Overview
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The
Bolaven Plateau, a haven of coolness, majestic waterfalls, and some of Laos' most famous coffee plantations, is a top destination in the southern part of the country.
Yet, behind this natural beauty lies a tumultuous history. Transformed into a powerful agricultural region by the French colonists, the plateau witnessed violent clashes during the Indochina and Vietnam wars. Today, despite the scars of its past, the Bolaven Plateau offers travelers a unique landscape and an authentic experience.
Well-known for its coffee, the plateau has diversified its agriculture with cardamom, rattan, and orchards.
This region, whose name means "home of the Laven," is home to a mosaic of ethnic communities, including the Laven, Alak, Katu, Tahoy, and Suay, contributing to the richness of its cultural heritage.
Top Attractions
Tad Gneuang, also spelled as Tad Yuang, is one of the more serene and awe-inspiring waterfalls in Bolaven PlateauThe Tad Fane and Tad Gneuang Waterfalls
The Bolaven Plateau offers a mosaic of unforgettable experiences, starting with the Tad Fane and Tad Gneuang waterfalls. These veritable gems of nature impress with their power and beauty, captivating the eye and arousing admiration.
Tad Lo
Although located nearby, Tad Lo is also worth a visit for its enchanting setting. Here, the atmosphere is more peaceful, inviting you to relax in a seductive natural environment.
Discovering Laotian coffee in PaksonCoffee plantations
Coffee plantations offer a unique olfactory and gustatory experience. The intoxicating aroma mingles with the gentle landscape, inviting you to discover the secrets of Laotian coffee-making, from cultivation to cup.
Meeting local communities
Finally, encounters with local communities, notably the Laven (bolaven means the House of the Laven), the Alak, the Katu, the Tahoy and the Suay, provide a deep immersion in a rich and authentic cultural heritage. These exchanges allow us to discover ancestral traditions and experience enriching moments of sharing.
See & Do
Dong Hua Sao National Park is home to diverse wildlife and... zipline enthusiasts
The Bolaven Plateau offers a multitude of activities for all tastes. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the numerous trails winding through forests, waterfalls, and coffee plantations. The more adventurous can try their hand at mountain biking, rafting, or zip-lining. Culture enthusiasts can visit ethnic villages, discover local crafts, and attend traditional festivals.
Paksong, once a flourishing coffee town, was devastated by war. Today, its interest lies in its surroundings. The 120-meter-high Tad Fane waterfall offers an exceptional panorama, especially from the Tad Fane Resort. Not far from there, Tad Gneuang, a smaller but equally charming waterfall, attracts many visitors. For a more peaceful experience, prefer a morning or late afternoon visit.
The village of Tat Lo, north of Paksong, is a haven of peace. Despite the presence of some tourist establishments, it has retained its charm and authenticity. Its location on the edge of the Bolaven Plateau and the ease with which excursions can be organized due to widely spoken English make it an ideal base to explore the region.
The Bolaven Plateau is full of waterfalls. Tat E-Tu, less visited, offers a beautiful 40-meter drop and easy access. For a total immersion in nature, Tat Katamtok, in the heart of the forest, reveals a 100-meter waterfall. Tat Champee, smaller, is ideal for swimming and discovering its fall from behind.
The Tayicseua reserve, with its seven waterfalls, is a haven of peace.
Finally, the Dong Hua Sao National Park, despite environmental challenges, is home to diverse wildlife. Tours can be booked in Paksé.
Lake Nong Fa, in its volcanic crater
Once a natural jewel of Laos, the Dong Amphan National Park must now face industrial pressure. Despite these challenges, Nong Fa Lake, or the "Blue Sky Lake," remains a grand spectacle, justifying a visit on its own. Nestled in a former volcanic crater at 1500 meters altitude, it offers exceptional panoramas, both of the lake and the surrounding landscapes. The park, although threatened, still houses remarkable wildlife, from tigers to elephants, as well as a multitude of bird species. The most popular excursions, lasting two days, include accommodation in guesthouses.
Go Green
Mr. Linh's Adventure offers custom tours to discover the Bolaven Plateau and its surroundings. Our tours are designed for travelers seeking adventure, discovery, and authentic encounters.
Here are some examples of tours we offer:
3-Day Bolaven Plateau Tour: This tour will allow you to discover the highlights of the Bolaven Plateau, such as the Tad Fane and Tad Gneuang waterfalls, coffee plantations, ethnic villages, and the Vat Phou temple.
5-Day Southern Laos Tour: This tour will take you to explore the most beautiful sites in southern Laos, such as the Bolaven Plateau, the 4000 Islands, the Vat Phou temple, and the city of Paksé.
Custom Tour: We can also offer you a custom tour, tailored to your desires and budget.
Heritage
The remarkable monastery of Wat Kang Salavan
For a cultural immersion, visit Ban Houay Houn, a village known for the weaving of Katu women. While red and black remain traditional colors, their palette has now expanded, offering infinite variety. A short distance from Tat Lo, Salavan surprises with its isolated atmosphere, where foreign visitors are rare. Here, you can discover Wat Kang Salavan, a remarkable monastery for its original method of preserving Buddhist scriptures: immersion in a pond to protect them from termites.
By the river, the Prince Souphanouvong Bridge bears witness to the scars of war. Destroyed in 1968 during the Vietnam conflict, it offers a striking contrast to the tranquility of Salavan. The province, inhabited by about 350,000 people from various ethnic minorities, invites exploration of its countryside, whether through organized tours or individual adventures. Further on, Sé Kong, a city born in 1984 and named after the eponymous river, surprises with its simplicity and authenticity. As the smallest province in Laos by population and one of the poorest, it offers an off-the-beaten-path experience.
Women at work - Sekong Proovince
Sé Kong Province stands out from the rest of Laos due to the absence of temples. Populated almost exclusively by 14 tribes of ethnic minorities, mainly animists, it offers a unique cultural landscape. Outside the city, two waterfalls are worth a visit. Tat Faek, a wide and picturesque waterfall, invites you to swim, despite the presence of "pa pao," fish with sharp teeth. Not far away, Tat Hua Khon, with its 7 meters in height and 100 meters in width, impresses with its size and is a must-see in the region.
The surroundings of Sé Kong are full of cultural treasures. Saisettha, in particular, houses remarkable Buddhist artworks. Wat Siliawat That Inping reveals paintings depicting the Buddha's penultimate birth, while Wat Ban Xai offers mural frescoes depicting his life. Wat Luang, on the other hand, is the last refuge of King Setthathirat. Not far away, the village of Pa-Am, once a strategic crossroads on the Ho Chi Minh trail, bears the scars of war bombings. A platform of Russian missiles, displayed behind a fence made of shell casings, testifies to this tumultuous past.
Food & Drinks
Larb, the national dish
The cuisine of the Bolaven Plateau reflects its inhabitants: authentic and flavorful.
Sticky rice is a staple in Lao cuisine, often served in small bamboo baskets as an accompaniment to various dishes such as grilled meats, stews, and even desserts. Laap (Larb) is a popular Lao dish made from minced meat, mixed with herbs, lime juice, fish sauce, and roasted rice powder, resulting in a flavorful and aromatic dish, typically served with fresh vegetables. Or Lam is a hearty and aromatic stew made from vegetables, often including eggplant, beans, and other greens, cooked with meat (chicken, fish, or buffalo), and flavored with herbs and spices. Lao coffee, especially the famous "Lao Mountain Coffee" from the Bolaven Plateau, is a must-try, with the opportunity to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee or the local variation, "khafeh pakse," which is an iced coffee. Beerlao, the national beer of Laos, is a refreshing beverage commonly enjoyed with Lao cuisine.
Directions
Location
The Bolaven Plateau is located in southern Laos, about 50 km from the city of Paksé.
How to get there?
From Vientiane: You can take a direct flight from Vientiane to Paksé (about 1h15 flight). From Paksé, you can rent a car or take a local bus to the Bolaven Plateau (about 1 to 2 hours drive).
From Hanoi: There is no direct flight from Hanoi to Paksé. You will need to take a flight with a layover, usually in Bangkok or Vientiane (about 4 to 6 hours flight). From Paksé, you can rent a car or take a local bus to the Bolaven Plateau.
Ticket prices:
Vientiane - Paksé flights: about 50 to 100 USD (one way)
Hanoi - Paksé flights: about 150 to 300 USD (one way)
Paksé - Bolaven Plateau bus: about 5 to 10 USD (one way)
Best season yo visit
The best season to visit the Bolaven Plateau is from November to February, during the dry season. The temperatures are pleasant, and the sky is sunny. The rainy season, from May to October, can make some roads difficult to navigate and waterfalls may be less impressive.