Entertainment In Laos

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Time at leisure:
If you have some time at leisure whilst in Laos, we have outlined a few activities you may want to arrange locally. You can also view our exciting selection of tours in Laos.

Trekking
The Laos countryside is amongst the most stunning in Southeast Asia. Treks are a great way to get in amongst the hills and plains, and to visit local villages which remain largely untouched by modernity. This is particularly true in the north, with treks of all lengths and difficulties available around Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Nong Khiaw, Muang Ngoi and Luang Nam Tha. An important caveat: rural Laos remains littered with unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War, so always arrange treks through your hotel or guide, and never stray off beaten paths if unaccompanied.

River trips
Rivers form the lifeblood of Laos, and are arguably the best way to see the country. If there are no river journeys included in your itinerary arranging a day trip or two by boat is encouraged. In northern Laos the Nam Ou (at Luang Prabang) and Nam Song (at Vang Vieng) are both stunning, while any trip to Southern Laos would be incomplete without spending time out on the Mekong.

Cooking classes
If you have an interest in food and would like to discover more about the underrated cuisine of Laos then a cooking class is a great idea. Such classes are an excellent way to learn about more local ingredients and cooking techniques in greater depth. In addition to this, the skills learnt in a half-day class provide a tangible souvenir of your time which can be used again and again when you return (and give you an excellent opportunity to show off in front of friends and family). Recommended classes can be found at Tum Tum Cheng, Roots & Leaves and Tamarind - all in Luang Prabang, and at Lao Experiences in Vientiane. Courses can be booked locally or in advance. Please ask your guide for assistance.

Evening entertainment:
We have outlined below a few suggestions for evening entertainment. Your guide will be on hand to assist with making the necessary booking and advising on any transportation required.

Lao National Theatre & Lao National Opera Theatre (Vientiane)
Night-time cultural attractions in Vientiane are limited. The National Theatre showcases Lao music and dance from various lowland and hill tribe regions (nightly performances at 8.30pm). The National Opera Theatre features a range of traditional entertainment including Lao boxing, performances of the Phra Lak Phra Lam (the Lao version of the Ramayana), and occasional song and dance (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays).

Royal Ballet Theatre (Luang Prabang)
A troupe of some 60 artists perform Phra Lak Phra Lam, the Lao version of the sacred poem, the Ramayana, in Luang Prabang. After centuries of performances this traditional art was banned by the revolutionary government in 1975. However in 1993 the Institution of Cultural Research, keen to preserve the cultural arts of Laos, established a committee to revive limited performances of Phra-Lak Phra-Lam for festivals. In 2002, the current theatre was established and has been performing at home and abroad since. This colourful show takes place in the garden of the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace, on Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays. Please ask your guide for help with tickets.

Petanque (mostly Luang Prabang)
One intriguing leftover from the French colonial era is the Lao national enjoyment of Petanque. This is particularly visible in Luang Prabang, where you will find a great many makeshift courts in back streets and local neighbourhoods. Spending a few hours at one can be a fantastic way to meet the locals. Labienglom has a full multi-court layout plus bar, food, and karaoke, and stays open until 11.30.

Beer Lao & River Views (throughout)
The national brew of Laos rightfully holds an outstanding reputation. As with most Asian lagers it is light and fizzy, but it has a distinctive crispness and depth of flavour which sets it apart from its counterparts in neighbouring countries. Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane offer a variety of riverside venues to sample the local brew and Vientiane even offers tours of the Beer Lao Brewery for avid fans. Outside of these urban centres nightlife in Laos is pretty sedate. Evenings in the southern regions and northern villages will be restricted to serene sunsets over languid rivers, chilled Beer Lao, and good food - more than enough to keep most people happy!

See our full range of holidays of Laos.