Laos, the landlocked country in Southeast Asia, is known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and laid-back atmosphere. However, not everyone who visits Laos falls in love with the country. As a digital nomad traveler, I recently visited Laos in 2024 and found myself feeling underwhelmed by my experience. Here’s why I didn’t love Laos:
First and foremost, the infrastructure in Laos left much to be desired. As a digital nomad, reliable internet and transportation are essential for me to be able to work and explore the country. Unfortunately, I found that the internet in Laos was slow and unreliable, making it challenging to stay connected and be productive. Additionally, the transportation system in Laos was limited and often unreliable, making it difficult to navigate the country and explore all it has to offer.
Furthermore, while Laos is known for its natural beauty, I found that many of the popular tourist destinations were overcrowded and over-commercialized. From the bustling night markets to the crowded tourist hotspots, it often felt like I was just one of many tourists passing through rather than experiencing the authentic culture of Laos.
Additionally, as a digital nomad traveler, I value safety and security in the places I visit. Unfortunately, I found that Laos had a higher crime rate than I had anticipated, leading to feelings of unease and discomfort during my time there. While I understand that crime can happen anywhere, it was a factor that contributed to my overall lack of enjoyment in Laos.
Lastly, the food in Laos was another aspect that left me feeling disappointed. While I enjoy trying new foods and experiencing different cuisines, I found that the food in Laos was lackluster compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. The flavors were often bland and uninspiring, lacking the depth and complexity that I had come to expect from the region.
Overall, my experience in Laos as a digital nomad traveler in 2024 left me feeling underwhelmed and uninspired. While I can appreciate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the country, the lack of reliable infrastructure, overcrowded tourist attractions, safety concerns, and lackluster food all contributed to my overall lack of love for Laos. While I may not have loved Laos, I believe that every travel experience is subjective, and others may find joy and beauty in the country that I did not.
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I have no idea what it would be like traveling as a POC and I'm sorry you experienced that, it would be difficult. But I clicked on your video because I just visited Laos and had to leave because of the air quality.
Also my advice is that definitely go back in a few years.
I think some of your observations were because you were on a western backpacker trail, particularly the comment about the food as Lao food (and also Cambodian food) wrongly get compared to versions of Thai because when you eat at tourist backpacker restaurants they are making the same 5 dishes to tourist taste instead of their own. And if you went to a traditional restaurant you may not know the nuances of South East Asian dishes. The same with some of the experiences you had, which are typical on the banana pancake trail.
But that said, your experience is still valid. I backpacked like that in my 20s and actually hated Cambodia, and then just went back 15 years later because I had to leave Lao and I now love it. Still technically backpacking but after 15 years traveling what I seek out is a bit different and I've seen countries in new light.
So don't let anyone tell you that your experience is wrong. But be open to trying it again 🙂 sorry I left such a long comment, but I read the other comments and people can be so rude. I enjoyed your video style and you are allowed not to love countries that people rave about.
That was probably the worst travel clip I ever saw. Don't waste your time! > 50% about eating junk food (sorry, it shows).
Yes visit Laos and film yourself eating a Western baguette and a doughnut.