LGBT: Luang Prabang, Laos

Laos is a country seemingly stuck in time, and though you’ll find little to no outright hostility toward gay men or women in the country, you also won’t find much of a gay scene.

Luang Prabang, located in the northwestern region of the country, is possibly the most tourist-friendly city in all of Laos and it still has no true options for gay nightlife. Lao Lao Gardens, owned by a local gay man, is the only place that many refer to when they’re looking for a gay bar, but laws prevent them from marketing themselves as such. Still, you won’t have any issues holding hands or expressing your sexuality in the bar or even anywhere in the city.

Though conservative, there are no real laws on the books against homosexuality. Feel free to let your flag fly proudly — just don’t expect many places to cater specifically to gay culture. Truthfully, though, the same can be said for heterosexuals in Luang Prabang. A midnight curfew makes it difficult for any establishment to really flourish here, so you’re likely to spend your evening surrounded by a few tourists and locals in a small mixed-crowd bar somewhere downing a few cheap beers.

You can openly hold hands, though the locals aren’t big on PDA in general so consider keeping that to a minimum. You won’t find any judgment here, though.