Tourism in Laos

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Tourism is the fastest growing industry in Laos. It is governed by a ministry-level government agency, the Lao National Tourism Administration, located in Vientiane.

Statistics

Annual statistics

Year Tourism Arrivals changes references
2013 3,779,490 Increase 13.49% [1]
2012 3,330,072 Increase 22.27% [2]
2011 2,723,564 Increase 14.9%

Ranking of International Visitor arrivals in Laos

Rank country 2013 [3] 2012 [2] 2011
*  ASEAN - 2,712,478 -
1  Thailand 2,059,434 1,937,612 1,579,941
2  Vietnam 910,164 705,596 561,586
3  China 245,033 199,857 150,791
4  South Korea 81,799 53,829 34,707
5  United States 61,608 53,380 50,092
6  France 52,411 46,903 44,399
7  Japan 48,644 42,026 37,883
8  United Kingdom 41,741 35,964 35,622
9  Australia 35,441 33,878 31,874
10  Germany 29,250 23,417 21,280

Tourist attractions

Vientiane

Refer to main article Vientiane.

Luang Prabang

Refer to main article Luang Prabang

Xieng Khouang- The Plain of Jars

Xiengkhouang Province is home to Plain of Jars and part of Laos Northern Heritage Route (together with Luang Prabang, Houapan and Sayabouri). With its pine forests and much cooler climate it the plateau is different from other regions in Laos or South East Asia. The Jars are Iron Age cemetery sites with a beautiful minimalistic aesthetics that due to their ubiquitousness could also be considered land art. More recently the province took most of the burden of the so-called Secret War. Many of the sites can be visited.

The province can be explored individually by motorbike or by booking one of many tours on offer in Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng. Standard tours visit the major jar sites and the once magnificent capital of Muang Khoun. There are also much more interesting ecotourism and culture tours that have been developed together with UNESCO, Helvetas or DED such as a two-day trek to the remote Hmong village Ban Phakeo or a one-day trek to Ban Napia and Ban Namka to learn about sustainable energy and the making of “War Spoons” from UXO war scrap. Refer to Phonsavan for detailed information about what to do and how to get there.

  • Plain of Jars
  • Phonsavan Main article for history, attractions, activities and natural sites in Xiengkhouang Province

Champasak

Refer to main article Champasak Province

Vang Vieng

Refer to main article Vang Vieng.

Ecotourism

In many Lao provinces you can get off the beaten track and book package tours from local agencies or the tourism offices. You can experience the real village life or do elephant trekking among other things. The best places for trekking are Luang Namtha and Phongsaly. For a combination of history and village culture go trekking around Phonsavan.

See also

References

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External links

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