Central Laos

Central Laos, with the capital Vientiane as its gateway, offers Vang Vieng's karst landscapes, the Thakhek Loop motorbike route and the Kong Lor Cave river, along with a wide range of outdoor activities.

This region follows Laos's official definition of the central region, assigned by whole province. It covers six provincial-level units: Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Xaisomboun, Bolikhamxai, Khammouane and Savannakhet. Vientiane and Vang Vieng are officially part of the central region, so they are not grouped under the north with the classic "Northern Laos route."

Highlights: in Vientiane, Pha That Luang, Patuxai, Wat Si Saket, the Mekong riverfront night market and Buddha Park; in Vang Vieng, karst peaks, tubing and kayaking on the Nam Song River, hot-air balloons and the Blue Lagoon; Nam Ngum Lake; in Khammouane, the Thakhek Loop and the Kong Lor Cave, a roughly 7 km underground river you can travel through by boat; in Savannakhet, the French-style old town and the Dinosaur Museum; and in Bolikhamxai, Phou Khao Khouay National Park.

Classic itinerary: 2 days in Vientiane plus 2–3 days in Vang Vieng, then continue north to Luang Prabang on the Laos–China Railway; the Thakhek Loop takes 3–4 days by motorbike, with a possible detour to Kong Lor Cave; allow about 7–10 days for the whole region.

Getting there: Vientiane's Wattay International Airport is the country's main gateway; the Laos–China Railway runs from Vientiane to Vang Vieng in about 1 hour, and there is a direct international train from Kunming to Vientiane; three Thai–Lao Friendship Bridges, at Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan, link Thailand with Vientiane, Thakhek and Savannakhet respectively.

Notes: parts of the Thakhek Loop are gravel roads, so check your vehicle's condition and buy insurance; water activities in Vang Vieng can be dangerous in the rainy season when currents run fast, and you should not enter the water after drinking alcohol.

Destinations

Itineraries