A new rail link between Bangkok and Vientiane is on track with a trial run set for July 2024, according to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

SRT executives held talks with their counterparts in Laos recently to discuss the launch of the service between Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station and Vientiane’s Khamsavath Station.

A successful trial has already been conducted between Udon Thani and Nong Khai stations, in Northern Thailand with Thanalaeng and Vientiane stations in Laos on 21 May 2024, but the test earmarked for 12-13 July 2024 will involve a run of the entire route. The SRT has provided training to Lao railway staff in station management, train operations and ticket sales.

For the latest updates about the rail service or travel advice in the region, contact our teams at Asian Trails Laos and Asian Trails Thailand.

Asian Trails is delighted to welcome French national Francois Guillot as our new General Manager for Laos.

Passionate about travelling and discovering new cultures, Francois began his tourism career in Europe and North Africa where he guided and organised tours.

He first visited South-East Asia in 2002 and was captivated by the region’s people, food, history and cultures. This prompted him to pursue a professional career in Laos, taking on roles as general manager, business consultant and technical advisor for various tourism and community development projects nationwide.

Commenting on Laos’ transformation over the last 20 years, Francois said that although travel around the country has become more convenient due to modern transport developments, such as the Laos-China high-speed rail link, the nation’s diverse cultures and landscapes remain as charming as ever.

Having joined Asian Trails’ family, Francois is looking forward to leading our Laos team to new heights and sharing his extensive destination knowledge with clients and partners. Reach out to Francois and our team in Laos at res@asiantrailslaos.com.

One of Laos’ leading natural attractions has been enhanced with the addition of a new adventure zipline and a suspended café.

Located just outside Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Waterfalls has long enticed visitors with its spectacular cascades and turquoise pools within a lush rainforest. The creation of five ziplines, over a 1,467-metre course, enables adrenaline-seekers to soar above the tree tops and get a new and unique perspective of the multiple waterfalls in this idyllic area.

The activity starts with a climb up 542 steps to The View platform to enjoy excellent local coffee and an amazing panorama of the greenery unfolding below, ahead of strapping up for the thrilling ride. Asian Trails’ guests can enjoy a wide range of experiences at the falls, including swimming in freshwater pools and exploration of a bear conservation centre.

To enhance your Laos itinerary with this new zipline experience, please contact Asian Trails Laos.

Asian Trails’ Laos team recently returned from a three-day team building trip in the northern provinces of Nong Khiaw and Muang Noi.

Staff undertook hotel inspections and enjoyed fun games and activities designed to enhance relationships and build collaboration skills. A key element of the trip was a sustainable approach while travelling and staff brought along their refillable water bottles to prevent any waste.

This immersion into the northern region’s cultural and natural wonders is part of our group-wide approach to ensure our staff are at the forefront of product and location knowledge so we can build on exceptional service standards and deliver a wealth of diverse products that meet all demands.

For advice about planning a trip in Northern Laos or elsewhere in this amazing country, please access: Asian Trails Laos.

Asian Trails always encourages team members to take part in CSR activities that help preserve and protect the communities and environments we live in.

In Laos, three Asian Trails’ staff joined a group of 43 volunteers to help pick up rubbish in the streets of the country’s leading tourism draw of Luang Prabang.

Saita Kiatikhema, our Business Development Manager, Bounthiem Chanthanone, our Operations Manager, and Thongkhan Thongkham, our Accounting / Administrator, spent two hours of their Saturday morning cleaning the peninsula of Luang Prabang, an area frequented by tourists and locals alike.

The activity was organised by Trash Idol, a volunteer organisation focused on improving waste management and other environmental issues, with support from the city’s Urban Development and Administration Authority. The group organises monthly activities to help keep the city clean, as well as projects that help preserve the region’s unique heritage and nature.

For details about how to give back or take part in community activities, contact Asian Trails Laos.

Asian Trails’ mission to make travel more sustainable is not just about promoting more responsible tours and experiences, it is also about adopting more responsible practices within our team. By making small changes in our daily routines, we can collectively have a big impact.

Our team in Laos has taken the initiative to make our office a ‘No Single-use Plastic Zone’. Each team member received a reusable container and an eco-friendly tote bag, which they are now putting to good use instead of plastic take-away boxes and plastic shopping bags.

Non-biodegradable plastic waste can destroy the earth’s ecosystems and has harmful effects on wildlife, both on land and at sea. By taking these actions within our own team, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint and raise awareness about the negative impacts of single-use plastics.

The sky’s the limit for South-East Asian tourism with travel to and around the region set to become more convenient through extra flight options.

Prominent among these is the resumption of Emirates’ daily Phnom Penh service via Singapore – boosting the airline’s South-East Asian connectivity to and from Dubai – from 1 May 2024. The Cambodian capital’s renewed schedule with the Lion City is conveniently timed, providing optimal connecting opportunities with major airports in Europe and the US.

Lao Airlines is set to resume direct flights between Vientiane and Phnom Penh from 19 March 2024. The service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Cambodia Airways will launch direct flights between Phnom Penh and Kuala Lumpur from 11 April 2024. The service will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The airline is also considering additional routes to other Malaysian destinations, such as Penang, which would further enhance connections between the two nations.

Cambodia Angkor Air recently revised the launch date of flights to India, with a Phnom Penh to Delhi service set to take-off on 16 June 2024. This will operate four times a week once the route is confirmed.

Looking further ahead, Vietnam Airlines will fly to and from Munich, Germany starting from 2 October 2024. The airline will utilise its Boeing 787-9 aircrafts to service the new routes, which will provide smoother connections to Europe from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Flights will operate twice weekly from Hanoi, on Mondays and Saturdays, and once weekly from Ho Chi Minh City, on Tuesdays. A second weekly flight from Ho Chi Minh City on Thursdays will be added in December.

For advice about how to plan a journey across Asia with the best routes and connections, please contact Asian Trails.

Asian Trails is proud to have been part of a successful MICE event in Luang Prabang, Laos. With its well-preserved architecture, stunning natural scenery and rich cultural heritage, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang is the ideal destination for MICE.

The delegates enjoyed a series of activities that incorporated various elements of Lao life, from culture to nature and art, cuisine and more!

Our teams across the region are ready to help plan memorable and one-of-a-kind journeys for your clients’ next event. Reach out to us or consult one of our dedicated MICE experts at Asian Trails.

Since the launch of the high-speed Laos-China railway line, our beautiful South-East Asian nation has become much easier to access. The train network offers fast and convenient connections between Laos and China and is set to become an important regional link with other ASEAN countries in the future.

Travelling on the Laos-China train has become a popular way to travel due to its low cost and, most importantly, low carbon emissions. As part of our mission to make travel more sustainable, Asian Trails is developing a cross-border programme to showcase the beauty of Laos and China using the high-speed rail route.

Starting in Kunming, China, the train passes several ancient landmarks before taking guests over the border into Laos, revealing a stunning landscape of rugged mountains and sweeping valleys. After exploring Northern Laos and Luang Prabang, the journey continues south to the capital Vientiane.

This trip can also be done in reverse, from Vientiane to Kunming, offering flexibility. Stay tuned for the launch of some exciting Asian Trails’ rail excursions later this year.

Happy Trails!

Phouangsy Phommixay
Interim General Manager, Asian Trails Laos