Lao people love to celebrate and their festivals are vibrant and often last for several days. Most festivals are rooted in Buddhism and will feature a visit to the local temple and the giving of alms to the monks. The Lao word for festival is boun and most festivals revolve around the phases of the moon rather than set calendar dates.

Laos has only been open to international visitors for little over a decade, so you cannot expect to find the spectrum of travel options available in some of the neighbouring countries. There is no rail service and although most of the roads are now paved vehicles can be old and unreliable. The secret to successful travel in Laos is to allow plenty of time and don’t worry too much if things don’t go exactly to plan. Just sit back and enjoy the journey as you watch the stunning scenery slide past.