Luang Prabang, Champassak Are Top Hotspots For Tourists

Source: Vientiane Times

The most popular destinations among visitors this winter are Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha, Vientiane, and Champassak provinces, according to tour operators.

The owner of Ninhomlao Tour Company, Ms Somchanh Douangboutdy, told Vientiane Times that one of the top favourites is the Phoukhoun strawberry farm in Samyaekphoukhoun village, Phoukhoun district, Luang Prabang province.

Visitors to this district go there to see the mist over the hills and enjoy fresh strawberries from the farm. People can camp at the farm and see and feel the frost as the temperature plummets. Most visitors come from around Laos and neighbouring countries.

The farm is about 250km north of Vientiane, with travel along a good, but winding, road.
Visitors to the strawberry farm often also make trips to Tham Ting cave, old temples and the former royal palace in Luang Prabang province, Ms Somchanh said.

In addition to Luang Prabang province, people like to visit villages inhabited by ethnic groups and see the temples in Sing district, Luang Namtha province, as they enjoy being immersed in the local lifestyle and culture, she added.

An employee at Tavanh Travel Service, who asked not to be named, said most people visiting Laos in the winter months are foreigners. They arrange trips to coffee farms, and to Khonphapheng, Tad Fan, and Tad Yeuang waterfalls in Champassak province.

When visiting coffee farms in Pakxong district, tourists can enjoy local organic produce as well as the waterfalls. They can also engage in adventure activities such as trekking and ziplining, or simply soak up the relaxing atmosphere amid the verdant surrounds.

Champassak also provides home-stays for visitors, enabling them to eat tasty dishes sourced from local ingredients, with fish and vegetables fresh from the rivers and fields. They can be sure that the produce they eat is free from chemical fertiliser and pesticides.

Champassak province is about 700km south of Vientiane. Visitors coming from the capital can travel by road or plane, with flights from Vientiane to Pakxe scheduled twice daily.
Another popular destination is Vangvieng district, Vientiane province, which has dramatic scenery and plenty of activities.

In the winter months tourists like to visit Pha Ngern mountain, Jang and Poukham caves, the Blue Lagoon and Kaeng Nyui waterfall, and enjoy kayaking, tubing, boating on the Xong River, as well as zip lining.

Vientiane province is some way north of the capital but it’s quite easy to get there and the area is full of fascinating places to visit and things to do.