Backpacking Laos
4 destinations for backpackers. Currency: Lao Kip (LAK).
4,000 Islands
Laos
In southern Laos, the Mekong River widens dramatically and splits into thousands of islands and channels. Three main islands welcome travelers: Don Det (the backpacker hub), Don Khon (quieter, connected to Don Det by a bridge), and Don Khong (the largest, least touristy). This is where backpackers come to do absolutely nothing — hammock time, river sunsets, and slow island life at rock-bottom prices.
Luang Prabang
Laos
A UNESCO World Heritage Site at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang is the jewel of Laos. Ancient gilded temples sit alongside French colonial buildings, saffron-robed monks collect alms at dawn, and the surrounding countryside offers waterfalls and caves. The Laos-China Railway has made it far more accessible.
Vang Vieng
Laos
Set among dramatic limestone karst mountains along the Nam Song River, Vang Vieng has reinvented itself from its notorious party-tubing past into a genuine adventure destination. While tubing and bars remain, the town now equally draws travelers for kayaking, rock climbing, caving, and hot air ballooning over some of the most stunning scenery in Southeast Asia.
Vientiane
Laos
Southeast Asia's most laid-back capital city sits on the banks of the Mekong River, directly across from Thailand. With no skyscrapers, minimal traffic compared to other capitals, and a blend of French colonial and Buddhist architecture, Vientiane feels more like a large town. Most backpackers pass through for a day or two en route to [[Vang-Vieng]] or [[Luang-Prabang]].