• By Shelly Bui

1. Traditional Dishes and Beerlao

Many tourists who come to Laos are most of the time unsure about the food specialties of Laos. However, upon arriving on board you will get to enjoy the perfected from of Laos cuisines with famous dishes such as:

Laap – a salad dish that contain healthy dose of meat and balance between protein and fibers. 

Various cuisine on Laos river cruise

Sticky rice – despite being a common dish among other neighbor countries, Laos was able to set themselves apart from others is the pure deliciousness of each grain of rice. 

If you have set foot in Laos, you need to get yourself a cup of Beerlao right away. One of the national pride, Beerlao is very highly regarded and very refreshing. So much so people are printing and making t-shirts with Beerlao’s logo and they sell like hot cakes.

Beerlao - National drink

2. Morning Yoga

Early morning yoga session in the cruise setting is very much perfect with the tranquility apart from the nature calls like birds, bugs and jungle’s rustles. While you practice and push your body to the limit, the fresh morning air will further cleanse your body and mind to help you achieve an even higher athletic form. A cruise that has morning yoga instructor is Anouvong.

Early morning yoga sessions are good for your health

3. Spa

Another place that helps you enhance your mind and body is spa. This could be done during the free time and an hour or half with the therapist on board could help you completely drop away all the stress and worry. Help you revitalize yourselves after a long excursion. There are spa on board of Anouvong and Mekong Pearl.

The spa on board of Anouvong

4. Baci Ceremony

A traditional ceremony performed by the Lao people and by Buddhist monks. First there will be praying, chanting and offering. Afterward, a string will be tied to your wrists as a blessing of good luck and healthy life and followed by a feast and drink. This ceremony is performed in some selected cruises only.

The Baci Ceremony

5. Traditional Dance and Music Performance

The traditional dance and music performance of Laos could remind some travelers of the equivalence from Cambodia or Thailand. One difference is that with Laos, the movement is way slower and more elegant. This also helps passenger to catch on very easily. Many professional dance show will happen on cruise especially when it moors near Luang Prabang or Vientiane.

Lao woman and girls dancing

6. Cooking Class & Cooking Demonstration

While on board, you can enjoy some of the best delicacies of the country so some must be curious of how to recreate these dishes at home. To sate your curiosity, the crew members also arrange cooking demonstration on board to help you learn some basic dishes like laap and spring roll. In the class you can also learn about the regularly used herbs and spices of the country

Join cooking class on Laos river cruises