7 Ways To Reinvent Your Laos Tourism

It's also handy for driving to places just outside town like the silk village, and just getting around town (though you can really walk most of Luang Prabang). A 110cc scooter is fine for driving to Kuang Si waterfall (and it is a beautiful ride) as the roads are paved pretty much all the way to the waterfall.

Luang Prabang also has plenty of bike hires: Just ask at any guesthouse or tour agency. Pakse is a good place to rent and plan a trip around the deep south (know as 'the southern loop') to places like Tad Lo (a multi-tiered waterfall with an old rustic village built next to it), Sekong and Attapeu; all are very possible to do on a simple 110cc scooter as all the roads are paved, quiet and in generally good condition. Sam Neua to Muang Ngoi - minivan: a 12 hour trip along a horrible road; good views and a necessary evil, but fun if you're prepared to get a few knocks and talk to some Lao people who are, after all, in the same boat.

They have the bonus of your being able to stop the car at any time for photos, nosing around a village or just stretching your legs. The cars are new, so they're reliable. The cars can be arranged at tour agencies, tourist hotels and car rental companies.

Some can even drive over the border to Thailand, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. A car with a driver will cost around $95 USD per day. Even more expensive, but certainly the most convenient, is a rented car with driver.

They fill out the form themselves and issue a 30-day visa (there is some talk on the Internet about 15-day visa or even 7-day arriving on a bike, but that's crap). There you will find some not so friendly border guards who expect you Top things to do in Laos pay 5,000 kip for general fees and 25,000 kip for importing a vehicle( that's roughly three US dollars). You then have to drive for 6km over the mountains to get to the Lao checkpoint.

If you add the 5$, prices seem simular to those for Visa on arrival (not confirmed). Prices depend on the country you are living in and there is a 3 day process time unless you pay an extra 5$ (pick it up in the afternoon) or 2$ (ready the next day). Opening hours are 8:30 - 11:30 and 13:30 - 16:00.

You can get a Visa in Hanoi at the easy going Visa department, which is located at 40 Quang Trung street (a few meters away from the consulate). Nam Hueng / Tha Li : Easily reached via Loei on the Thai side, but 378 km of dirt road away from Luang Prabang No visa on arrival. That will safe you around 5$.

Insist on doing the procedure on your own. If you have booked an organized tour to cross the border from cambodia to laos, an 'official' in the bus may ask you for your passport and about 40$ for the stamps and the visa.