Where is Laos & Cambodia? Location Maps of Laos & Cambodia

Two parts of the triumvirate that makes up modern Indochina, Laos and Cambodia are popular places to visit in the modern tourist industry, with many things for people to explore. Both classed as developing countries in Asia, Laos and Cambodia have both had long and varied histories, from the ancient empires of the first millennia to the conflicts of the 20th century.

Traveling to these two countries together is a popular way to see this part of Indochina, and often includes the third country in Indochina, Vietnam. Sitting next to each other on the Indochinese Peninsular, now referred to mostly as Mainland Southeast Asia, travel between these two countries is relatively simple, and can be done by flight or overland travel across the short border that separates them.

To get clear information about the two countries, move on to read the following content.

Where Is Laos & Cambodia? Location Map of Laos & Cambodia

Laos
Sitting in the midst of the other Indochinese nations in Southeast Asia, Laos is a landlocked country that is shaped roughly like a bent tree. Vietnam lies along its entire western border, with Cambodia to the south and Yunnan Province of China to the north. In the northeast, Laos shares a short border with Myanmar, while Thailand lies on its eastern border. Known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, it is still referred to locally by the colloquial name, Muang Lao.

Its capital, Vientiane, lies in the northern part of the country, on the banks of the Mekong River close to the border with northeast Thailand, though it was not the original capital of Laos. Luang Prabang, in the center of the northern region of the country, was the original Royal Capital and seat of government for the former Kingdom of Laos, until the takeover of governance by the Pathet Lao in 1975. Now, Luang Prabang is the second largest city in the country and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Laos.

Cambodia
To the south of Laos, between Vietnam to the south and east, and with Thailand on its northern and western borders, lies the former Khmer Kingdom now known as Cambodia. Officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, and formerly known as Kampuchea, Cambodia is a sovereign state in the southern end of the Indochinese Peninsula. A predominantly Buddhist nation, Cambodia has smaller ethnic groups made up of Vietnamese, Chinese, Chams, and more than 30 hill tribes whose history can be traced back to the earliest beginnings of Cambodia as a country.

Cambodia is unusual in that it has a monarch that is chosen by the Royal Throne Council who has no official power, while the nation is run by a prime minister who has been re-elected continuously for more than 30 years. Its capital, Phnom Penh, is the most populous city in Cambodia, and lies between the banks of the Mekong River in southern Cambodia, and has been so since the French colonized in 1863, although the original capital of the Khmer Empire was formed in Angkor in the north. 

Border of the Laos and Cambodia
Laos has a direct border with Cambodia: the southern part of Laos connects Cambodia to its northeastern part in a wondering line. The border is 555km (345 m) in length and it runs from the tripoint with Thailand in the east to tripoint with Vietnam in the east. Here are four commonly used land border crossings and two water border crossings:

Land border crossing:
● Trapaing Kriel/Nong Nok Khiene Border Crossing (official crossing point)
● Voeung Kam/Dom Kralor Border Crossing
● Preah Vihear/Sra Em Border Crossing
● Dong Kralor/Veun Kham Border Crossing

Water border crossing:
● Stung Treng to Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands)

The Mekong River runs across Laos and Cambodia making the geographical coordinates and agreement between the two countries. Within a Mekong River no matter downstream from Laos to Cambodia or upstream from Cambodia to Laos, you can experience the diverse and colorful national culture and natural beauty like the ancient temples and pagodas, floating markets, islands and sandbars, and local river life. Check out more about most popular Mekong River cruise tours now!

7 Days Impression Laos and Cambodia Tour

Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang - Siem Reap

Main Cities of Laos & the Maps

Laos main cities:
● Vientiane: The capital city of Laos provides you the best Lao tours with vibrant experience of its temples, markets and French colonial architecture.
● Luang Prabang: A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its well-preserved historic and religious sites, you’ll tour for its temples, night markets and natural beauty.
● Pakse: The gateway to the Bolaven Plateau and the 4,000 Islands region in the Mekong River. It’s known for its French colonial heritage and coffee plantations.
● Savannakhet: The second largest city in Laos, it is famous for its old French colonial architecture and is close to the Mekong River.
● Thakhek: The city is best for limestone karst landscapes and it’s a popular starting point for the Kong Lor Cave.
● Xam Neua: It is the northeastern Laos city know for historical sites and access to remote and scenic areas.
● Phonsavan: The city is famous for the Plain of Jars, an archaeological site with mysterious stone jars scattered across the landscape.

Laos History
Laos was first inhabited by people more than 46,000 years ago, with many Chinese and Indians influencing the Laotian people from around 4,000 BC to the 8th Century. Migration of Tai-speaking tribes from Guanxi in the 9th century into the modern areas of Laos and Thailand integrated with the local inhabitants, making the people that live there today.

Once a part of the ancient Khmer Empire from the 7th to the 13th centuries, modern Laotian history dates back to the early 14th century and the ancient kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao, or the “Kingdom of a Million Elephants under the White Parasol”. The Lan Xang empire lasted until end of the 17th century, and was an important Asian trade center until it collapsed after the death of King Sourigna Vongsa.

Over the next 200 years Laos was invaded by the Burmese, who annexed northern Laos, and ancient Siam, who ruled the country from 1826 to 1893, when the French stepped in to protect the country from the Chinese Black Flag Army. France continued its colonial occupation of Laos as part of French Indochina until 1953, when the country regained its independence.

Over the next 22 years, internal factions fought for control of the country, culminating with the communist Pathet Lao party taking control with the aid of Soviet forces in 1975. Isolation from China, the United States, and many other countries followed, with intermittent fighting breaking out with the Hmong rebels in the country, which finally ended in 1996, leaving control with the Pathet Lao.

The Laos people

Laos Tourism
Tourism in Laos did not begin until 1990, when the country opened up to foreign visitors and trade, although the fighting still took place in isolated and strictly controlled areas for another six years. In 1990, more than 800,000 tourists visited the country, and tourism began to take of as one of the major economic industries in Laos, and by 2010 had increased to almost two million visitors a year.

With an official slogan of “Simply Beautiful”, Laos tourism has promoted in Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Vang Veng, and the Mekong River, with the unique Irrawaddy dolphins that inhabit the river, and many more iconic Buddhist sites and tourist attractions. The ancient Khmer Temple Complex at Wat Phu Luang Prabang have both been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the famous Plain of Jars is expected to be named as well once all the unexploded ordinance from the previous wars has been cleared from the surrounding countryside.

18 Days Best of Thailand Myanmar and Laos

Yangon – Inle Lake – Mandalay – Luang Prabang – Bangkok – Chiang Mai - Phuket

Main Cities of Cambodia & the Maps

Cambodia Main Cities
● Phnom Penh: The capital and largest city of Cambodia, is the center of Cambodia and known for its historical sites, vibrant markets and lively street scenes.
● Siem Reap: The gateway to the Angkor Wat temple complex.
●Battambang: Northwestern city known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, historical temples, and bamboo train rides.
● Sihanoukville (Kampong Som): Coastal city best for its beaches, resorts and vibrant nightlife. Excellent choice for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
● Kampot: The southern city is famous for its picturesque riverside setting, French colonial architecture, and the nearby Bokor Hill Station.
● Koh Kong: Situating in the southeastern of Cambodia, Koh Kong is known for the closed Cardamom Mountains, rainforest for ecotourism enjoyment.
● Kratie: Leisurely tour to Kratie to experience its relaxed atmosphere, French colonial building. And it’s the place to spot the rare lrrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River.

Cambodia History
Cambodia has been a populated area of Asia since around 6,000BC, although the country was not brought into one until around the 3rd century AD. Absorbing the influences of India and China, it was then known as Chenla, from which the Khmer Empire arose in the 7th century.

It was during the reign of King Jayavarman II, who installed himself as the god-king, that the Khmer armies began the conquest of what was to become one of the largest empires in mainland Southeast Asia. The Khmer Empire flourished from the 9th century, and lasted until the 15th century.

Buddhism was introduced to the Khmer Empire in the mid 13th century from Sri Lankan monks, and by the end of the century was the predominant religion of the nation. The center of the Khmer Empire was the capital city of Angkor, which houses the stunning temple of Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s most popular tourist attraction today.

In the 15th century, it was sacked and abandoned, and wars raged between Cambodia and its neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam, and for over 300 years the country was a vassal state of either Thailand or Vietnam, in an alternating war between the two nations. After the final Siamese-Vietnamese, Cambodia became a protectorate of France, and began its period of French colonization, which lasted until 1953.

Cambodia people in Siem Reap Angkor Wat

Cambodia Tourism
Tourism in Cambodia is the nation’s second largest source of income, and by 2007 the country saw more than two million tourists passing through its borders. While the country is filled with wonders of both natural and man-made origins, the huge temple complex of Angkor remains the most popular place for Cambodia tourism, with modern figures on tourism hitting more than 2.5 million visitors to the site in 2013. By 2015, the nation was seeing more than five million visitors per year, despite some accounts of civil unrest and high crime rates in the country.

Major tourist spots outside the temple complex include the Angkor gateway city of Siem Reap, an ancient city that has survived well through the French colonial period, as well as the stunning Tonle Sap Lake, the source of water for much of northern Cambodia, and the largest source of fish in the country. In the south, major tourism is concentrated around the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, lying on the Mekong River and famous for the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, and the spectacular beachside area of Sihanoukville on Cambodia’s southwestern coastal region, which includes the offshore islands that have become a major part of the young party scene of Cambodia tours.

14 Days Cambodia Road Tour to Sihanoukville

Siem Reap - Phnom Penh - Kampot - Sihanoukville

How to Get to Laos from Cambodia? The Transportation Map

When planning a journey to get to Laos from Cambodia, there are types of transportation options provided to suit your preferences and travel style.

As Laos and Cambodia are the directly border cities and are connected by the Mekong River, traveling by air, bus, train and boat are all easy to plan and adoptable. Here’s a map of the various ways to get to Laos from Cambodia:

● By air: The quickest and most convenient way to get Laos from Cambodia. You can book flights from international airports in Cambodia like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, to major Laotian cities like Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Most flights duration are about 2 to 3 hours, varying depending on the route and layovers. Major airlines like Cambodia Angkor Air and Lao Airlines operate flights between the two countries. When you’ve been in Laos airports, various transportation options are typically available.

● By bus/driving: The budget-friendly option but quires patience as this transportation takes a long-distance bus from Cambodia to Laos. Buses typically depart from Phnom Penh and travel northward, often passing through cities like Stung Treng and Pakse. The journey can take anywhere from 24 to 36 hours or more. Though long time the bus take, it can lead you changeable beauty outside the windows when you’ll pass many cities of Cambodia to Laos.

● By train: It’s not recommended to get Laos from Cambodia by train. Currently, there is no direct train service connecting the two countries. To have a train journey, you can start from Phnom Penh to Thailand Mochit Bus Terminal. From there, you would continue by train or bus through Thailand to Laos. Train can be more complex and time-cost due to multiple transfers and border crossings. But if you want to simple stop at Thailand border city for one day visit, this option can be adopted.

● By boat: Boat option is brilliant for a scenic and unique experience along Mekong River. Start from the Cambodian border town of Stung Treng to Si Phon Don in southern Laos. The journey can take approximately 6 to 8 hours, but vary depending on river conditions and the type of boat used. You may choose a luxury Mekong River Cruise to slow down your travelling time for a peaceful time and picturesque landscapes.

16 Days Laos and Cambodia Tour with Mekong River Cruise

Vientiane - Luang Prabang - Pakse - Cruise on Mekong River - Siem Reap - Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh

The Best Time to Visit Cambodia and Laos Together

November to March is the best time to visit both countries together. The dry season, however, is the peak period for tourism in Cambodia and Laos, and while it is the best time to visit, it is also the busiest. Lying side-by-side, Cambodia and Laos can be visited at any time of the year, and there is always something to see and do, whatever the season.

Cambodia has a simple weather system that has two major seasons, wet and dry. The whole country conforms to the same weather patterns, and the best time to visit Cambodia is normally from October to April, the dry season, when the temperatures are more tolerable, and there is little rain.

Similarly, Laos also has a two-season climate, with its dry season running from November to March, considered as the best time to visit Laos. With no coast, the rainy season starts earlier and finishes later than in Cambodia or Vietnam, and is much hotter than in the surrounding countries. The dry season is the coolest time in Laos, and there is almost no rain for the entire five months.

If you are looking for less crowds and more peaceful travel in both countries, then the shoulder seasons for tourism, from March to April and September to October are the best options for travel. The rainy season is possible, and there are very few tourists during the summer, but the heat and humidity may be a little hard to tolerate for many tourists.

18 Days Days Laos and Cambodia In-depth Exploration

Vientiane - Luang Prabang - Pakse - Vat Phou Cruise - Pakse - Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

Conclusion & Travel Cambodia and Laos with Us

Visiting Laos and Cambodia can give a special and lifetime memorable journey. Catch and photography the historical sites and natural landscapes of Laos and Cambodia, learn about the countries to feel the charm of the ancient cultures and records of varied era. Laos and Cambodia can lead you to a pristine world.

While these two neighboring Southeast Asian nations share a direct land border, straightforward visa requirement, short flights and other convenient transportations make the multi-country tour in admirable experience. Clearly get to know the map of Cambodia and Laos and other basic information about Laos and Cambodia. To make your trip more convenient and comfortable, consider joining an expert journey with Indochinatour.com.

Feel free to contact us! We specialize in crafting unforgettable multi-country experiences, providing well-planned itineraries that showcase the best of both nations. With our local knowledge, professional guides, and top-notch services, you can explore these two captivating countries with ease, comfort, and a sense of adventure!