Is Laos better to avoid for mongering?

[Dazzer]

I've done a fair bit of travel in Asia, but haven't been to Laos, although I've heard it is cheap, the people friendly, food great and the French influence still pronounced i.e. architecture.

I visiting the Philippines, Thailand and Laos in October. I was hoping ppl might be able to answer a few questions about Loas.

1/ Are there any sights in the capital I should make a point of seeing?

2/ What is a good hotel i.e. clean, air-con, cable TV, secure and that doesn't charge extra to have a guest... oh, and that is also located near to the local night life.

3/ I'm not going there just for the ladies, but would like to meet some Lao freelancers? Any particular bars or night life areas I should try for this?

4/ Do girsl speak some English?

5/ Is taxi the best way to get from the airport to your hotel, and if so, how much should it be roughly?

6/ Anything outside the capital worth seeing or areas outside the capital for girls?

If anyone can answer any of these questions it will be much appreciated. I frequent Asia a couple of times a year and will report on what action I find.

Regards

Dazzer

[MondaysChilde]

I can tell you, Laos is not for the inexperienced SE Asian monger.

It is not a straight shot like BKK.

The Viets are still Socialists, and still control Laos, and still are not your friends.

[Indigo Blue]

Agree in the fact you should not go to Laos only for sex or you'll be disappointed. Been in the Anuc hotel. 125000 Kip (18USD). Very nice place, you will like it. No problems getting the girls upstairs. Has a "disco" in the facilities, with a band, maybe 5 customers and some 50 girls!!! No doubt they go to your room (The pimp there will say it's not allowed, but that he will arrange it for a fee. No way), but I was unable to find one that speak any english, so I left. If you don't mind or you speak any thai is a nice option. All in all, I took three girls in two days: One each night in the bars close to the hospital, river side (for free, just hang around beside the bar table and keep an eye on the girls. Watch out for the katoey!) and another one the second afternoon. A waitress in a small restaurant in T. Nokeo Khumman/T. Fa Ngum, by the river. All in all nice, but can not compare with Thailand.

Also I want to point out a very nice beer bar in Huay Xay (the only one in all the f****** northern Laos!!!) rent a Dream (150 bath, I went walking, but maybe is a little tricky. Not because the Lao, for sure!) and drive some 4 Km in the road to Luang Nam Tha. Impossible to miss the coloured lights. Some are very good looking girls. Bargain as hell to the 100000/150000 Kip depending on the girl.

It's a safe, kind of sleepy country. Have fun!!!

[Mega]

IMHO, I think it is not worth it to go to Vientiane/Laos for sex.
Just for visa (need one photo) is US31.00 and when you depart from the airport, you had to pay US10.00 for airport tax.
Lao Plaza Hotel cost US100 for single standard room or US120.00 for double. around 5600baht per night. Other hotel run at 800 to 1000 baht per night.
As the two other members said don't compare with Thailand, nor in quantity nor in price. but quality can be good.
Working girls are at 1000baht ST and 2000baht LT if you ask the mamasan in the night club to get one for you as some girls are not into this.
If you got a TG and go over by Nong Khai, Thailand. Ask the TG to make a border pass which is done in 30mins at the town council anyday. Thais can stay for three days in Laos with the border pass. Just ready a photo and IC photostated copy.
Taking a TG and have a holiday over in Vientiane is another story.
Remember to bring US dollars and when you convent to laos kip, you will be a bloody millionaire.

[Fslag338]

Been to Laos this month. In general: do not compare it to Thailand, nor in quantity nor in price. However, quality can be good.
Vientiane: you have two options - go to a disco/club where they have girls (btw these are not real brothels, but only offer this extra service) best I found where Anou and Lane Xang hotel. Or go and pick-up one of the many girls hanging around some spots in the city: around 9 pm try Samloh pub (don't expect too much). Better: go around 10 pm to the Chess cafe and the place next door (forgot the name). You find the chess cafe 100 m from the hospital at the river (or take a moto-taxi). Don't forget almost every place closes at 23.30!
I found the self-working girls more motivated and less professional. Prices however are high compared to Thailand and Cambodia: around USD 25 / 1000 thai baht for the night. Which would give you only a short hand job in Holland where I come from, so everything is relative!). Usually the girls are very nice and would like to be taken for the day also, if they like you.

I post some comment on Luang Prabang also.

I had a lot of fun because of this terrifec site, so I hope I can help you guys a little now. Enjoy!

[BassGod]

I stayed at the Lane Xiang Hotel for historical reasons. The rooms wher $20. While you can pay for anything in Laos with Either Dollars, Thai Baht, or Lao Kip, the hotels all set there prices in Dollars and charge you a penalty if you want to pay in another currency.
It's easy to get Dollars in Laos (not like in Cambodia) so you only have to bring enough with you to pay the entry fee of $31, I paid mine in Baht but they gave me a bad conversion rate and I got a little screwed.
My first night in Laos I went to the night club in the Hotel. I was taken to a seat and the host asked if he could get anything for me. I ordered Beer Lao. Then he said "I have lady for you", I said "sure". thats how easy it was. The problem was that the Lane xiang does not allow you to bring guests. The Ekalath Metropole does allow guests however. and the rooms are only $15, it's a little funky for my taste. It also has a night club and a snooker club on the bottom floor where you can meet girls. I only paid about $20-$25 a day to the lady.

[Bill]

Bassgod, please give us examples and price quotes on the pick up scene in Laos. Any other pertinent info like hotel recommendations and ways to pass free time will be appreciated!

[BassGod]

I recently spent some time in Vientiane and found it's reputation of being Sanuk unfriendly to be greatly exagerated. If anyone would like some information please ask

[Admin]

It's against the law for a foreigner to have sex with a Lao person outside of marriage

Is it realy true?

I see the same two Lao guys sitting at a table drinking whisky and on the table was what I believe to be a 45 caliber handgun. They saw me walk by and just starred at me, I smiled and they didn't smile back.

Are this kind of scams / robbery common in Laos? The possibility of being pointed by a 45 caliber gun can kill of the pleasure of mongering (at least for me).

I'm hesitating between Burma and Laos for going for a trip, sightseeing and mongering. Does somebody have any experience in those 2 countries?

Is the conclusion from Amjeck experience that Laos is better to avoid for mongering?

I know that for mongering Thailand is better but I'the like to combine stopover in Bangkok with some new experience. However not with 45 caliber experience.

Probably