Laos travel info
Electricity
The electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are used, including the European-style two-pin, the UK-style three-pin, and the flat two-pin type.
Language
Lao is the official language, but some English and French are spoken.
Money
The Lao Kip (LAK) is the legal currency unit. US Dollars, Euros and Thai Baht are also accepted in many places and are more convenient to carry than large stacks of the local currency. Banks, hotels, and jewellery shops all offer currency exchange services. For everyday expenses, visitors should carry a mix of US Dollars and Kip. For larger items, or when the exchange rate is favourable, travellers should use US dollars. For local transport, street-food stalls and minor purchases, Kip will serve visitors better. When in rural areas, travellers should carry a supply of small notes as change can be hard to come by.
Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted at most international hotels, many shops and restaurants, and a few tourist-orientated establishments in Luang Prabang and Vientiane. In other parts of the country, visitors should assume that only cash is accepted.
Banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 8am to 12pm, and then again from 2pm to 3pm. ATMs are available in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse and other major towns. Travellers should note that ATMs distribute only Lao Kip, with a maximum of around 1,000,000 Kip per transaction.
Tipping
Tipping is becoming more widely practiced in tourist hotels and restaurants, where 10 percent is expected. Elsewhere, there's no need to tip. Many of the more up-market restaurants tend to include a 10 to 15 percent service charge in their bill.
Health
Travellers planning to visit Laos should seek medical advice about vaccinations and endemic diseases at least three weeks prior to departure. With the exception of Vientiane, malaria exists throughout the country while typhoid and cholera are risks in rural areas. A typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travellers, except short-term visitors who will restrict their meals to hotels and major restaurants.
Other risks include hepatitis E, plague, dengue fever and Schistosomiasis if swimming in the Mekong River. Travellers' diarrhoea is a problem for many visitors. The best policy would be to only drink bottled water and avoid dairy products, uncooked meat and fish, salads and unpeeled fruit.
Medical care in Vientiane is extremely basic, and even then there are no reliable facilities to deal with medical emergencies outside the capital. As medical evacuation is difficult to organise and very expensive, travellers are advised to take out comprehensive medical insurance. Visitors who have an unstable medical condition should consider avoiding Laos. A yellow fever certificate is required from anyone entering from an infected area.
Safety
Most visits to Laos are trouble-free, though crimes such as robbery are on the increase. Passport theft is a problem and travellers are advised to take care, avoid carrying large sums of money, and keep valuables and documents in a safe place.
Making copies of important travel documents is also a good idea. Travel in some rural parts of Laos is dangerous because of banditry and unexploded ordnance, and visitors should never stray from well-worn footpaths. Visitors should also note that an ID document or passport should be carried at all times and should be presented on demand or else a heavy fine could be imposed.
Visitors to Vang Vieng, Vientiane and Luang Prabang are advised to be particularly vigilant of their belongings, and remain aware of their personal security as there have been reports of petty theft in these destinations. Staying at a trustworthy and secure hotel or guesthouse while in these places is recommended.
Travellers should never leave their passport as a deposit or guarantee when renting motorcycles. There have been reports of rental companies arranging for their motorcycles to be deliberately stolen or damaged, then keeping passports and demanding high fees. It's best that travellers rent from reputable companies and ensure their travel insurance covers medical and other costs that arise from motorcycle accidents.
Although Laos is known for its laid-back and friendly atmosphere, the travel risk is somewhat increased by the lack of travel infrastructure and medical facilities.
Local customs
Skimpy or revealing clothes are generally not acceptable, especially in places of worship. Public displays of affection are taboo in Lao society. The Laos government prohibits any sexual contact or relationships between Lao nationals and foreigners, unless married under Lao law; penalties may involve heavy fines or imprisonment. It's illegal not to carry an identity document. Photographing military sites is prohibited.
Doing business
The dress code in most business settings remains conservative despite the hot, tropical climate in Laos, especially when meetings involve government officials or clients in more formal or traditional sectors. Business people typically wear lightweight suits with a tie, though ties are often considered optional in less formal situations. For women, clothing that covers the shoulders, arms and knees is often recommended, even in professional settings.
Business cards should be given and received using both hands and should be treated with respect, as showing respect for the card itself indicates respect for the person. When offering a card, the recipient's name should face them and, when receiving one, it's important to take a moment to look at the card before putting it away.
Handshakes are common, though the traditional greeting is the 'nop'. It's like the Indian 'namaste', where palms are placed together as if in prayer and held in front of the chest or face. The higher the hands are positioned, the greater the respect being conveyed, particularly when greeting elders or those of higher status.
Lao places great emphasis on respect for elders, social harmony and humility. While business discussions are important, they are often approached with an underlying respect for relationships and maintaining a peaceful, non-confrontational environment. Direct criticism or strong opinions should be avoided, and it's better to be diplomatic when disagreeing with someone's perspective.
Surnames usually come before first names, which can be confusing for visitors. Business hours are from 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Duty free
Travellers to Laos do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2 litres of wine and 1 litre of spirits; and 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
Communications
The international access code for Laos is +856. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). WiFi is generally available in many hotels, cafes, restaurants and guesthouses in larger cities such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse, though the speed can vary. Travellers who'll be visiting more remote parts of Laos, such as mountain villages or areas with limited infrastructure, should anticipate that WiFi will be scarce or slow. In these regions, it's better to rely on mobile data (with a local SIM) for connectivity.
Passport & Visa
Most foreign passengers to Laos can obtain a visa on arrival if they're arriving at Vientiane Wattay, Luang Prabang or Pakse airport; they're holding a return or onward ticket and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination; they have a confirmed hotel reservation in Laos; they're in possession of one photograph, size 3 x 4 cm, though it's always recommened to travel with more than one; and their passport contains at least two unused visa pages. These tourist visas are valid for 30 days. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Laos, if visitors are arriving within six days of leaving or transiting through an infected area. It's highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry requirements
US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Laos. Visas are available on arrival at certain ports of entry, and generally permit a stay of 30 days. US visitors can extend the visa up to an additional 60 days through the Department of Immigration in Vientiane.
British citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Laos. Visas are available on arrival at certain ports of entry and permit a stay of 30 days. Visitors are allowed to extend their tourist visa twice while in Laos, for a total of 60 days. If they do not extend their visa within 90 days, they'll face a fine in Lao kip worth 2,000 US dollars, deportation to their home country and a ban on returning to Laos.
Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their departure from Laos. They can obtain electronic tourist visas in advance if they plan to enter the country through the Wattay International Airport or the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I. Tourist visas for a maximum of 30 days can also be obtained upon arrival at Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport and some "international" (that is, open to all foreign nationals) border crossings. Travellers should contact the nearest Laotian embassy or consulate to confirm where they can get a tourist visa.
Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Laos. For a fee, visitors can obtain visas-on-arrival at Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane airports for a maximum of 30 days, or e-visas before departure.
South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Laos. For a fee, visitors can obtain visas-on-arrival at Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane airports for a maximum of 30 days, or e-visas before departure.
Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Laos. For a fee, visitors can obtain visas-on-arrival at Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane airports for a maximum of 30 days, or e-visas before departure.
New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Laos. For a fee, visitors can obtain visas-on-arrival at Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane airports for a maximum of 30 days, or e-visas before departure.
Useful contacts
National Tourism Authority of Laos: www.tourismlaos.org
1191 (Police); 1623 or 1624 (Ambulance); 21 251 128 (Tourist Police); 1190 (Fire)