Author: João Novo

The Boun That Luang Festival or just That Luang Festival is the most important religious event in Laos. It doesn’t only attract locals, but also visitors from other countries like Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. What many don’t know is that it’s not just a religious celebration related to Buddhism and the golden stupa. For Laotians, […]

Laos is known for its heat, so it’s no surprise that a refreshing swim is a tempting escape. In fact, swimming is popular among locals, and there’s no shortage of inviting spots to take a dip. However, before you dive in, remember that there are some things to be cautious about. We’ll tell you everything […]

People in Laos are not as focused on beauty as the ones in Thailand, but nevertheless beauty plays a very important role. The beauty standards are basically the same. Most women prefer clear, smooth, and white skin. Other common beauty goals are delicate features, a slim body, and long hair. Due to the growing interest […]

When traveling to tropical countries, one of the things you always have to consider, is the risk of diseases. One of those diseases is malaria. Malaria is a sickness transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes called Anopheles. For decades it has been a deadly disease causing hundreds of thousands of deaths every year – […]

As a traveler, it’s natural to consider your safety and well-being – particularly when it comes to visiting a country like Laos, which remains unfamiliar to many. We felt the same before our first trip, but after experiencing the country firsthand we can say that, while there are some things to be aware of, Laos […]

How spicy is Lao food? Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, Laos is not the spiciest. There are plenty of countries with spicier dishes, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Nonetheless, Lao food can be very spicy, and therefore – if you’re not used to spicy food – it’s better to be cautious rather than order […]

Like most other Southeast Asian countries, Laos is pretty open towards gay people. However, the situation is not comparable to the Philippines or Thailand, where there are many bars, events, and hotels catering to the LGBTQ+ community. After all, Laos is still a pretty conservative country with traditional values. In this article we want to […]

When it comes to wildlife, Laos is one of the most diverse countries in Asia. There are plenty of animals roaming freely, including very rare ones like the Irrawaddy dolphin. While most pose no risk to humans, there are some that can be dangerous and you should be aware of, especially if you like exploring […]

If you’re planning to travel to Laos, you’re going to need a visa. The good thing is, that in most cases you’re eligible for a visa on arrival and therefore don’t need to apply in advance. However, some things you should know if you want to apply for a visa on arrival in Laos. In […]

In one of our previous articles we already talked about the hair salons in Vientiane, but if you’re a man you’re probably more interested in the barbers in the city. That’s totally understandable, since barbershops cater specifically to the grooming needs of men. Well, we have good news for you: There are some barbers in […]