"In Vientiane, most eateries and bars close by ... water on Buddha images during New Year celebrations. My walking tour ended at Hor Phra Keo, which stands on the other side of Setthathilath ...

"Vientiane Railway Station" is emblazoned in ... weeks or even years to learn it," says tour guide Somjai Ken. Some only stay for a few weeks, others for a lifetime.

“The wise do not hurry and those in a hurry are rarely wise,” says our tour guide, Kham Dee, citing an old Laotian proverb as he slowly steers the boat in the direction of the Pak Ou ...