Types of trips: Historical and Cultural, Events and Festivals, City tourism, Outdoor and Active, Sight-seeing, Ecotourism, Relaxation

Best known for: Mekong river, Luang Prabang, Coffee, Plain of jars, Hill tribes, Sticky rice, Larb

Why Go?: Laos is a less popular destination for tourism than its neighbouring countries. You can explore the largely unspoiled, varying landscape that is untouched by western commodities.

Fact File

Population: 6.77m

Capital: Vientiane

Language(s): Lao

Ties to the UK: An occasional tourist destination for British citizens.

Landscape: Mountains, Waterfalls, Rivers, Forests, Lakes, Beaches, Islands

Climate/Seasons: Monsoon season is May to October. Dry season is November to April.

When to Go: It is probably best to avoid monsoon season. Lunar year celebrations happen in April and the water festival is held in October.

Reasons to Visit: A largely untouched country rich in history, Laos offers an experience that you would not be able to find outside of Asia.

How to Get There: Flying is the only option for getting to Laos. The country has three international airports with a number of domestic airports to assist travel within the country.

Places to Go: 4000 islands, Mekong river, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Tad Fane waterfall, Plain of Jars.

Famous People: Chloe Dao, Bryan Thao Worra, Steffinnie Phrommany.

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Tad Fane Waterfall, Kong Lor Cave, Asian Elephant, Indochinese Tiger

History: French rule, Civil war, Communist take over

Architecture: That Dam Stupa, Pha That Luang, Ho Prah Keow

Culture: The government recognises 47 distinct ethnicities that are part of its population, majority follow the Theravada Buddhist religion with a large portion of the remainder following Animism. The Baci Soukhuan is a traditional ritual in Laos.

Sport: Sepak Takraw (similar to volleyball), Football, Muay Lao

Events: Annual events including Lunar festival, Water festival, Visakha Bu-Saa festival that celebrates the birth of Buddha.

Watch Out For: Be aware of local etiquette and customs, pickpockets are a danger in the big cities. Small village money exchanges will change dollars into the local currency for you, but instead of counting the number of notes will sometimes measure the height of the pile they are going to give you in exchange for your dollars to estimate its worth in centimetres!

Medical Issues: No mandatory vaccinations, but for any personal worries talk to your G.P. It is essential you take anti-malarial medication if you are travelling to Laos.