L’équipe d’Asia Safari
Guides, conseillers, ils ont l’expertise du métier
Asia Safari est une équipe de professionnels du tourisme basée à Vientiane. Originaires du Laos, leur connaissance du terrain, leurs relations et leur expérience font d’eux de précieux intervenants dans la réussite d’un voyage. Ils sont à l’écoute de vos envies et comprennent vos attentes. Pour vous guider sur le terrain, Asia Safari c’est aussi une équipe de guides Laotiens francophones expérimentés, véritables compagnons de voyage dont le plaisir est de vous faire découvrir leur pays d’une façon conviviale et originale.
THE FOUNDERS
Driven by his desire for adventure in the style of African safaris, in 2000 Jean Paul Duvergé turned a page in his life and set course for Southeast Asia. In love with nature and wide-open spaces, Laos was an immediate favourite! That is where it all begins. And where everything follows on: his meeting with Touny, who would become his partner in life and soon his associate in the creation of Asia Safari Laos in 2002, then the creation of Muang La Lodge. His old dream of Africa in Asia then took the form of an eco-responsible lodge built on the edge of a Khamu village at the foot of the mountains of northern Laos. From then on, drawing on his bi-cultural background, the Asia Safari group developed with the desire to thrive while respecting local communities, nature and traditions.
YOUR DEDICATED CONTACTS
Touny, our Sales Manager, and her team: Sourinda, Nanivanh and Khouanphilom share a common playground: Laos from North to South and, beyond the borders, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and China. Attentive to travellers’ expectations and passionate about the country, its riches and its particularities, our advisors take the essential time needed to design a programme based on their experience and field expertise. Each client benefits from personalised, tailor-made support. What we call made-to-measure. Asia Safari in the field: Two months a year are devoted to seeking out what’s new to enrich the offer with a touch of the unusual or adventure, to check the quality and reliability of partners, and to maintain that precious contact with the people who make a trip happen—hoteliers, guides, village chiefs, boatmen, drivers, etc.
Touny
Lao and married to a Frenchman for more than 25 years. She chose this profession to share her discoveries with travellers visiting her beautiful country. Thanks to her long experience in the tourism sector in Laos, she will be able to find the hidden gems that will make your trip unique and unforgettable. By listening to your preferences, she will put her expertise at your service so that your stay perfectly matches your expectations.
Sourinda
Sourinda grew up between France and Luang Prabang, her family’s home town where she spent all her school holidays. In 2015, she left France in search of her Lao roots, which she eventually found in the lush northern jungle at Muang La Lodge. Today, she joins the Asia Safari Laos team of advisors to put her bi-cultural background and experience at the service of travel off the beaten track.
Nanivanh
Nanivanh spent a year in France to specialise in Tourism and Hospitality. Laos, which she knows “by heart”, has everything to charm her: authentic encounters, a rich history, the kindness of the people… She loves to recharge in the zen and spiritual atmosphere of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO treasure, and in the region’s natural beauty: from the Kuang Si waterfalls to the summit of Mount Phousi.
Khouanphilom
Originally from Vientiane, the country’s capital, Khouanphilom is a great lover of southern Laos. As a child, she spent her Pimai holidays in the countryside, in Savannakhet Province. Her happiness springs from the Bolovens waterfalls and all the natural sites, but also from the mystery of Vat Phou, the most beautiful of temples. Don’t lose the North, but ask her about the South.
Guides loyal to Asia Safari, precious travel companions
Bounty, Latry, Dusith, La… are natives of the country. Some of them have lived in France or elsewhere in Asia. Guides, translators, facilitators, our guides ensure the promotion of the traditional life of minorities with a concern for respecting the environment. Our trips are led by these experienced guides, chosen for their knowledge of the country, their availability and their level of French. In a country with dialects as varied as the number of ethnic groups, the presence of a guide will facilitate the smooth running of the itinerary.
Follow our adventures
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive all our travel news.
Why choose Asia Safari for your trip to Laos?
Asia Safari is not a generalist tour operator based in France. We have been on site, in Vientiane, for over 25 years. Our guides are Lao, our accommodations are hand-picked, and each itinerary is tailor-made. The result: a vibrant, fair trip, without unnecessary frills.
- Local French-speaking agency: we speak your language and know the country from the inside
- Zero intermediaries: you deal directly with the local team
- Truly tailor-made: no fixed catalog — each trip is unique
- 25+ years of experience: founded in 2002, Asia Safari assists hundreds of French-speaking travelers every year
How does our tailor-made service work?
1. You send us your request (dates, budget, desires, profile)
2. We build a proposal within 48 hours — day-by-day itinerary, accommodations, all-inclusive price
3. You refine it with us until the trip is perfect
4. We manage everything on site: guides, transport, hotels, activities
When to visit Laos?
The best period is October to April — dry season, pleasant temperatures. The rainy season (May to September) is also possible: lush landscapes and fewer tourists, but some roads can be difficult. Asia Safari advises you according to the region and type of trip.
Laos, the heart of your Indochina tour
Laos is often the surprise of a trip: uncrowded, authentic, with a quiet beauty. Asia Safari makes Laos much more than a stopover — we make it the central experience of your stay, before or after Vietnam, Cambodia, or Thailand.
Our most requested Indochina combinations
Laos + Cambodia: A classic — temples of Luang Prabang and Angkor Wat, Mekong and Tonlé Sap. 15 days minimum recommended.
Laos + Vietnam: Two contrasting countries — the calm of Laos and the energy of Vietnam. From Hanoi to Vientiane or vice versa.
Northern Laos + Yunnan: For travelers seeking originality — travel from Yunnan to Laos via the Laos-China railway (inaugurated 2021).
Grand Indochina Tour (40 days): Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand — a memorable trip for life.
Tips for preparing your multi-country tour
Visas: each country has its own rules — Asia Safari guides you through all procedures.
Ideal duration: allow a minimum of 12 to 15 days for a 2-country combination.
Seasons: seasons vary by country — we help you choose the best window.
Budget: prices vary greatly by country. Laos is cheaper than Vietnam or Thailand.
Our Story
Jean-Paul Duvergé arrived in Laos at the turn of the 2000s, fell in love with the country, and decided to stay. In 2002, he founded Asia Safari with a simple idea: to offer French-speaking travelers direct access to authentic Lao life, without the filter of large Parisian agencies. Since then, the agency has assisted thousands of travelers, built a network of trusted guides and partners, and refined its philosophy: rigorous tailor-made travel, serving authenticity.
What sets us apart
We are on site: Our team works from Vientiane. We know the roads, seasons, accommodations, guides — and what changed last week. No outdated brochures.
We speak your language: Asia Safari is a 100% French-speaking agency. All our communications, proposals, and guides speak French.
Zero intermediaries: You work directly with us. No central purchasing, no Parisian subcontractors. Fairer prices and higher service quality.
Tailor-made as our only model: We do not have standardized tours. Each trip is designed from scratch, according to your dates, budget, desires, and traveler profile.
Our commitment
Asia Safari actively supports responsible tourism in Laos: prioritizing local accommodations, tours that benefit village communities, respect for cultural and natural sites.
Laos in figures
Area: 236,800 km² | Population: approximately 7.5 million inhabitants | Capital: Vientiane | Official language: Lao | Religion: Theravada Buddhism (65% of the population) | Currency: Lao Kip (LAK) | Time zone: UTC+7
Laos must-sees
Luang Prabang: Former royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, its golden temples, French colonial houses, and gentle way of life make it an undeniable favorite.
Vientiane: The human-sized capital — That Luang, Patuxai, and the banks of the Mekong are worth a visit.
Vang Vieng: Surrounded by limestone karsts, ideal for kayaking, caving, and hiking.
Southern Laos and 4000 Islands: Champassak, the Vat Phou temples (UNESCO), the Bolaven Plateau, and the Mekong islands.
Lao culture
Theravada Buddhism permeates all of Lao life. The alms giving (offerings to monks at dawn) in Luang Prabang is a daily ritual of great beauty. Lao festivals — Boun Pi Mai (Lao New Year in April), Boun Ok Phansa (Festival of Lights) — are exceptional times to travel.
Nature and biodiversity
Laos is 70% covered by forests. Its protected areas are home to rare species: Asian elephants, gibbons, sun bears. The rivers and plateaus offer natural settings of rare purity in Asia.
