The birthplace of Lao PDR, Houaphanh province draws visitors for its historical significance. The system of caves in the district of Vieng Xay, known as the ‘Hidden Cave City’, used to serve as a refuge for the Pathet Lao, accommodating over 20,000 people during the Secret War, and now features a museum dedicated to the history of this period. The Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area, one of the largest in Laos, boasts a high level of biodiversity with several endangered species such as tiger, gaur, Sambar deer, and white-cheeked gibbon. Located about 60 km from the provincial capital of Xam Neua, the Hintang Archaeological Park is distinguished for ancient standing rock slabs and stone disks of over 2000 years old, whose origin remains largely unknown. Houaphanh is also home to the best Tai Daeng woven textiles in the country.

Laos people are known for their hospitality, but if we have to pick a friendliest town in the whole Laos, Muang Ngoi gets our vote. It is a sleepy, gorgeous town in Northen Laos that consists of only 800 people. You won't be able to find any bank, internet access or even landline telephone here. Wandering down the village's 500 meter long unpaved road, you can easily catch the glimpse of local daily life, with rooster strutting pass villages mending fishing nets. It's the perfect place to unwind and rest your soul. While hammock-swinging on balconies seem like the right or only thing you want to do in this village, there are more than meet the eyes. Trekking, boating, caving, camping and even kayaking are all on the menu to make the most of the area's natural beauty.

The northwest province of Oudomxay is home to Chom Ong Cave, one of Southeast Asia’s 10 longest caves at a length of over 18 km, in which the first 800 meters have been paved and lightened. Just outside this cave, you can visit a small traditional village of the Khmu ethnic group, the main inhabitants of the province and come to adore how they live and work. Laos always knows how to reward adventure lovers, and in the case of Oudomxay, it is the Nam Kat Waterfall awaiting you deep inside the tropical forest. Considered as the symbol of the province, Phu That Stupa sits on top of the hill at the center of Muang Xai Town. This 600-year-old stupa is of spiritual significance to people in the region, hosting religious celebrations on every full moon day.

Hinboun - a small district of Khammouane Province in mid Laos. Tourists will be excited with this area because of its nature and tranquil life.

Si Phan Don, also known as 4000 Islands is a riverine archipelago located in the Mekong River. It features a series of islands and islets and has three main destinations for travelers: Don Khong, Don Det and Don Khon; the largest islands in the area, and yet they are small enough to walk around in less than a few hours. When visiting Si Phan Don, most of travelers love to explore Khone Phapheng Falls, “the little Niagara” of Southeast Asia combined with seeing the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins, take a glance of rice fields and plenty of animal farms and have conversations with the friendly locals to learn about their serene rural life.

Champasak province is the economic, cultural, and tourist hub of southern Laos. Ruled by various kingdoms in the past, the province has an interesting history to discover, notably a series of Khmer ruins, collectively named as the Champasak Cultural Landscape. Vat Phou, an ancient Khmer temple complex standing in the middle of a lush landscape has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and includes the oldest temple in Laos dating to the 5th century.

With a modest population of less than a million people, the largest city and capital of Laos, Vientiane, is known for its slow-paced living and peaceful charm that contrast with the typical frenzy of Southeast Asian metropolitans. A strong French influence is ubiquitous in Vientiane, notably the Patuxai Victory Monument modeled after The Arc de Triomphe but with some traditional Laotian touch. The large number of ancient temples here are not to be missed; such as Wat Sisaket, which houses over 2,000 ceramic and silver Buddha images and Wat Ho Phra Keo, a former royal temple. Outside the city center you will be mesmerized by a most bizarre park, the Buddha Park, which consists of over 200 religious sculptures scattered throughout the area. The vibrancy of the city is concentrated along the Mekong bank where you can enjoy spectacular sunsets and partake in the Night Market for local specialties such as handicrafts, silk fabrics, snake whiskey, and jewelry.

Known as the most charming city of Laos, former royal capital of Luang Prabang was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Having long-standing heritage and history, the city attracts people by its own charm and beauty. Today, this quiet city remains Lao's cultural center, with hundreds of ancient temples, called wats, most notably Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Sen. At dawn in the town’s crossroads, visitors can silently watch monks from nearby monasteries collect offerings. Then they can walk the historic streets to see the French provincial houses. Feeling of Buddhism can be felt in the air. The nightly Hmong market provides a look at the traditional lifestyles of the hill tribes living near this north central town, located at the intersection of the Mekong and Khan rivers with Mt. Phousi as its backdrop. Pak Ou Caves, with thousands of Buddha statues, are nearby, as well as beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls.

Located at the midpoint between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, the town of Vang Vieng is popular with backpackers for its adventure sports and scenic limestone mountains along the Nam Song River. You can rent a motorbike to explore the countryside and be met with tropical forests, rice paddy fields, and local villages, and blue lagoons. Hidden behind the green is the Kaeng Nyui waterfall, to which you can get by following a dreamy jungle trail. Immersing yourself in the crystal-clear, turquoise water of the Blue Lagoons is the best way to relax in Vang Vieng. The Nam Xay viewpoint, which takes about 30 minutes of hiking, gives you panoramic views of the town. You can also visit the Tham Chang Cave, a natural Buddhist sanctuary to make the most out of your trip here. 

The land of mystery, Xieng Khouang Province is located at an average elevation of 1,300 meters. This plateau is home to the country’s highest peak, Phou Bia, reaching 2,819 meters. The UNESCO Plain of Jars, one of the most prominent attractions in Xieng Khouang and all of Laos, attracts tourists for its quirky appearance and enigmatic origin. On the charming bucolic grass fields lie hundreds of mystic jars, like the evidence of the lively history of human beings in the past. Muang Khoun Town was one the capital of the ancient Phuan Kingdom dating to the 14th century. Though heavily bombed during the 2nd Indochina War, there still remain here ruins of two stupas and a temple with a giant Buddha statue. The nature of Xieng Khouang is no less interesting with the 100-meter Kha Waterfall nestled in limestone karts.

Pakse, the capital of Champasak province in southern Laos, is known for the produce grown by ethnic minority groups on the nearby Bolaven Plateau and sold in colorful central markets. The town is also the gateway to the Khmer archaeological site of Wat Phou, which stretches over the lower slopes of the sacred mountain, Mount Phu Ka. They are predecessors of the mountain temples recently found in Cambodia and Thailand. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was built by the founder of the first Khmer empire, is smaller than the more well-known Angkor Wat but equally mystical with its tumbled-down pavilions and tall trees. Visitors to Champasak province can also hike up to the Phou Salao Viewpoint, where you can find a giant golden Buddha Statue and visit the iconic twin 120m-high Tad Fane Waterfalls. 

Pakbeng is a small but amazing village in the Oudomxay province of Laos, which is one of the highlights in your discovery of Northern Laos. At this idyllic place, you can see the traditional lives of local hill tribes including H'mong, Lue, Khamou, and others; and be inspired by how peaceful and simple they are. Many people of Pakbeng are fishermen. Ideally, you can spend a day or 2 here to learn about the unique local culture and feel the spirit of the Mekong River. There could be a morning devoted to the discovery of the Mekong Elephant Camp when you cross the Mekong River to attend a show of elephant bathing. Afternoons are time for a relaxed pause to enjoy a magnificent view of the Mekong from your private balconies of a local eco-lodge.