Month guide · Luang Prabang · Laos
Luang Prabang in August
What August is really like in Luang Prabang: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 23°C (73°F), about 21 rainy days and roughly 12.8 hours of daylight. Usually the wettest month; roads to waterfalls can be muddy, but the town is quiet and green.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days
- About 21
- Daylight
- About 12.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in August
August is the 6th-warmest month in Luang Prabang: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 23°C (73°F). Rain falls on roughly 21 of its 31 days. Compared with July (32°C (90°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs stay near 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 05:52
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 18:40
- Daylight
- About 12.8 hours
Hot season (March–April). Temperatures in the mid-30s and smoky haze from field burning; Lao New Year brings the town's biggest celebrations.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes August one of the better-value months to book.
Events in August
- Boun Khao Padap Din and boat races on the Nam Khan (usually August or September)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Viewpoint · Old Town centre
Mount Phousi
A hill rising about 100 m above the town centre, climbed by more than 300 steps from Sisavangvong Road opposite the palace.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Active
- Kids
Experience · Old Town centre
Morning alms giving (Tak Bat)
Keep at least a few metres away, never use flash, and only take part if it is meaningful to you, with rice bought from a trusted source rather than street hawkers.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
Market · Old Town centre
Night market
Every evening, Sisavangvong Road closes to traffic and fills with rows of red-roofed stalls selling Hmong embroidery, Lao silk, paper lanterns, coffee and silver.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
- Food
- Kids
Religious site · Old Town centre
Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham
Look closely at the golden facade in the late afternoon sun, when the reliefs are easiest to read.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Architecture
- History
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 23°C and 21 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Luang Prabang?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, November–February are better overall. Compare every month.
Luang Prabang in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Luang Prabang?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Usually the wettest month; roads to waterfalls can be muddy, but the town is quiet and green.
+How warm is Luang Prabang in August?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Luang Prabang in August?
Expect rain on about 21 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.