Laos

Post by **yorky** » September 27, 2006, 2:01 am

On my next holiday to Udon I plan to spend a few days (3/4) in Laos - Vientiene.

Where do you recommend that I/we stay and where do you recommend that I/we visit?

My first time in Laos so suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks
yorky

Post by **uncle tom** » September 27, 2006, 4:22 am

I spent five over years in Laos starting on 1968 and met some of the most wonderful people on earth. I will be returning in a few months to Udorn and will be taking trips to Laos for sure.

The Lao have many holidays and festivals to observe, one of the most beautiful festivals is at the end of November, Boun That Luang.

You may want to check a very well done web site presented by the Vientianne International School http://www.vis.laopdr.com/llps/index.htm

There is a wealth of knowledge about Festivals and Traditions at this web site and its great fun to read.

Enjoy your trip.

Post by **arjay** » September 27, 2006, 6:40 am

Yorky, To answer your question about where to stay and where to go, you should find these links useful:-

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/v ... php?t=1491

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/v ... .php?t=556

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/v ... php?t=1829

Good Luck

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » September 27, 2006, 10:32 am

2 pics attached, 1st is map of river area w/rest/hotel/gh

cote d azur, excellent italian rest on rd facing mekong, same rd, just spelling on card/map different. also 1st pic has good gh, soukchaleun gh and info

2nd pic has reverse card of soukchaleun gh/map, also has info for nice place called vayakorn gh, good rate for both places new years 2004. map of main area of river with food. across from road running parallel with river you will see large night market/dining area, NOT recommended, farang rip off, show you big prawns, give you small, and over priced, dirty, no running water, you get the idea. looks nice from a distance. other restaurants are around 'nam phu', water fountain (fountain sq on map), if getting tuk tuk/taxi from bridge, just say nam phu and they should take you in the general area, 200 baht, no more for you own personal tuk tuk. there is also a buffet w/draft beer laos, that was decent and price good on southeast corner of water fountain up to setthathirath rd. using mekong as north/south compass

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » September 27, 2006, 10:44 am

oops, when i say north/south, i mean flow of river, actuall the way the map is, it shows opposite, so turn map so river on right side....confused, i am. ok so heading away from river to nam phu, the buffet, a large place on corner, 2 story, w/tables chairs outside downstairs, actually hard to miss. so, on setthanthirath rd, facing fountain, it will be on the left hand corner on same side of street as fountain.

food was ok, pictures of beer laos were cheap, cold and 2nd floor balcony good place to watch life stroll by. all around the fountain are restaurants, none of which i tried, but the chalkboard menus and what i saw all looked pretty good.

enjoy, good luck

Post by **briang** » September 27, 2006, 4:43 pm

Hi Yorky,

I used the site below to book my rooms in Vientiane for mid December. It has plenty of choices, a map and some reviews. Booked into the Beau Rivage myself, which looks nice.

http://www.vientiane-hotel-link.com/accommodation.php

Last year I stayed at the Lakeo Guest house (near Patuxai - Victory Monument) which was fine, but a bit of a trek into town.

I agree with LA about staying away from the food vendors along the water front. Though the food tasted OK I had to find a toilet very soon after eating.

I did enjoyed the Indian food at Nazim restaurant on Fa Ngum road.

Brian

Post by **wokkawombat** » September 27, 2006, 5:20 pm

I stayed in the centre of town at Mali Namphu Guest House at 114 Pangkham Road.

In July 2005 the rooms were US$15 a night including breakfast. Breakfast consisted of coffee, orange juice and half a french stick with tuna or meat. No choice, you took whatever the sandwich maker made that day.

Rooms were clean and quite, only drawback was they reneged on our return booking when my son and I returned a few days later from up north. Some falang had slept in, missed his flight and insisted on staying in the room for another night so one of our rooms was no longer avaiable.

Apart from that quite a good place to stay..

John

Post by **yorky** » September 28, 2006, 4:44 am

Some brilliant information in the above posts.
Thanks to all for your contributions.
yorky

Post by **FrazeeDK** » September 28, 2006, 7:15 pm

Many, many guesthouses and boutique hotels near the riverfront. Many new places beyond couny 50-100m from the river!

Lots of different foods to eat at reasonable prices:

L"opera Italian restaurant at Nam Phou fountain.. Top notch meal with drinks $8-12 dollars. 4 star restaurant!!

Taipan Restaurant: Taipan Hotel restaurant 1/2 block from the river; German/Austrian; it ain't fast food, they'll have everthing on the menu it just takes time.. Reasonable; $8-15 dollars per meal with drink.

Cote D'Azur; French/Italian; great place, right on the river front road.. Italian/French $8-15 dollars per meal with drink.

Khop Jai Deu Restaurant Bar; Nam Phou Fountain square.. buffet, LaoThai./Farang food.. $5-12 dolllars with drink.. lots of backpackers congregate here at nightfall

Joma Sandwich Restaurant/bakery; Center of town near fountain across from Khop Jai Deua(Monday-Sat) western style pizza by the slice/open face toasted sandwiches. hoagies; $4-8 dollars with drink.

Danish Bakery; Nam Phou fountain square; deli style sandwiches $3-8 dollars with drink. Great breakfast spread. very crowded at lunchtime; expect 20-35 minute service at the table after you order at the counter.

Swedish Bakery; three blocks in from the river.. Finest Pizza in Vientiane' Reasonably priced.. $4-8 dollars pizza/beer.

Many many restaurants doing Thai/Lao BBQ fish/meats along the river.. Many Farang style food places with menus in English.. Meals $3-8 dollars with a bit Beer Lao (24 Oz.) Many many beer bars/karakoe clubs/BBQ restaurants throughout town with very very reasonable prices. NO American chain fast food here! You name it, other than fast food chain style it's here; TEX-MEX on the waterfront, Thai, Chinese (all types), French, Italian, American, Indian, Halal.. It's here..

After coming into ciy from bridge by Lot Doo, find a friendly Tuk-tuk driver for dedicated late night support!! They will take you throughout the city and be your personal transport for a reasonable fee.. You could probably bargain them down to a dedicated daily support from $5-10 dollars. Rental of motorcylces is available.. B100-200 per day depending upon model.. (Most Farangs just have to have the 450 Motocross bike to tool around town!!)

Many many guesthouses and boutique hotels in Vientiane ranging from $8-25 dollars per night with breakfast.

travel from the bridge.. :: DON"T take a tuk-tuk..!!! Lot-Doo.. 9 pax A.C vans for hire at B200 total; Bridge to Nam Phou area (center of Vientiane) They'll try and get you for B400 but they will take you (alone) for B200..

Upcoming holidays: BOAT RACING FESTIVAL; waterfront in Vientiane; Weekend of 6-9 October (Friday-Monday National holiday). City will be jammed with folks from the country-side. Riverfront in Vientiane will be closed to traffic and opened as a fair ground.. boat racing can be observed at the waterfront (with difficulty) or you can find a tour boat (with beer/food) to take you out on the river to watch the races...

Next big holiday is That Luang Festival first/2nd week of November.. That Luang will be tricked out in lights (great nightime view) and numerous vendors/stalls) THOUSANDS will flock from country-side to see.. All the yokels!! Like Udorn 35 years ago.. Additional!!! Lao government wanted to cut down on crowds at That Luang so put half of fair at Air Conditioned Lao ITECH convention center on loop road NE side of town.. Good and bad.. less colloquial, nicer wih A/C in Convention center..

Want to gamble?? Dan Savanh Resort is located abou 80 KM north of Vientiane on he Nam Nguhn River resevoir.. To Quote them" A two start resort with a 4 star attitude". Parent hotel (Dan Savanh Hotel/Resort) is locate just outside the airport and will bus you free to the casino 3 times a day from Vientiane.. Special overnight deals at the casino resort/hotel for regular folks and better for high rollers. Nam Nguhn River resevoir is huge.. Many islands, minimally developed as of yet....

This string wouldn't be complete without praising the finest beer in SE Asia; Beer Lao Lager Beer.. 24 oz (640ML) bottles at 5000-10,000 kip (50 Cents to 1 dollar) depdending upon what place you buy them. The more local the restaurant, the cheaper the price.. Also, Beer Lao Dum (Dark beer;a stout) at 6.5% alc per volume at 5000-10,000 per small 333ml bottle dependiing again upon where you purchase. Also, Beer Lao has the SE Asian license for CARLSBERG beer and they do it right.. Expect 333ml bottles of Carlsberg to go for 7-10,000 Kip...

Post by **BKKSTAN** » September 28, 2006, 7:55 pm

That was excellent,FrazeeDK.I saved this for a future itinerary!!

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » September 28, 2006, 9:29 pm

Khop Jai Deu Restaurant Bar; Nam Phou Fountain square.. buffet, LaoThai./Farang food.. $5-12 dolllars with drink.. lots of backpackers congregate here at nightfall

that's the place i couldn't remember, used to serve lunch buffet, and them pitchers of draft beer lao.

Post by **Prenders88** » October 1, 2006, 2:28 am

Is Nazim's Curry House still there?
Well done Frazee a comprehensive food guide. =D>
Frazee quoted
"This string wouldn't be complete without praising the finest beer in SE Asia; Beer Lao Lager Beer.. 24 oz (640ML) bottles at 5000-10,000 kip (50 Cents to 1 dollar) depdending upon what place you buy them. The more local the restaurant, the cheaper the price.. Also, Beer Lao Dum (Dark beer;a stout) at 6.5% alc per volume at 5000-10,000 per small 333ml bottle dependiing again upon where you purchase. Also, Beer Lao has the SE Asian license for CARLSBERG beer and they do it right.. Expect 333ml bottles of Carlsberg to go for 7-10,000 Kip..."

Beer Lao has now reached the UK and it's reputation has spread by word of mouth. It's a WORLD class beer.

Post by **banpaeng** » October 1, 2006, 5:14 pm

To answers Penders, Yes Nazims is still there. Did not try it so can not report on it.

WEnt to Laos this weekend, and really had a great time. If you have nothing to do next weekend Veintien is haveing one hell of a party due to the Monks finishing Lent. I would get reservation before I went.

As to Frazee recomendation, read and heed. Tiapan is an excellent meal. Ate there twice and really do like his Potato soup. Today had a Filet Mignon. Best Steak I have had in Southeast Asia.

Also went to the FUll Moon Cafe and had a very pleasant meal.

Enjoyed the market as it has really grown since the last time I was there. That was 98 or 99. There are quite a few paved roads now, in fact they outnumber the dirt roads now.

Went to a Fried Chicken place that Frazee took us to. Very Very Good. Hopefully he will post the name and where it is. Would be a great lunch stop while there.

Also the French bread cooked in the brick ovens. UMMMMM.

Hope some more folks enjoy this one.

Post by **FrazeeDK** » October 2, 2006, 7:06 pm

per Brian.. I took him to what is the finest fried chicken in Vientiane. It is located about 2.5 km SE of the city center on Ku Vieng Road. It is known in English as Ku Vieng Fried Chicken or simply KFC. (many Lao also call it KFC). It is a small roadside place with seating for about 15-18. The primary fare is fried chicken legs with chips at 6000kip a serving of one leg and chips.. They also have Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, and a Som Dam stand.. Beer Lao and soda are available. This place is frequented 95% by Lao as a take out place... Quick service, goooood chicken and fairly cheap..
Heading out past the morning market and bus station proceed down Ku Vieng Road (there's a canal along one side) past two round-abouts. After the 2nd, go about 500 meters, on your right you'll see a huge tree beside KFC and probably a gaggle of motorcycles parked beside the curb..

Laos

Laos

vientiane; a good place to visit!

Ku Vieng Fried Chicken; Vientiane's KFC!