A World Away

Luang Prabang Travel Guide

Tucked between the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers and surrounded by a wall of mountains, the UNESCO Heritage Site city of Luang Prabang is a beautiful destination that shouldn’t be missed. With It’s 33 UNSECO Heritage temples, turquoise waterfalls, jungle clad mountains, and world class food, it has become one of the most popular destinations in Laos.

When I was asked to go to Vang Vieng, Laos, I was less than enthusiastic about it. I knew it had once been the party capital of Southeast Asia, but had read that it had died down a lot since then. But still, that really wasn’t the type of scene I was looking for. But my girlfriend at the time really wanted to experience the tubing and, being from Texas, it’s hard to pass up a good tubing experience.

Beautiful French-influenced architecture, Buddhist temples, and natural beauty make Vientiane a must-see stop on any tour of Laos. Vientiane is usually just a stopover for tourist as they make their ways to other places in Laos, but make no mistake, this sleepy capital is more livable and navigable than other Southeast Asian cities.

What to Do in the City

Pha That Luang

In the beginning, getting a visa to visit Vietnam can seem overly complicated and confusing. But once you have the system figured out it is really easy. Don’t let the red tape stop you! Vietnam is an amazing place to travel and has so much to offer any type of traveler. Whether you want to visit the amazing countryside, cultural heritage sites, or the bustling cities, there is something in Vietnam for you.

During my three months in Vietnam, I traveled across most of the country, visited many of the sights, and stayed in all of the big towns (and a lot of the small towns and villages). Vietnam stands as one of my favorite countries that I have visited and has so much to offer any traveler. All of my stops had something special, but a select few demanded my attention. Here is a list of my top 7 favorite cities in Vietnam and how they ranked.

Having finished an event filled few weeks in Southern Vietnam, it was time for us to make our way to our last section of the country; the central region. This would be our last bit of time in Vietnam, but it would also be one of its most eventful. What had originally been planned for only a one-week tour turned into almost three.

Visiting the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Vietnam is a look into a very significant chapter of Vietnamese and U.S. history. This dividing line between North and South Vietnam, despite its name, became the most militarized area in the world and saw some of the heaviest and bloodiest battles of the war.