Originally Posted by
uanj
In a country where nothing seems to go according to plan or follow any rules, Lao Airlines is a nice surprise. Competent staff and well run company. The airports and immigration are a totally different matter. I don't mind Vientiane, but LP is a gem. I encourage anyone to go before China tourism resumes. I don't have anything against Chinese tourists, but LP is best experienced without crowds.
Surprisingly, I had more issues in Singapore leaving the country. The automated system alerted the officer to take me to the side booth with real humans and they had to take my passport and do some typing. Didn't have questions for me, but was let out of the booth pretty shortly. My traveling companion did not have the same issue with same country passport.
LP was definitely the trip highlight. I didn't realize it was also overrun with mainland Chinese tour groups already. The small airport does seem to have a good number of flights to China though. Laos had a good number of French tourists - clearly visiting due to its former history as a French colony. Reminds me of the two times I went to Angkor - the last time it was just overwhelmed with tour groups versus the time before which was about 10 years in between.