City: Laos
Top Things to do in Laos
Top Hotels in Laos
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Laos, Laos
Coordinates: 18°N 105°E / 18°N 105°E / 18; 105
Restaurants in Laos
1. MAG UXO Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 78 reviews
The UXO Visitor Centre provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the most bombed country in the world per capita, and about the work that MAG has been doing in Lao PDR since 1994 to save lives and support development for local communities by clearing the deadly remnants of the bombings.
Reviewed By Gapyearizzie
The visitor centre is very small but contained a lot of important information about the issue of UXOs in Laos, something many western people will be unaware of until they visit this country. The centre had interactive games and videos, as well as bombs and models to help convey the message. The staff were very friendly and welcoming and were happy to answer any questions. They also had free, locally grown tea and coffee as well as calendars that you could take. The whole exhibition is by donation, and it was lovely to be able to support such a worthy cause.
2. Wat Si Muang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
Reviewed By vand658
I 1st visited Wat Si Muang a few years back when I visited Vientiane, although it wasn't until I appreciated here did I realise the beauty and history behind the school. We went to Wat Si Muang when I moved in with the house I live in to get numerous blessed water to distribute all around the house. It was then that a buddy clarified the story behind Wat Si Muang. Typically there was a number of attempts at developing a temple in that spot that had been unsuccessful, one day someone (can't remember who) told the people that someone must lose the presence of theirs by shifting in the really effectively therefore the temple may be set up, that specific must be wanting. Which continues to be when a pregnant lady came also and forward after the sacrifice of her, the temple was successfully built. There is a division of the temple which people are in a position to go to offer due to this specific individual, as well as likewise I believe the title of her was Si Muang. Just how accurate would be the story? I couldn't allow you to know, although it'd been told to me by the Lao buddies of mine.
3. COPE Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,464 reviews
Reviewed By b3n07l0 - Launceston, Australia
This is a museum dedicated to the legacy of the US bombing campaign in Laos known as the ‘secret war’ of unexploded ordinances and the ongoing human impacts which include maiming and death of farm workers and children and the work of COPE and their partners in UXO clearances and the provision of psycho-physical needs of victims. Profoundly moving. Free entry but donations are graciously received and go to find their work in the field.
4. The Morning Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 355 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
My wife and I enjoyed a short 5 day Wendy Wu “Laos in Focus” private tour in January 2020 as part of an 18 day Asian adventure to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The tour incorporated three nights and two full days in Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Luang Prabang Province in northern Laos. Heralding in our second day in this charming city was our participation in the moving and humbling Takbat Buddhist Monk Alms Ceremony very early at sunrise. This was followed by a most enjoyable one hour stroll through the renowned Morning Market located right in the heart of old Luang Prabang, on the lanes surrounding Wat Mai, just off Sisavangvong Road. It was also just a short walk from our historic boutique hotel (the Victoria Xiengthong Palace) where we enjoyed a well earned later breakfast after the market visit, before embarking on our Mekong River Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves. The Morning Market is a ‘must do’ when in Luang Prabang. There is so much local colour and excitement and a chance to mix it with the locals as they go about buying their daily fresh food produce. The various vendors go to much trouble to attractively present their various food items for sale and they all seem happy and friendly as they go about their trading. Most choose to set up on the ground rather than utilising tables. This makes for an easy and efficient means to set up and then pack up afterwards. Notable exceptions were a butcher that used tables to display the meat cuts and a few vendors selling tourist handicrafts that found tables easier to display their wares. The food produce on offer was many and plentiful and included rice, fresh vegetables and herbs and fresh fish and meat including pork and poultry all without refrigeration which was a bit disconcerting to western tourists like us who are not accustomed to such marketing practices. There were also a range of live animals for sale. Then there were the novel local foods such as serpents, frogs, rats, bats, live beetles, and various grilled insects for sale that revolted us, even though we had to accept that this is very much part of the Lao cultural scene. Because this is a morning market there are quite a number of vendors selling interesting “street food” breakfast snacks. We did notice a number of tourists giving this local food a try; however we, being more conservative travellers and conscious of potential health risks, chose to not partake of what looked like very delightful local fare. Adding much colour to the market were the beautiful fresh flower arrangements especially made for leaving in the temples as offerings. Some vendors included these amongst their fresh vegetables as added extras. We were happy just soaking up the atmosphere created by this very Lao food marketing experience; enjoying the friendly interactions between vendors and local buyers; being fascinated by the unusual items on offer for sale and capturing lovely photographic images to remember the experience.
5. UXO Lao Visitors Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 782 reviews
Reviewed By crichtonh
This tiny museum exhibits the effect on the bombing during the vietnam war, It's sobering indeed to hear the stories of the kids that are impacted and also you are able to enjoy a little video that shows this and an overall introduction. The museum sets everything out there in English with only the correct level of information and shows good examples of missiles plus cluster bombs. The employees are helpful and friendly They've air con and it's entry by donation. Only three others there when I visited. Interesting and recommended. fifteen minutes stroll from visitors centre behind the president's park.
6. Golden Buddha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By Itsmorning - Manchester, United Kingdom
There is not a lot to do or see in Pakse town but a must do is the golden Buddha. Great views of Pakse and the Mekong. I drove up but if you are feeling energetic you can flex your muscles and walk up the steps. You also get to cross the Mekong
7. Old Quarter Luang Prabang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,466 reviews
Reviewed By Travelling_SE_Asia - St. Albans, United Kingdom
A UNESCO Heritage Site, the Old Quarter in Luang Prabang is a network of old French Colonial architecture, buildings, narrow alleyways and roads. The main road is Sisavangvong Road where the Night Market is, but you can go off the main road to walk around or just have a stroll and see more. Next to the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River, the main area is where the Nam Khan River joins the Mekong River. It’s a beautiful area and you should take your time exploring it. There are lots of tourists but they keep the main road free of litter for the most part.
8. Phou Khoun Observation Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By offroadvietnammotor - Hanoi, Vietnam
I actually wanted to try this longer ride from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang when I turned right at Kasi. Local friends told me it would take two hours longer than the shorter road. Honestly, it's only one hour longer but I had breath-taking views, good roads. Only thing is Lao/Chinese container trucks (I met ~40 in total) made it a bit hard at time. There are many long and steep up or down hill (~5km) so get ready if your bikes have problems.
9. Phat Tich Temple
10. Luang Prabang Night Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,445 reviews
Reviewed By Steve32Yorkshire - Wakefield, United Kingdom
Refreshing change from the usual tack and trinkets available at these markets. It offers a great selection of clothing eg elephant pants and T shirts for only a couple of dollars, beautiful locally made silks and shawls, artworks as well as souvenirs. It is very safe and the people are lovely
