Living Slow in Luang Prabang

Upon arriving in Luang Prabang, I chose not to rush from place to place but instead leisurely strolled around, visited local cafes, wandered through alleys, explored rural markets, and artisanal craft markets to soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

Embracing Slow Travel in Luang Prabang

Beautiful Days in Luang Prabang

I heard that a few days before my arrival, Luang Prabang was plagued by rain and dreary weather, yet on the day I arrived, the sun shone brilliantly, almost as if it wanted to express gratitude for my return. The weather was sunny but not scorching, with morning mist offering a picturesque view of the surrounding mountains. As noon approached, the sun became radiant. There was not a drop of rain nor a trace of clouds. I must say, my days in Luang Prabang on this trip were absolutely stunning.

I must admit, I am a greedy and sentimental traveler as I find myself falling in love with two beautiful Laotian destinations simultaneously: Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. Since the first encounter with these 'two beauties' several years ago, I have secretly cherished them. With the assistance of my national airline, I revisited Vang Vieng once more, determined not to let the opportunity slip away. And this time, I returned to visit Luang Prabang, unwilling to be swayed by any distractions.

I didn't rush to go here and there but returned to Luang Prabang this time just to leisurely stroll around, visit local cafes, wander through alleys, go to the morning countryside market, and the evening artisanal craft market to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Luang Prabang, which is hard to find anywhere else.

The morning market in the two intersecting alleys like a T-shape in Luang Prabang is the most adorable market I've ever been to in my life... my own market. Stretching along both sides of the two small alleys, the morning market starts bustling from 6 a.m. and winds down around 9 a.m. It's absolutely quiet, gentle, with sellers and buyers speaking just enough to communicate without shouting, and everything is so orderly that I stayed in a hotel right next to the market without realizing I was beside it. All the produce grown or caught locally is displayed in a way similar to Vietnamese countryside markets but much more beautifully arranged. A few bundles of greens, some red and green peppers, a bunch of river prawns, a bit of small fish or wild bamboo shoots, a few bunches of wild strawberries, freshly picked tomatoes, or some beehives still sticky with honey and larvae... or some squash, banana blossoms, green tomatoes proudly showcasing their colors under the skillful arrangement of Laotian hands, making me passionately fascinated. So every early morning in Luang Prabang, I would wake up and go to the market, wander up and down those two alleys, gazing and admiring. It feels so familiar, like being back in the old days in the countryside, reminiscent of the days when there were fresh greens planted in front of my grandparents' house, and the kitchen was never short of ingredients as my grandmother would cut some for sale at the countryside market to earn money for books and toys...

Laotians are friendly, gentle, and honest. In my several visits to this country, I have never encountered anything to blame or complain about them. Sometimes their slowness, calmness, and extreme kindness make me a bit annoyed and envious because they have such a light-hearted and warm-hearted life without any hustle or deceit. I remember most vividly the welcoming attitude and genuinely friendly smile of the owner of the Xangkhong paper village or the innocent and honest friendliness of the tuk-tuk driver who took me to the waterfall... They are the factors that make Luang Prabang not only beautiful but even more beautiful.

Walking along the riverbank, I would stop by a cafe to enjoy delicious Laotian coffee, then visit a barbecue stall to inhale the fragrant aroma of grilled meat, or grilled fish with rich Laotian flavor dipped in divine sauce, paired with a superb Laotian beer. Laotians know how to love their own products through the difficulty of finding any beer other than Laotian beer in their country. And it's probably the water from the Mekong River here that makes Laotian beer taste so good that even someone like me, who doesn't drink much, finds it satisfying to have a bottle or two every day. My fondness for this land also lies in the gentle and kind-hearted manner of the vendors. Here, whether you buy anything or not, take pictures or shoot films, they are always cheerful, not to mention that many vendors also give you an additional warm smile! With such loveliness, it's no wonder Luang Prabang captures hearts, isn't it?

Laughter and loud chatter seem out of place in this land. Here, you must be gentle and quiet; otherwise, you'll stand out amidst a serene and quiet space where even the busiest market is as peaceful as a classroom. Perhaps I was lucky that the days I came, I didn't encounter noisy tourists. Perhaps I was truly fortunate that the days here were so cool and sunny, allowing me to spend serene mornings under the old roofs, and dreamy evenings under the golden twilight from the lofty Phousi hill.

There are countless things in Luang Prabang that enchant me, too many to count. But above all, it's the slow and peaceful way of life, the kind-hearted people, and the beautiful harmony of the river and mountains here.

Amidst the bustling world where people are competing more than cooperating, there are still places where people live slowly and peacefully, among which Luang Prabang stands out – a place where my heart was tied and now, just a few days after leaving, I find myself dreaming of this land again, searching for cheap tickets in hopes of returning soon to the gentle, lovely, and serene land by the flowing Mekong River.

Some insights about Luang Prabang:

– Getting there: Vietnam Airlines and Laos Aviation offer daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. AirAsia & Bangkok Airways fly from Bangkok, and AirAsia flies from Kuala Lumpur. You can also take a bus, but the roads are quite challenging and time-consuming.

– Accommodation: There are hostels, hotels, and resorts available. Luang Prabang is quite small, so don't hesitate to stay anywhere as you can walk or bike everywhere.

– Dining: There are plenty of morning and night markets, especially along the banks of the Mekong River, where you can have a wide selection of options. Laotian grilled dishes and sticky rice are delicious, and some Laotian dishes resemble those of Thailand.

– Activities: Visit Kuang Si Waterfall (take a tuk-tuk, around 200,000 kip for a round trip, waiting time about 2-3 hours); Tad Sae Waterfall (take a tuk-tuk, around 150,000 kip for a round trip); Climb Phousi Hill to watch the sunset; Take a boat ride or cross the river on an elephant; Wake up early to watch the monks' alms-giving ceremony; Visit paper and silk-making villages; Relax at riverside cafes with Lao beer or coffee; Cycle around Luang Prabang; Experience Lao massage...

By Thiện Nguyễn/Ngôi Sao

***

Reference: Travel guide from Mytour