I have just returned from Laos. Before my trip I found little info on Fodors from people who had visited there. I am offering help for anyone who needs info. Also viisted Vietnam for my 2nd year so I am happy to help with info concerning Vietnam.

Mary hello. Doing my homework for an upcoming (first) Vietnam trip this April. Just wondering, is it easy to find internet cafes in cities and also smaller towns? I suppose they are still less frequent than in other Asian countries such as Thailand and some parts of Indonesia.<BR>Travelling from Hanoi via Hue, Danang to Ho Chi Minh City<BR>and then via Bangkok to Thailand (to relax).<BR>Thanks for your reply.

Each place you mentioned it will be easy to find internet cafes. They are everywhere at a very cheap price.

Mary, thanks so much for this information. It's great one can get in touch easily and cheaply from anywhere on this world at any time with the beloved ones at home. I am very much looking forward to this trip. Everybody I know having been to Vietnam really enjoyed it.

Would definitely want more info (sights, food, shopping, accomodations) and other tips. I will be visiting Laos this month and staying for just 4 days. Thanks.

Hello Mary,<BR><BR>I definately agree with you! Thailand is constantly remarked on but places like Laos are in the shade.<BR><BR>I would greatly appreciate info... would you mind posting up some?<BR><BR>Thanks! Maria

I'm planning a visit to Luang Prabang, Laos as part of my next trip to SE Asia in December. I'd be interested in knowing where you stayed in LP, and any observations on accommodations there. Places that sound interesting to me: Souvannaphoum Hotel, Le Calao, or Phousi Hotel.

Feb. 25,2002<BR>My friend and I flew from Saigon into Vientiane, the capital Laos. We were met by our guide planned (by Indochina tours), a very pleasant young man who is still learning English,but communicated well with us. Our Hotel Le Parasol Blanc (north of the Patuxai momument which is a copy of the Arch of Triumph in Paris) had a swimming pool, restaurant,-not luxurious but airconditioned. One of the pluses was having your laundry done in the price of the hotel which was approximately $35.00 a night. I would want to stay a little closer into the main part of town. Tuks-tuks are the main way to get around if you do not have a car and driver. We have a friend who lives in Vientiane and ertained us our last night with a dinner in is home with 2 other people who worked for the American Embassy. These people say it is a difficult place to live, but as tourist we did not sense this .<BR>The next day our driver took us out to Friendship Bridge which connects Thailand with Laos. Also we were taken to Buddha Park, Wat Si Saket. and a temple which has been converted into a museum. There is a National Ethnic Cultural Park we chose not to visit. I had never seen a stupa until now which is where the cremated dead are placed. There is a big market there that was fascinating and very cheap. I bought coffee for less than $1.00 that is very strong and will last for a long time.<BR>The next 2 days flying out by Lao Air were spent in Luang Prabang which is truly one of the unspoiled areas of the world. The forest north of the town is great for people who want to trek with a guide. We took a river boat trip which is truly one of the favorite things I did on the entire trip. Hopefully this beautiful land with teakwood trees, forest, and moutains will be preserved. We stopped and went in Pak Ou cave famous for ts Buddha images and then went on the opposite hill for a picnic where there were ladies selling small items. Your money ,the kip ,will go farther than any country I have visited in Asia. The Thai baht is also accepted. We went to a village where handwoven textiles were being made. Also to a village where paper was bing made by hand and fashioned in notebooks, etc. There is a National Museum and many wats that are interesting to visit. Luang is such a delightful little town with guest houses, but once again we stayed in Le Parasoil Blanc which was out on the edge of town. It is wonderful to sit by the river in the evening, have a drink, watch the children playing in the river.<BR>There are great market here where things are very cheap. At the Lao Red Cross I had one of the best Swedish-Lao massages for less than $5.00. Luang Prabang is charming. One could enjoy its uniqueness for longer than our 2 days. Our guide Watt was very good. I would love to return.

To Kathie,<BR>Met some people who had stayed at Le Calao and liked it very much. Also they suggested the restaurant The Elephant,but we never did get there. Ate some wonderful fried eggplant at a sidewalk cafe. Don't usually drink beer,but I did enjoy Lao beer. Any other question will be happy to answer.

Stayed at the Souvannaphoum Hotel - once the Prince's palace. It was great. Breakfast in the terrace was a wonderful way to start the day!

Many thanks for the great info. I'm planning to stay 5 nights in LP, and do some day trips into the surrounding area. I'm looking forward to strolling around LP and enjoying the town.<BR><BR>Mary Anne, was Le Parasoil Blanc within walking distance of town? <BR><BR>TM, I have read that there are suites at the Souvannaphoum Hotel. What kind of room did you stay in, and did you get a chance to see what the suites are like?

No,La parasoil Blanc is on the edge of town. We had to catch a tuk tuk or depend on our driver to get us into town. If I were going back I would definitely want to stay where I would be right in the town. I went in one guest house that had airconditioning near the river that was very nice like $30.00 a night. Some of the guest houses are not very nice. The hotel mentioned above is very nice very near town. There was a bakery in town that we enjoyed.

Mary Anne, Thanks for the information. I'll look for places in town.

Found the guest house info near the water. Saynamkhan Guest House Tel 856-71-21976<BR>htt://saynamkhanhotel.lao pdr.com air conditioned $30.00 for 2 <BR>This is one our local guide suggested. If I would going again I would stay here.