luang Prabang, Houapan and Sayabouri). With its pine forests and much cooler climate it the plateau is different to other regions in Laos or South East Asia. The Jars are Iron Age cemetery sites with a beautiful minimalistic aesthetics that due to their ubiquitousness could also be considered land art. More recently the province took most of the burden of the so-called Secret War. Many of the sites can be visited. The province can be explored individually by motorbike or by booking one of many tours on offer in Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng. Standard tours visit the major jar sites and the once magnificent capital of Muang Khoun. There are also much more interesting ecotourism and culture tours that have been developed together with UNESCO
, Helvetas
or DED
such as a two day trek to the remote Hmong village Ban Phakeo or a one day trek to Ban Napia and Ban Namka to learn about sustainable energy and the making of “War Spoons” from UXO war scrap. Refer to Phonsavan
or to Wikitravel for detailed information about what to do and how to get there.
Ecotourism
In many Lao provinces you can get off the beaten track and book package tours from local agencies or the tourism offices. You can experience the real village life or do elephant trekking among other things. The best places for trekking are Luang Namtha and Phongsaly. For a combination of history and village culture go trekking around Phonsavan
.
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
is the fastest growing industry in Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
. It is governed by a ministry-level government agency, the Lao National Tourism Administration
Lao National Tourism Administration
The Lao National Tourism Administration is the government agency responsible for governing, promoting and developing the tourism industry of Laos. The LNTA is a ministry-level agency, reporting directly to the prime minister's office....
, located in Vientiane
Vientiane
-Geography:Vientiane is situated on a bend of the Mekong river, which forms the border with Thailand at this point.-Climate:Vientiane features a tropical wet and dry climate with a distinct monsoon season and a dry season. Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the...
.
VientianeVientiane-Geography:Vientiane is situated on a bend of the Mekong river, which forms the border with Thailand at this point.-Climate:Vientiane features a tropical wet and dry climate with a distinct monsoon season and a dry season. Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the...
Refer to main article VientianeVientiane
-Geography:Vientiane is situated on a bend of the Mekong river, which forms the border with Thailand at this point.-Climate:Vientiane features a tropical wet and dry climate with a distinct monsoon season and a dry season. Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the...
.
- Buddha ParkBuddha ParkBuddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan , is a sculpture park located 25 km southeast from Vientiane, Laos in a meadow by the Mekong River. Although it is not a temple , the park may be referred to as Wat Xieng Khuan , since it contains numerous religious images...
- Haw Phra KaewHaw Phra KaewHaw Phra Kaew is a former temple in Vientiane, Laos. It is situated on Setthathirath Road, to the southeast of Wat Si Saket. The interior now houses a museum and a small shop.-Overview:...
- Lao National MuseumLao National MuseumThe Lao National Museum is located in Vientiane, Laos. It was founded as the national museum highlighting the revolution of the 1970s and is located in a French colonial building. In 2007, the United States donated a grant to help develop the museum...
- Patuxai
- Pha That LuangPha That LuangPha That Luang is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the centre of Vientiane, Laos. Since its initial establishment suggested to be in the 3rd century, the stupa has undergone several reconstructions until the 1930s due to foreign invasions to the area...
- That DamThat DamThe That Dam is a large stupa in Vientiane, Laos. Many Laotians believe it is inhabited by a seven headed nāga who tried to protect them from the armies of Siam, who invaded in 1827. It is also known as the Black Stupa, the English translation of the Lao name "That Dam"....
- Wat Si SaketWat Si SaketWat Si Saket is a Buddhist wat in Vientiane, Laos. It is situated on Lan Xang Road, on the corner with Setthathirat Road, to the northwest of Haw Phra Kaew, which formerly held the Emerald Buddha.-Overview:...
- Wat Si MuangWat Si MuangWat Si Muang or Simuong is a Buddhist temple in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.This temple was built in 1563.Located near the eastern entrance to the city centre, on the road leading from the Friendship Bridge to Thailand, the small temple was built on the ruins of a Khmer Hindu shrine, the remains...
Luang PrabangLuang PrabangLuang Prabang, or Louangphrabang , is a city located in north central Laos, where the Nam Khan river meets the Mekong River about north of Vientiane. It is the capital of Luang Prabang Province...
Refer to main article Luang PrabangLuang Prabang
Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang , is a city located in north central Laos, where the Nam Khan river meets the Mekong River about north of Vientiane. It is the capital of Luang Prabang Province...
- Haw Kham
- Wat Xieng ThongWat Xieng ThongWat Xieng Thong is a Buddhist temple , located on the northern tip of the peninsula of Luang Phrabang, Laos.-History:It was built in 1560 by King Setthathirath and was under royal patronage during the Kingdom of Laos. Like the royal palace, the wat was placed near the mekong. In 1880, the Tripitaka...
- Grave site of Henri MouhotHenri MouhotHenri Mouhot was a French naturalist and explorer of the mid-19th century. He was born in Montbéliard, Doubs, France - near the Swiss border, but spent his childhood in Russia and possibly, parts of Asia. He died near Naphan, Laos...
- Pak Ou CavesPak Ou CavesNear Pak Ou the Tham Ting and the Tham Theung are caves overlooking the Mekong River 25 km from Luang Prabang, Laos. They are a group of caves on the left side of the Mekong river, about two hours upstream from the centre of Luang Prabang, and have become well known by tourists...
Xieng Khouang- The Plain of Jars
Xiengkhouang Province is home to Plain of JarsPlain of Jars
The Plain of Jars is a megalithic archaeological landscape in Laos. Scattered in the landscape of the Xieng Khouang plateau Xieng Khouang, Lao PDR, are thousands of megalithic jars...
and part of Laos Northern Heritage Route (together with Luang Prabang, Houapan and Sayabouri). With its pine forests and much cooler climate it the plateau is different to other regions in Laos or South East Asia. The Jars are Iron Age cemetery sites with a beautiful minimalistic aesthetics that due to their ubiquitousness could also be considered land art. More recently the province took most of the burden of the so-called Secret War. Many of the sites can be visited. The province can be explored individually by motorbike or by booking one of many tours on offer in Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng. Standard tours visit the major jar sites and the once magnificent capital of Muang Khoun. There are also much more interesting ecotourism and culture tours that have been developed together with UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, Helvetas
Helvetas
Helvetas is a Swiss Association for International Cooperation. It was founded in 1955 as the first private organization for development co-operation in Switzerland...
or DED
Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst
The Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst was a German development organization active between 1963 and 2010. It was one of the leading European development services for personnel cooperation. It was focused on sending professional Germans to work in developing countries on small development projects...
such as a two day trek to the remote Hmong village Ban Phakeo or a one day trek to Ban Napia and Ban Namka to learn about sustainable energy and the making of “War Spoons” from UXO war scrap. Refer to Phonsavan
Phonsavan
Phonsavan is the new capital of Xieng Khouang Province, Laos. The name stands for "hills of paradise".Phonsavan is the provincial capital of Xieng Khouang province. The countryside is soon dominated by green hills and pine forests. Villages consist of colourful wooden houses...
or to Wikitravel for detailed information about what to do and how to get there.
- Plain of JarsPlain of JarsThe Plain of Jars is a megalithic archaeological landscape in Laos. Scattered in the landscape of the Xieng Khouang plateau Xieng Khouang, Lao PDR, are thousands of megalithic jars...
- PhonsavanPhonsavanPhonsavan is the new capital of Xieng Khouang Province, Laos. The name stands for "hills of paradise".Phonsavan is the provincial capital of Xieng Khouang province. The countryside is soon dominated by green hills and pine forests. Villages consist of colourful wooden houses...
Main article for history, attractions, activities and natural sites in Xiengkhouang Province
Champasak
Refer to main article Champasak Province- Champasak Provincial MuseumChampasak Provincial MuseumThe Champasak Provincial Museum is a local museum in Pakse, Laos. It holds the unique history of the province, which gathers all kind of artifacts and documents to chronicle the history of Champasak. The museum also holds historical photos of cultural events, foreign meetings and pictures of...
- Wat Phu
EcotourismEcotourismEcotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
In many Lao provinces you can get off the beaten track and book package tours from local agencies or the tourism offices. You can experience the real village life or do elephant trekking among other things. The best places for trekking are Luang Namtha and Phongsaly. For a combination of history and village culture go trekking around PhonsavanPhonsavan
Phonsavan is the new capital of Xieng Khouang Province, Laos. The name stands for "hills of paradise".Phonsavan is the provincial capital of Xieng Khouang province. The countryside is soon dominated by green hills and pine forests. Villages consist of colourful wooden houses...
.
- Ban Nalan Trail
External links
- WikitravelWikitravel-External links:* *...
's travel guide on Laos: http://wikitravel.org/en/Laos - Laos Cultural Profile (Ministry of Information and Culture/Visiting Arts)
- The official Laos Tourism Authority site
- Laos virtual tour