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Laos offers unique experiences for visitors. The mainly mountainous and plateau terrain has helped the Lao government develop tourism. Lao culture is known for its many unusual rituals and customs.
Now, let’s look at some lesser-known facts: the surprising experiences many people have when visiting Laos for the first time.
Laos offers unique experiences for visitors (Cre: Vietjet Air)
With its diverse nature, cuisine and heritage, Laos is a worthy destination for millions of tourists every year. Laos provides tourists with a wide range of activities to experience and discover. When you go for the first time, though, you may discover a few unexpected things.
Here are a few surprising things that might shock you during your first time in Laos.
Laos is a worthy destination for millions of tourists every year (Cre: whereandwhen.net)
Read more: Laos tours 7 days
When traveling in Laos, you should be prepared for restaurants to open very late and provide slow service. This applies not just to street food stalls but also to restaurants, as Lao people generally have a relaxed pace. When dining out, be patient while waiting for your food and avoid rushing the staff.
Lao people generally have a relaxed pace (Cre: BestPrice Travel)
Laotian food is generally very spicy, especially dishes like salads. Therefore, if you’re not good with spicy food, you should ask to have no chili when you order. Additionally, soups, rice porridge, and noodle dishes are usually less spicy.
Laotian food is generally very spicy (Cre: SpiceBreeze)
The Lao people can prepare dishes from a variety of insects, such as larvae, scorpions, and crickets. If you're open to eating insects, you should try these unique dishes. They are commonly found at street food stalls, markets, and night markets in Laos.
The Lao people can prepare dishes from a variety of insects (Cre: fodors.com)
The currency of Laos is the Kip, but you might be surprised to find that you can also pay with USD, Baht, or even VND (though this is very limited). However, it is still advisable to exchange for Lao Kip (LAK) for convenience, especially when buying souvenirs at local markets in Laos.
The currency of Laos is the Kip (Cre: BestPrice Travel)
Going to bars is often quite expensive or luxurious in some other countries. But, Laos bars aren't too expensive, so you can peacefully enjoy soothing music there without breaking the bank.
Furthermore, a lot of visitors find that dining expenses in Laos are reasonable and budget-friendly. Laos is a well-liked travel location as a result.
Many tourists find that the cost of eating out in Laos is reasonable (Cre: Remote Lands)
Lao people generally do not use car horns, so it’s best to avoid honking while driving. Additionally, you may notice many people not wearing helmets, as it is not required. However, wearing a helmet is safer for your protection.
Tourists often find the long waits at red lights in Laos surprising, with waits sometimes lasting 3-4 minutes, only one lane moving, and traffic flowing in a clockwise direction. While this can be frustrating, it’s important to respect the local culture and way of life.
Another important tip: when stopping at a red light, do not stop on the right side of the road, as the rule allows vehicles to turn right on red.
Traffic shocks in Laos (Cre: J&C Group)
In Laos, there are relatively few shopping malls because locals tend to shop at local markets more than at malls. Many shopping centers do not operate at full capacity. Some malls you can visit include Parkson, Talat Sao and Vientiane Center.
Additionally, shopping malls in Laos do not have many branded stores, and e-commerce platforms are not widely used here.
Shopping malls in Laos do not have many branded stores (Cre: Chudu24)
This popular activity attracts many curious tourists and also makes some people nervous when they try this exciting game. Ziplining is an activity where you slide down a cable while being suspended at a certain height with safety equipment. You can zipline over waterfalls or between mountains. Gibbon Experience Treetop, Tad Sae Waterfall, Si Phan Don, and Vang Vieng are notable places to zipline.
Tad Sae Waterfall is notable places to zipline (Cre: greendiscoverylaos.com)
Luang Prabang's sunsets will astound you. It is not only stunning, but well-known for combining a serene ambiance with a pleasing landscape. You will never forget the experience of seeing the sunset in Luang Prabang or along the Mekong River.
Luang Prabang's sunsets will astound you (Cre: Mazur Travel)
There are thousands of temples in Laos, large and small. Many are so beautiful that you can appreciate their magnificence just by looking at them from a distance. On closer inspection, the intricate designs and details show the skill and respect the Lao people have for their religion. This is also a distinctive aspect of Lao culture.
There are thousands of temples in Laos, large and small (Cre: Mekong River Cruises)
Laos is a unique country because it has no coastline. Many might think that lacking a sea is a disadvantage for this country. However, nature has been very generous, gifting Laos with 4,000 islands (Si Phan Don). Si Phan Don has a unique and majestic beauty, making tourism in Laos even more attractive.
Si Phan Don has a unique and majestic beauty (Cre: instasamugram)
While Laos may not be famous for its cuisine, it offers some unique and visually appealing dishes that are delicious. Lao food captures the essence of the country and the warmth of its people, showcasing their desire to share their culture. When in Laos, be sure to try local specialties like Laap, Khao Niew, Som Tam, Mok Pa, and Khao Soi.
Explore Lao cuisine (Cre: migrationology)
Laos offers diverse landscapes and cultural heritage that attract many tourists each year. Some popular tourist destinations in Laos include the Old Town of Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Falls, Blue Lagoon, and Pha That Luang.
Cities and provinces that are popular among tourists are Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane, and Champasak.
Laos offers diverse landscapes and cultural heritage (Cre: we dream of travel)
You can learn about Lao festivals, regular rituals such as almsgiving and Baci, and traditional Lao performances to gain a better understanding of their lifestyle and customs.
Laos has a diverse ethnic background, allowing you to explore the unique characteristics of each group. Your trip through Laos will be much more interesting because each group has unique and fascinating elements to offer.
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Explore the culture and people (Cre: The Lost Passport)
Laos is a beautiful country full of interesting experiences awaiting travelers. If you're preparing for a trip to Laos, this guide will help you have a perfect journey and fully enjoy the beauty of Laos. The surprises you encounter when visiting Laos for the first time will make you feel that it is truly a unique and intriguing place waiting for you to explore.
Read more: Laos tours 10 days
