Asia

Sabai dee and welcome to this guide to Travel in Laos. Laos is a small country in South-East Asia, somewhat overshadowed by its neighbours Thailand and Cambodia, which has managed to develop without becoming tourism-dependent. This doesn’t in any way mean that it’s not worth visiting! Picture a landscape of rice paddies as far as the eye can see, where it’s not unusual to see water buffalo working the land. It’s a country where the beauty of the stormy skies mingles perfectly with the waters of the rivers. The people are unbelievably kind. Buddhism is omnipresent and governs every stage of life. It’s a country where you can switch off from normal life, chill out, take your time and just listen to the rice grow. It’s a country that’s simply a delight to travel in. You’re not imagining it: a stay in Laos is an exquisite and timeless experience. You will be charmed by the sublime Luang Prabang. The former capital houses magnificent temples and monasteries, interspersed with a wonderful natural landscape of hills and the waters of the Mekong. The Mekong, or ‘mother of water’ is sure to be the common thread that runs through your trip to Laos, as you follow its winding course by bus, by car and above all by boat, one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the ancient kingdom of a million elephants…

Laos

Xiengkhouang

Being on the other side of the Mekong than Pakse, it's a great departure point if you're heading to Wat Phou Champassak. The village itself is not void of interest, and you'll be enchanted by a short stay here.

Champassak

Khong

Muang Sing is a pretty village miles from anywhere, about 2 hours from Luang Nam Tha and lost in the countryside of northern Laos. 

Muang Sing

Over 4,900 km in length, the majestic Mekong  crosses no less than six countries, from its source in the snowy summits of eastern Tibet, in the Chinese province of Qinghai, to its huge delta in Vietnam.

Mekong

Kazakhstan

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Middle East

Oceania

The Mekong is legendary and every visitor travelling around south-east Asia is interested in it. Actually, you can find it everywhere because it crosses several countries, such as China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. In Laos I really enjoyed going from the Thai border to Luang Prabang, travelling slowly at the water's pace and getting a taste for the peace and quiet of Laos. The Mekong wasn't just a river trip, it was a real voyage. I loved the mountainous countryside along the banks, an endless succession of steep chalk cliffs, and the coming and goings of the pirogues and little fishing boats.

The Mekong is more than 4,300 kilometres long and one of south-east Asia's most important rivers.

Even if it is "only" the fourth river of Southeast Asia, it is without doubt the most mythical. The winding courseof the Mekong River, which is sometimes agitated and sometimes benevolent, is dotted with sites and cities which have forged their history around the river. The river drops 4,500 m during its course through China - little wonder that its hydrological potential is immense! It is this energy which has earned it the nickname of "the tumultuous river" (Lancang Jiang) in the province of Yunnan. Among the many challenges facing the Mekong today, the main ones are those related to the sometimes excessively brutal development of tourism at some sites, the threat caused by dams and hydroelectric projects or even to the need for a more sustainable management of the resources of the river.

Over 4,900 km in length, the majestic <a href="/china/">Mekong</a> crosses no less than six countries, from its source in the snowy summits of eastern Tibet, in the Chinese province of Qinghai, to its huge delta in Vietnam.

I found the Mekong River both peaceful and relaxing. The best was a cruise of several days during which I combined the Tonle Sap lake and the Mekong River: the landscapes are magnificent and you can admire the scenes of daily life in Cambodia, because many people live on the river banks.  During a cruise on the Mekong, I stopped in various fishermen's villages and floating villages, such as Kampong Chhnang, the largest floating village of Cambodia. Travel on the Mekong offers you a journey that will be full of new encounters and discoveries.  Near Phnom Penh, I visited the island of Koh Dach, known as the island of silk, situated on the Mekong. It is an island where the inhabitants live mainly from fishing and weaving.

The Mekong River flows through Cambodia from one end to the other, from the city of Stung Streng to Phnom Penh and the Vietnamese border to throw itself into the sea at Ho Chi Minh City.

The Mekong is a legendary river. It's impossible to not get excited at the sound of its name. It sums up childhood dreams of adventure and magic. And when we finally saw it, we weren't disappointed. The river is huge and, as you'll be told, impossible to fully explore unless you have months ahead of you. But even if you only see a bit, you'll be left with unforgettable memories. A child leading cattle to the other side, a colourful patchwork of clothes drying on the banks, villages perched above the waters... There are some amazing sights along the Mekong. You feel like you're at the world's end. <a href="/laos/">During my trip to Laos,</a> I toured the Golden Triangle near the Thai border and spent two days on the Mekong travelling to the first Laotian village. Comfort was not the order of the day, but who cares - the sense of freedom was unparalleled. The photos speak for themselves.

The Mekong is a legendary river that crosses Southeast Asia. Its source is in the Himalayas and it crosses several countries, including Laos and Cambodia. It's an important cultural and economic resource for Asian communities.

Mekong Vacations

Mekong: How to get there?

Mekong: See when to go ?

Mekong: For how long?

Mekong: What to see nearby?