Asia Destinations | Laos
Key Points for Planners
- Laos has 3 international airports
- English is widely spoken in major Laotian cities
- Most can enter on an easily obtained 30-day tourist visa upon arrival
Laos
Laos is “The Land of a Million Elephants”—a sparsely populated and wild southeast Asian jewel left untouched by modernization. But don’t believe this means Laos isn’t ready for MICE groups—the city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is now ranked as one of the world’s most desirable travel destinations!
Tranquil Luang Prabang lies along the Mekong River. It’s a storybook setting, mixing French colonial structures with gilded temples and traditional homes.
Key Locations
- Luang Prabang
- Vientiane
- Pakse
- Mekong River Delta
It’s a place where monks rise before the sun to participate in the centuries-old Buddhist ritual of alms-giving.
Deeper into Laos is a countryside untouched by the outside world and a completely unique travel experience. Travelers will encounter mountains, tropical forests, grand French colonial towns and ornate Buddhist temples. The uncultivated regions are home to storied animal species–elephants, leopards, panthers, black bears, and gibbons are all still there in the wild.
Lao cuisine has a similar flavor profile to Thai, featuring lemongrass, chiles, ginger, and tamarind. (But don’t be surprised to see a baguette in the mix; it is a culinary fixture remaining from French colonial times.) Laotians refer to themselves as “the descendants of sticky rice,” a staple of their diet. Sticky rice is typically served with fermented fish, but chicken and pork dishes are common as are noodle soups with bamboo shoots and fresh vegetables.
Many fine French restaurants remain in Laos, serving sophisticated food at low prices. Major tourist cities commonly offer Western cuisine as well.
The true beauty of Laos lies in its gentle people, living according to centuries-old traditions. Laotians are hospitable, friendly, and relaxed. The national language is Lao, and in Luang Prabang and Vientiane, English and French are widely spoken so it’s easy to get around and get along.
Introducing Tour East, our Exceptional Partner in Laos
Tour East has become one of Asia Pacific’s top destination management companies and one we’re proud to call our partner! With a constant drive to be better and smarter—from conceptualizing your event theme to arranging all the logistics,
Tour East’s professional event planners are there to expertly handle every detail. When you take your group event to Asia, they will be your partner, too.
Looking to plan an event in Laos? Contact us and we’ll work with Tour East to deliver a proposal for an exceptional event!
