Flights to Tha Ngon, Vientiane Prefecture from NT$5,720

Depending on where you're coming from, your trip to Tha Ngon could be a piece of cake or it could drag on forever. Below are some handy tips that will help you start your next great adventure on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Flying can be a pleasure if you bring the right things. First things first, you'll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and some deodorant, a clean set of clothes and a few magazines. Secondly, find room in your carry-on bag for your laptop, a charger, your important medications and maybe a quality neck pillow too. Lastly, remember to bring your passport, travel documents and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your number one priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a smart choice, as are flat, slip-on shoes.
• Most of us have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of sitting. To minimize your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks or tights and keep your legs and feet moving.

The trick is to be prepared before you reach security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Tha Ngon in no time flat. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a terrific start:

• Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Your belt, jacket, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be scanned.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.