Laos and Cambodia after the floods from January - February 2025

Does it seem feasible and reasonable to travel to Laos (or Cambodia) as early as January or February 2025? I don’t have any precise information about the damage these countries have suffered.

Hi there,

Theoretically, no problem—it’s the dry season.

I was in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam last winter.

Cambodia was very hot in February. I’ve already been to Laos in January—no rain at all.

Thanks Luan for the quick reply, but that’s not quite what I was asking. I’m also pretty familiar with these countries, but I was wondering what the state of accommodations and infrastructure in general is like after this year’s terrible floods.

sorry, I'm way off base.😅

I’ll try to find out more—I’ve got a Cambodian friend

Thanks, that’s nice! Maybe others will have more info.

Honestly, if nothing improves by January or February, it’d be pretty disheartening.

Hi, which floods are you talking about? I live in Cambodia and there haven’t been any significant floods this year. We’re at the end of the rainy season now—November is the transition month between the rainy and dry seasons. In January–February, it’s very dry; sometimes not a single drop of rain falls from December to April. You definitely won’t be bothered by any potential flooding.

The only question is whether we still need to be as wary of the food or drinks we consume in Cambodia.

Your reply reassures me, thank you so much. I was mainly concerned about Laos, but I’ve also received reassuring updates from some contacts.

People can’t do anything else—life has to go on. That’s also what public services and taxes are for. It’s not like a major earthquake, where the scars last for years. And water? It dries up.

Okay. In Laos, I’m not sure how much it was impacted after the typhoon that really hit the northern part of the Indochinese Peninsula. For Cambodia, the Mekong overflowed around Kratie, as it does regularly during the rainy season. I was there at that time, during Pchum Ben, the Festival of the Dead. The road from Chhlong to Kratie is elevated, so no problem getting around, but even the livestock was penned on the road. In September 2019, at Tonlé Bet across from Kampong Cham, the road was flooded in places under 1.5 meters of water, and you had to take a pirogue to get to the pagoda. Luckily, all the houses are on stilts. But these are really localized floods—no risk of encountering them in the dry season when the Mekong’s water level gradually drops.

Hello,

I’m not sure where you’re planning to go in Laos. I just got back from a 2-week trip (October 11–27). I was in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Nong Khiaw. No damage, nothing to report.

Cheers, Pascale

Yeah, I’m thinking about it for this winter. I was just worried about the news I’d read recently. But I know how incredibly resilient people in Asia are when it comes to bouncing back from events like these.

Hi, I’ve been living in Vietnam for a few years now. This part of the world regularly faces events like these, and things quickly get back to normal out of necessity—there’s no other choice. I’m also heading to Laos in February, and I’m not really worried about finding accommodation.

I don’t live in Vietnam, but a few years ago I was there when a typhoon hit Hoi An. It uprooted centuries-old trees and flooded houses up to the first floor. Yet, it only took the locals 3 or 4 days to restore everything and welcome tourists again—impressive! So, like you, I trust the resilience of these places and plan to return soon to these Southeast Asian countries where I feel so at home.

Hi Pascale, I’m planning a two-week trip to Laos. I’m looking for a French-speaking driver-guide or a local agency. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks in advance! Best regards, Jeannie