What a fantastic booklet. It gives so much information about making the most of your holiday and doing something worthwhile.

We did loads of the stuff recommended in it and it helped us meet local people and ensure that our money was going to worthwhile places.

For example: teaching locals to read English (Brother Mouse in Luang Prabang - fantastic place!).

If you fancy a massage, go to the Red Cross in Luang Prabang. It's not luxury - none of your scented candles here - but a great massage and all the money goes to the Red Cross. The brave can even donate blood.

Stay Another Day Laos is available in guesthouses, travel agents, bars, restaurants - all over the place.

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Laos is a mountainous and landlocked country located in the centre of Indochina. It has common borders with China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Laos is 236,800 sq. km in land area, the major part being mountainous and forested. Geographically, the country is divided into three areas: the North, the Central and the Southern parts.

Laos is an adventurer’s paradise, offering treks to off the beaten track destinations that few tourists get to. It’s a country that receives relatively few visitors and that is one reason why it is so special and why we love it.

www.buffalotours.com/Tours/Laos+Adventure

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The kingdom of Lan Xang (Laos) was founded in the mid-14th century and ruled by Buddhist Thai. At the northern capital, Luang Prabang, the influence of the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai predominated; in the southern capital, Vientiane, a mixture of Ayutthaya and Khmer motives prevailed.

www.traveltolao.com
www.dulichnoidia.com
www.dulichnuocngoai.biz
www.bienngoccruise.com
www.easyvietnamadventures.com
www.easyvietnamtravel.com

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Retire-Asia.com has pages of information about the Lao PDR. Visa on arrival (30 days now), banking, ATMs, Vientiane nightlife for tourists, expat life or retirement and more.

www.Retire-Asia.com

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One of Vientiane's few clubs (and one of the few places open after 11.30pm). Local bands play a varied, and sometimes quite bizarre, mixture of Thai, Lao and Western pop and rock.

Good place to hang out with the locals and try a bit of Lao dancing!

Open 7pm-midnight.

Piawath Road, Sisatanak District, Vientiane

www.chesscafe.laopdr.com

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It's not the cheapest in what is a very cheap town, but it's more of a 3* hotel. The staff are absurdly friendly (the desk clerk drove me to hospital on the back of his moped despite being warned not to by his boss), the rooms large, clean & comfortable with free breakfast.

114 Pangkham Rd
Tel: 021 215 093

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Lao Pako is an ecotourist resort about 50km from Vientiane. It's set on the banks of the Nam Ngum river out in the countryside - access from the nearest village is by the river in a motorised canoe.

It's a really relaxing place to spend a few days chilling out - reading, swimming, walking, wildlife watching, going on boat trips or visiting local villages. There is a dorm building as well as private rooms and bungalows (costing approx US$6-25), a bar/restaurant and a large terrace overlooking the river. There's no electricity so evenings are pretty low key - playing games, drinking Beer Lao and eating the fantastic local food.

Take the Pakxap bus from Vientiane morning market to Somsamai (about an hour) then get a local boat to Lao Pako (25 mins). For more info tel (856) 2131 2234 or fax (856) 2121 2981;
www.visit-laos.com/hotels/laopako/index.htm

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Vientiane's very own replica of the French monument, with a Laotian twist, of course. Built from concrete donated by the US government, intended for a runway. Beautiful at sunset, as the lights begin to illuminate the facade.

On Lane Xang Avenue, the Laotian Champs Elysee

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Restaurant/bar in yet again, an old French mansion. Excellent outdoor terrace with the the best fresh spring rolls in south-east Asia. Get your fill of cold Beer Laos on a hot afternoon and watch the world stroll by.

Nam Phou Place (right across from JoMa Bakery)

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Lovely restaurant in one of those old French colonial mansions. Sit on the wooden porch, amidst tropical plants, caressed by the breeze from old-fashioned ceiling fans and have a delicious leisurely lunch. The four cheese pizza is to die for...honestly.

Impeng Road, near the temple, Wat Impeng

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Bakery and excellent breakfast place.

Setthathilat Road, west of Nam Phou Place

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Great bakery serving the best muffins and banana milkshakes in south-east Asia.

Sethathirath Rd

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Clean, well-run, friendly guesthouse adjacent to the Mekong River. In the evening, locals and tourists sit along the river and drink the best beer in the world - Laos beer. English and French also spoken.

Fa Ngum Road, 021/258225

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