Head to the mountains of Northern Laos. There’s been no better time for visitors to get their hands on some of the tastiest food in East Asia! Source: Suchada Rujayakornkun / shutterstock. Luang Namtha – an ASEAN Heritage Site is one of South East Asia’s premier trekking destinations. Everyone is welcome and it’s … It’s true! It's not a fancy place, but the rooms are clean and nice and in a really good location in the Old Quarter. Looking to escape the rat race and social media? This is also a top spot for anyone who likes to go trekking as you can get out into the surrounding mountains and visit the villages of the ethnic hill tribes in Laos. Head to Saffron Coffee in Luang Prabang, and Le Trio, Common Grounds, and Tit Kafe, among others, in Vientiane. Nong Khiaw, Luang Namtha, Konglor Village, and Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands) are just a few places to start. …maybe. Here you will find some amazing trekking and hiking opportunities and you can spend time biking around the scenic villages here that surround the main town. In the town of Luang Namtha itself you can spend your time visiting bustling local markets, sampling the street food and indulging in the herbal saunas here. This is the home of the Lao Huay or Lenten community and you can see villagers going about their daily lives, dressed in traditional Lao outfits. (deployads = window.deployads || []).push({}); 25 Best Things To Do In Luang Prabang (Laos), 15 Best Things to Do in Nong Khiaw (Laos), Vang Vieng: Suchada Rujayakornkun / shutterstock, Huay Xai: Pongpon Rattanathammawat / shutterstock, Si Phan Don Islands: Kieu images / shutterstock, Tham Kong Lo: James Wagstaff / shutterstock, Rice Fields In Luang Namtha: LeniBart / shutterstock, Plain of jars in Phonsavan: faizol musa / shutterstock, Muang Ngoi Neua: Muellek Josef / shutterstock. Luang Namtha, like much of Laos, is known for its soothing herbal saunas. The original stupa was bombed during the Second Indochina War but the new gold version is still very pretty in its own right. There are also other spots such as the Tham Phu Kham Cave which is known for its lagoon and bronze statue of the Buddha. There are plenty of fair trade shops where you Let us know in the comments below. Note however that boats may not run in the dry season, particularly around November as the water levels make the river impassable, so plan accordingly. This village is known for its paper production which is made from pulped bamboo so this is a good place to come to learn more about this industry. If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are usually heated by a central stove and divided into two sections for men and women. After learning a shocking truth about the Good Place last season, Eleanor must begin a new afterlife with no memory of what happened the first time. For breakfast there are a couple of cheap and cheerful pho/noodle joints around town. Where to stay Luang Prabang: Lao Lu Lodge. Green Climbers Home is ground zero for exploring the best climbing the area has to offer. The Bokeo Nature Reserve lies outside the town of Huay Xai and is a well known nature reserve that is known for its conservation work to protect black-cheeked gibbons which were rediscovered in 1997 after it was thought that they had become extinct. If Laotians know how to do one thing above all others, it’s how to party. These include delicacies such as pig’s heads, animal skin and even edible silkworms. Off the Tourism Radar (at Least for Now), #26. Located on the banks of the Nam Tha River, the city of Luang Nam Tha means ‘The area around the Tha River’. Glimpses of Lao-French architecture can also still be found in places like Thakhek, Savannakhet, and even corners of Vientiane. They always welcome you with a bright smile in their face and help you to know more about their way of life and their interesting custom. Visiting places like Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, it might be hard to believe that Laos would ever be considered an off-the-beaten-path tourism destination. This is a real shame as Laos has just as much to offer travelers as other big-hitter countries like Thailand or Vietnam. Try the perfectly cooked pasta (40,000 kip), salads (20,000 kip) and pizzas after they’ve fired up the oven at 17:00 (starting at 55,000 kip). You can also usually choose to have a full body massage at the end of the steam bath. If possible, get out of the urban and tourism centers and head to the countryside! Great value, great location, really nice owner/manager” I stayed at Golden Lotus Place two different times over the course of a week and liked it a lot. Combine your climbing with an unforgettable motorbike adventure around the Thakhek Loop. Food comes quickly, it’s proper coffee and their baguette sandwiches start at only 15,000 kip. It is also known however for its Mekong River cruises as you can take a boat from Huang Xai to Luang Prabang and for many visitors this is the highlight of a trip to Laos. In Northern Laos, expect to encounter communities comprised of ethnic minorities, such as the Hmong and Yao people, many of which still adhere to ancient cultural practices.