Luang Prabang, Laos

• Luang Prabang sits where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site with Buddhist temples and French colonial buildings. The town runs on a slower schedule than most of Southeast Asia - monks walk the streets for alms at dawn, vendors sell baguettes from baskets, people chat at cafes by the river.
• Safety is generally good here. Most locals practice Buddhism and keep to themselves. The main thing to watch for is pickpockets at the night market, not street harassment.
• English works at tourist hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Outside those places you'll need basic Lao phrases. The Tourist Police (1192) have English speakers and patrol the Old Town during busy times.
• No buses or public transport. You walk, rent a bicycle (10,000-50,000 kip per day), or take tuk-tuks (20,000-50,000 kip for short trips). The Old Town peninsula is small enough to cover on foot. UNESCO rules mean all bars shut by 11:30 PM in the historic center, so nightlife is quiet compared to other backpacker spots.

Lao is the main language. English works at tourist hotels, restaurants, cafes, and the night market. Tourist Police (1192 or 1560) have English speakers. Outside tourist areas, little English - learn basic phrases like 'sabaidee' (hello), 'khop chai' (thank you), 'tao dai' (how much). Emergency services (1195) have limited English - get your hotel staff to help with emergency calls if you can.

• Cover shoulders and knees, especially at temples. Some temples make women wear a borrowed Lao skirt over shorts. Bring a scarf or shawl to cover up when needed.
• Women can't touch monks or hand them things directly - it's disrespectful. Put items down for them to pick up, or get a man to hand things over.
• Take off shoes before entering temples, homes, and some shops. You'll see piles of shoes at doorways. Don't point your feet at Buddha statues or people - feet are considered dirty.
• The traditional greeting is 'nop' - palms pressed together like praying, with a slight bow. Shows respect, especially to elders and monks. Speaking loudly or showing anger is rude in Lao culture.
• For the morning alms ceremony (Tak Bat), get fresh sticky rice from your hotel instead of buying old rice from street vendors. Stand at least 5 meters away, stay quiet, keep your phone silent with no flash, and don't stand in front of the monks.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Police: 1191. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• No public transportation. The Old Town peninsula is small - you can walk to all the main temples, restaurants, and the night market.
• Tuk-tuks start at 20,000 LAK for short trips. Airport runs 50,000 LAK. Kuang Si Falls round trip with waiting time runs 300,000-400,000 LAK. Negotiate before you get in.
• Bicycles rent for 10,000-50,000 LAK per day depending on quality. The town is flat and easy to cycle. Roads out to Kuang Si Falls have big potholes and traffic though. Motorbikes cost around 150,000 LAK per day if you're comfortable with rough road conditions.
• Guesthouses and shops rent bikes and scooters. If you rent a scooter, check it for damage first, take photos, and make sure you have insurance - road accidents are a real risk in Laos.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Luang Prabang with local guides and curated experiences.