I came across the article about Hot Picks for 2008 Overseas Travel by verseas-travel/">RIS media magazine. It is good to know that Laos has been ranged as the hot picks for 2008 Overseas Travel. Here what they said about Laos.

"... SOUTHEAST ASIA: Development continues across the region, with the type of travelers changing as Western lodgings (and prices) spread across the region. Vietnam is the new Thailand. Cambodia is the new Vietnam. Laos is the new Cambodia. Just chose your grit comfort level. Vietnam is now an upscale vacation destination, with luxury hotels in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and plush beach resorts in Da Nang. Golf has become a growing part of the tourism industry. Cambodia is good for backpackers, but four- and five-star hotels are starting to bloom in the Siem Reap Province.

Cambodia is seeing an upgrade in hotels and restaurants, though renovations at the famed Angkor Wat temple complex are controversial. Laos is still best for experienced backpackers...."