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2022 TRAVEL GUIDE: Laos is now open to the world

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Laos, the country of misty mountains, charming French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements, magical Buddhist monasteries, and authentic hospitality, is now open to the world.

Pullman Luang Prabang
Pullman Luang Prabang

Once referred to as ‘the Refuge of the Last Dreamers’, Luang Prabang is a colorful patchwork of villages, temples and cultures. The charming North Central town is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a mix of architectural and cultural heritage. Visitors to this magical town can discover 33 gilded wats (Buddhist monasteries), talented craftspeople, and a vibrant culinary scene. For those in search of adventure, trekking trails, kayaking adventures, exciting mountain bike trails and incredible natural beauty await. Luang Prabang is connected to the capital city of Vientiane via a high-speed railway, with journeys taking less than two hours.

The luxurious Sofitel Luang Prabang was originally built as a French Governor’s residence in the 1900s and is a UNESCO-protected hotel. The boutique hotel offers 25 suites, each with an outdoor bathtub or pool in the private garden.

Nearby, 3 Nagas Luang Prabang – MGallery also offers a very boutique hotel experience with just 15 rooms and suites housed in a beautiful teakwood building restored from the past century. Leisurely aperitifs and dinners are enjoyed at the Nagini bar and on the terrace overlooking the vibrant Luang Prabang main street. Saffron-robed monks from glistening temples walk past the hotel each morning on alms rounds, with guests invited to make offerings at first light.

Situated 10 minutes from downtown Luang Prabang in a charming mountain setting, Pullman Luang Prabang sprawls over 16 hectares of landscaped gardens with stunning views of the surrounding hills. The wide range of room types, including a two-bedroom pool villa, feature lofty vaulted ceilings, streamlined design and balconies that overlook rice paddy fields. The hotel features a lakefront all-day dining restaurant, lobby lounge and three pools complete with a pool bar, serving a mix of international and local dishes with ingredients sourced from the resort’s organic farm.

As the former administrative capital during French rule, Vientiane has enjoyed economic growth in recent times and is the largest city in Laos. The city is home to That Luang, an icon of Buddhism in Laos, as well as a selection of significant Buddhist temples. Visitors can enjoy café hopping, river watching, street market shopping or discover various cultural sites. Located in the heart of the city next to the Nam Phu Fountain, ibis Vientiane Nam Phu provides an excellent base from which to explore the nearby historical monuments, Mekong Promenade and night Market.

ibis Vientiane Nam Phu
ibis Vientiane Nam Phu

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Julie Nguyen
Julie Nguyen
Julie is the visionary founder of SNAP TASTE and a dynamic force in global storytelling, innovation and creative leadership. She is a respected member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and serves as a judge for the CES Innovation Awards (2024, 2025 and 2026), where she contributes thought leadership on the intersections of business, culture and breakthrough technologies. As Managing Director, she also oversees the Fine Art, Digital Art, Portfolios and Marketing departments, ensuring the brand’s strategic vision and creative direction are realized across disciplines. Her immersive reporting has brought audiences behind the scenes of global milestones such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai, CES, D23 Expo, and the Milano Monza Motor Show, offering exclusive access to moments that define contemporary culture. An accomplished film critic and editorial voice, Julie is also recognized for her compelling reviews of National Geographic documentaries and other cinematic works. Her ability to combine analytical depth with narrative finesse inspires audiences seeking intelligent, meaningful, and globally relevant content. With a multidisciplinary perspective that bridges art, technology, and culture, Julie continues to shape the dialogue on how storytelling and innovation converge to influence the way we experience the world.
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