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Laos is sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam and lies to the south of China and to the north of Cambodia. The country is probably best known as a location from which the US launched military offensives against Vietnam during the infamous Vietnam War. Today, despite an underdeveloped communications infrastructure, the country has established itself as a tourist destination attracting large numbers of backpackers on the popular Southeast Asia trail and also big budget holidaymakers who head for the distinctly French-influenced city of Luang Prabang in the north of the country.

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Vientiane is the country’s capital and is a small city when compared to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and has an equally small population with less than half a million permanent residents. Despite being Laos’ biggest city, Vientiane perhaps lacks the vibrancy of other Asian capitals with not much more than temples and markets to offer in the way of attractions. Certainly in terms of nightlife, the city has the best options available in the country with bars, nightclubs and bowling alleys on hand.

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Vang Vieng is a small town lying south of Luang Prabang about halfway between there and Vientiane. The town can be reached by bus in four hours from Vientiane and six hours from Luang Prabang. Traditionally Vang Vieng was nothing more than a stop off point between the capital and the north of the country however over the last decade, it has been transformed into a backpacker’s haven with literally dozens of businesses springing up to cater to the budget traveller.

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Food in Laos is somewhat similar to that of neighbouring Thailand on account of the respective climates encouraging the growth of similar foodstuffs. Influences are also taken from Vietnam and from the colonial French. Tam Mak Houng, for example is identical to Thailand’s Som Tum, both of which are spicy salads featuring shredded papaya, lime juice, sugar, garlic, chilli, peanuts and fish sauce. Fo;e meanwhile is a noodle soup dish, similar to that found all over Southeast Asia. Baguettes can be found all over the country and are traditionally eaten at breakfast time with pate or dunked into strong sweet coffee; another legacy of the French colonisation of the country.

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