My Amazing Trips to Vietnam and Laos: A Traveler’s Tale

Well hello!

Having been a passionate traveller since I was a little child, I always treasure the chance to see far-off and new places of the globe. That is the reason my decision to go to Vietnam and Laos has been amazing. These two nearby countries are the ones with the same history, natural beauties, and friendliness plus LOVE.

Join me, then, on an educational tour of Vietnam and Laos as I relate my own travel experiences.

Natural and Vibrant Culture in Vietnam: A Harmonious Combination

I thought I was going to fall in love with Vietnam the instant I touched there. I was struck, when I stood at the entrance of the Sapa rice terraces, by the breathtaking limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, or by the golden sunshine on the white sand beaches of Phu Quoc Island, by how lovely Vietnam is. The way Vietnam seamlessly blended its natural beauty with its urban environment was captivating. Old temples and glitzy skyscrapers coexisted here on bike-lined lanes, and the street markets were alive with everyday bustle.

I was keen to explore Vietnam from a cultural standpoint, therefore I got absorbed in the numerous activities that were offered. Paper lanterns illuminating the cobblestone walkways at night and tailors still creating immaculate clothes with a flick of the fingers characterize Hoi An Ancient Town. I entered the large, multi-castle imperial city of Hue. Me included, everyone was taken aback. I finished my noodles and slurped up every last bit of pho liquor. Pretty excellent were the crisp banh mi and iced coffee.

As a budding traveler, I caved in to my desire to walk through the high Sapa area, ride through the verdant Mekong Delta, and see Ha Long Bay, where bizarre limestone islands appear out of the green waters, as if in a dream.

Peaceful Haven with Long-Lived Traditions: Laos

The calm of Laos called after the turmoil in Vietnam. Despite its endearing nickname, “hidden,” Laos has been hiding its actual identity from its more well-known neighbors for far too long. It is an amazing country with stirring relics from one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, and its pristine natural beauty. Being untouched by mainstream visitors, even the difficulties of reaching there contribute to the otherworldly aura. For contemporary explorers, it is also among the most fulfilling locations on Earth to visit.

I was instantly at home amid the bohemian delights and warm welcome of Laos. Former royal capital of Laos, Luang Prabang is a historic town included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. I stayed there a few days to see the almsgiving morning custom, when residents from all around the city gathered along the main streets to feed the monks dressed in saffron.

Situated at the meeting point of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang offered much more than that. The amazing temples really touched me, especially Wat Xieng Thong, the most gorgeous one with glass mosaics and wonderful sculptures covered in gilded stone. They increased my respect for the rich history of the country.

As a conservationist in Laos, I always paused to see the undiscovered, whether it was at the top of the thousands of foot-high waterfalls on the Fourth Tier of Kuang Si, among some of the more than three-thousand-year-old carpets on the Plain of Jars, or lounging beneath the enormous trees of the virgin forest on the Bolaven Plateau.

It seemed like life was starting again. Every day hundreds of millions of gallons of water snaked down the Mekong River, leisurely passing by hundreds of traditional communities, half-wild animals, and bird nests. Raising my hand to [JO1] the brooding grandeur of the birds on the grassy rafts, the discreet toddy trees, and the drooping palms that I had seen raised by stealth, until only the strong points of their silhouettes gavotted with the higher seas, I was on a sluggish boat. The earth was beautiful, and I was a part of it. It was very intense.

It was more than only the opportunity to attend a cooking lesson and at last learn how to prepare Laotian specialties like hot and sour soup and spring rolls; it was also the opportunity to meet kind individuals who taught me to weave and create ceramics. My arrived with the preparation of a Baci ritual by Laotian Buddhist monks, in which participants tie white cotton threads around their wrists and arms to draw in heavenly knowledge and good fortune. For my part, making these types of contacts and participating in these cultural exchanges was the most important thing I accomplished on my most recent trip to Laos.

Conclusion

Essentially, having gone across Laos and Vietnam this year, I am very appreciative of the many experiences, stunning scenery, and wonderful people that made up my lengthy travelogue. I am appreciative of Vietnam for its vast vistas, turbulent history, and kind hospitality; and of Laos for its tranquil enchantment amid stunning surroundings. Southeast Asia is a culturally diverse, historically significant, and emotionally charged natural phenomenon immersion zone that will rewire your capacity for ongoing growth. Here is where you will discover what you are searching for, whether it be practical experience, intellectual stimulation, or sensual respite.

I so advise everyone who haven’t joined us yet to pack everything you possess, embrace your inner nomad, and walk the roads of Vietnam and Laos. These amazing places will permanently change your constantly growing list of places to see throughout the globe. The fascinating countries of Vietnam and Laos are waiting for you to visit.

FAQs

1. What made you want to go to Vietnam and Laos?

And it was as an academic that I came to be interested in South East Asia – it continues to inspire me to this day – wanting to understand what is so hugely attractive about it, particularly its people, their culture, and the landscape. People from Vietnam and Laos are extraordinarily kind and generous, and if you visit you will be rich forever.

2. Which visually arresting natural features did you come across while touring Vietnam?

I was struck too by the exquisite natural beauty of the country – from the lush green terraces and rich red soil of Som Pa in the mountains of Sapa, to the talcum-white sands of Phu Quoc Island and the emerald sea, and the jutting limestone karsts in Ha Long Bay.

3. Tell me how you really embraced Vietnamese culture.

To be sure I saw plenty of culture, I took a nighttime walk around Hoi An Ancient Town and was in awe of the hundreds of paper lanterns hanging over the streets. I had local professionals customize my outfits. To experience the nuances of Da Nang, a wonderful gastronomic paradise where I stayed for half a year, I traveled to Hue City, the old imperial capital. There I sampled banh mi sandwiches and pho noodle soup. I visted a tonne of temples – each dedicated to a different deity or a different landmark – plus a tonne of markets, plus a tonne of festivals.

4. What thrilling experiences did you have in Vietnam?

I had come to Vietnam with Wally’s War in one hand and a map in the other. I eagerly sailed over the great limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, climbed my way through the glorious Sapa mountain chain and cycled through the verdant Mekong Delta.

5. What would you characterize the surroundings and experiences in Laos as compared to Vietnam?

A few weeks after being enmeshed in Vietnam’s hectic pace, Laos was a pleasant break—slow, kind, and profoundly spiritual. For me, it was a relieve. At last I had achieved my objective. All around the place are charms, customs, and ancient customs.

6. How was your time in Luang Prabang, Laos?

One other amazing place I went to was Luang Prabang, the hundreds of years-old UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of Laos. I saw the morning parade of robed monks moving through the streets in addition to the locals who came out to make offerings and the visitors who observed from the sidelines. Navigating the complex of elaborate temples, which featured the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong (舐箏), I was enthralled by the presence of what seemed to be a long-lost religion.

7. Tell me about the stunning scenery you observed in Laos.

Having a passion for the outdoors, I have to say that Laos’ immaculate views were rather seductive. My itinerary included the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls, the odd Plain of Jars, and the lush Bolaven Plateau forests. I saw wild landscape and little villages on a leisurely boat trip along the Mekong River.

8. How did you get on with the Laotian people?

I worked with the locals on everything from weaving to pottery-making to a Baci ceremony (which was attended by none other than choreographer Th Mammeng Daedevanh, who told me about his recent trip to Seattle, where he saw the Nadia Washington Dance Company perform their Bamboo Tree Woman sextet—a piece I had inspired!).

9. What advantages may visitors of Vietnam and Laos anticipate?

Any way you look at it, Vietnam and Laos are two excellent tourism locations. Fortresses, monuments, and history. Islands, caves and blue coasts. But the people matter most. Exciting travels, deeply cultural encounters, or total isolation. Nothing is ever in limited supply and there is always more than enough space for everything.

10. What advice would you provide to those thinking about visiting Vietnam and Laos?

Vietnam, Laos. Have fun and make sure your travelogue highlights their charm. Dream or not, the world is at your feet; Vietnam and Laos are waiting impatiently for you.