Laos, Asia travel resource.

Laos,Asia.

Low-key Laos is not among the "Asian tigers," the group of small- and medium-sized nations that have embarked on ambitious, high-energy growth plans. Rather, Laos is more like the Asian silkworm, living within an elegant cocoon, hoping to be allowed to develop at its own pace, in relative isolation.
On our last visit, we saw signs that the incubation period might be nearing an end. Each year, official travel restrictions decrease, and services expand. In temple-laden Luang Prabang, the prettiest city in Laos (and, in our opinion, all of Southeast Asia), a new modern airport greets direct flights from Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand; the facility's size and amenities reflect a hopefulness that tourist traffic from there will be plentiful and steady. Changes are evident in town as well -- though it was once nearly impossible to find film, photo-processing shops are popping up on every corner.
Still, most of the countryside remains unseen by visitors -- few venture off the beaten path. By all means, take in the primary sights of Laos, but be sure to also make excursions into the provinces. Much of what you'll see is stunning, and you can go days without seeing another traveler.