the troubadour

Will foreigners now flock to this mountainous little nation,now that it appears restrictions to full time living there are to be lifted?

Will it give Thailand a run for it's money? Probably not.

Anyone know more about this? Wouldn't be Chinese influence to legalise the large number of their citizens alreadt there by any chance?

Some are saying that Laos is in danger of becoming almost a Chinese provence.

bakedbean

Wow I've never been there, and probably won't, but at least it's another option for us expats out there.

the troubadour

Another place indeed. It is like Cambodia already relatively easy in the sense of being able to purchase a yearly business visa,but not being required to actually conduct a/any business.

Will find out more from a friend whom resides there. Lovely country,but not yet ready for older retirees perhaps unless toughened up a bit,as not a lot of facilities there.

Expect this has changed somewhat as was last there in 07 and a lot of developmental work was being carried out then.
France was restoring a lot of the old shopfronts down town and was looking rather classy.

I can see it becoming a favoured place in time though. The French flair certainly helps.

Already know several folk set up there in business of sorts with every last one of them loving it.They include Aussies,French A Swede and a Welshman.

Never say never Baked bean,it's not yhat far from Penang.

bakedbean

Haha yeh I know by now that you should never say never as an expat, but after almost one year here I'm feeling quite good n settled :-)

nonthaburi

Can't see things taking off there myself. Maybe a bit of an increase as more people grow jaded by Thailand or wish to be somewhere more laidback or quiter than Thailand.

I don't think it's for everyone for reasons I said before in another post. It's just too quiet for me and there isn't much to do there really. Even in Vientiene "the capital city " , which is tiny really, I get bored after a few days.

For me , Laos is a nice place to visit but I couldn't live there.

Much prefer Cambodia.

That;s just me though.

Claudia1

We are now planning a short trip to Laos later in year & shall be happy to provide our objective take on things.

Any suggestions from the "experts" on what to see in capital plus nice places to stay ? Thanks.

Claudia

the troubadour

Stayed in a very elegant French style place over looking the Mekong River and ran by an Aussie from Perth.
Lost the name but there are plentiful places to pick from.

You could,have a dinner at the French resturant,La Belle Epoque, it's located in a Hotel,called something Palace (forget first name) the dining room is something else and well worth a visit as well as a drink at the bar.....really full of ambiance. The other French one I liked was called La Provencial and another again one around the corner from them I think is called Cote De Azure,great sitting outside sipping a good French red which goes down a treat even in such tropical heat.

Lao National Theatre worth catching for a taste of local culture. It is situated near the Wat.

Worth taking a stroll out of town to the National Museum where they show the lao peoples resistance to the Americans and earlier the French.
Actually better than it sounds.

Take breakfast at the Swedish Bakery. As good as France with great Lao cafe and Croissants or baguette with any additions you want.
Great place to chat with resident foreigners and those passing through.

There is the Morning Market interesting but little of interest to buy perhaps.
Then there is the night market by the river.....

Sit in one of the cafes overlooking the Mekong and watch the sun set while drinking a Beer Lao......

Take a road trip down to Luang Phabang,a cultural world heritage city.
We hired a mimi van with driver to go there,but can take the bus as well.

Do go to the waterfalls when there. Lovely cool water to swim in.

Can stop on way at Van Vieng and tube down the Mekong with the backpackers.....

Claudia1

Your feedback is extremely helpful - a massive thanks !

One question - how long to Luang Phabang & approx how much ?? Is flying a feasible option !

Thanks again,

Claudia

the troubadour

Yes indeed you can fly from LP to Veintiane with ease. We done so. Don't recall the price but you wouldn't need be concerned it was very cheap.

Same for the van to LP. Something like $20 at the time. Remember it was 07.
The road trip involves very narrow mountain roads with massive drops.

Forgot to mention when in Vientiane hire a boat and go down river to the cave.....

When in LP go early in the morning and watch/give alms to the monks....

nonthaburi

The morning market is good for DVDs. They worked out at about 20 baht each and they're all good quality. Top floor. My wife seemed quite happy shopping there but then she is a woman . Personally I preferred the pub near the market.

nonthaburi

There is a fountain in the middle of town close to the river where a lot of the hotels are. There is a little pedestianised area area around the fountain ( don't expect too much ) where there are some excellent French restaurants. For nightlife the best spot in town has to be a disco on the rooftop of a hotel by the river. Open air in places with a good view of the river it's open till late if you want a late drink and to see what happens in Vientiene after dark. Can't remember the name of it but everyone would know it. There was also a bar called ' Bor Ben Yang ' ( Mai Pen Rai in Thai ) by the river that gets quite busy. Oper air upstairs bar that was okay.

Claudia1

Great data - many thanks again guys.

Claudia

the troubadour

Do tell us how you found it on your return. You can perhaps add a few of your own findings with regards to eating establishments and whatever else of note as things change all the time.
Enjoy Lao PDR.

nonthaburi

I'm going there at the start of August for a few days, just to Vientene though. Not been for a couple of years now so it will be interesting to see what it's like now. I do find the hotels there a bit overpriced for what you get so if anyone knows somewhere decent in the 20-30 $ range please say so. Looking to stay anywhere near the river and the fountain.

Claudia1

Absolutely !

Shall be only too pleased to provide feedback although now unlikely to be going until end year.

Claudia