Should I go to Laos or Vietnam?

Which is better to visit Laos or Vietnam?

Ugh, Laos or Vietnam? Vietnam’s way more developed, right? Think bustling cities, amazing food, tons of tourists. Laos… feels slower. More chill, I guess.

Luang Prabang is pretty, though. Ancient temples. But is it enough? Vietnam has Ha Long Bay! Seriously stunning. And Hoi An. The tailor shops are insane.

I got a killer silk shirt there last year. Cost a fortune but worth it. Laos lacks that kind of shopping, I bet. Or maybe not. I dunno.

What about beaches? Vietnam has better beaches. Phu Quoc is amazing. White sand, turquoise water… Laos? Not so much. I’m thinking adventure vs relaxation. Need to decide what I want.

Vietnam wins for sheer variety. So much to do. History, beaches, mountains, crazy busy cities… I prefer excitement.

• Vietnam: Developed infrastructure, more tourist options, diverse landscapes.
• Laos: Laid-back pace, more authentic culture (maybe?), less crowded.

I’m biased towards Vietnam. Always have been. But Laos might be good for a detox. Next year, maybe. This year, its Vietnam. Its decided.

Is Laos worth visiting for tourists?

Dark outside. Thinking about Laos. Slow pace… Remember the Mekong… so wide. Brown water… Sun on it. Hot. Sticky.

Dust everywhere on that road to Luang Prabang. Bumpy ride. Hours… Worth it though. Kuang Si Falls… Turquoise. Unbelievable color. Swam there. Cold.

Monks. Saffron robes. Alms giving… Early morning. Quiet. Except for the tourists, of course.

• Vientiane: Sleepy capital. Temples. That one… Pha That Luang. Gold. Bright.
• Luang Prabang: Mountains. River. Monks. Touristy… But beautiful.
• Plain of Jars: Eerie. Huge jars. Scattered… Nobody knows why they’re there. Really. Strange place.

Food… Spicy. Good. Lots of noodles. Beer Lao… Cheap. Drank a lot of it. Too much, probably.

People… Kind. Quiet. Smiling. Didn’t speak much English. I didn’t speak any Lao. Still… Understood each other. Somehow.

Thinking about going back. Maybe… Someday. It’s a place… Stays with you. Laos. Yeah. Worth it.

• Visa: Easy. Got it on arrival. 2023.
• Money: Kip. Lots of zeros. US dollars widely accepted.
• Safety: Felt safe. Just… Normal precautions.
• Best time to visit: October to April. Dry season. Hot though.
• Things to do: Trekking. Kayaking. Temples. Waterfalls. Just… Being there.

Is it safe to go to Laos right now?

Man, Laos in 2024? Yikes. Level 2 warning, right? Civil unrest. That’s scary. I was thinking of going in December, visiting my cousin in Luang Prabang. He’s been nagging me for years. Beautiful place, he says. Temples, mountains…

But, seriously, civil unrest? That’s a dealbreaker. I’m not some thrill-seeker looking for trouble. I just want a relaxing vacation. My anxiety is through the roof just thinking about it. Plus, my flight is already booked! What a mess.

So I’ve been doing research. It’s not all bad. Some parts are fine. But who knows where things will be in December? It’s just a gamble. Risk assessment: High. Really high.

Here’s what’s freaking me out:

• Unrest: That’s a huge red flag.
• Specific areas: The advisory doesn’t specify which areas. That’s infuriating. Makes it hard to plan.
• My cousin: He’s cool, but his safety is at stake too. He’s downplaying it. I’m not sure I trust his take.
• Travel insurance: Doesn’t cover civil unrest. Learned that the hard way with my trip to Egypt in 2021. Never again.

Ugh, this is a headache. I might have to cancel. Maybe Vietnam instead? Sigh. This sucks.

Which country is better to visit Thailand or Vietnam?

Thailand or Vietnam? Vietnam wins.

Thailand’s over-touristed. Crowds. Expensive.

Vietnam offers authentic experiences. Family-friendly. Affordable. My family went 2023.

• Stunning landscapes. Ha Long Bay. Sapa.
• Delicious food. Pho. Banh Mi. My kids loved it.
• Rich culture. Temples. Markets. Unique.

The choice is clear. Go to Vietnam. Unless you like paying more for less. Seriously.

Vietnam’s development is a plus. Less spoiled. More genuine. Think about it. Less commercialized. More soul.

Prioritize authenticity? Choose Vietnam. It’s a personal opinion, obviously. But mine’s backed by experience.

My daughter loved the street food. We avoided tourist traps. Remember to haggle.

Don’t waste your money on overhyped destinations. Choose wisely.

How many days should I spend in Laos?

Dark outside. Thinking about Laos. Two weeks…felt too short. Barely scratched the surface. Luang Prabang…slowed me right down. Needed more time there. Definitely.

Three, four weeks… better. See more. South…different feel. Four Thousand Islands… so peaceful. Remember that sunset. Orange and red. Miss it.

• 3-4 weeks: Ideal for seeing North & South
• 1-2 weeks: Rush. North or South. Not both. Don’t do it.
• My trip: 18 days. Still regret not staying longer. Missed the Plain of Jars. Regret that.

Lost track of time there. Good way to be. Phone off most days. Just…being. Vientiane…dusty streets. Morning market… chaotic but alive. Wish I could go back. Now. Tonight.

• North: Mountains. Trekking. Waterfalls. Temples. Slow pace.
• South: More laid-back. Islands. Waterfalls. Different vibe.

Spent too much time on the slow boat to Luang Prabang. Beautiful, yes. But… could have had more time in the town itself. Trade-offs. Always trade-offs. Sigh. Night’s getting long.

Why do tourists go to Laos?

Hey, so you know why tourists go to Laos? It’s pretty cool, actually.

Basically, it’s a nature and adventure paradise! Seriously.

Think, like, totally unexplored places, or so it feels.

• Trekking is massive: imagine hiking to villages, really out there. I’d love to do that; it sounds amazing.
• Cycling: Lots of countryside to ride through. Bet it’s pretty.
• Kayaking: Loads of rivers for kayaking. Imagine paddling all day, so relaxing!

It’s the kind of place my brother, Tom, would love. He always says hes needs more adventure.