| The Coutnry Laos Geography | Laos Agriculture | Laos Climate | Laos Places-to-visit | Laos Map The Culture History | Religion | People | Language | Arts and Architecture | Music, Dance and Theatre | Manners Entertainmentment Shopping | Eating and Drinking Travel Information Visa | How to apply? | Customs & Immigration | Visa Extensions | Money | Changing Money | Travellers 'Cheques Credit Cards | Basic Precatautions | Mines & Munitions Health Vaccinations | Food & Water | Malaria Getting Around Air | Within Laos | Boat | Bus | Taxi/Tuk-Tuk/Samlo |
| Laos Travel Guide |
| The
Country Geography Laos is a landlocked country covering 236,800 sq.km making it about as the same size as Ecuador or Great Britain. It comprises mostly mountains and plateaux. The Mekong River flows through western and southern regions and forms a natural border to Thailand. On its banks nestle most of Laos' important cities, like the .capital of Vientiane and the former royal capital, Luang Prabang. Rugged mountains cover more than 75% of the country. The vegetation is diverse and rich comprising tropical and subtropical species, from mango and palms to hardwoods. About half the country is still covered with primary forests. Agriculture Rice is the staple food crop -it is cultivated by 85% of the population- and nearly three-quarters of Laos' farmers grow enough to sell or barter some of their crop. More than half of the rice is grown in the hills. In Northern Laos maize and cassava are often grown as substitutes. The main agricultural areas are on the Mekong's floodplains, -especial.ly around Vientiane and Savannakhet. Cotton, coffee, maize, and tobacco are the other main crops. Climate Laos falls within the monsoon belt of the tropics. The southwest monsoon, which blows between May and October, brings the rains from moisture picked up in the Indian Ocean. The northeast monsoon, which lasts from November to February, brings cool, dry air from the interior of the continent resulting in mild and dry weather. As mountains cover most of Laos, there are significant climatic variations from region to region based on altitude. Precipitation is also highly variable with more falling on the western, windward slopes facing the southwest monsoon, than the eastern portion that lie in the lee during the rainy season. Places-to-visit Laos is a country of soft voices. The Lao people bowed uncomplainingly to their fate during the Vietnam War when the massive bombing campaigns devastated the peaceful and idyllic countryside. Today Laos' capital, Vientiane, is a spacious and charming Southeast Asian city. It lacks the usual hustle and bustle and amazes the traveller with its serene temples and gracious colonial villas. Vientiane: In 1563, King Setthathirat made the riverside city of Vientiane the capital of Laos. In those days it was a small fortified city on the banks of the Mekong with a palace and two wats, That Luang and Wat Phra Kaeo. The city has grown prosperous from the surrounding fertile plains and taxes levied on trade going upriver. Southeast Asia's smallest capital has only about 500,000 citizens -which makes it the most tranquil and laid-back capital of Asia. Countless temples and pagodas with important Thai and Khmer shrines and relics are a mirror of the countries chequered past. Recommended minimum stay: 1-2 days. Luang Prabang: This is the best place to get in touch with Lao history and culture. For more than eight centuries, Luang Prabang was the royal residence and the political and cultural centre of Laos. According to the legend, two resident hermits chose the site of the city. Today Luang Prabang is a picturesque small town (approximately 30,000 inhabitants) on the Mekong River. Mount Phousi on the outskirts affords a magnificent view of the town and its surroundings. Especially worth seeing is the former Royal Palace with the National Museum and the town's many pagodas. Luang Prabang's surroundings have a lot to offer as well: the Pak Ou Caves with thousands of Buddha images .are best explored by boat on Mekong River. Other attractive one-day excursions include visits to the weavers' village, Ban Phanom, and the Kuang Si waterfalls. Recommended minimum stay: 2-3 days. Wat Chiang Thong : This gilt-lacquered wooden temple with triple cascade roof was built in Lanchang style during the reign of King Jayachettathirath between 1559-1560. It also is considered the most important temple in Luang Prabang. Phonesavanh: One of the last mysteries of Asia lies here. Despite many theories about the "Plain of Jars", archaeologists still have not found the real meaning and function of these countless, up to 8 ft. high earthenware jars lying scattered over the plateau. Local legend relates that King Khoon Chuong and his troops from South China had a major party after their victory over the wicked Chao Angka and had the jars made to brew outrageous quantities of Lao rice whisky. Although American bombing destroyed many jars, and excursion to this territory of the Hmong minority is still worthwhile. Recommended minimum stay: 1-2 days. Pakse: Pakse is synonymous with Wat Phou in the same way Siem Reap is for Angkor in Cambodia. There are many parallels. Like Angkor, the founder of the first Khmer Empire, Jayavarman II, also built Wat Phou. It is somewhat smaller than Angkor, but about 30 years older and at times was the Khmer capital. Next to Angkor, Wat Phou is certainly one of the cultural highlights of Laos and Southeast Asia. Pakse is a busy commerciar town built by the French early this century as an administrative centre for the South. The town has seen better days but the many colonial buildings lend an air of old world charm. Pakse is known locally for its large market. An excursion from Pakse leads to the Boloven plateau and to villages of minorities who belong to the native populations of Southeast Asia. Here coffee, tea and moderate climate fruits are grown. The Mekong Islands in the Cambodian border area are also reached from Pakse. The Mekong River at this point is about 8.5 miles wide and encompasses about 4,000 islands during the dry season and about half of that during the rainy season. This unique landscape forms one of the most impressive sights of this region. One of the highlights is Southeast Asia's largest waterfall, Khon Phapeng. Recommended minimum stay: 2 days. Top II Cambodia Hotel Reservations The Culture History The first recorded history of the Lao begins with King Fa Ngum, by legend the 23rd successor of Khoun Lo, who first united Laos in 1353. He established his capital at Luang Prabang and ruled a kingdom called Lan Xang (literally, "million elephants") that covered much of present-day Thailand and Laos. He also established Buddhism as the state religion. In the 16th century, Lan Xang entered a period of decline caused by dynastic struggles and conflicts with Burma, Siam (now Thailand), Vietnam, and the Khmer Kingdom. By the 18th century, the Siamese and Vietnamese kingdoms were competing for control of Laos. In the 19th century, the Siamese dominated much of what is now Laos and divided it into principalities centered on Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champassak. Late in the century, the French, who already controlled present-day Vietnam, supplanted them. In 1899, France established protectorates and direct rule over all of the principalities, and Laos became part of French Indochina. The Franco- Siamese treaty of 1907 defined the present Lao boundary with Thailand. During World War II, the Japanese occupied French Indochina and extended their control over Laos. They induced King Sisavang Vong of Luang Prabang to declare his independence from France in 1945, just before Japan's surrender. In September 1945, Vientiane and Champassak united with Luang Prabang to form the new Kingdom of Laos. The king was overthrown shortly afterwards by the Free Lao (Lao Issara) anti- French government, but in April 1946, he was enthroned as a constitutional monarch after accepting the Lao Issara constitution. French troops reoccupied Vientiane and Luang Prabang in May and, in August 1946, recognized Lao autonomy after elections to a constituent assembly. Anew constitution took effect in 1947. France formally recognized the independence of Laos within the French Union on July 19, 1949, and Laos remained a member of the French Union until 1953. From 1954 until 1957, pro- Western governments held power. The first coalition government, the Government of National Union, led by Souvanna Phouma, was formed in 1957, but it collapsed in 1958 with the imprisonment of Prince Soupha-nouvong and other LPF leaders by the government. A pro- Western regime took over the Royal, Lao Government. The LPF insurgency resumed after 1959, when Souphanouvong and other leaders escaped from prison. In 1960, Kong Le, a paratroop captain, seized Vientiane in a coup and demanded formation of a neutralist government to end the fighting. Kong Le and the neutralist government, again under Souvanna Phouma, were driven from Vientiane later in the year by rightist forces under Gen. Phoumi Nosovan and then formed an alliance with the LPF. By early 1961, the LPF, with North Vietnamese military support, threatened to take over the entire country. US military advisers and supplies were sent to aid the Royal Army. On December 2, 1975, the monarchy was abolished and the communist Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) was established. The new government opted for socialism, with centralized economic decision-making and broad security measures, including the control of media and the arrest and incarceration of thousands of members of the previous government and military in remote prison camps called "re- education camps." Religion The predominant religion is Theravada Buddhism. Animism is common particularly among the mountain tribes. Buddhism and spirit worship coexist easily. Most Christians (primarily Roman Catholic) have left since 1975. People Laos' ethnically diverse population is usually divided by ecological zone into three groups: 1. The wet rice cultivating, Buddhist Lao Loum of the lowlands, who are politically and numerically dominant, constituting over half of the total population. 2. The Lao Theung who occupy the mountain slopes and make up about a quarter of the population. 3. The Lao Soung, or upland Lao, who live in the high mountains and practise shifting cultivation, and who present less than a fifth of Laos' total population. These subdivisions are simplistic and in practise, the lines between ethnic groups are increasingly blurred as communication and migration increase across the country. The Lao Loum arrived in the 6th and 7th centuries from China and is the principal ethnic group. They speak Lao 'as mother tongue. The Lao Theung, consisting of 45 different sub-groups, are the descendants of the oldest inhabitants of the country and are of Mon-Khmer origin. Traditionally, they were semi- nomadic and they still live mainly on the mountain slopes of the interior. Most Lao Theung still practise slash-and-burn or shifting agriculture, and grow dry rice, tobacco and coffee. The Lao Soung began migrating to Laos from South China, Tibet and Myanmar, in the early 18th century, settling high in the mountains. They are divided in two principal groups, namely the Hmong or Meo, and the Yao or Mien. The Yao are unique among the hill-tribes in that'they have a tradition of writing based on Chinese characters. They are best known as craftsmen renown for their knives, crossbows and elaborate and intricate silver jewellery. The Hmong are the only tribe in Laos who make batik. Indigo-dyed batik makes up the main panel of their skirts, with applique' and embroidery added to it. The Hmong value their independence, and tend to live at high altitudes; association with poppy cultivation and close links to the US during the war has meant that of all the hill-tribes, the Hmong have been most severely oppressed. The largest non-Lao groups in Laos are the Chinese and Vietnamese communities in the main cities. Language The official language of Laos is Lao, as spoken and written in Vientiane. As an official language, it has successfully become the lingua franca between all Lao and non-Lao ethnic groups in Laos. Lao is a monosyllabic, tonal language. It contains many polysyllabic words borrowed from the Indian, Pali and Sanskrit as well as words from Khmer. It has 6 tones, 33 consonants, and 28 vowels. Lao is also spoken in Northeast Thailand and North Cambodia, which was originally part of the kingdom of Lan Xang. There are five main dialects in the country, each of which can be divided into further subdialects. All. Lao dialects are closely related to the languages spoken in Thailand, northern Myanmar and parts of China's Yunnan Province. Lao script is modelled on early Thai script and is written from left to right. Many of the tribal groups have no system of writing. In colonial days, French was introduced in the country and it is still spoken in towns today, particularly by the older generation. Now English is being increasingly used by the government, and the younger generation in the towns more and more learn to speak English. Arts and Architecture Lao art is well known for its wealth of ornamentation. As in other neighbouring Buddhist countries, the focus has been primarily religious in nature. Temple murals and bas-reliefs usually tell the story of the Buddha's lives, the Jataka tales. There is not as wide a range of art in Laos as in Thailand, as the country has been constantly dominated by foreign powers that tended to suppress indigenous culture. Much of Lao history and culture has been destroyed over the centuries, as plundering neighbours, Siamese/ Thais, Chinese and Vietnamese. The Ramayana, the famous Indian epic, has become a part of the Lao cultural heritage, and is known as the Phra Lak Pralam. Many of the doors and windows of temples are engraved with scenes from this story, depicting for example the struggle between good and evil. Prime examples are the huge teak shutters at Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang. Sculpture in Laos is more distinctive in style, the best pieces originating from the 16th to 18th century. Characteristic of Lao Buddha images is a nose like an eagle's beak, extended earlobes, and tightly curled hair. The best examples are in Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Sisaket in Vientiane. In addition, there are certain mudras, gestures, like the "Calling for Rain", (the Buddha standing, both ar,ms held stiffly at the side of the body, fingers pointing downwards) and the "Contemplating the Tree of Enlightenment". These symbols are found only in Lao Buddhist sculpture. As in other Buddhist countries, stupas are supposed to contain sacred relics, bones or hairs of the Buddha, ashes of kings and so forth. Northern Thai temples have influenced the Luang Prabang architectural style. The roofs of the main sanctuaries are very low, almost touching the ground -best exemplified by the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang. Jhe most famous Wats in Luang Prabang and Vientiane were built with royal patronage. However, most Wats in Laos are constructed piecemeal with donations from the local communities. Royal Wats can be identified by the number of dok sofa, (flowers), displayed in the building design. If more than ten dok sofa are used, it signifies that the Wat was built by a king. Music, Dance and Theatre Laotian music and dances have much in common with those of the Thai. Popular instruments include bamboo flutes, drums, gongs, cymbals and pinched or bowed string instruments shaped like banjos. The national instrument is the kaen, a hand-neld pipe organ. It is made from bamboo and is similar in appearance to the South American panflutes. An important part of a Laotian orchestra is percussion, and two of the most commonly used instruments are the nang nat, a xylophone, and the knong vong, a series of bronze cymbals suspended from a wooden frame. The seb noi orchestra, a consortium of all these instruments, is used to introduce or conclude vocal recitals. The she ganai orchestra includes two big drums and a Lao-style clarinet. It was used in royal processions and still accompanies certain religious ceremonies. There is also a strong tradition of Lao folk music, which differs between tribal groups. In Vientiane and the provincial capitals, younger Lao tend to opt for western- style pop music. Apart from the classical theatre, there is the traditional folk theatre. It is called moo lam and might be best compared with the European tradition of roving minstrels. Moo lam appears a very special Lao form of theatre and it survived all kinds of censorship without chang~s. Lately there is a revival of this art form, showing the vitality of traditional Lao culture -even in the face of the growing influence of American-style 1V programs. Classical Lao theatre and dance have Indian origins and were probably imported from the Cambodia royal courts in the 14th century. That influence has also crept in over the years. Manners As with all cultures everywhere in the world, there are some general rules of conduct that a traveller in Laos should follow. It is best to avoid the time round 11.00 am when visiting a Wat, as this is when monks usually take their morning meal. Women should not attempt to shake the hand of a monk, hand anything to him, or sit beside him since monks are not allowed to touch women. When talking to a monk, try to keep your head lower than his. When sitting down, feet should point away from the altar and main image. Arms and legs should be fully covered when visiting Wats. A small donation is advisable, and it is appropriate to kneel down when giving it. In general pointing with the index finger is considered rude. Patting children on the head should be avoided, as it is the most sacred part of the body. The traditional form of greeting is with hands together, prayer- like, and with head bowed, as in most parts of Asia, but handshaking is done more frequently today. Sensitivity pays when taking photographs. Be very wary in areas that have (or could have) military importance such as airports, where all photography is prohibited. Also be careful when photographing official functions and parades without permission. Always ask permission before photographing a person or in a temple. Top II Cambodia Hotel Reservations Entertainmentment Shopping Laos is an ideal place for buying handicrafts and souvenirs. Best buys from Laos are hill-tribe artifacts and textiles. Antique textiles from North Laos are occasionally available, though mostly one will see very beautiful imitations. Many textiles are made from pure silk. There is a wide variety of modern materials that are used to make the phasin, the Lao sarong, and pha baeng, or shawl, .worn by Laotian women. The traditional sin (a wraparound skirt) is a popular buy. It is usually plain or with a single motif repeated over most of the material and an elaborate border. Gold and silver thread, tdinjok, . is often woven into the border pattern. Lao weavers have been isolated from external influences and have maintained many of their original patterns and styles. Most of the materials are sold in weaving villages or are available from markets in the main towns. Making silverware is a traditional craft in Laos - most of it is in the form of jewellery and small silver pots. Chunky antique tribal jewellery, bangles, pendants, belts and earrings, are often sold in markets in the main towns, or antique shops in Vientiane. Especially the tribal belts (sai ao) that belong to the traditional dress of Lao women are popular with tourists. Craftsmen in Laos are still producing carvings for temples and coffins. Designs are usually traditional, with a religious theme. Craftsmen produce carved panels and statues for tourists, which are available in outlets in Vientiane. Please beware that export of antiques, ivory, swords, Buddha statues, gongs, drums and all other religious items is strictly forbidden. In some cases it is possible to get a permit from the local authorites; please ask your guide about this if you have the intention of buying any of these items. Eating and Drinking Lao food is spicy and delicious. There are many similarities between Laotian and Thai food, although the former is slightly influenced by the Chinese cuisine. Laotian dishes are distinguished by the use of aromatic herbs and spices. Sticky rice is the foundation for all Laotian meals, and almost all dishes are cooked with fresh vegetables, freshwater fish, poultry, duck, pork, beef, or water buffalo. Limejuice, lemon grass, and fresh coriander give the food its characteristic taste, and various fermented fish condiments are used to salt the food. Hot chillies, garlic, mint, ground peanuts, tamarind juice, ginger, and coconut milk are other seasonings. Dishes are often served with an accompanying plate of lettuce, mint, coriander, lime wedges, or basil. A traditional Lao dish is laap (also meaning "luck" in Lao), made from cooked minced meat or fish, marinated in lemon juice, and mixed with chopped mint and chillies. It is called laap sin if it has a meat base and laap pa if it's fish base. There is also a variant using raw meat or fish, which is better to be avoided. There is also a well-ingrained Vietnamese culinary tradition, and Chinese food is never hard to find. Laos has inherited a sophisticated and tasty colonial legacy. French cuisine is widely available, with street cafes serving delectable fresh croissants, baguettes, pain au chocolat, and a selection of sticky pastries. Menus in many of Vientiane's restaurants still have a distinctly French flavour to them -frog legs included. Vintage Bordeaux and Burgundies occasionally emerge from the cellars of restaurants too. Restaurants in Laos offering local cuisine close comparatively early, as in other Asian countries, around 21 p.m. or 22 p.m. One should keep that in mind when planning the program for the evening. Restaurants with international cuisine might be open a little longer, but best not to rely on this. Until late in the evening you get all kinds of food, Chinese, Vietnamese, French bread or Laotian dishes, from street stalls. Top II Cambodia Hotel Reservations Travel Information Visa If you are not planning to go to Laos by air or via the Friendship Bridge near Vientiane, make sure you get the visa stamped into your passport before entering the country. Visas-upon-arrival can be obtained at international airports in Laos and the Friendship Bridge and cost $30 for a 15-days stay (August 2000). How to apply: You can get tourist and business visas from Lao embassies or consulates in the region - Bangkok, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Yangon, and Saigon -or overseas in Auckland, Berlin, Canberra, New Delhi, Paris, Stockholm, Tokyo, and Washington. For a business visa, a letter of invitation is usually required from a Lao citizen, foreign mission, company, or travel agency working in Laos. Visas obtained prior to arrival are valid for 30 days. Visa costs vary for each nationality and usually take three days to process. Also express visas are possible, which take usually one day, but cost more. Thai citizens pay only Bht300 when applying for a tourist visa through the embassy in Bangkok. Customs & Immigration: A foreign exchange desk and duty free shop are open for arrivals and departures at Wattay (Vientiane) and Luang Prabang Airports. You are allowed to bring into Laos duty free 500 cigarettes, 2 bottles of wine, and a bottle of liquor. Visa Extensions: Extending your visa is possible at the immigration office in Vientiane. Costs are $1 per day. Money The Laotian currency is the kip. There are no coins. Notes come in denominations of 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 kip. The rate in August 2000 was 8,000 to 1 US$. Changing Money: Laos has a three-currency economy: kip, Thai Baht, and US dollars. All three are widely accepted in the .large towns. In fact, many restaurants have their bills stating all three. It is not unusual to be quoted a price in kip, pay in US dollars, and receive Thai Baht as change. It's best to carry small denominations of dollars or Baht and change them as you go, otherwise you might end up with a huge stack of kip that will be inconvenient to carry and difficult to spend. In rural areas, you should stick to Baht and kip. Travellers 'Cheques: All major banks in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, as well as the bigger hotels in Vientiane, will change travellers' cheques for cash US dollars or kip. When US dollars are required, a 0,5-1% commission applies. They are accepted for payment at some businesses, but it is much easier to carry cash instead. Credit Cards: The acceptance of credit cards is growing, especially at the better hotels, restaurants and shops. A surcharge is usually added. It is also possible to get cash US dollars at the bank, for which a surcharge of 3-5% applies. Security Basic Precatautions: To keep yourself safe while travelling, follow the same common-sense precautions you would exercise at home:
Mines & Munitions: The Bolovens Plateau, Xieng Khouang province, and areas along the Ho Chi Minh Trail are strewn with anti-personnel mines and bomblets discharged from cluster bombs. Many large unexploded bombs have been left lying around allover Laos, mainly in the countryside. They are very dangerous, so keep to existing tracks always and if you see any unknown objects on your way: DO NOT TOUCH. Top II Cambodia Hotel Reservations Health Vaccinations: Officially, no vaccinations are required except for cholera if coming from an infected area. However, it is strongly recommended you take full precautions and have yourself inoculated against cholera anyway, in addition to hepatitis, polio, rabies, tetanus, and typhoid. Food & Water: Although towns have access to safe water, less than a third of the countryside can claim the same. Therefore you should only dr.ink bottled water and carbonated drinks. All water and ice cubes served in restaurants and street stalls are purified and safe. Most restaurant food won't give you any problems and street stall food is usually fine if it has been well grilled. Do not swim in stagnant water; you run a high risk of contracting bilharzia. Malaria: The disease is spread by the Anopheles mosquito and the best protection against it is to avoid being bitten in the first place. Since the malarial variety of mosquito is active at night, you should take extra precautions after dark. These include having screens on the windows if you like fresh air while you sleep, mosquito netting, insect repellent (you may have trouble , finding it, so bring your own; Deep Woods Off is good), mosquito coils, or electric mosquito pads. When out and about, be sure to wear long- sleeved shirts and pants. Also, it is not a good idea to wear perfume or wash with scented soap; the mosquitoes are attracted by the odour. It is strongly advised to take anti-malarials as a precaution, but check with your physician. You will need to begin before your trip and continue for a time after you return. Be warned that especially with prolonged use, some anti- malarial drugs can have side effects and should only be taken on professional advice. Dengue fever, which is also transmitted by mosquitoes, is often mistaken for malaria. Aside from avoiding being bitten altogether, there is no prevention available. Only its symptoms can be treated, which are severe pain in the joints, high fever, and extreme headache. Taking several weeks to pass, the fever typically lasts two or three days, subsides, and then returns. Top II Cambodia Hotel Reservations Getting Around Air: For most people, Bangkok is the main gateway to Laos. It has excellent international travel connections, is probably one of the easiest places to get a Lao visa, and has regular flights to Vientiane. This, however, depends on where you are coming from and what your itinerary is. Lao Aviation currently serves Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Saigon. Within Laos: Lao Aviation has an extensive network throughout Laos, but the service is unreliable. Since there is not a steady supply of parts for their Chinese and Russian aircraft, planes do not always meet international civil aviation standards. There is a daily connection between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, probably the best way if you don't have a lot of time and have an ambitious itinerary. Boat: Laos is a mountainous country with no railway and few good roads. With the Mekong being such a prominent topographical feature, it is not surprising that it plays a significant role in communications and life in general -so much so that the broad blue stripe in the ~aotian flag represents the (brown) Mekong. The most typical Lao river craft, it is a wooden boat 72 feet (22 meters) long by 6.5 feet (2 meters) wide. There are no decks, the hold being enclosed by hinged side panels and a flat roof. Speedboats are also an option for the traveller with a tight schedule, though not always safe and therefore not always recommended. Nowadays some boats designed for tourist cruises sail the Mekong, e.g. one between Houeisay and Luang Prabang and one between Pakse and the 4,000 Islands in the far South of Laos. Bus: The most common long journey bus runs between Vientiane and Luang Prabang and it takes around 10 hours. Manu tourists nowadays stop at Vang Vieng and spend a night there before continuing the last stretch of their journey. Since Laos is mountainous and its road conditions poor. Journeys can be long and exhausting, although you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. During the rainy season, between June and September, roads are frequently impassable. Taxi / Tuk-Tuk / Samlor: There are not many taxis in Laos, and most of them are very old. Taxis are not normally metered, so your fare is negotiable. Tuk-tuks are three-wheel motorbike taxis with two bench seats in the back. They are readily available, and provide a local experience, though not very comfortable. You may still be able to find some samlors, three-wheel bicycle taxis. You should always negotiate a rate before setting of. Prices should be around 5,000-10,000 kip per ride in town. At night, rates tend to be higher. Top II Cambodia Hotel Reservations |