travel to laos from singapore

Fly Singapore Airlines to Laos

Often overlooked in favour of its better-known neighbours, Laos remains one of Southeast Asia's most enchanting destinations. Its beauty lies in the Lao people, century-old heritage and pristine landscape.

Celebrated as the land of natural beauty, Laos is one of the best places for those who want to immerse in an authentic tranquil experience. A visit to Laos is, in many ways, a trip back in time. Travelers are drawn by a laid-back lifestyle that has disappeared elsewhere in the region. Even the capital Vientiane feels like a relaxed riverfront town.

Search flights

From Brussels we offer good interline options to our European gateways (Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London and Zurich among others) for your connection to Singapore and beyond. From Singapore, low cost subsidiary Scoot offers flights to Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

• Fare deals to Laos

The Singapore Airlines destinations in Laos

Despite being the capital and commercial hub of Laos, Vientiane is surprisingly quaint and laid back. Located along the Mekong River in the north of Laos, the nation’s largest city boasts its own curious blend of traditional temples, French colonial buildings and an increasingly cosmopolitan café scene. Despite a flood of investment in recent years, with boutique hotels and shopping malls springing up across the city, Vientiane has managed to retain its old world charm and remains an idyllic destination for a retreat.

• Fare deals to Vientiane

Luang Prabang

Nestled within the mountains of northern Laos, the UNESCO-listed city of Luang Prabang is a place where time stands still. As the capital of the ancient Lao kingdom of Lane Xang, and the Buddhist capital of Laos, Luang Prabang is a city steeped in legend. Remnants of its mythical past can be found in the treasure trove of cultural and religious attractions that dot the city.

• Fare deals to Luang Prabang

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• Thailand Lantern Festival
• Indonesia(Bali)
• South Korea
• China (HK, Taiwan)
• Itinerary Ideas
• Asia Highlights Travel Reviews
• Thailand Travel Reviews
• Vietnam Travel Reviews
• Cambodia Travel Reviews
• Japan Travel Reviews
• Myanmar Travel Reviews
• China Travel Reviews

• How to Plan a Trip to Laos
• Visa and Entry Policy
• Best time to Visit Laos

Best Places to Visit in Laos

• How Long to Stay in Laos
• Travel Cost in Laos
• Transport in Laos

Some of the words most frequently used to describe Laos are ancient and tranquil: much of Laos remains untouched and not frequently visited.

Travelers to Laos will find endless UNESCO World Heritage sites to discover, beautiful old towns, stunning natural landscapes, lots of adventure and outdoor activities for everybody to enjoy, as well as a unique window into many diverse ethnic arts and cultures.

Laos is great to visit on its own, but can also be easily added onto a trip to its neighboring countries of Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, China, or Myanmar.

Laos Visas and Travel Restrictions

Entry policy: Laos now is fully reopened to travelers. From January 1st, 2022, international travelers can enter Laos without quarantine.

Visa policy: Nationalities that can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival for Laos include: Australia, Canada, EU citizens, the UK, and the US. You can also apply for an eVisa online in advance if you prefer.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Best Times to Visit Laos

Laos is a great destination all year round. It has two seasons that make up its tropical monsoon climate: the dry season from November to April, and the rainy season from May to October.

The best time to visit Laos is between November to April , during the dry season. The weather is comfortable for outdoor activities, including trekking, kayaking, rock climbing, and river rafting. Because it is the high season of tourism in Laos, more people can be seen in the top attractions, but there won't be as large crowds as in Thailand. Trip costs during high season are a bit higher than normal.

We promise you enjoy 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure ( detail⇒ ).

During the rainy season, you can expect much more rain in Laos, and few people choose this time to visit Laos. It is a good chance to save money and enjoy a less crowded trip if you are on a tight budget.

Similar to Songkran Festival celebrations in Thailand, Laos people celebrate their New Year between April 14th and April 16th. If you want to experience the Lao New Year, visit Laos during that time. Read more about the best time to visit Laos

Although a beautiful landlocked country, Laos is the least-visited destination in Southeast Asia. Travelers who visit Laos are impressed by the various limestone mountains, spectacular waterfalls, and historical buildings as well as the delicious Thai and Indian flavors of local Laos food.

1. Luang Prabang: History, Culture, Temples

Your (likely) entry and exit point to Laos, Luang Prabang, is one of the most popular spots to visit in Laos! Walk through the old town, visit the morning market, and explore Xieng Thong Temple and the Royal Palace Museum. Luang Prabang is also a great place to sample Laotian cuisine, and a starting point for bike rides into the countryside, trips to waterfalls, and boat rides up the Mekong.

Spend some hours to visit the Elephant Village Sanctuary if you have seen the highlights of Luang Prabang. The Village mainly functions as a center for conservation of elephants. There you can see the elephants in a peaceful, natural living environment. It is a fun activity to feed and wash the elephants, especially if you are traveling with kids.

2. Vientiane: Capital, Temples, Night life

As the capital of Laos, the city displays an interesting combination of ornate Buddhist temples and interesting French colonial architecture. Recommended sights to visit include Wat Si Saket temple, Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), and Pha That Luang, a massive golden temple. There is enough to keep you exploring for a few days.

3. Vang Vieng: Karst Landscapes, Trekking

Often referred to as a backpackers' paradise, Vang Vieng is a small town halfway between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. You'll find beautiful karst landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities to do there that range from rock climbing to trekking, kayaking, and rafting.

4. Pakse: Khmer Ruins, Waterfall, Temples

Located near the Thai border, Pakse is a charming town that is a wonderful base to explore the Laotian south from. Some people stay a day to visit the town and head off to Thailand, but you can also go on many beautiful trips into the local area to visit, for example, the amazing Khmer ruins at Wat Phu and the stunning islands near the Cambodian border called Si Phan Don.

How Long to Stay in Laos — Sample Laos Tour Itinerary

How many days to spend in Laos? It really depends on your travel budget and your vacation times. Most of our clients spend 3–5 days in Laos, covering Luang Prabang and one of Vang Vieng or Vientiane. The following are some of the most popular tour arrangements in Laos.

3-Day Luang Prabang Trip

Day 1: Visit the Royal Palace and its museum. Then explore Wat Mai Palace and walk the scenic and character-filed Sisavangvong Peninsula Road.

Day 2: Take part in one of Luang Prabang's most ancient rituals, and explore the morning market. Cycle out to Ban Xong Kong Village and visit the Elephant Village Sanctuary.

Day 3: Explore the Kuang Si Waterfalls and Kuang Si Butterfly Park as well as the Free the Bears rescued bear sanctuary.

If you want to explore Laos more deeply, you can add the following tour itineraries into your trip to makes it an 8-day tour.

A Typical 8-Day Trip Itinerary in Laos: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane

Days 1–3: Luang Prabang (see above for the 3-day Luang Prabang itinerary)

Days 4 to 5: Vang Vieng

Explore tranquil Vang Vieng and all the natural beauty it has to offer. Featured activities in Vang Vieng include kayaking, tubing, rafting, and rock climbing.

Days 6 to 8: Vientiane

Pay a visit to Wat Si Saket temple, the Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), and Pha That Luang (a massive golden temple). Explore the Vientiane night market one night to sample some of the local delicacies and pick up your souvenirs to take back home!

Top Southeast Asia Tour Itineraries Including Laos

Laos is a small country in Southeast Asia. If you are visiting Southeast Asia for the first time, we recommend you cover some of the other countries in your trip. Most of our clients prefer 2 to 3 weeks for their first Southeast Asia trip. The most popular tour itineraries usually include Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. Get some inspiration from our 14-Day Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Tour — Sync with Indochina's Heartbeat.

For a trip of 20–30 days, you can enjoy an in-depth tour of the whole peninsula area (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos). Check out our 28-Day Grand Indochina Tour for more info. The above sample itineraries are just for your information. You are welcomed to contact our experienced 1:1 tour consultant for a tailor-made itinerary.

Travel Costs for Laos

Travel costs in Laos are lower than in other Southeast Asian countries. For the price of a mediocre restaurant in Western countries, you can enjoy a good meal at a high-quality restaurant in Laos.

• For backpackers , the budget is around 30–50 USD/day per person (hostels, street food, local public transportation).
• For a medium budget , it will cost around 50–80 USD/day per person (3-star hotels, sit-down restaurants, tuk-tuks, taxies sometimes).
• For a higher standard and a more comfortable experience, US$150–200/day per person is needed (4/5-star hotels, nice meals, private guide, and transfers).

How to Get To and Around Laos

Getting to laos: flights via bangkok.

The best way to get to Laos is by flight. There are airports in the major cities of Laos, including Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse.

There are no direct flights outside of Asia. Most travelers come to Laos via Bangkok, Thailand. There are flights between Bangkok and Vientiane or Luang Prabang. It takes about 1 hour to fly from Bangkok to Vientiane and 2 hours from Bangkok to Luang Prabang.

Getting Around in Laos

When you are in Laos, the main ways to get from one place to another are buses, trains, private car/taxi, and a tour with a travel agency. Traveling by bus can be challenging in Laos, as the roads are not maintained well and it is hard to drive in the rainy season. The newly built high-speed railway, which runs through Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane is another option for long distance transport. The most comfortable way is by hire car or booking a tour with a travel agency.

Connecting to Other Southeast Asian Countries

For travelers who want to visit Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar, you can easily book a flight from Laos' capital city Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Contact us if you want to book a multi-destinations tour in Southeast Asia.

Traveling with Asia Highlights

As one of the leading tour companies in Asia, we have been providing travel services for more than 20 years to thousands of satisfied customers. Let us know your requirements and interests for a tailor-made tour of Laos to fulfill your holiday dreams. Contact us now.

Why Asia Highlights (10,000+ reviews & 98.8% 5-star rating)

• Save Your Time:
• Less research, more enjoyment!
• Real-time 1V1 expert planning
• Maximize Your Flexibility:
• Personal local guide and ride
• Explore at your own pace
• Celebrate Your Journeys:
• Specially-crafted family adventures
• Celebrate milestones with style!
• 12-Day Laos to Vietnam Tour
• 28-Day Grand Indochina Tour: Myanmar - Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia - Thailand
• 14-Day Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Itinerary: Premium Private Tour
• 21-Day China, Laos, and Thailand Discovery
• How to Plan a Trip to Southeast Asia 2024 (First-Timers' Guide)
• 2 Weeks in Southeast Asia: Top 6 Itineraries for 2024/2025
• Southeast Asia Itinerary for 3 Weeks: Best 5 Ideas in 2024
• Laos Weather in January 2024
• Laos Weather in February 2024
• Laos Weather in March 2024
• Laos Weather in April
• Laos Weather in May 2024
• Laos Weather in June 2024
• Laos Weather in July 2024
• Laos Weather in August 2024
• Laos Weather in September 2024
• Laos Weather in October 2024
• Laos Weather in November 2024
• Laos Weather in December 2024

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

More Travel Ideas and Inspiration

Sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why Asia Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Middle East
• African Safari
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty Program
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

• The Star ePaper
• Subscriptions
• Manage Profile
• Change Password
• Manage Logins
• Manage Subscription
• Transaction History
• Manage Billing Info
• Manage For You
• Manage Bookmarks
• Package & Pricing

China’s AI startups head to Singapore in a bid for global growth

Tuesday, 02 Jul 2024

Related News

US-China chip fight looks set to continue

China cognac probe a reaction to eu car tariffs, asking for help - top myanmar general in china for official visit to seek armed assistance to fight rebels.

FILE PHOTO: AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters and robot hand miniature in this illustration taken, June 23, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Singapore: When Wu Cunsong and Chen Binghui founded their artificial intelligence (AI) startup two years ago in Hangzhou, China, they quickly ran into obstacles, including dearth of venture capital.

This March, they did what scores of other Chinese AI firms have done and moved their company, Tabcut, 4,023km south-west to Singapore.

The business-friendly country offers Wu and Chen better access to global investors and customers at a time when elevated geopolitical tensions keep many US and international firms away from China.

Equally crucial for an AI startup, they can buy Nvidia Corp’s latest chips and other cutting-edge technologies in the politically neutral island nation, something that would have been impossible in China because of US export controls.

“We wanted to go to a place abundant with capital for financing, rather than a place where the availability of funds is rapidly diminishing,” Wu said in an interview.

Singapore is emerging as a favourite destination for Chinese AI startups seeking to go global. While the city-state – with an ethnic Chinese majority – has long attracted companies from China, AI entrepreneurs in particular are accelerating the shift because trade sanctions imposed by the United States on their homeland block their access to the newest technologies.

A base in Singapore is also a way for companies to distance themselves from their Chinese origins, a move often called “Singapore-washing”.

That’s an attempt to reduce scrutiny from customers and regulators in countries that are China’s political opponents, such as the United States.

The strategy doesn’t always work: Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd moved the headquarters for its TikTok business to Singapore, but the popular video service was still hit by a new US law requiring the sale or ban of its American operations over security concerns.

Chinese fashion giant Shein, which also moved its base to Singapore, has faced intense criticism in the United States and is now aiming to go public in London instead of New York.

But for AI startups, more is at stake than just perception. AI companies amass large amounts of data and rely on cutting-edge chips to train their systems, and if access is restricted the quality of their product will suffer. The United States has blocked sales of the most sophisticated chips and other technologies to China, to prevent them from being used for military and other purposes. OpenAI, the American generative-AI leader, is curbing China’s access to its software tools.

China has also taken a strict approach to AI-generated content, trying to ensure it complies with the ruling Communist Party’s policies and propaganda.

The country made one of the world’s first major moves to regulate nascent technology last July, asking companies to register their algorithms with the government before they roll out consumer-facing services.

That means that AI developers “won’t be able to engage in free explorations if they are in China”, said a founder of consulting firm Linkloud, who asked to be identified only by his first name Adam because of the sensitivity of the subject.

He estimated that 70% to 80% of Chinese software and AI startups target customers globally, with many now choosing to skip China altogether. Linkloud is building a community for Chinese AI entrepreneurs exploring global markets.

Singapore’s AI regulations are less stringent and it’s known for the ease of setting up a company. The country wants to be a bridge between entrepreneurs from Asia and the world, said Chan Ih-Ming, executive vice-president of the Singapore Economic Development Board.

“Many businesses and startups, including Chinese ones, choose Singapore as their hub for South-East Asia and see Singapore as a springboard to global markets,” he said. The city-state was home to more than 1,100 AI startups at the end of 2023, he said.

While Singapore doesn’t disclose data by country, evidence of China-based AI companies setting up shop is mounting.

Jianfeng Lu is a pioneer of the trend, having moved to Singapore from the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing to establish his AI startup Wiz Holdings Pte in 2019. With backing from Tiger Global, GGV Capital and Hillhouse Capital, he built its speech recognition AI engine from the ground up, and sold customer-service bots to clients in Latin America, South-East Asia and northern Africa. He didn’t sell in China, a move his fellow founders term prescient.

“If you want to be a global startup, better begin as a global startup,” the 52-year-old entrepreneur said. — Bloomberg

Tags / Keywords: China , artificial intelligence , AI , startup , venture capital

Found a mistake in this article?

Report it to us.

Thank you for your report!

THIS IS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Next in business news.

Trending in Business

Air pollutant index, highest api readings, select state and location to view the latest api reading.

• Select Location

Source: Department of Environment, Malaysia

Others Also Read

Best viewed on Chrome browsers.

We would love to keep you posted on the latest promotion. Kindly fill the form below

Thank you for downloading.

We hope you enjoy this feature!

Best Laos Tour & Travel Packages from Singapore

• Dates & Price

• Departure Dates

Text: A A A Print ECNS Wire

• Laos officially commences 15-day visa-free policy for Chinese tourists

(ECNS) -- Lao's 15-day visa-free policy for Chinese tourists officially took effect on Monday, according to a document issued by the Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Laos.

The document states that ordinary tourists from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan who are accompanied by travel agents are  eligible for the policy .

The policy, which commenced on July 1 and lasts until December 31 this year, is designed to encourage tourism and strengthen cultural and economic ties between Laos and China.

"As 2024 is the Visit Laos Year, we hope that we will have more tourists coming to Laos," said Darany Phommavongsa, Lao deputy minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, in a previous interview. 

Phommavongsa noted that Laos welcomed more than 3.4 million international visitors in 2023.

China sends Zhongxing-3A satellite into space

Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link to put into trial operation

Offshore wind farm connected to grid for power generation

Xi attends conference marking 70th anniversary of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence

Cultural relics from Sanxingdui Ruins attract visitors in Beijing

8th China-Eurasia Expo opens in China's Xinjiang

Water level of Liujiang River rises to 82.84 meters in SW China's Guangxi

Guangzhou's Nansha International Cruise Homeport officially opens

Roundtable held during China-U.S. Youth Exchange Week in Kuliang, Fuzhou

China Team unveils medal ceremony uniform for Paris Olympics

Tallest building in Hainan surpasses halfway construction point

Two scientists win China's top sci-tech award for 2023

In Numbers: 2024 Summer Davos

National Land Day: China's spectacular landscapes

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Polish President Andrzej Duda in Beijing

Extended metro line put into operation in Paris for upcoming Olympics

First cross-broader electric coach linking Hong Kong and Shenzhen starts operation

Lion dance on water cheers for dragon boat race

Picturesque scene of wild elk living in Tiaozini Wetland

Yak-riding race held in Lhasa

Chinese researchers discover new species of perleidid fish

In Numbers: 'China Travel' becomes a global buzzword

Miniature art exhibition restores lifestyle of Hong Kong People

Gorgeous scenery of Qumar River, north headwater of Yangtze River

Wild animals appear at the foot of Kunlun Mountains

Rescue work underway in First Ancestral Hall of Hakka

Guilin combats the city's most severe flooding since 1998

Badain Jaran Desert gets on 'green' look

China-Malaysia ties in numbers

30th Beijing International Book Fair kicks off

Hong Kong streets decorated to celebrate HKSAR's 27th anniversary

Huangmao cross-sea channel fully connected

Rescue teams rush to transfer flood-trapped people in Guilin

Chinese vocational school student ranks 12th in Alibaba Global Math Competition

World's largest liquid air energy storage demonstration project expected to be commissioned by end of the year

Shenzhen Window of the World celebrates 30th anniversary

Most popular in 24h, more top news.

• Separatists warned of severe penalties
• New high-speed railway line connects Lanzhou and Wuwei
• More foreigners travel to China as visa-free policy coverage expands
• Ministry of State Security warns public of 'spy eyes' in space

(W.E. Talk) Chinese scholar: Why is Marxism called a 'magnificent sunrise'?

10 world records set by Shenzhong Link