Laos in October

Rains end; Boun Ok Phansa boat races and floating lanterns (lunar, check).

October is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• NovemberGreatDry and green; That Luang festival in Vientiane (lunar, check).
• DecemberGreatCool and clear; book Luang Prabang beds and train seats early.
• JanuaryGreatDry, clear, cool mornings in the north; peak season in Luang Prabang.
• FebruaryGreatStill dry; the burning season can start late in the month — check air quality.

• North · Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw, Luang Namtha, Phonsavanfine

  Cool, misty mornings Dec–Jan (near 10 °C (50 °F) at altitude); the burning season (Feb–Apr) brings thick smoke; rains wash roads May–Oct.Cool, misty mornings Dec–Jan (near 50 °F (10 °C) at altitude); the burning season (Feb–Apr) brings thick smoke; rains wash roads May–Oct.

• Centre · Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Thakhekfine

  Dry and pleasant Nov–Feb; April tops 37 °C (99 °F); the Thakhek Loop is hard in the rains.Dry and pleasant Nov–Feb; April tops 99 °F (37 °C); the Thakhek Loop is hard in the rains.

• South · Pakse, Bolaven Plateau, 4,000 Islandsfine

  Hottest region in April; the Bolaven Plateau is cooler and wettest; river islands flood partly at high water.

• Central Laos: Vientiane / Vang Vieng · Mekong plain and karst valleyfine

  Nov–Feb is dry and cool; March–May hits 35 °C (95 °F)+; the wet months bring afternoon downpours and slick karst trails.Nov–Feb is dry and cool; March–May hits 95 °F (35 °C)+; the wet months bring afternoon downpours and slick karst trails.

• Central Laos: Phonsavan / Sam Neua · Xieng Khouang and Huaphan highlandsfine

  Higher and colder than the lowlands; nights drop sharply Nov–Feb and morning fog slows mountain roads.

• Southern Laos: Mekong plain (Pakse, Savannakhet) · River valleysfine

  Dry season Nov–Feb is the comfortable window; March–May pushes past 35 °C (95 °F); the wet season runs roughly May–Oct with afternoon downpours.Dry season Nov–Feb is the comfortable window; March–May pushes past 95 °F (35 °C); the wet season runs roughly May–Oct with afternoon downpours.

• Southern Laos: Bolaven Plateau · Above 1,000 mfine

  Mild year-round; cold nights Nov–Feb. Best visited in the dry season.

• Luang Prabang30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 8 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 8 rain days
• Ban Nahin31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 8 rain days
• Ban Nakasang31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 9 rain days
• Bolaven Plateau30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 7 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 7 rain days
• Boten31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 8 rain days
• Champasak33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 10 rain days
• Don Det31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 8 rain days
• Don Khon31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 8 rain days
• Don Khong31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 14 rain days
• Huay Xai31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 9 rain days
• Luang Namtha29 °C (84 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 8 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 8 rain days
• Muang Khua28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 8 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 8 rain days
• Muang Long31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 8 rain days
• Muang Ngeun31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 8 rain days
• Muang Ngoi Neua31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 9 rain days
• Muang Sing27 °C (81 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 11 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 11 rain days
• Muang Xay29 °C (84 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 11 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 11 rain days
• Nong Khiaw28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 8 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 8 rain days
• Pak Lay31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 7 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 7 rain days
• Pakbeng30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 5 rain days
• Paksan31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 7 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 7 rain days
• Paksong29 °C (84 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 5 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 5 rain days
• Phongsali26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 9 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 9 rain days
• Phonsavan26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 10 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 10 rain days
• Plain of Jars28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 4 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 4 rain days
• Sam Neua26 °C (79 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 7 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 7 rain days
• Savannakhet31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 8 rain days
• Sayabouly30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 8 rain days
• Thakhek31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 9 rain days
• Vang Vieng31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 115 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 115 rain days
• Vieng Xai30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 9 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 9 rain days
• Xieng Kok31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 7 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 7 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Boun Ok Phansa and boat racing

  Oct full moon (lunar — check)

  End of Lent; lantern boats in Luang Prabang, boat races in Vientiane the next day.

• Ok Phansa and boat races check

  Moves yearly · Luang Prabang

  Boat races and floating lanterns; rooms fill.

Crowds · Laos

Medium

Prices · Laos

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Laos, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Luang Prabang

  Rain easing; boat-race season at the end of Buddhist Lent.