3 weeks in Laos, stress-free (page 5 of 5)

Hey there! For those who’ve been waiting, I’ve just started my travel journal on the Sultanate of Oman—I sketched it out this summer, which is why I wasn’t around on the forum (but I’ll try to answer any questions you’ve posted).

Hello Fabienne,

I just discovered your travel journal today. I echo what’s already been said—beautiful storytelling and, wow, what talent for the drawings! They’re stunning! You could definitely be published.

I’m also chiming in because you talked a lot about the slowness in that country, and like many others who’ve been there, I was struck by that same slowness, which, in my opinion, was a real life lesson. Stay zen, stay zen. I shared my own journey from 2026, talking about the same thing (Memories of Laos – March 2016, here), praising that slow pace as a gentle way of life that eventually shaped my trip, with a 7-day stay in Champassak instead of the 2 days I’d originally planned). "Two words come to mind when I think back to my trip to Laos in March 2016: nature and tranquility." Thanks for sharing and for bringing back those memories. Can’t wait for the illustrated journal from Oman—it’s on my to-do list!

Hi Nathalie, sorry for the late reply—I haven’t been checking my personal emails or VF much during the holidays. Thanks for your kind words! The unique zen of Laos left a lasting impression on me. I’m trying not to lose its benefits—I’m hanging on, hanging on...

Wow, what a pleasure to read you! I’m planning my trip for January 2027. Do you have any names of typical, budget-friendly accommodations to recommend? What I’m looking for is staying with locals in an authentic setting, even if it’s a bit basic. Thanks in advance!

Hi Sandrine, sorry for the late reply—I just explained in a previous post that I took a little digital detox this summer ;-) The only place that matches what you’re after is Mama Kham’s guest house in the village of Ban Na. I don’t have the details, but you should be able to find them online!

Hello, thank you for sharing your experiences, photos, and drawings from Laos. It reminds me of 1998 when the visa was only for 15 days... I’m planning to go back for a month in 2027 to explore the south and the north, which I don’t know yet. How did you get in touch with your guide? For the last part, were you without a guide? And on a motorbike?

Hi Cibibi, I got in touch with our guide through a local agency. French-speaking guides are also in high demand and get booked up quite far in advance. For the last part (Bolavens), we also had a guide, but it wasn’t a great added value—though to be fair, he was inexperienced. No, we were in a car; motorbikes aren’t really our thing (or not at all!). But there are plenty of rental places—just be careful, as some of the bikes seemed in pretty rough shape.

Hi Fabhyène. Thanks for taking the time to share your adventures with this group. I was looking for a travel idea for 2027, and thanks to you, I’ve found it! 😛 Did you organize everything yourself, or did you use an agency? I usually plan all our road trips myself, but we’ve never been to Asia, and I’m really tempted to go through a specialized agency because it seems the road infrastructure in Laos is pretty poor. Once again, congratulations on this beautiful report, and I look forward to your reply. Cinéfil 67

Hi Sylvie, The person who wrote this travel journal seems busy, so I’ll suggest you repost your question by starting a new thread in the Southeast Asia -> Laos section. That way, you can also get answers to any other questions you might have while planning your trip.

Hi Sylvie, The person who wrote this story seems to be busy

Uh... Question asked on the 11th... It's the 13th now. I didn’t know, Thierry, that there was a commitment to reply within 36 hours 🙂

To answer you, Sylvie, yes, I planned this trip in collaboration with a local agency based in Luang Prabang. That’s how I usually do it for Southeast Asia. Of course, some people organize everything on their own, and Thierry’s suggestion to post a message to gather experiences and choose what suits you best is a great tip!

I’d suggest you ask your question again by starting a new discussion in the Southeast Asia -> Laos section. This could also help answer any other questions you might have while preparing your trip.

Thanks for this reply, which in my opinion was super quick. Your tips on the syrup are really helpful—I’m a total beginner. I’ll do that from now on. Could you still tell me the name of your agency, though? Thankssss