Foreigners dissapointed about Laos !!!

Date: Aug 18, 2009

Foreigners dissapointed about Laos !!!

SeeHarHed · Guru

Who cares!!!! Bastard is a cheap traveler anyways. What the hell is he/she thinking?? Only willing to fork out $10 per whole vacation???

Just leave if you're not happy!!!

Date: Aug 18, 2009

i was a very happy tourist. compared to other people in the region, the laos are among the most honest and helpful. i think it's just unfortunate that he encountered the "bad seed". there are always bad seed anywhere you go whether its the US, or Europe, or Asia. One thing I know is sure, there are soooooo fewwwww bad seeds in Laos. To each his own, we should respect a tourist's opinion of a place, even if he didn't like Laos.

http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2009/08/palawan-chronicles-part-1-revisiting.html

Date: Aug 18, 2009

It seems that they truely had bad experience in Laos.
Read the whole story at
http://moodtotravel.blogspot.com/

Ganda · Senior Member

I’ve just worked out what’s been bothering me, I think the Lao people are genuinely lovely and honest but the ones dealing with the tourists are dishonest and out to make a quick kip. It’s not at all what I expected. There are many places in the world that are the same; I’m disappointed Laos is one of them.

____________________________
I should say you did not learn your lessons. Its true that anywhere you go there are a lot of people taking advantage of tourists and most of them are the drivers. I have been to a lot of places and had same experience, but what can you do about it. You cant change the culture among drivers yourself but you can be streetwise. So here are my advise to you:

1. Refrain from asking directions from drivers (taxi, tuktuk, tricycle, etc.). Instead ask you hotels reception ahead of time about directions on places you want to go. If you are in the street, look for tourist info center or better ask locals, e.g. ordinary people, you may even get a bonus smile.
2. Better ask women for direction, you are a lot safer. And keep your charm, she may even accompany you if its only for a short distance
3.Study your map so that you will not be ignorant that the taxi driver is already taking you into circles to be able to charge more
4. Dont be too obvious that you are new to the place, even if you think you are lost, stay confident. just pretend you are looking around for something while your digging your brain out and looking for signs, until you figure out which way to go.
5. If you plan to buy souvenirs, do it early in the morning and separate your money. Keep only a few bills in your wallet, so that when you are really eager to buy something go ask for a discount and show the vendor that you only got a small amount. Usually they dont shoo away first buyer in the morning because of fear of bad luck for the rest of the day, so they will tend to give you the item at a lower price

These worked with me hundred times! smile Be smart! wink
Enjoy Laos and the rest of the world!

Date: Aug 18, 2009

you should thank the guy giving there oppinion, so youknow where to improve and better service. I have to agree with the guy.

Date: Aug 18, 2009

SeeHarHed wrote:

Who cares!!!! Bastard is a cheap traveler anyways. What the hell is he/she thinking?? Only willing to fork out $10 per whole vacation???

Just leave if you're not happy!!!

SeeHarHed,

I understand that you love Laos and your feeling got hurts when someone talk bad about our homeland, but calling somebody name who just honestly gave his or her opinion or experience is not cool. Myself never been back to Laos, but I've heard alot how Lao norks and foreigners are being taking advantage of and thats to me is not something I want to be proud of. As a matter of fact, to hear something like that is very dissappointing too. Wish the goverment of Laos is doing more to help solved the problem instead of being the crooks themself.

Date: Aug 19, 2009

Hay all your guys!!

Thanks for supported and love our homeland, I'm a new member of Samakomlao I have open this web every day before I start doing my work, I'm living in laos and never been to other westhern countries.
I do not intention to say a bad word with other person who has dissapointed about our country but If you compare with other countries in the region I'm sure Laos is one of the nice country and nice people.
Thanks for all support comments

ban nok · Senior Member

To any Lao people from Laos reading this... I went back and read a bunch more blog entries from the same person, they never seem to be happy, always have a hard time. I wouldn't take this too seriously.

Those tuk tuk drivers do like to take people to the Thai embassy!

Date: Aug 19, 2009

ban nok wrote:

To any Lao people from Laos reading this... I went back and read a bunch more blog entries from the same person, they never seem to be happy, always have a hard time. I wouldn't take this too seriously.

Those tuk tuk drivers do like to take people to the Thai embassy!

That is why I would say they never learned their lessons.

bip_01 · Senior Member

SeeHarHed wrote:

Who cares!!!! Bastard is a cheap traveler anyways. What the hell is he/she thinking?? Only willing to fork out $10 per whole vacation???

Just leave if you're not happy!!!

don't you think it's a bit harsh to call the person a bastard? the blogger was just blogging about their experience. blogs are bias so it shouldn't be taken too seriously.

Date: Aug 19, 2009

Are you Laotian or original from American or some country? Why you said that you disappoint about Laos, if you live in the USA and you travel in some state such as New York, California, i mean the big city. For example, in New York city if you have a 100 US what you will get from that may be you will get nothing just pay for taxi that will be all, Vientiane is not expensive like Japan, Tokyo. the most expensive living in the world is Tokyo, Japan, know that or you just travel only Laos
come mon man go to Japan and you will know how you gonna spend you money
ok

Date: Aug 19, 2009

I agree with you. Cost of living in Tokyo is quite expensive

Date: Aug 19, 2009

you are the most dumped ppls on earth!

Laos is one of poorest country. Laos start open country since 1995? if im not wrong.

200 years ago! Siam burn down Vientian 3 times!

that's why dont see must thing!

you think Lao ppls just waiting for you to come? MIllions ppls they Visited Laos they never complain!

stupid dont tell me you are the most stupid!

Date: Aug 19, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

SeeHarHed wrote:

Who cares!!!! Bastard is a cheap traveler anyways. What the hell is he/she thinking?? Only willing to fork out $10 per whole vacation???

Just leave if you're not happy!!!

SeeHarHed,

I understand that you love Laos and your feeling got hurts when someone talk bad about our homeland, but calling somebody name who just honestly gave his or her opinion or experience is not cool. Myself never been back to Laos, but I've heard alot how Lao norks and foreigners are being taking advantage of and thats to me is not something I want to be proud of. As a matter of fact, to hear something like that is very dissappointing too. Wish the goverment of Laos is doing more to help solved the problem instead of being the crooks themself.

I agree with the comment above. Calling she/he “a Bastard and a cheap traveller” is not nice and appropriate at all. What they said must have some truth in it, instead of getting angry at them we should take their comments on board and try to solve the problems.

In my opinion the Vientiane government / mayor should do more to improve services in Vientiane. For example: 1). Set a standard price for Tutuk drivers who take foreigners around the city so that they can take Tutuks without hassles. 2). Encourage tourists to report to the police the Tutuk drivers who try to sell them drug, and fine or ban the Tutuk drivers who break laws. If we can do this Vientiane will be a better place.

Date: Aug 19, 2009

Calling someone a Bastard because they express an opinion about somewhere they have visited is pretty pathetic. You visit some places which you like, you visit some you don't. That's life. You can't go calling people a Bastard because they say something you don't approve of. That's what travel is all about; formulating your own opinions on towns, countries, people, culture, rather than adopting a view or opinion of someone else.

A comment was made that if he didn't like the country then leave. I would suggest that if you don't like reading his blog, then don't...

Date: Aug 19, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

you are the most dumped ppls on earth!

Laos is one of poorest country. Laos start open country since 1995? if im not wrong.

200 years ago! Siam burn down Vientian 3 times!

that's why dont see must thing!

you think Lao ppls just waiting for you to come? MIllions ppls they Visited Laos they never complain!

stupid dont tell me you are the most stupid!

you are the most stupid, dumped ass Laotian ever seen.

Date: Aug 20, 2009

From : Lao People ( SB)

Hi! Anonymous !! Thanks a lot for your comment, I fully support you comments, I think this stupit foreigner is have not enought brain. or have head only for the hair.!!!

Thanks for all Lao friends who living in westhern countries and still supportting our Mother home land.

Date: Aug 20, 2009

Look like these travelers set theirr expectation too high, but want to travel on the cheap. It seems that they're not interested in learning other cultures and way of life. I'm not surprised that they're dissapointed. Laos just need to be herself, and that's what make Laos unique.

Date: Oct 29, 2009

Next trip for visit Vientiane please contact to me I will help you
I guarantee you will happy with your trip

welcome to Lao

Date: Oct 29, 2009

RE: Foreigners disappointed about Laos !!!

Date: Oct 29, 2009

RE: Foreigners dissapointed about Laos !!!

Date: Oct 29, 2009

Ganda wrote:

I’ve just worked out what’s been bothering me, I think the Lao people are genuinely lovely and honest but the ones dealing with the tourists are dishonest and out to make a quick kip. It’s not at all what I expected. There are many places in the world that are the same; I’m disappointed Laos is one of them.

____________________________
I should say you did not learn your lessons. Its true that anywhere you go there are a lot of people taking advantage of tourists and most of them are the drivers. I have been to a lot of places and had same experience, but what can you do about it. You cant change the culture among drivers yourself but you can be streetwise. So here are my advise to you:

1. Refrain from asking directions from drivers (taxi, tuktuk, tricycle, etc.). Instead ask you hotels reception ahead of time about directions on places you want to go. If you are in the street, look for tourist info center or better ask locals, e.g. ordinary people, you may even get a bonus smile.
2. Better ask women for direction, you are a lot safer. And keep your charm, she may even accompany you if its only for a short distance
3.Study your map so that you will not be ignorant that the taxi driver is already taking you into circles to be able to charge more
4. Dont be too obvious that you are new to the place, even if you think you are lost, stay confident. just pretend you are looking around for something while your digging your brain out and looking for signs, until you figure out which way to go.
5. If you plan to buy souvenirs, do it early in the morning and separate your money. Keep only a few bills in your wallet, so that when you are really eager to buy something go ask for a discount and show the vendor that you only got a small amount. Usually they dont shoo away first buyer in the morning because of fear of bad luck for the rest of the day, so they will tend to give you the item at a lower price

These worked with me hundred times! Be smart!
Enjoy Laos and the rest of the world!

I do agree with you wholeheartedly.

paris_vientiane · Guru

he is right about only one thing: inflated prices for tourists become unacceptable.... they do not match at all with the economic level of a country.

As a (rich???) tourist, i can accept to pay a little bit more than lao people for service like tuktuk and so on... but not twice or 3 times the normal price!

on the other points, if this man is unable to feel the beauty and the charm of Vientiane or Laos, i can't do anything for him, sorry.....

-- Edited by paris_vientiane on Thursday 29th of October 2009 08:24:06 PM

Date: Oct 29, 2009

What do you mean " I can nothing....."

Date: Oct 29, 2009

Daotai wrote:

Hay all your guys!!

Thanks for supported and love our homeland, I'm a new member of Samakomlao I have open this web every day before I start doing my work, I'm living in laos and never been to other westhern countries.
I do not intention to say a bad word with other person who has dissapointed about our country but If you compare with other countries in the region I'm sure Laos is one of the nice country and nice people.
Thanks for all support comments

I AGREED WITH DAOTAI. LAOS IS ONE THE NICEST COUNTRY IN SEA *(NOT OCEAN)*
WE SHOULN'T BE MAD AT JUST SOME VISITOR WHO HAS BAD EXPERIENCE AND
COMPLAINT. WE SHOULD LISTEN TO THEM AND FIX OUR PROBLEM.
NOBODY AND NOWHERE IN THE WORLD IS PERFECT! ENJOY YOUR VISITING IN LAOS.

HUGGLAO

Date: Oct 29, 2009

SeeHarHed wrote:

Who cares!!!! Bastard is a cheap traveler anyways. What the hell is he/she thinking?? Only willing to fork out $10 per whole vacation???

Just leave if you're not happy!!!
____________________________________________________
HERE WE ARE AGAIN.....IF YOU FEEL THAT LAOS IS YOUR BELOVE COUNTRY.
AS A HOST YOU SHOULDN'T BE RUDE TO GUEST OR VISITOR.
LAO TRADITION IS ALWAYS POLITE AND VERY NICE TO THE GUEST.
WE SHOULD APPOLOGIZED TO THEM AND WILL TRY TO IMPROVE OUR SYSTEM.
IT ISN'T EASY TO CONTROL PEOPLE'S HART AND MIND. SOMEONE JUST BEING OVER REACTED. PLEASE BE POLITE AND TAKE CRISTICIZING FOR IMPROVEMENT.

I AND MY HUSBAND WENT TO VISIT BEIJING MANY YEARS AGO. OUR FLIGHT WAS LATE, WE DIDN'T GET INTO THE HOTEL UNTIL 11:00 PM. WE WERE SO HUNGRY. CAME DOWN TO THE FRONT DESK.
THEY TOLD US THAT WE SHOULD'T GO OUT SIDE IN THIS LATE NIGHT IT IS NOT SAFE.
REMEMBER INFORMATION LOST OF INFORMATION WILL MAKE YOUR TRIP ANYWHERE SO ENJOYABLE.

I SUPPORT GANDA'S THEORIES IT IS PRATICAL. I AM SORRY FOR YOUR
BAD EXPERIENCE TRAVELLING IN LAOS. THERE'S ALWAYS MORE ROOM TO IMPROVE.

Date: Oct 29, 2009

It should be "people;s heart and mind.... criticism in stead of criticizing....lots of information.

Date: Oct 29, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

It should be "people;s heart and mind.... criticism in stead of criticizing....lots of information.

THANK YOU FOR CORRECTION. NO EXCUSES!

Date: Oct 30, 2009

some tourists just expect every free or cheap from visiting LAos? come on! if dont have money to pay to visit Laos just stay in P.Penh! i lived there b4 more expensive than laos or thailand but its just the way to b , i didnt complain about that!

Date: Nov 1, 2009

This is really no big of a deal. Tourists come from all over the world and some will like one thing and other will like the other thing. When I went backpacking in Laos, I met many tourists were love Laos. They might not love everything in Laos but many were happy that they choose to visit the country. Some even mention that dislike the country (I won't name) that they visited prior to arriving in Laos. This is just travelers opinions.

Date: Nov 16, 2009

"don't you think it's a bit harsh to call the person a bastard? the blogger was just blogging about their experience. blogs are bias so it shouldn't be taken too seriously."

Yes I do think it's a little harsh to call that cheap bastard a bastard. In future, he/she should go to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia or China instead. People there are more honest especially those who making a living out of tourism.

Drug hmmm....has the US government won the war against drug yet after billions of dollars?

Date: Nov 16, 2009

Crazy Buddha Park?

Date: Nov 16, 2009

He is just British Indian or American Indian which is the world's well known of complaining and fussy tourist. Worst than white British people.

Date: Nov 16, 2009

He should go back to his homeland India. I wanted to know what he is going to complain about his mother country?

Date: Nov 16, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

He should go back to his homeland India. I wanted to know what he is going to complain about his mother country?

They are just a GAY COUPLE

Date: Nov 17, 2009

I've lived in Vientiane for more than 24 years, and i quite know the reality of this city. YES. i agree with you that there are not so many places to see. Of course it's not like civilized cities like New York, Sydney, Tokyo, etc. But i think if compared with Vientiane ten years ago, it's now much better! As many ppl say "No place in this world is perfect".
By the way, thanks for your comments to improve Vientiane. Your comment, criticism is aways helpful.
A Vientiane boy.

Date: Nov 18, 2009

hi,

when some people say Vientiane has nothing to see, boring city and bla bla bla. I keep thinking WHAT THEY REALLY WANT TO SEE IN VTE? and what they expect VTE city to have?

i think before planing to visit any places we shld know what we want to see or visit if there is nothing interest u in those places so just change ur destination.

for me visit some places just want to see how they live and what they eat? and enjoy with what they have. I dont expect to see empire state tower oe eiffel tower or London Westfield mall in VTE.

well different people different need.

I just love to visit every places on this planet anyway heheheh

Date: Nov 18, 2009

sabaidee khon lao ,

Yark hai khon Lao thuk khon jai yen yen whatever they say or complain we just try to be polite and listen. thats we always be. tha vao bo moan pai khao ka heng beng hao bo dee. keep patient dee thi soot!

SeeHarHed · Guru

Anonymous wrote:

sabaidee khon lao ,

Yark hai khon Lao thuk khon jai yen yen whatever they say or complain we just try to be polite and listen. thats we always be. tha vao bo moan pai khao ka heng beng hao bo dee. keep patient dee thi soot!

sa thuuuuuuuuu.. sa thuuuuuuuuuuu.. vaow eek teuk eek...

Date: Nov 19, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

hi,

when some people say Vientiane has nothing to see, boring city and bla bla bla. I keep thinking WHAT THEY REALLY WANT TO SEE IN VTE? and what they expect VTE city to have?

i think before planing to visit any places we shld know what we want to see or visit if there is nothing interest u in those places so just change ur destination.

for me visit some places just want to see how they live and what they eat? and enjoy with what they have. I dont expect to see empire state tower oe eiffel tower or London Westfield mall in VTE.

well different people different need.

I just love to visit every places on this planet anyway heheheh

Agree with you. Each place has different things to offer and different people have different tastes. Why go to a place when it does not suit your taste? ITs wiser to check on some information about the place you want to visit place so you wont get disappointed.

Date: Nov 19, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

sabaidee khon lao ,

Yark hai khon Lao thuk khon jai yen yen whatever they say or complain we just try to be polite and listen. thats we always be. tha vao bo moan pai khao ka heng beng hao bo dee. keep patient dee thi soot!

That's right! just don't listen with your right ear and let it out with your left ear!
You have to try to make the change to any area that needed an improvement that will meet and satisfy the tourists who give Laos and Lao people their business as well.

Right now Laos is pretty new in catering their tourists and hopefully as time progresses Laos will do better in this area. Cheer for Laos!

Laosmile smile

Date: Nov 19, 2009

RE: Foreigners disappointed about Laos !!!

Date: Nov 20, 2009

RE: Foreigners dissapointed about Laos !!!

jpq1010 · Veteran Member

laos is the biggest breath of fresh air...the pace of life ..the people ... the environment..all you do is have to get out and see the country.Forget your western standards and just go with it... i

Date: Dec 29, 2009

jpq1010 wrote:

laos is the biggest breath of fresh air...the pace of life ..the people ... the environment..all you do is have to get out and see the country.Forget your western standards and just go with it... i

There is no more fresh air in Laos today. It less and less every day. Polluted in every cities in Laos. The scales of the Green area has been reducing each year. The river and canals is contains of toxins. The under water is contain of high Manganese. Fresh air mixed with fresh red dust and people living in the red dust villages can coz lung proplems

Date: Dec 30, 2009

yes. living cost in laos are way too expensive when we compare to most of
lao people earn. for example you can buy a chicken in laos around $4-$6 (USD)
that just about same price in USA. i knew many young lao girls earn only $80-$150
per month. too bad.

Date: Dec 30, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

yes. living cost in laos are way too expensive when we compare to most of
lao people earn. for example you can buy a chicken in laos around $4-$6 (USD)
that just about same price in USA. i knew many young lao girls earn only $80-$150
per month. too bad.

Maybe they are organic chickens that's why they are expensive. But waaaaaaaaay too expensive for people that earn around $1 a day.

jpq1010 · Veteran Member

Anonymous wrote:

jpq1010 wrote:

laos is the biggest breath of fresh air...the pace of life ..the people ... the environment..all you do is have to get out and see the country.Forget your western standards and just go with it... i

There is no more fresh air in Laos today. It less and less every day. Polluted in every cities in Laos. The scales of the Green area has been reducing each year. The river and canals is contains of toxins. The under water is contain of high Manganese. Fresh air mixed with fresh red dust and people living in the red dust villages can coz lung proplems

I understand what you are saying ...i traveled for 8 weeks last year from houei xai all the way down champasak..mostly on small motorbikes...i avoided the tourist areas,and spent most of my time in the country side staying in small guesthouses or home stays. i saw many things in my travels..some where magnificent,forests, rivers ,waterfalls,caves,animals ect... most of the time my girlfriend and i where the only ones there...but we also saw some things that made us sad....deforestation(huge logging trucks ripping timber from the forest) slash and burn agriculture,industrial complexes spewing black smoke,dead forest animals for sale in markets for food(even saw a small jungle cat for sale,dead,)

your country is rushing to industrialize it self, to try to catch up with the rest of the world,one cant blame Laos for this but at what cost?A balance needs to be struck, because in my opinion Laos's greatest natural resource are its people and the flora and fauna that are present in the country.....eco-tourism would be a great thing for laos....people will pay to see your pristine wildlife and forest....but there needs to be some left..

Date: Jan 1, 2010

Anonymous wrote:

Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Laos has been a dissapointment so far

Vientaine [Enlarge & More]
There’s been something bothering me since arriving in Laos. I’ve been trying to put my finger on it for a while now but just can’t work it out.

The capitol of Laos, Vientiane, was a big disappointment; it had none of the charm of Phnom Penh and was really expensive. It’s a small capital and does not really have much to see or do. What there is to do you can walk to which is a bonus as I had no intention of paying the over-inflated prices charged by the Tuk Tuk drivers. I wouldn’t mind it if that was it but they are humourless and on occasion rude. I’m sure there are exceptions but I wasn’t giving them a chance to find out. Most of them also offer you first of all Hash, if that does not get a reaction then the drug becomes increasingly stronger ending in Opium and I’m sure if you hang around enough it would become crack cocaine.

Buddha Park [Enlarge & More]
Laos has definitely not lived up to any of my expectations so far; apparently it’s a lot about being in the place. Which is all well and good but the people you deal with on a day to day basis have to be nice.

Having said all that I did enjoy our day out to Buddha Park, a few kilometres out of the city. It’s the brainchild of an eccentric and the park is full of statues combining Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. It was a real mix and I found it fascinating. You can also climb on, in and around a lot of the statues and I loved that, it always brings out the big kid in me. We decided to take the local bus out there and it really showed the contrast for me of what Lao people are really like. We were unsure as to which bus to take and it showed, so you had the scam artists who were trying to ‘help’ by offering to take you in a mini van for an extortionate price. Then you had the local lady who was happy to point you in the right direction with a smile.

Crazy Buddha Park [Enlarge & More]
I’ve just worked out what’s been bothering me, I think the Lao people are genuinely lovely and honest but the ones dealing with the tourists are dishonest and out to make a quick kip. It’s not at all what I expected. There are many places in the world that are the same; I’m disappointed Laos is one of them.

http://moodtotravel.blogspot.com/2009/08/laos-has-been-dissapointment-so-far.html

Thanks to the blogger who shared his/her bad experience. This is a good feedback that Laos people as the host country should take it for consideration. Don't just blame back to the tourist, if you want more tourists.

I don't like the way that some Laotian people reacted to the guy posted this thread. It does not represent the good culture of your country (respect). A bit disappointed.