Vientiane

Compared to the other bustling capitals in Southeast Asia, Vientiane feels like the small town it is. After you're done the round of temples, the best thing to do here is wander down to one of the riverside beer gardens, kick back with a cold Beerlao - the Lao national beer - and watch the sun set over the Mekong.

Incidentally, the name is a very French spelling and should be pronounced the way the Lao say it, ie. "Wieng Chan", not "Ween-tee-an" or some such. Before the French it was Vien Chang [phonetically: Vee-en Chaang]

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is the former capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage city.

The main road, Xiang Thong, of Luang Prabang is a wonderful patchwork of traditional Lao wooden houses and hints of European architecture - reminders of when Laos was part of the French colony of Indochine. Golden-roofed wats, decorated with mosaics and murals of the life of Buddha sit under the gaze of wrap-around balconies and 19th century shuttered windows.

Luang Namtha

Luang Namtha is the largest city in Luang Namtha Province, Laos. It lies on the banks of the Namtha river, and the meaning of the name is "The area (louang) around Namtha river". The city all has sites in within is generally used to go trekking in the hill tribe villages in the area.

Muang Xay

Muang Xay also known as Oudomxay, the capital of the multiethnic province of Oudomxay, located in the Nam Ko River Basin and surrounded by scenic mountains. the town is formed by small villages at an important intersection between China and Vietnam, and the city has a get a unique multicultural atmosphere.

Vang Vieng

Once no more than a bus changing station on the long haul between Vientiane at the Thai border and the World Heritage Site city of Luang Prabang, it has managed to become a destination of its own. There still isn't more to the town than three streets and a bus station, the attractions comprising the nearby river (on which there is a rope swing), laidback countryside and cave-filled rock formations. However, the scene is so enthusiastic that many people stay for nearly a week and consider it the highlight of their trip.

Pakbeng

Pakbeng is in Bakeo Province, Laos. This small village lays half-way between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang on the banks of the Mekong river. You will likely be in Pakbeng because the two-day boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang has to stop for the night.

Pakbeng is in the Golden Triangle, and in the midst of one of the world�s drugs production areas.

Pakse

Pakse is the capital of Champasak province in Laos. Pakse (pop. 70.000) is one of the biggest towns in Laos and a major transportation hub for southern Laos. If you plan to go to the Bolaven Plateau or Si Phan Don you will probably have to spend some time here.