Traveling in the Lao People's Democratic Republic
Submitted by by Megan Lantz-Oh and Catterson Oh
“Take care to tuck your pants into your socks to keep the leeches away,” our barelegged Laotian guide advised as we cut through a particularly dense swath of jungle.
We’d been trekking through suffocating humidity and pouring rain for almost seven hours, and were closing in on our destination: a tiny village belonging to the Akha tribe, buried deep in the northern jungle of the Nam Ha Protected Area in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Despite our exhaustion, my husband, Catterson, and I were celebrating the completion of the third month of a year-long journey that would take us overland through Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Longtime advocates of sustainable tourism, Catterson and I always strive to identify operators that are committed to the preservation of local cultural and natural heritage when we travel. And that’s exactly the sort of enterprise we found in Green Discovery Laos, the operator we contacted when planning our eco-trek. Green Discovery utilizes local guides and rotates the hiking trails and villages it uses for its home-stays to ensure an even distribution of proceeds among the villages and to prevent communities’ total dependence on tourism. Read more about community-owned tour operators.
As we finally emerged from the jungle, we glimpsed the village that would welcome us for the night. We were enchanted by the sight of thatched huts dotting a green valley. Ours was on the periphery, so as to minimize our effect on village life. At the request of our guides, we brought crayons and paper instead of candy for the children. In turn, the Akha locals gave us a welcome present--a fat cucumber squash--and shared stories about their spiritual beliefs, traditional customs, and social dynamics.
We continued our travels through Laos with a journey to the Town of Luang Prabang, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. Its UNESCO designation recognizes the Town of Luang Prabang’s remarkable fusion of traditional Lao architectural structures and those of the French colonial occupiers of the 19th and 20th centuries. The Town of Luang Prabang is also a spiritual center, serving as Southeast Asia’s hub for Theravada Buddhism.
Early in the morning, monks cloaked in saffron robes shuffle quietly through the streets to receive alms from the townspeople. A visitor to the Buddhist temples is almost always rewarded with an invitation to join the young monks for a chat, to help them practice their English. The Town of Luang Prabang also boasts perhaps the most atmospheric night market in Asia, featuring local artisans who peddle their wares by candlelight
After its UNESCO World Heritage designation, Luang Prabang has seen tourism soar, yet retains its original charm thanks to dedicated conservation efforts by UNESCO and local government authorities. Managing the influx of international investors will continue to be a challenge for the town of Luang Prabang (and Laos as a whole) as the region’s popularity continues to build. With continued planning, strict guidelines for development, and socially-conscious visitors, though, Laos will remain a model of sustainable practices and will be preserved for future generations to enjoy as we did.
RESOURCES
- Read more about how tourism affects travel destinations
- Read more on Megan and Catterson's travel blog "Taking the Long Way Home"
