Guide to Laos’ Natural Thermal Springs
Laos is known for its beautiful, untouched waterfalls and meandering rivers through green mountains. What many don’t know is that it is also a place where mineral bathing tourists can find unique and relaxing hot springs.
This southeast Asian country is home to the oldest human fossil ever discovered and is a place steeped in history and tradition, including ones surrounding thermal bathing.
Where are the Laotian hot springs?
All nine of the natural hot springs in Laos are in the North, the ‘bulb’ of the country, instead of the tail that arcs down toward Cambodia. This Northern area of the country is also where the capital, Vientiane, is located.
In the Kham District of Laos sits ASA Hot Spring Resort & Spa, a place that offers visitors indoor bathing options as well as fresh air bathing in the outdoors. The resort grounds have a bar and restaurant on-site, and the Plain of Jars is within walking distance from the hotel. Like many places in Laos, the resort prides itself on offering locally grown, rich and delicious coffee.
At Kasi Hot Spring Resort in Vieng Kham a large but shallow hot spring is open for bathing. At the resort, there are rooms available for rent as well as sites where campers can set up tents. A waterfall splashes under a wooden bridge on the green, tropical campus. There’s a restaurant in the resort as well as a bar, where the country’s main export, BeerLao, is served. With a request, the drinks can be brought to the poolside.
Nasay Village is home to Blue Springs & Patong Cave, a place where the outdoor hot spring is quite hot, averaging a temperature of 56 degrees Celcius (133°F). A nearby lagoon serves as a cooling-off spot to relieve bathers if the steamy water gets to be too much. Previous soakers have noted its non-touristy nature and super clean water, as well as thrilling zipline and swing.
One former guest on Tripadvisor left this review- “So not touristy at all, but really beautiful and nice. It is super clean water and there is a cool zip line and swing.”
Other Lao hot springs are:
- Nam Un Noy
- Nanken Hot Spring
- Meuang Hiam Hot Springs
- Wat Thana Tham Hot Spring
- ບໍ່ນໍ້າຮ້ອນນ້ອຍ
- Muang La Lodge
Visit Laos
The Land of a Million Elephants is waiting! Here beer costs a dollar, there are plenty of places to camp in the lush greenery, and the hot springs are clear and often attached to resorts where friendly staff is waiting to welcome you.
Learn more about visiting Laos, on our sister site La Vida Nomad.