Laos

Places in Laos

• Boten

  Boten is a rough-and-ready border town at the northern edge of Luang Nam Tha Province, serving as the Laos-China crossing point. The completed railway connecting Vientiane to Kunming in China makes Boten a key transit hub, though the town itself has little to offer tourists beyond crossing logistics.

  Atlas entry

• Champasak

  Champasak is a quiet riverside town that serves as the gateway to Wat Phou, one of Southeast Asia's oldest temple complexes with Khmer-Hindu origins dating to the 2nd century BCE. The town itself has a handful of French colonial houses and a relaxed atmosphere, making it a pleasant overnight stop between Pakse and the Thai border.

  Atlas entry

• Don Det

  Don Det is a small Mekong island known for riverside guesthouses and slow-paced days. Cross the old French bridge to explore neighbouring Don Khon's temple and waterfall.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$34

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Don Khon

  Don Khon is a small island in the Si Phan Don archipelago offering a quieter, more relaxed alternative to neighboring Don Det. The island is known for its French colonial heritage, including a former railway bridge and old French port that showcase its unique history.

  Atlas entry

• Don Khong

  Don Khong is the largest island in the Si Phan Don archipelago, offering a quieter alternative to the more touristy Don Khon to the south. The island has about 20 villages where locals make their living primarily by fishing and depending on the Mekong River.

  Atlas entry

• Huay Xai

  Huay Xai is a Mekong-side town across the river from Chiang Khong in Thailand. It is a starting point for the slow boat to Luang Prabang and forest stays with the Gibbon Experience.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$34

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Luang Namtha

  Luang Namtha is a northern Lao base for trekking, kayaking and village visits. Guesthouses and tour companies cluster in the new town, with Lao food available at the night market.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$50

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Luang Prabang

  Luang Prabang sits where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet, with wooden houses and Buddhist temples. Explore the town before taking a trip to Kuang Si Falls or trying Lao dishes at the night market.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$37

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Muang Khua

  Muang Khua is a small Nam Ou transit town with river views and local markets. An old suspension bridge and nearby trekking routes add reasons to pause.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$34

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Muang Ngoi Neua

  Muang Ngoi Neua is a small base for caves, village walks and steep valley viewpoints. The surrounding settlements offer day hikes and overnight stays reached along rural paths.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$34

  Best months

  Nov–Apr

• Muang Sing

  Muang Sing is a frontier town surrounded by culturally diverse highland villages. Markets, temples and nearby waterfalls offer a base for exploring the northwest.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$36

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Muang Xay

  Muang Xay is a transport town in a mountain basin in northern Laos. Use it as a base for Phu That Stupa, the Oudomxay Museum and trips toward Nam Kad Waterfall.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$38

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Nong Khiaw

  Nong Khiaw sits between limestone mountains beside the Nam Ou. Viewpoint hikes and wartime caves give it a varied outdoor and historical circuit.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$37

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Pakbeng

  Pakbeng overlooks the Mekong along the slow-boat route between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang. Its overnight-stop rhythm shapes the waterfront stalls and guesthouses.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$33

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Pakse

  Pakse sits where the Xe Don meets the Mekong and serves as a transport base in southern Laos. Use it for trips toward the Bolaven Plateau, waterfalls and the temple complex at Wat Phou.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$39

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Paksong

  Paksong is a cool Bolaven Plateau town surrounded by coffee country. Waterfall trips and plantation walks make it a useful highland stop.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$36

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Phonsavan

  Phonsavan is a highland town and gateway to the Plain of Jars. Combine archaeological visits with war-history exhibits and local markets, allowing extra time for travel into the countryside.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$54

  Best months

  Nov–Apr

• Sam Neua

  Sam Neua is a quiet provincial base for the former Pathet Lao caves at Vieng Xai. Markets and the surrounding countryside add interest to a stop in the northeast.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$37

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Savannakhet

  Savannakhet is a Mekong-side city with French colonial buildings and a regional dinosaur museum. Explore the old centre, then consider a bicycle trip toward That Ing Hang Stupa and nearby countryside.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$34

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Sayabouly

  Sayabouly is a small provincial capital in Northern Laos, serving primarily as a transit stop and gateway to the Elephant Conservation Center at Nam Tien Lake. The city itself is quiet with minimal conventional attractions, but draws travelers interested in elephant conservation and those traveling between Luang Prabang and the Thai border regions via Hongsa or Pak Lay.

  Atlas entry

• Thakhek

  Thakhek is a working riverside town and a base for a limestone-country motorbike circuit. Riverfront food stalls and nearby climbing give reasons to pause between excursions.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$37

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Vang Vieng

  Vang Vieng sits on the Nam Song River among limestone formations. The town is a base for kayaking, cave visits and walks to viewpoints and lagoons.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$39

  Best months

  Nov–Feb

• Vieng Xai

  Vieng Xai is a small town in Hua Phan province that few travelers would have reason to visit were it not for its extraordinary cave system. The limestone karst network sheltered the entire Pathet Lao revolutionary headquarters during the Secret War (1964-1973), supporting a hidden underground city of up to 23,000 people including schools, hospitals, a radio station, and a theatre.

  Atlas entry

• Vientiane

  Vientiane offers Buddhist temples, French colonial architecture and a riverside promenade. Explore Pha That Luang and Wat Si Saket, then spend the evening at the night markets or riverfront.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$35

  Best months

  Nov–Feb