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5 Unique Things (Laos)
Once you’ve traveled to several different countries, especially those within the same region, they start to blend together. For example, when I traveled throughout Southeast Asia, it seemed every country had the same temples and statues. This is why every country I go, I’ve tried to find 5 unique places or things that make that country stand out from the rest. This list is solely based on my experience and may not cover certain well-known traditions or tourist sites.
Mekong River- The Mekong river is a trans-boundary river that stretches throughout Southeast Asia running through Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The river also serves as a major trade route between China and the Southeastern Asian countries. During my trip, I was able to take a sleeping boat up the river for a three-night journey. The river serves as the focal point of Laotian society as a majority of the population live in the valleys of the river. I was even fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sleep in one of the many small fishing villages along the river bank.
Land Mines- Given the countries geographical position, Laos has been the battleground for conflict whether it be the Indochina War or later during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, the legacy of these wars lives on in the country as many unexploded ordnances remain through its foothills. Unexploded ordnance can be found in some parts of Svannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and the Vientiane Provinces. About 300 people a year die in Laos due to the landmines, with many others losing limbs. While foreign governments and non-governmental organizations have worked with the Laos government to deactivate these UXOs, much work remains to be done and travelers should exercise extreme caution.
Women- While most countries in Southeast Asia hold a conservative attitude towards women, Laos was by far the most restrictive. I would argue that Laos ranks a few notches below countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Iran when it comes to how women are viewed in society. While Laotian women are constitutionally recognized as equal and can-do activities such as vote and drive, in reality they are heavily scrutinized and expected to conduct themselves in a way to that maintains their purity and dignity. Laotian women are not allowed not allowed to date or have sexual relations with a foreign man, and the process of marrying a foreign can be extremely cumbersome and time consuming. Foreign women are not immune to scrutiny, as they are not allowed to enter temples and museums if they are dressed “inappropriately.” (The length of a woman’s skirt or jeans will literally be measured at the entrances to any holy site)
Rural Life- Laos is a largely agrarian society. As of 2015, it was estimated that only 38.6% of the population lived in an “urban” city. Even the capital Vientiane is, for all intents and purposes, a low-rise city. The population is derived into three basic categories based on where they live; low-land, mid-land, and high-land peoples. One of the more fascinating parts of my trip through Laos, was when I visited Vang Vieng and hiked through the mountains to see the high-land people up close (you can see a video of the hike below). Despite recent efforts of the central government to expand infrastructure throughout the country, most mid-land and high-land people live without luxuries such as air conditioning and electricity. In addition, many of them walk miles barefooted, through the same mountains that I struggled to get through with a guide and boots, daily in order to get to the low-land to sell their crop yield and barter for supplies.
Royal Palace Museum- Located in Luang Prabang, this museum was originally a palace that was built for King Sisavang and his family in 1904 during the French colonial era. Several of the kings’ relics lay in place from that period. Ironically, for a country that is considered poorer by world standards, the halls of the museum are adorned with artifacts made of gold, silver, and bronze. Unfortunately, taking any type of photography inside the museum is strictly prohibited and foreigners will be closely watched by both museum workers and locals alike.
Once you’ve traveled to several different countries, especially those within the same region, they start to blend together. For example, when I traveled throughout Southeast Asia, it seemed every country had the same temples and statues. This is why every country I go, I’ve tried to find 5 unique places or things that make that country stand out from the rest. This list is solely based on my experience and may not cover certain well-known traditions or tourist sites.
Mekong River- The Mekong river is a trans-boundary river that stretches throughout Southeast Asia running through Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The river also serves as a major trade route between China and the Southeastern Asian countries. During my trip, I was able to take a sleeping boat up the river for a three-night journey. The river serves as the focal point of Laotian society as a majority of the population live in the valleys of the river. I was even fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sleep in one of the many small fishing villages along the river bank.
Land Mines- Given the countries geographical position, Laos has been the battleground for conflict whether it be the Indochina War or later during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, the legacy of these wars lives on in the country as many unexploded ordnances remain through its foothills. Unexploded ordnance can be found in some parts of Svannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and the Vientiane Provinces. About 300 people a year die in Laos due to the landmines, with many others losing limbs. While foreign governments and non-governmental organizations have worked with the Laos government to deactivate these UXOs, much work remains to be done and travelers should exercise extreme caution.
Women- While most countries in Southeast Asia hold a conservative attitude towards women, Laos was by far the most restrictive. I would argue that Laos ranks a few notches below countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Iran when it comes to how women are viewed in society. While Laotian women are constitutionally recognized as equal and can-do activities such as vote and drive, in reality they are heavily scrutinized and expected to conduct themselves in a way to that maintains their purity and dignity. Laotian women are not allowed not allowed to date or have sexual relations with a foreign man, and the process of marrying a foreign can be extremely cumbersome and time consuming. Foreign women are not immune to scrutiny, as they are not allowed to enter temples and museums if they are dressed “inappropriately.” (The length of a woman’s skirt or jeans will literally be measured at the entrances to any holy site)
Rural Life- Laos is a largely agrarian society. As of 2015, it was estimated that only 38.6% of the population lived in an “urban” city. Even the capital Vientiane is, for all intents and purposes, a low-rise city. The population is derived into three basic categories based on where they live; low-land, mid-land, and high-land peoples. One of the more fascinating parts of my trip through Laos, was when I visited Vang Vieng and hiked through the mountains to see the high-land people up close (you can see a video of the hike below). Despite recent efforts of the central government to expand infrastructure throughout the country, most mid-land and high-land people live without luxuries such as air conditioning and electricity. In addition, many of them walk miles barefooted, through the same mountains that I struggled to get through with a guide and boots, daily in order to get to the low-land to sell their crop yield and barter for supplies.
Royal Palace Museum- Located in Luang Prabang, this museum was originally a palace that was built for King Sisavang and his family in 1904 during the French colonial era. Several of the kings’ relics lay in place from that period. Ironically, for a country that is considered poorer by world standards, the halls of the museum are adorned with artifacts made of gold, silver, and bronze. Unfortunately, taking any type of photography inside the museum is strictly prohibited and foreigners will be closely watched by both museum workers and locals alike.
Mekong River, Laos
Vang Vieng, Laos
A Hike through the Loas Highlands (Vang Vieng, Laos)
After hiring a local guide, we took a hike through the highlands of Vang Vieng.
Down by the River (Vang Vieng, Laos)
Walking through a low land village at the completion of a 6 hour hike. In this video, local children are playing and bathing in a river after recent rainfall.