In early 2026, TravelPulse, a global travel publication, ranked Laos as one of the top destinations for tourists. TravelPulse conducted in-depth surveys of professional travel consultants, industry experts, and those experienced in evaluating service quality and emerging trends in global tourism.
According to tourism experts, what makes Laos stand out is its pristine natural beauty, with the majestic Mekong River and magnificent mountain landscapes. Tourists will not be pressured by overcrowding; instead, they can focus on experiencing and appreciating the natural wonders and unique cultural heritage in a tranquil setting.
Peaceful streets in Laos
In 2025, Vietnam is one of the largest source markets for tourists to Laos in Southeast Asia. Recently, travel experiences and tips for visiting this country have been gaining popularity in Vietnamese travel communities.
Nguyen Minh Duc (living in Hanoi ), a young man passionate about travel, recently completed an 8-day, 7-night trip to Laos by land. "Laos is truly beautiful. The country is safe, friendly, and deserves praise on the Asian tourism map," Duc commented.
Minh Duc had memorable experiences in the neighboring country.
Duc chose to explore Laos during the dry season (November to April of the following year). He and his group of friends traveled by bus from Nuoc Ngam bus station (Hanoi) to Vientiane. The journey took 24 hours, and the ticket price ranged from 800,000 to 1,200,000 VND, depending on the class of berth (the cost included two meals).
"The total travel time by road will take two days. I chose a bus company with good service, so it wasn't too tiring. If you want to shorten the travel time, tourists can choose to fly," Duc said.
During his 6 days in Laos, Duc explored Vientiane (2 days), Luang Prabang (2 days), Vang Vieng (1 day), and Meuang Feuang (1 day). He estimated the total cost for accommodation, transportation, entertainment, and food to be around 12 million VND per person. While not as cheap as a tour to Thailand, he felt it was worthwhile.
Duc suggests that in Vientiane, tourists should visit places such as the Patuxay monument, whose architecture is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris; Pha That Luang - the largest and most beautiful pagoda in Laos; the ancient temples of SiSaket and SiMuang; the Buddha Park; the Sihom night market; and the Vientiane morning market.
Tourists can rent rooms for 3-4 people for as little as 500,000 VND per room in the capital city and get around using ride-hailing services or buses.
Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos, is a peaceful and tranquil place, yet Duc never found it boring. Even after returning from his trip, the Vietnamese tourist still fondly remembered Luang Prabang.
Besides visiting famous landmarks such as Xieng Thong ancient temple, the night market, and Kuang Si waterfall, the Vietnamese tour group also witnessed the Tak Bat alms-giving ceremony early in the morning - a Theravada Buddhist tradition maintained for centuries.
Locals and tourists offer gifts to show their reverence and accumulate merit.
The alms-giving ceremony takes place every early morning, usually starting around 5:30-6:00 AM, before sunrise. Monks from temples throughout the city walk barefoot, lining up along main streets such as Sakkaline and Sisavangvong, where many tourists and locals gather to greet them.
In Buddhist philosophy, alms-gathering is not simply the act of receiving food, but also carries profound meaning about humility, compassion, and the connection between monks and the community.
The alms-giving ceremony holds sacred religious significance, therefore, visitors should be mindful of rules such as maintaining a respectful attitude, avoiding noise or obstructing the monks, refraining from taking close-up photos or using flash, and preventing any disruption to the solemn atmosphere.
If you wish to participate in offering food, you should prepare clean and meaningful food, avoiding industrially packaged items. Dress modestly and respectfully, avoiding revealing clothing or shorts.
In Luang Prabang, Minh Duc also experienced a boat trip along the Mekong River, leisurely enjoying coffee at beautiful cafes such as Maisom Sam San on the rooftop - where you can admire the entire old town of Luang Prabang; Le Banneton Café & French Bakery - a French bakery and delicious breakfast spots; and Tropical Mekong - a charming space on the riverbank.
"Luang Prabang's cuisine is also very attractive, diverse, and suits the taste of Vietnamese visitors," Minh Duc said.
Minh Duc's third destination is Vang Vieng - a region with beautiful river and mountain scenery, suitable for travelers who enjoy outdoor experiences, exploration, and adventure.
Tourists go boating on the river in Vang Vieng.
At 5 am, while it was still pitch dark, Duc climbed Nam Xay peak alone. "Looking back, it was quite risky because it was dark when I climbed, and I had to use my phone's flashlight. The climbing path had no steps, just a slippery trail, and I could only cling to the rock crevices and rudimentary bamboo railings that had been set up," Duc recounted.
However, the reward for this journey was a fairytale-like spectacle. The orange-pink sunrise appeared before the male traveler's eyes, mountains were shrouded in mist, and in the distance, colorful hot air balloons could be seen.
The sunrise view is stunning with Minh Duc on top of Nam Xay mountain.
On their last day, the Vietnamese group traveled to Meuang Feuang – one of the emerging tourist destinations in Vientiane, attracting visitors with its pristine natural beauty and fresh air. In particular, it retains its unspoiled beauty and has not been significantly affected by commercial tourism activities, creating a unique appeal for both domestic and international tourists.
One of the highlights of Meuang Feuang is the tranquil Nam Lik River, with its clear blue water, flanked by majestic limestone mountains and lush green forests.
Minh Duc stayed in a riverside resort, watching the alms-gathering activities on the river in the mornings, sightseeing, and relaxing… The cost of accommodation there was approximately 1.7 million VND per room for two people.
According to Duc, traveling independently in Laos is quite easy. However, tourists should be aware that the roads in this country are quite bad and dusty. This is not a suitable place for tourists who like shopping or luxurious, bustling experiences. Laos would be more suitable for those who love nature and want to enjoy peace and tranquility.
"Lao food is quite spicy and salty, and also has a slight influence of Thai spices, so tourists should ask the restaurant to adjust the seasoning before ordering," Duc added.
According to Minh Duc, Laos is also an interesting tourist destination that visitors can experience during the Lunar New Year holiday in 2026.
The cuisine in Laos is diverse and appealing.
Photo: Nguyen Minh Duc
Four Vietnamese female travelers will drive to 25 countries in 2025, recounting life-or-death moments. In 2025, four Vietnamese female travelers undertook two long journeys, exploring 25 countries from Asia to Europe and America. For most of their trips, they rented self-driving cars so they could stop wherever they wanted.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/khach-viet-chi-12-trieu-du-lich-lao-co-loat-trai-nghiem-xung-dang-tung-dong-2482889.html
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