Top Activities in Laos

Safety note as of October 2026: British government advice is to avoid all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province. Bombs dropped between 1964 and 1973 left unexploded ordnance across the countryside, so keep to marked trails and leave metal objects alone. Tourists have died from methanol in drinks at bars, so stick to sealed bottles and cans and turn down free shots. River sports and swimming have claimed lives. Current advice is at the UK Foreign Office and the US State Department .

Activities in Laos are best planned around place and season. Cool, dry weather from November to February is the sweet spot, while the burning season in March and April fills the north with smoke. Budget in Lao kip (LAK): roughly 22,000 to 22,500 LAK buy one US dollar. Keep cash handy, since cards are taken mainly by hotels, bigger restaurants and agencies.

What to do in Luang Prabang

  • Climb Mount Phousi. There are 328 steps up to That Chomsi. Opening hours run from about 06:00 to 18:00 depending on the season. The foreigner ticket costs 30,000 LAK until 14 November 2026, then 60,000 LAK. Sunset draws the biggest crowd.
  • Visit Ock Pop Tok. The Living Crafts Centre is about 2 km from the night market. A free tuk-tuk runs from the shop beside 3 Nagas from 09:30 to 20:30. Watch free weaving and dyeing demonstrations, or sign up for a class lasting from half a day to three days in weaving, natural dyeing, batik or bamboo work. See the centre’s visitor page .
  • Learn to cook at Tamarind. The Lao restaurant and cooking school overlooks the Nam Khan at Ban Wat Sene. Lunch and dinner are served Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 22:00, with Sundays closed. The class starts with a market visit. Check tamarindlaos.com .

What to do in Vang Vieng

  • Float the Nam Song on a tube. Rental is about 60,000 to 80,000 LAK plus a refundable 60,000 LAK deposit, and the cut-off for returning the tube is reported as 18:00 or 20:00. Count on 3 to 5 hours. Put on a life jacket (available on request), never jump or dive, and avoid floating after heavy rain. The wet season, June to October, has the strongest current.
  • Fly in a hot-air balloon. The season runs from mid-September to May and adult tickets are reported at about USD 120 to 150. Flights stopped from late February to mid-March 2026, and on 26 March 2026 a balloon touched power lines during a sunset flight, with no injuries. New rules for balloons and paramotors were ordered on 7 April. Read the Laotian Times report and ask any operator about its current status.
  • Swim at the Blue Lagoons. The three lagoons lie about 7, 11 and 16 km west of town, and the last stretch is a rough road. Entry is about 20,000 LAK each. Hire a life jacket (about 10,000 LAK) if you are not a strong swimmer, and note that some lagoons have jump platforms.

Ground rules

  • Swim only where signs allow, and stay out of the Mekong.
  • Pick sealed drinks.
  • If you hire a motorbike, check your insurance covers it, ride by day and keep your passport.

Read more: adventure sports in Laos and day trips in Laos . Guided activities can be compared on Viator .