Exploring Laos: Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang - DAY 2

• Day two began with a chilly temperature of around 10°C. It was freezing since we visited in February, just before the summer season. We had breakfast at the hotel, checked out, and joined a day tour with a private vehicle to explore both the outskirts and the city of Luang Prabang. The cost was over a thousand baht, but it was worth it for the convenience, especially since we were traveling as a family.

• The tour had a packed itinerary, but we trimmed it down to only the places we really wanted to visit to avoid rushing. We started with an out-of-town trip to Kuang Si Waterfall 🏞️. We chose to go in the morning, thinking it would be less crowded, and we were right! The waterfall was serene and beautiful, with fewer people around. On the way to the falls, there was a bear sanctuary where rescued bears were being cared for. The bears were adorable, lounging around and showing off their bellies 🧸.

• After visiting the waterfall, we stopped for lunch at Suan Poon Suk restaurant on the way back to the city. The restaurant was spacious, surrounded by mountain and rice field views. However, there was some haze during our visit, so the mountains appeared a bit misty. Nonetheless, the view was stunning, and the food was delicious. A must-try in Luang Prabang is their signature papaya salad, grilled pork neck, and other local dishes—a perfect combo of flavors 🥣.

• Back in the city, we visited the Luang Prabang Museum, which was formerly a royal palace. It also houses the Hor Phra Bang. The museum was fascinating and a delight for history and culture enthusiasts.

• Our final stop in Luang Prabang was Wat Xieng Thong, an ancient temple that is a symbol of the city. We strolled around the temple grounds, admiring the murals, architecture, and the Lan Xang-style Buddha statues. Afterward, we refreshed ourselves with a coconut smoothie from a stall in front of the temple and wandered around the peaceful streets of this small, charming city.

• Next, we headed to the Luang Prabang train station to travel to Vang Vieng. The journey was incredibly quick, taking only about an hour. The train ride was very convenient. We arrived in Vang Vieng in the evening, around 7 PM, and took a ride to our hotel. Vang Vieng is a small town with a completely different vibe from Luang Prabang.

• Before calling it a night, we went out to find dinner at a nearby restaurant. We randomly picked a place and enjoyed our meal. And that wrapped up another day of our 3-city, 4-day trip in Laos.

Post by marshmallow001 | Oct 10, 2025