Travel in Laos

Whether you’re planning to bask on the beaches, scramble through the jungles, time-travel in historic townships or set up as a digital nomad in hip Hanoi, the chances are you’ll need a visa to visit Vietnam, except for short visits of less than 15 days.

Whether you choose to live like royalty or scrimp on a shoestring in Vietnam, you’re going to have a memorable trip.

Wrapped around the east coast of mainland Southeast Asia like a mythical Naga serpent, Vietnam naturally lends itself to overland travel. Its two biggest cities – Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) – are divided by 1100km of rice paddies, tropical jungles, historic townships, wartime relics, national parks and sandy beaches, and most people plot an itinerary that takes in both of these lively hubs.

It’s no longer something to keep hidden.

Zika virus, the mosquito-related disease that’s prompted travel advisories across the Caribbean as well as Central and South America, is now in Southeast Asia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Looking to plan a trip around a weekend festival or worldly event in 2018? Then check out this list of festivals and events for every month this year.

Laos is an amazing place to visit for a variety of reasons. The country is home to stunning natural landscapes, vibrant cultures, and friendly people. From the jagged limestone mountains in the north to the lush waterways that wind their way through Laos’ countryside, travelers will be amazed by its majestic beauty. Additionally, the Laotian culture is rich with tradition, and visitors will especially enjoy the unique cuisine and vibrant festivals that come with it. For adventure seekers, Laos offers a wide range of activities from kayaking through its caves to trekking up its mountains. With all of these features in mind, it’s no wonder why so many people are drawn to this wonderful country each year. These Laos Airbnbs make everything accessible.

Every journey starts with one small step, to paraphrase Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. But some journeys contain more steps than others.

Boats have been ferrying people up and down the River Niger since 1964 and, although these days you are likely to see more goats than people on board, there is no better way to get close to Malian life as you slip past villages clinging to the cliff side and sand dunes reaching down to the water’s edge. It takes six days to drift from Koulikoro to Gao, a total of 1300km, but the benefit of taking a boat is the time spent with locals, sharing stories and exchanging views.

Modern Bangkok, historical Hanoi and tourism-boom town Siem Reap — home to the world-famous Angkor Wat temples — are some of Southeast Asia's best drawcards, and see thousands of visitors every year.

Getting around abroad doesn't have to be all about cars, trains, buses and bikes. From cruising Peru's Lake Titicaca on a boat made of reeds to flying down the streets of Madeira in a wicker toboggan or taking an odd horse-drawn carriage in Pakistan, there are so many unusual types of travel to be tried. Here's ten of the best.

With eternal summer, thousands of kilometres of beaches and affordable prices, Southeast Asia is the perfect destination if you're planning a trip around nightlife.

Southeast Asia is the quintessential backpacker destination – all noodle stands, grungy hostels and full moon parties, right? Not necessarily. There are still plenty of authentic Southeast Asian escapes. You just need to know where to find them. Start here.

Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula is riddled with cenotes, natural limestone sinkholes that are perfect for wild swimming. Our pick of the bunch is Cenote X’keken, a huge vaulted cave with an icy but irresistible turquoise pool in its centre. Nearby, at Cenote Samula, the roots of a tree strain through a peephole in the roof of the cavern towards the moodily-lit pool beneath.

Luxury camping, or 'glamping' as its also known, is on the rise. Once the preserve of high-end safari camps, you can now stay under canvas – with all the creature comforts – in destinations worldwide. In Southeast Asia in particular, a number of new luxury camping sites have been springing up over the past few years, offering the chance to get back to nature without roughing it entirely. Some camps even offer the chance to get involved with conservation projects on site, a great way to give back to the local economy and minimise the environmental impact of your stay. We've picked out four luxury camps to try out across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Professional travel photographer Tim Draper has shot images for 24 Rough Guides guidebooks, visiting far-flung corners of the world. Here he shares some of his stunning shots taken in northern Laos , where he spent time with the Akha people.

Few travel moments illicit such a thrill as catching sight of a rare or beautiful bird emerging from its natural habitat. Here are a few of our favourite birdwatching holidays, from pigeons in Mauritius, to birds of paradise in New Guinea.

Taken from the Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget , these are our top 11 tips for backpacking Southeast Asia.

From canoeing the lakes of Vietnam to riding an elephant through the jungles of Indonesia, enjoy the journey as much as the destination with our pick of some of the most amazing alternative travel experiences in Southeast Asia.

Planning a trip to Vietnam and keen to explore some of its most spectacular scenery? A little north of the 17th parallel – the demarcation where Vietnam was once divided into north and south – lies Phong Nha-Ke Bang: 885 square kilometres of unspoilt jungle, caves and underground rivers squeezed between the Laos border and South China Sea.

The tantalizing idea of boldly going where no-one has been before – or at least trying – is what drives many of us to book our next trip. Yet adventure is as much a state of mind as stepping out into the unknown. Here are eight ways you can guarantee your fill. Once you've absorbed these general tips, you might want to explore our round-up of the world's best adventure holidays for 2022.