Is Vang Vieng still a party town?
Vang Vieng used to be known as a party town, but it has cleaned up its act in recent years. There are still a few pubs and clubs in town, but the emphasis has shifted to outdoor activities like tubing, kayaking, and rock climbing.
Vang Vieng, on the other hand, remains a popular tourist destination with plenty of things to do. Here are some of the activities available in Vang Vieng.
Tubing: This is Vang Vieng's most popular activity. You float down the Nam Song River on an inner tube, stopping at pubs and restaurants.
Rock climbing: There are several rock climbing areas around Vang Vieng. This is a terrific way to get some workouts while still enjoying the view.
Hiking: There are a variety of hiking paths in the region, ranging from simple to complex. This is an excellent approach to appreciating the region's natural splendor.
You may also visit some of the communities in the surrounding region for a more leisurely experience. These villages provide an excellent opportunity to learn about Laotian culture.
Finally, whether Vang Vieng is still a party town is determined by your definition. Vang Vieng is not your place if you want to party all night. However, if you're searching for a spot to relax and enjoy outdoor activities, Vang Vieng is a terrific choice.
Can you pay with Euro in Laos?
Yes, you can pay with euros in Laos. However, the exchange rate will almost certainly be lower than if you paid in kip. The kip is Laos' official currency. However, euros are often accepted in tourist regions. You may obtain a better exchange rate if you convert your euros for a kip at a bank or money exchange bureau. However, most stores and restaurants accept euros.
Here are some places where you can pay with euros in Laos:
Hotels: The majority of hotels in Laos accept euros. They may, however, offer you a lower conversion rate than if you used the local currency.
Restaurants: Many Laotian eateries take euros. They may, however, offer you a lower conversion rate than if you used the local currency.
Shops: In Laos, several stores take euros. They may, however, offer you a lower conversion rate than if you used the local currency.
It is always a good idea to ask before you pay with euros, as some businesses may not accept them.
What to bring tubing in Vang Vieng?
You can go tubing in Vang Vieng in two main areas: the Nam Song River and the Xe Bang Fai River.
Nam Song River: This is Vang Vieng's most popular tubing location. Because the river is quite tranquil, it is an excellent choice for first-time tubers. Along the river, there are a variety of taverns and restaurants where you may stop for refreshments.
Xe Bang Fai River: This river is more complex than the Nam Song River but also more beautiful. The Xe Bang Fai River contains a lot of caverns and waterfalls that you may explore while floating down the river.
No matter which river you choose, tubing in Vang Vieng is a great way to see the area's beautiful scenery and have some fun in the sun.
Here are some tips for tubing in Vang Vieng:
Start early: Tubing is best done early in the morning when the river is less busy and the water is more relaxed.
Wear a life jacket: This is important for safety, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.
Be aware of your surroundings: The river has a variety of pebbles and branches, so don't knock your head.
Don't drink too much alcohol: It is important to stay hydrated, but it is also essential to be aware of your surroundings.
Have fun! Tubing is a great way to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Can Dutch citizens fly to Laos?
Yes, Dutch citizens can go to Laos via plane. There are no direct flights from the Netherlands to Laos, but there are connecting flights from a number of Dutch airports, including Amsterdam Schiphol, Eindhoven, and Rotterdam The Hague.
The most popular airlines that fly to Laos from the Netherlands are:
Thai Airways
Vietnam Airlines
Singapore Airlines
AirAsia
Malaysia Airlines
The flight time from the Netherlands to Laos varies based on the airline and route, but it usually takes between 12 and 15 hours.
The following are some of the most popular airports in Laos to which Dutch nationals may travel:
Wattay International Airport (Vientiane).
Luang Prabang International Airport.
Pakse International Airport.
Can Dutch Citizens travel to Laos?
Yes, Dutch citizens can travel to Laos. However, you need to apply for a Laos visa. Currently, you can apply for a visa online through our website.
The Laos eVisa system makes visa applications from the Netherlands more accessible. It merely takes a few minutes to apply, and most Indians receive their approved visa by email within one to three business days.
Dutch passport holders who do not fulfill Laos’s eVisa standards require a different visa form. Religious, official, employment, and journalist visas are also available in Laos.
To be eligible for each type of visa, Dutch citizens must satisfy particular conditions. In each case, the circumstances and period of stay differ.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when traveling to Laos:
Laos' official currency is the kip. Euros may be exchanged for kip at the border or Laos banks.
Laos and the Netherlands have a 6-hour time difference. The Netherlands is 6 hours ahead of Laos.
Laos has a voltage of 220 volts. You will require a travel adaptor to use your electrical gadgets in Laos.
Although Lao is the official language of Laos, English is extensively used in tourist regions.
Laos is a generally secure nation. However, you should constantly be mindful of your surroundings and take measures against petty crime.
Do Dutch citizens need visas for Laos?
Yes, Dutch citizens require a visa before they can enter Laos. If you are a Dutch citizen planning to travel to Laos, you must apply for a visa. You can also apply for a visa online through the Global Visa Services website.
Visitors from the Netherlands may now apply for a Laos visa online from their homes by simply filling out the online visa application form and attaching the necessary papers. The application process for a Laos e-visa is straightforward and quick. It takes around 20 minutes, and a response to the visa application is usually received within three business days.
Before visiting Laos for vacation or business, Dutch citizens should apply for an eVisa Laos online. The Laos visa may be obtained on arrival. However, it only allows for a 30-day stay (which can be extended for an extra 30 days for a charge).
Tourists should carefully check the visa requirements before applying for a visa. We encourage customers to apply a few days in advance to avoid errors that can be corrected in time
How many days should I spend in Vientiane?
Three days in Vientiane is ample time to tour the city, visit the surrounding countryside, and learn more about Lao food, handicrafts, and culture. You can cycle through tranquil towns, see the sun set into the Mekong, relax in a Lao sauna, visit rural parks, and feast on the country's best food. This is how.
Day 1
Begin your Vientiane experience by becoming acquainted with the city. Aside from ancient temples, including Wat Si Saket, Ho Phra Keo, Wat Sok Pa Luang, and Wat Si Muang, as well as sites like Patuxai (Victory Monument), take the opportunity to learn about the Vietnam War's devastation at landmine charity COPE. Spend the afternoon in Buddha Park, located south of the city, where gigantic concrete sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities and devils pay homage to a mystic's vision. Watch the sunset over the Mekong river with a chilled Beer Lao, then sample traditional food at a riverbank restaurant.
Day 2
The spirit of Laos is found in its little villages, which are home to hundreds of distinct ethnic groups, so spend your second day in Vientiane touring the countryside with a guide. Cycling is an excellent way to discover ancient villages, peaceful rice fields, and unspoiled woods. Alternatively, take a picturesque boat on Nam Ngum Lake; many cruises include stops at the Vang Xang ruins, a salt plant, and Hmong communities. Alternatively, visit Phou Khao Khouay National Park and trek the slopes of Buffalo Mountain. Consider an overnight excursion where you may mix with the locals in a small homestay. If you're not staying overnight, end the day with a traditional Lao sauna and a street food feast at Ban Anou Night Market.
Day 3
Many travelers will choose to spend their third day in Vientiane exploring the surrounding countryside. Alternatively, take advantage of the opportunity to immerse oneself in Lao culture. Consider learning about the country's rich weaving traditions with a workshop trip led by Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles, delving deeper into the world of food with a hands-on cooking class, or shopping for handicrafts and textiles at lively street markets and tiny boutiques. Finish with an evening that pays homage to the country's rich history, such as supper and performance at a colonial palace or delicious French gastronomy at a fraction of the price you'd pay in Paris.
How to Travel Overland from China to Laos?
Taking a bus from Kunming to Jinghong, the largest town in Xishuangbanna province, is the most typical method for people traveling from China to Laos without their vehicle. This travel takes around 8-10 hours.
Travelers may catch a bus going for Luang Nam Tha in Laos from here, taking them past the Mohan checkpoint. This journey likewise takes around 8 hours to accomplish.
At the checkpoint, passengers must depart the bus and take their bags through the crossing for examination. To leave China, they must also fill out an exit card and acquire an exit stamp in their passport.
They can then walk or use an electric vehicle service the 500m to the Lao checkpoint, where they must provide a completed entrance card as well as a valid visa and have it stamped. They may then enter Laos after passing through customs.
Can you use the train to cross from China to Laos?
Neither checkpoint can be crossed by train. However, a railway connection between Kunming, China, and Vientiane, Laos, is being built. In Vietnam, building is now underway and will be completed in the near future. Nonetheless, people can cross the Lao-China border by automobile or by bus.
Those planning to enter Laos on their own should be aware that they must do it in a car registered in China. However, it is not required to be registered in the traveler's name.
Where to Cross into Laos from China?
There are currently only 2 China to Laos border crossing points.
The first is the Lantouy border crossing between China's Yunnan Province and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR). This checkpoint, however, may only be used by Laotian or Chinese citizens to travel from one nation to another.
The other is the Boten/Mengla border checkpoint in the town of Mohan in China's Mengla county. This crossing links to the Lao border town of Boten and is open to people of all nationalities.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when crossing into Laos from China:
Both China and Laos will require a valid passport and visa.
To enter Laos, you must pay a border crossing charge of 50 yuan (about $7).
Laos' currency is the kip. At the border, you may exchange your yuan for kip.
China and Laos have a one-hour time difference. China is one hour ahead of Laos.
How to travel to Laos from China
There are several ways to travel to Laos from China. Here are the most popular options:
By Plane: There are direct flights to Laos from a number of Chinese cities, including Kunming, Chengdu, and Chongqing. Flights are usually the quickest transportation mode between the two nations but are also the most expensive.
By Train: A high-speed train connects Kunming, China, to Vientiane, Laos. The train ride takes around 17 hours and is a comfortable and picturesque mode of transportation.
By Bus: Several bus companies operate between China and Laos. Buses are the cheapest mode of transportation between the two nations, but they are also the slowest. The bus travel duration varies based on the route. However, it usually takes approximately 24 hours.
Overland: Overland travel from China to Laos is also conceivable. Kunming to Luang Prabang is the most common overland route. The tour takes around three days and is an excellent opportunity to see southern China's and northern Laos's rural landscape.
Whichever way you travel, check the visa requirements for both China and Laos before you go. You can apply for a Laos visa online through Global Visa Services or at the border.
Here are some additional tips for traveling to Laos from China:
The best time to visit Laos is during the dry season, which runs from November to April.
The official currency of Laos is the kip. However, the Chinese yuan is widely accepted in border towns.
Laos is a generally secure nation. However, you should constantly be mindful of your surroundings and take measures against petty crime.
If you want to travel by bus or train, be careful to pack light because there are weight limitations on buses and trains.