The spring water that drips from massive slabs of rock on a hillside in southern Laos, high above the flood plains of the Mekong River, is a rarity in Asia today, so pristine and welcoming that you don’t hesitate to cup your hands and gulp it down.

A network of caves promises to further illuminate the ''secret war'' the United States waged in Laos against the North Vietnamese, but may also help open a region in need of tourism revenue.

Perfect for serenity, slightly less ideal for visiting the town of Luang Prabang. La Residence Phou Vao has restored many colonial properties in Asia,

The lively pictures of life in Luang Prabang are so interesting. Everyday locals sell their crafts along Sisavangvong,

Today, with the government amenable to entrepreneurship and tourism, affluent and educated Lao expats, as well as conservation-minded foreigners, have revived the once-endangered art of silk-weaving.