Secrets for backpacking travel

Transportation

The main transportation in this country is tuk-tuk or pickup truck. The schedule is always available in the station or tourism company.

To save money with view to travelling many places, you should share tuk-tuk with other visitors, buy pickup ticket one day before your trip and avoid buy round trip ticket. Ask Vietnamese oversea student for being your tour guide.

Accommodation

Lao travel services are quite good, there are a lot of guesthouses with reasonable price, about US $ 8 - 12 per night. Other hotels and higher quality guesthouses can be mentioned as Long Dao, RiverSide Hotel Ban Mixay, Saysouly Guesthouse, Kounxavan Guesthouse, SuanPhao, Vongpanya and Marry.

Foods

Basically, Lao cuisine is original and tasty. You should try Khao Niaw (Sticky Rice), Khao Jee (Baguettes), Tam Mak Houng (Spicy Green Papaya Salad), Or Lam (Stew), Sai Oua (Lao Sausage), Ping Kai (Grilled Chicken), etc. You should also try Lao beer which is considered as one of the most delicious drinks in ASEAN.

Activities and destinations

Laos offers a myriad of activities from organised jungle treks and waterfalls, to independent visits to wats (temples), museums and other cultural attractions. Visitors can join cooking Lao food courses, kayaking, take hot air balloon ride and watch the sunrise, sunset. Some prominent tourist attractions are Town of Luang Prabang, Wat Phu in Pakse, The Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang, Pha That Luang, Wat Simuang, Buddhist garden in Vientiane, etc.