Laos began to welcome tourists in the 1990's but it has been the last decade which has seen a huge rise in the number of international visitors, thanks to pro active governmental changes including the opening up land borders, more international airports and simplified visa regulations. Improvements in infrastructure throughout the country has made access to remote areas possible, inviting travellers to add Laos to their South East Asian tours.

The unmistakeable blend of local ethnic culture and colonial architecture has seen Luang Prabang awarded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors relax into the laid back way of life, passing the time browsing in the elegant street markets, or visiting the provincial french town houses, and museums such as the Haw Kham Royal Palace. Luang Prabang is home to many Theravadan Buddhist monasteries and early in the morning monks wander the streets in their saffron robes collecting alms in this sacred and peaceful setting framed by a landscape of serene mountains.

From Luang Prabang visitors can enjoy the Pak Ou caves complete with thousands of Buddha carvings and statues, accessible only by boat. Many head to the peaceful riverside town of Vang Vien, which although made up of only a few streets is especially popular with the backpacker crowd who find fun and frolics down by the riverside, where 'tubing' down the river on inner-tubes has become a popular past-time. A cruise along the Mekong river allows visitors to see the traditional way of life for many ethnic groups living along the riverbanks, to enjoy exotic flora and fauna and and to soak in the tranquility of the peaceful surroundings. In southern Laos the two islands of Don Dhet and Don Khon have become popular tourist attractions complete with a range of hotels and guest houses. The northern province of Phongsali is a mecca for hikers who are happy to stay in more basic accommodation as a happy trade off for picturesque trekking off the beaten track.

As Lao's bustling capital Vientiane offers a thriving culture of markets, temples and historical monuments with a blend of Asian, French and Russian architecture. Old colonial houses have been transformed into fine dining restaurants and boutique hotels, although you can still find plenty of good value guest- houses run by friendly locals. The city comes alive in the evening with night-markets and during festivals such as Bun That Luang, that is held each year on the November full moon.