Thinh Pham

Tag: Laos

  • Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang: Roadtrip tips

    Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang: Roadtrip tips

    One of the most exciting adventurous roadtrip I’ve ever made. It’s quite dangerous if you’re not well-prepared so I note some important tips help you to finish it !

    Gasoline station

    When planning, we thought that the route was very long and tough, stiff uphill, and the fuel would be much more consumed than usual, the gasoline station might be rare because of mountainous terrain.

    However, when we were on road, we found out something:

    The gasoline were quite close to one another, just 30-50 km, so no need to bring a back-up fuel container. And even if there was no nearby station, you can buy gasoline at mostly groceries in villages, at higher cost.

    Road condition: rough and muddy, challenging and relaxing

    There are two directions from Kasi to Luang Prabang city: follow 4/4C highway and you get extreme biking experience – sharp curves and steep roads, both and stick to highway 13 via Phoukoun for much relaxing riding.

    At first, we followed highway 4 and it was so much challenge: heavy rains, erosion, big deep holes on road and low temperature condition, especially when wind blowing strong made it extremely hard to handle. And we fell off on road, sliding 4-5 meters away, a van passed by but there’s not collision. We were lucky. We get muddy but nothing broken or bleeding.

     We were lucky. We get muddy but nothing broken or bleeding

    Since then, we rode more carefully. More and more tough the route was. Once there’s a heavily eroded part on road forcing me to walk and my partner slowly moved over. It’s very cold and wet. My body kept shaking.

    The second erosion, where we nearly reach the peak, was much more worse. There was even a local team with technical vehicle to flatten the road so that traffic flow was enabled. So adventurous it was, I even saw a cliff by my side.

    When we headed back from Phonsavan via highway 13, everything was more easier. The main problem was just dense fog at certain height, when you’re down, it gets clear.

    Your bike condition

    Another problem we faced was our rental bike. Though we had checked and done some fixing, it’s still very worn-out to carry both of us climbing over high and slippery slopes, while suffering a lot of hole-hitting on road. After the trip, he deserved a praise.

    If you wish to do a roadtrip like us, please have your bike checked thoroughly for your own safety.

    Temperature

    It’s a little bit cold, around 20 celsius degree at peak, with heavy rain. We only put on rain suit to block wind and keep our body warm, just shaking a bit when strong winds blew through.

    After all, you need to keep dry because wetness will make it more terrible.

  • Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Vang Vieng

    Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Vang Vieng

    So you’re backpacking Vang Vieng, a heaven for outdoor adventure, stunning landscape of caves, waterfall and ranges of mountain? This post is for you

    Accomodation

    We stayed in Chillaos hostel, quite a great place, we had a nice breakfast, enough for an active day, a billiard pool and soccer table to have fun together.

     Free Breakfast of Chillaos

    There’s no lounge but a space like a restaurant, just a few books on shelf. The shared bathrooms were clean and well-equipped, only for 5 usd/ person.

     Sunset over potholes on the road

    Biketrip

    Vang Vieng is really a great destination for short bike trips around the town. The roads like trails, so rough, potholes but very pure nature. I did love our biketrip in the rain, while sunset shine over head. It’s simply breathtaking, it’s beautiful !

    The gasoline price is higher than the capital, fixing service is available widely. If you can not afford buggy trips, then bike trip is also a good alternative.

    Vang Vieng is also a popular spot for 2nd bike sale. A lot of sale sticky posts on the hostel wall. Many of them are bought in Vietnam. Price ranges 200-400 usd/ bike.

     Buggy drive crossing the wooden bridge

    Activities and Attractions

    There are a lot of adventure games in Vang Vieng, but most of them are at a cost: Balloon, paramotor, buggy drive, rock climbing and tubing – the most famous.

    I read an information revealing getting on a balloon in Vang Vieng considered is very dangerous because of the lack of safety warranty. Is there anyone review it?

    We also missed Blue Lagoon due to time limit. It’s quite pity but I don’t think it would be beautiful in rainy season.

    To play all Vang Vieng, you need a big chunk of money. They are really suitable if you want to hold a teambuilding contest.

    Also, the weather also should be considered thoroughly, we saw a balloon ascending in a foggy day, which means you can not see anything beautiful while paying around 80 usd/ flight. Tubing in a flood sounds dangerous not adventurous anymore.

     Kaeng Nyui waterfall

    If you wish to spend less, there are some low-budget options: you can access Kaeng Nyui waterfall for 10000 kip/ person, and sinking enjoyably into water flowing strongly over a cement trail like a mini dam. Elephant ride is also available but you shouldn’t join it for natural violation concern.

    The wooden bridges crossing river the opposite river bank cost 10,000 kip. They are very romantic.

     Signboard leading to caves

    On the other side bank, there are a lot of caves to explore, most of them charge entrance fee about 10,000 kip, collected by locals (I think there’s no agencies working in these caves but the local purposely do)

    We also met a group of local playing spots at the end of Ex US airport, I think you could join them.

    For ones loving religious destinations then a temple at the center will be a good place to find quiet moments in your soul. But I think Vang Vieng is the best for outdoor adventures.

    https://instagram.com/p/BWqrxKnFgqL

    Food

    We tasted some specialties here: Boiled bamboo shots, Larp (a mix of veggie and buffalo meat), with a special sauce. I didn’t enjoy them at all.

    There are three popular street foods in Vang Vieng: Fruitshake, pancake and burger, around 10,000-20,000 kip/ dish. I also saw a foodstall selling fruitshake for 5,000 kip. Fruiteshake of Vang Vien is a bit not as sweet as those of Vietnam.

    There are also other dishes, I found a good restaurant opposite Army barracks guesthouse, they cook very delicious dishes, I had a wonderful Pad Thai (we’re late so fewer choice), 20,000 kip/ dish, it worths every pennies. Below is a page of menu, hopefully it’s useful. I also note a Korean restaurant offer 15,000 kip in market.

    Note: Instant noodle is called “Wii Wii” in Laos

    Small note for smokers

    I saw a warning “ DO not smoke in the street… you have to pay pine of 5 million kip” but you can do in bars, just not on street.

  • Luang Prabang Travel Guide

    Luang Prabang Travel Guide

    Luang Prabang, the ex-capital, destination of monks walking for offerings in a quiet morning, delicious and fresh food from legendary Mekong river, a place where you just wanna be lazy all days in an armchair and read Lonely planet (I mean old versions).

    And if you feel cramped a little bit then a ride following river bank and enjoy a cup of hot coffee in the fanstatic evening is your choice. Here we go!

     Alms ceremony monks at dawn

    Get around

    LP is a small town so you can choose either to walk, rent a cycle or motorbike and ride around. If you wish to travel further a bit like majestic Kuang Si waterfall (30 kilometers away), then rent a bike is a better choice, but remember you may be stopped by police.

    You can share ride with people to cut cost if you travel solo. I saw many tuk tuk full of travelers. Imagine awesome people from every corners in the world gather in a small vehicle to an awesome attraction. That is totally awesome!

    If your time is no rush, you should also take ferry for 8000 kip to the other river bank (we did it, it was windy and beautiful) and visit a local village, as well as the botanic garden (we haven’t been there, if you did, plz tell me how it looks like?)

    Accomodation

    The riverside is dominated by a lot of beautiful villas and hostels. Price maybe high here but the view is spectacular. My next time in Luang Prabang would be there absolutely!

    During our trip, we stayed at Moukdavan hostel. it’s a new guy in hostelworld app with a few good reviews, so I decided to give it a chance. The hostel locates just 500 meters away from downtown, so price is cheaper, 30,000 kip/ dorm bed without free breakfast. The furniture is vintage and some wooden. Honestly, I love it, especially its host Leon and his story.

    Attraction

    I pick two most typical destinations in our journey.

     phou si walk

    Phou Si

    To be honest, there’s nothing special but a highest spot to view the city. The religious complex situates on a hill at the center of the town. You will take steps to a small worship pagoda at the peak. Due to absolutely green surroundings, it’s very comfortable walking and take photograph.

    You can step inside pagoda, fire incense and pray. entrance fee: 20,000 kip/ pax

     kuang si waterfall

    Kuang Si

    The most worthy destination for its price. We had a wonderful time there explore many interesting things like bear rescue actitivies, photography, bathing, trekking. The landscape is amazing and I actually plan to return one day.

    entrace fee: 20000 kip/ person and 2000 kip/ bike parking fee if you ride a motorcycle.

    Food/ Fruit and drink

    The ex capital impresses travelers with its variety of cuisine. We enjoyed most Lao foods in Luang Prabang because their reasonable price and very delicious taste.

    The first evening we had roasted meat and sticky price at a food alley. Sitting under jumble steel roofs, brightly yellowish color from the old light and enjoy traditional Lao dishes is a must-do experience.

    For fruits, we tasted Mak Tong, a sort of local fruit, very sour, so it usually include a special mix of salt, sugar and seasoning.

     luang prabang fruit pineapple

    Pineapple is also popular and taste is sweet, just 8,000 kip. And there’s a foodstall at Kitsalat road which sells meat soup at remakably cheap price: 5,000 kip. I see it is the best price “restaurant” in town. Note that it’s only open in the morning.

    My friend really enjoy Khao Soy in nightmarket. Its smell is unique. You may want it with some Lao Beer.

    There is actually a morning market, not two far from night business location. You should get up early and take a visit there, and enjoy local specialties, big fish from Mekong river, colorful sticky rice with even a pie of plan cake.

    Veggie, meat and all cooking ingredients are available and incredibly fresh so it’s pity that I didn’t join any cooking class (if any). It’s better to buy some to make your own breakfast not only to save money but also to have deeper local experience. It’s absolutely worthy.

    Nightlife

    If you enjoy weed then a very bar named “Utopia” will be the best place to smoke. I saw an ambiance of twilight dense fog inside, it’s really an ideal destination for smoking travelers.

    We decided to enjoy more luxurious style so Joma coffee at riverside is perfect. Drink costs at 15,000 usd. But remember that most coffee close at 9 PM. You should take a walk following riverside, it’s very beautiful and gorgeous with colorful stores, coffees and villas while enjoy soft breeze from Mekong.

    Nightmarket is also good place to enjoy local food and souvenir. I bought a couple of natural soap for 10000 kip/ piece.

  • Phonxavan Travel Guide

    Phonxavan Travel Guide

    Phonxavan, land of fire and bomb in history, mysterious Plain of Jars and magnificent road trips along range of pines. Don’t miss it in your Lao itinerary.

    Power cut

    The city sometimes experiences power cut. When we arrived and was checking room before booking, all the lights were off. My friend admittedly was lucky because of not being trapped in the elevator at that time.

    Bike rental

    I saw many signboard for rentals, so no problem renting one, price ranges variously from 60,000-100,000 kip, depending on what kinds (manual or automatic shift), date and your bargain skill.

    Tips: it’d better choose manuals for safety concern.

    READ MORE: Sapa biking tips

    Hours of operation

    Most of Phonsavan stores closed at 8:PM. The first time visiting the city, I was surprised. You know, HCMc is mostly active by 11 PM.

    Fortunately, there’s still some Vietnamese restaurant open at night, offering soup, noodle and some specialties.

    Accomodation

    There are few option for dorm bed but private room is very cheap, just 60,000 kip/fan room, not including free breakfast.

    We stayed in Doukoun hostel, which is very large complex of motel. Room is spacious and comfortable.

    As Phonxavan used to be a fierce battlefield, like Cu Chi-Vietnam, so there are a lot of bullet and bomb shells stocked inside as a interior decoration.

     Phonxavan hot pot

    Eat

    Well, there’s a hot-pot restaurant by a Wat, quite popular with many locals having chill out. We saw a large party of employees celebrating there, so it’s possibly cheap and delicious.

    One set for 2 people cost 50000 kip, including a Lao style hot pot.

    The next destination is “che Hue” (sweet soup of Hue, Vietnam), 5000 kip with a big glass (I was full after it). It’s actually a hairdresser, only sell soup in the evening till night. The people are from Vietnam so you can practise Vietnamese (Hue accent). You should order Thap Kam for all ingredients mixed.

    We didn’t visit local markets but I think you should do before they close at 7-8PM

    At night, you can walk around guesthouse neighborhood to have Chao luon, Com, Pho. I saw no beautiful coffees in downtown.

     Phonxavan plain of jars site one

    Attractions

    we’re heading for Phonsavan mostly for Plain of Jars. Most travelers visit Plain of jars site one as it is the largest site in area. 3000 kip parking fee/ bike and 15000 kip/ foreigner, 10,000 kip/ Lao.

    After buying ticket, you can ride your bike to parking lot near the site or getting on transit car.

    What you expect is a dozen of Jars scattering on hills. Inside is water pool, or bushes. Far faraway, pine forest beautify the landscape. You should go uphill to see panoramic view. It’s worthy.

    A sunflower garden locates near the entrance, don’t forget to take photos.

    There’s a cave, quite creepy ambiance, stones stacked stones, piles and piles, an altar at the center, it reflects a small amount of outside light.

    Photography tips: visit in dry season, get up early and hunt for sunrise moment.

     Phonxavan pine hills

    Get out

    Toward Nong Tang, there are evergreen pine forest hills among rice paddy fields which is a great spot for shooting photography.

    Photography tips:

    Nong Tang also is there a small lake with giant rocks scattering, a bit like Ninh Binh (Vietnam), every late afternoon, local fisherman collects produce on boats moving slowly on water.

    I think it’s good for using tele len to shoot close up boat or portrait of rocks, fit also good if you wish for human portrait (ask to get onboard and shoot). A wide len for all sky, rocks and water with fishermans/ boats is good for landscape style.

  • 5 Reasons to Travel Laos

    5 Reasons to Travel Laos

    Back from the memorable trip across mountainous country, to my best recollection, I can list 5 reasons to travel Laos. If you love these ones, why not arrange to make a trip to the heaven destination.

    Live slowly

    This the number one of reasons to travel Laos. If you’re drown in 9-5 lifestyle, you will love it – the country of slow pace.

    In the morning, when it must be time to get up and prepare to work, local people still remain sleeping. The first morning we visited Vientiane and thought it should be a little bit crowded, well, just few people appears and it was hard for us to ask for guidance due to few people to ask.

    It seems Lao people have no worries but enjoy their daily life as much as they’d like, especially when you come into remote villages, it’s 4 PM and ladies start their evening shower while men are relaxing at front.

     Enjoy the slow-pace lifestyle in Luang Prabang

    And we absorbed the slow-pace lifestyle when we stayed in Luang Prabang. It was magically turning us into lazy worms that we just let all the whirlwind away and enjoyed ourselves in armchairs reading books, listening to music and let dreams burst out, or felt hungry and made a ride to local market and had a full meal like nothing to worry at all.

    In Luang Prabang, your soul is quite, your inner voice rises loud and all sorrows flow away through Mekong rivers.  

    READ MORE: Luang Prabang Backpacking Tips

     Lao tiny corn

    Eat and live healthy

    One reasons to travel Lao is food. What you can expect the local food is healthy. Very healthy in way that you may not be familiar with. For me, it’s taste. The rest is good after all.

    Most of dishes are bland, so you would need sauce to spice it up, but less intake of salt on daily basic is good, right? The popular dish we take is sticky rice, then larp, a sort of local salad made of buffalo meat with various veggie, fishes from rivers, not ones produced in industrial manner, even tiny corns that my friend joked us that they were food for pigs in her country, well, I simply thought it was produce of the traditional method.

    Everyday, you feed your lungs with very fresh air.

    I know downtown areas are still somehow populating but just a few walk and you soon get gallons of health-friendly air.

     Alms giving ceremony in Luang Prabang

    Alms Giving Ceremony

    In Luang Prabang, if you wake up early and stick to streets at dawn, you’re likely to see monks walking slowly in row, taking offerings from the local (and tourists, too). It’s very cultural tradition and also suggested as must-do in some guidebooks.

    While there’s still controvery over whether you should attend the experience while you’re not really a buddist or not well-prepared both knowledge and appearance before partaking, I think that moment your heart opens wide and selfishness is collapsed. You start the morning with something good and your day turns bright.

    A life lesson metropolises won’t teach you.

     Kuang Si waterfall

    Harmony with nature

    I used to have a trek to Fansipan – the highest summit in Vietnam. The trail was set up neatly so that all the trekkers wouldn’t get lost and worry about finding right path to the summit. They are all there: stacked stones put in the order like stairs for you to step on, two camps made of steel with well-furnished interior. I also noticed a very small detail you might ignore: in some areas, the handrails are made of cement and iron but shaped to look like thin trunks.

    It’s very different in Laos, especially Kuang Si waterfall, which I prefer the way Lao people perfectly mix their artificial features along with indigenous creation. The bridge and balcony to watch the fall are wooden, and I believe most of bridges you encounter during your trip here will be wooden. Handrails, fences at the top of the fall are all produced from local wood at a very basic treatment: they simply cut off all the branch and nail them together.

    We strolled streets by streets in Luang Prabang and always find ourselves surrounded by green color of old trees spreading their shades, which makes the atmosphere often moist, cool and comfortable, your mind just remains relaxed all the time.

    Besides, maybe you’ve ridden through many passes in your journeys around the world but ones in Laos will give you an impression of how the purest green passes look like, fewer plantations than most of areas you’ve seen, except for Vientiane province, it is partly industrialized by overseas companies.

    If you love gorgeous nature, so it should be a stick in your reasons to travel Laos