Pocket Guide

Dining

Doi Ka Noi restaurant’s Laotian cuisine was so good it’s practically worth a trip to Vientiane to eat here. Lemongrass stuffed with pork and herbs plus Luang Prabang river weed with tomato chili dip was as good as it sounds. The Blood Plum and Gin ice cream was an inspiring finish to the meal. Try Butterfly Tea, which turns from blue to purple with the squeeze of a lime. Although they participate in the slow food movement you will be tempted to eat fast here.

Accommodation

Booking.com was a great source of affordable and excellent places to stay. Our Vientiane hotel was the comfortable VKO Guest House near the Mekong River and the night market.

Car Rental

We rented a car and booked an excellent driver from Avis.

What to Buy

The Lao Textile Museum sells intricately designed textiles. Crafts from COPE help fund their efforts. From Bombs to Beans from the Lone Buffalo Student Coffee Company is excellent coffee.