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Laos Travel Guide
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GETTING THERE
Getting There by Air
The national airline of Laos is Laos Airlines (website:
www.laos-airlines.com)
. There are no direct flights from the USA or Europe;
flights are mainly via Bangkok, China or Cambodia.
Main Airports
Vientiane (VTE) (Wattay) is 3km (2 miles) from the city
(journey time – 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis are
available (be prepared to bargain). Facilities: Bank/bureaux
de change, bars, post office, restaurants and car hire.
Departure Tax
US$10; children under two years of age and transit
passengers are exempt.
Getting There by Water
It is possible to travel from Chiang Mai (Thailand) to Luang
Prabang by speedboat, slow boat or by a deluxe one-day boat.
The slow boat takes about two days and usually involves an
overnight stay in Pak Beng. The speedboat goes from Houei
Xay on the Laos border to Luang Prabang in around six hours.
It may also possible to travel the Cambodian part of the
Laos-Cambodia crossing by slow boat or speed boat, instead
of by bus or taxi (see Getting There by Road). Visitors
should be aware that accidents can and do happen when
travelling at high speeds along the unpredictable Mekong
river.
Getting There by Rail
There are no railways in Laos, but the Thai system stretches
from Bangkok via Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai on the
Laos/Thailand border. A ferry and a bridge link the Lao side
of the Mekong, 19km (12 miles) east of Vientiane.
Getting There by Road
It is possible to enter Laos from Thailand at Nong Khai over
the Friendship Bridge. Other border crossings include Chiang
Kong (Thailand)–Houei Xay (Laos) in the north; Mukdahan
(Thailand)–Savannakhet (Laos); Chong Mek (between Pakse and
Ubon Ratchathani); Nakorn Phanom (Thailand)–Tha Kek (Laos)
and Jouay Kone (Thailand)–Xaingnabouri (Laos).
It is possible to enter Laos by road from Vietnam either at
Quangtri or at the border post of Lak Xao near Vinh. Laos
can also be entered from China, from Mengla in Yunnan
province to Luang Nam Tha.
Overland travel to Myanmar is not feasible owing to security
risks.
Despite the official line, some travelers have managed to
enter Laos from Cambodia between Strung Treng (Cambodia) and
Don Det (Laos) with some degree of hassle, although this
crossing is by no means reliable. Check for the latest
information locally. The best place to try to arrange this
is from Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands).
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GETTING AROUND
Getting
Around by Air
Laos Airlines (website:
www.laos-airlines.com)
runs domestic air services from Vientiane to Houayxai, Luang
Nmatha, Luang Prabang, Oudomxai, Sam Neua and Sayabouti in
the north and Pakse and Savanakhet in the south. Private
charter flights are also available through Westcoast
Helicopters (website:
www.laowestcoast.laopdr.com).
Around by Water
The Mekong and other rivers are a vital part of the
country’s transport system. The choice is between irregular
(and very basic) slow ferries and exciting but noisy and
hazardous speedboats. Both services run from Vientiane to
Luang Prabang and Luang Prabang to Huay Xai. Ferries often
depart early in the mornings and can take several days,
whilst speedboats run more regularly and take approximately
eight hours for each leg of the journey. Times and prices
alter according to demand. There are regular jet boats trips
along the river, run by Lao River Exploration Services
(website:
www.jetboat.laopdr.com). Boats can also be hired
privately.
Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Many of the roads have been
paved in recent years, including the main highway from the
Thai border at Savannakhet to the Vietnamese border.
However, few main roads are suitable for all-weather
driving. In the north of the country, there is a road link
between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and from Vientiane to
Nam Dong and Tran Ninh.
Bus: Services link all major towns and cities. Buses
can vary from air-conditioned to the more traditional type
to the converted pickup truck.
Car hire: It is not recommended to hire cars in Laos
as driving standards are low. However, it is possible to
hire cars with a driver through hotels or tourist agencies.
Documentation: International Driving Permit recommended,
although it is not legally required.
Note: If you are on a strict timescale, it is
advisable to prearrange travel outside Vientiane with a tour
company to avoid unforeseen delays and costs.
Around Towns and Cities
There is a mixture of old and metered taxis in Vientiane
that can usually be located at Wattay Airport, the
Friendship Bridge and the Morning market. Taxis can also be
hired for approximately US$20 per day. Converted
motorcycles, known as tuk-tuks or jumbos, are available in
all major towns and cities and are perfect for shorter
journeys around town. Bargaining is expected. Motorcycles
and bicycles can be hired for the day in Vientiane, Luang
Prabang and other places frequented by backpackers.
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PASSPORT &
VISA
Passport
Required?
British
Yes
Australian
Yes
Canadian
Yes
USA
Yes
Other EU
Yes
Visa Required?
British
Yes
Australian
Yes
Canadian
Yes
USA
Yes
Other EU
Yes
Return Ticket Required?
British
Yes
Australian
Yes
Canadian
Yes
USA
Yes
Other EU
Yes
Passports
Passport with at least six months remaining validity
required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above
are advised to contact the embassy to check visa
requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
(a) A 15-day visa on arrival is now available for nationals
arriving at Vientiane International Airport, Luang Prabang
International Airport or Friendship Bridge; visas are not
extendable. (b) A one-month visit visa is available from the
Laos embassy provided the applicant has a guarantor in Laos;
visas can be extended by up to a further two months. (c) A
one-month business visa is available from the Laos embassy;
applicants require authorization from the organization they
will be visiting in Laos before applying for a visa; visas
can be extended until the completion of business. (d) A
five-day transit visa is available for nationals transiting
through Vientiane International Airport; nationals require
proof of onward journey within five days. (d) Multiple-entry
visas are only available from the ministry of foreign
affairs in Laos.
Types of Visa and Cost
On arrival: US$30. Visit, Business and Transit: US$50.
Validity
All visas are issued for single entry and must be used
within two months of date of issue.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy) or an officially
recognized tour operator. A visa valid for Laos can also be
obtained from travel agencies in Bangkok (Thailand) or on
arrival.
Working Days Required
Three from consulate.
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MONEY
Currency
Lao Kip (LAK; symbol ₭) = 100 cents. Notes are in
denominations of ₭50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000,
1,000, 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.
Currency Exchange
Thai Baht and US Dollars are the easiest currencies to
exchange. They are also widely accepted in shops, markets
and hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Major credit cards are accepted in the more upmarket hotels
and restaurants only.
Traveller's Cheques
Limited acceptance. To avoid additional exchange rate
charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques
in US Dollars or Thai Baht.
Currency Restrictions
Restrictions apply.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0830-1600. Some banks remain open during lunch.
Exchange Rate Indicators
Date Jan 09
£1.00= ₭12,314.45
$1.00= ₭8,464.95
€1.00= ₭11,337.99
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DUTY FREE
The following goods may be
imported into Laos, from countries not bordering Laos,
without incurring customs duty:
• 500 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco.
• One bottle of alcoholic beverage and two bottles of wine.
• Personal jewellery up to 500g.
Note: The export of antiques such as Buddha images
and other artefacts is prohibited. Any antique items
purchased in other countries must be declared to customs on
arrival in Laos.
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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Pathet Lao Day.
20 Jan Army Day.
26 Jan Chinese New Year.
8 Mar International Women's Day.
22 Mar Day of the People's Party.
13-15* Apr Lao New Year (Pi Mai).
1 May Labour Day.
2 May Buddha Day (Vesak).
1 Jun Children's Day.
30 Jul Khao Pansa (Buddhist Fast begins).
13 Aug Lao Issara (Day of the Free Laos).
Sep** Bouk Ok Pansa (Buddhist Fast ends).
12 Oct Day of Liberation.
2 Dec National Day.
*Variations may occur.
** Dates to be confirmed.
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HEALTH
Vaccinations
Special Precautions
Diphtheria
Yes
Hepatitis A
Yes
Malaria
Yes*
Rabies
Sometimes
Tetanus
Yes
Typhoid
Yes
Yellow Fever
No**
Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please
take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where 'Sometimes'
appears in the table above, precautions may be required,
depending on the season and region visited.
* Not required for Vientiane.
** A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from
travellers arriving from infected areas.
Food and Drink
All water should be regarded as being potentially
contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or
making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise
sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled.
Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid
dairy products that are likely to have been made from
unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish.
Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Hepatitis E occurs and hepatitis B is highly endemic. Dengue
fever, tuberculosis and Japanese encephalitis occur. Avoid
swimming in fresh water as schistsomiasis and leptospirosis
are present
Health Care
Any treatment must generally be paid for in cash. Health
insurance is essential and should include cover for air
evacuation.
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ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are good hotels and guest houses in Luang Prabang,
Vang Vieng and Vientiane, but facilities are basic
elsewhere. Local village hostels are available, but with few
amenities. Prices are generally lower than other popular
Southeast Asian destinations. For more details of prices and
location, contact a tour company with experience in Laos.
Camping/Caravanning
There are no facilities for camping in Laos.
Lodges
Laos is eager to promote ecotourism and visitors can stay in
specially constructed ecolodges available around the
country. These include lodges in Laopako, 1 hour 30
minutes from Vientiane on the Nam Mgum river, or the
Boat Landing Guest House in Luang Namtha province.
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GOING OUT
Food and Drink
Dishes are Indo-Chinese in flavour and presentation. The
cheapest and easiest way to sample Lao food is from the
stalls in the markets. Traditionally, Lao food is very spicy
but this kick is often tempered for the western palate.
There are several fairly good French restaurants in
Vientiane, catering mainly for the diplomatic community, and
Luang Prabang, which has recently seen something of a
culinary revival.
National specialties:
• Sticky rice (best eaten with fingers).
• Pho (white rice noodle soup, usually served with beef
and/or pork although vegetarian versions are available).
• Laap (minced meat, fish or vegetables tossed in lime
juice, garlic, powdered rice and chillies, accompanied by
sticky rice).
• Tam maal hung (Lao-style papaya salad).
• Khai phaan (weed from the Mekong river - a Luang Prabang
speciality).
National drinks:
• Rice whisky, lao lao, is popular and there are two brands
available.
• Beer Lao.
Tipping: Not customary, however a modest tip in
return for good service is appreciated.
Nightlife
There are several discos in Vientiane that tend to
have live Lao bands. Most large hotels have their own
nightclubs. Generally, however, the Lao nightlife is
quiet and laid-back, usually involving a Beer Lao, a
stunning sunset, firefly display and an early
night.
Shopping
The markets in Vientiane and Luang Prabang are worth
visiting. Silk, silver jewellery and handmade shirts are
good buys. Although the majority of shops have fixed prices,
bartering is still advisable for antiques and other art
objects.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600; Mon-Sat 0900-2100
(private shops).
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TOP THINGS TO DO
• Ascend
Mount Phousi
for a panoramic view of
Luang Prabang
and surrounding rivers and hills.
• Swim in the lower pools of the
Kuang Si Waterfalls,
situated 30km (19 miles) from Luang Prabang and bathe in the
two hot springs
some 52km (32 miles) north of Phonsavan:
Bo Noi and
Bo Yai.
• Spot the wildlife:
Laos's pristine landscape hosts a variety of flora and
fauna, including rare primates, mammals and birds. Take
official advice about which areas to avoid as there is still
some unexploded ordnance.
• Head to the hills and trek independently or as part of a
locally organised tour. A number of guest houses offer
hiking trips starting from
Muang Xing,
a small town on the river plains in the mountainous
Luang Namtha
province in the far northwest.
• Follow the Ho Chi
Minh Trail, a clandestine route used by the
North Vietnamese Army. It was bombed by the USA during the
Vietnam War and parts of this devastation can still be seen.
Take a guide as parts of the route still contain unexploded
bombs.
• Lazily float along the
Nam Song river
in a rubber tube
in Vang Vieng.
The scenery is stunning and enterprising locals will tow the
thirsty in to riverside bars for
Beer Lao. Many
of the bars have zip
lines and
water slides.
• Head to the
Bolaven Plateau in Champassak province for
elephant riding
and trekking.
Pakse,
home to many ethnic minority groups, is the region's capital
and the ideal base from which to explore the plateau.
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TOP THINGS TO SEE
• Check out
the old French colonial architecture and numerous Buddhist
wats
and stupas
in
Vientiane, one of Asia's most relaxed and
quiet capital cities, suitably nestled in fertile plains on
the banks of the
Mekong River.
• Visit Laos' cultural and religious centre,
Luang Prabang.
This ancient royal city has been a
UNESCO World Heritage Site
since 1995. Located between the Mekong and Khan River, it
boasts 33 large temple complexes and around 1,000 resident
monks.
• Marvel at the mysterious
Plain of Jars,
near Phonsavan.
Hundreds of stone jars, some weighing up to 6 tonnes, are
scattered over the landscape. Legend says they were used to
ferment rice wine in the sixth century to celebrate a
victory in battle.
• Be awed by Wat
Xieng Thong, one of Laos' most impressive
temples. Decorated with coloured glass and gold, it is
testament to the fact that Luang Prabang had been the royal
capital until 1975. The royal palace itself contains fine
artwork and gifts made for former kings.
• Drop in on a traditional community in
Ban Phanom.
The village is famous for its weavings and offers the
opportunity to purchase bargain-priced silk and
embroideries.
• Do not miss the fascinating
Pak Ou Caves.
The two caves, Tham
Ting and
Tham Phun,
are full of Buddha images that have been left there over
hundreds of years by worshippers. They are easily reached by
speedboat from Luang Prabang.
• Admire the breathtaking views across the Mekong Valley
from the Wat Phu
temple, constructed on a mountain top near
fresh spring water by the Khmer Hindus, who went on to
settle their empire at its former capital -
Angkor Wat
(Cambodia).
• Head south to
the supremely laid-back
Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands), an
archipelago on the Mekong river, to see the spectacular
Khone Phapheng (the largest waterfall in South-East Asia (by
volume)) and the endangered
irriwaddy
dolphins.
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COMMUNICATION
Telephone
Country code: 856. The General Post Office (GPO) offers
public telephones for national and international calls. The
are also card phone booths available.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile
phone companies. Check with your service provider. Coverage
is sporadic and mainly, though not exclusively, situated
around Vientiane.
Internet
Internet cafes are located in the major towns and are
becoming increasingly common in places frequented by
backpackers.
Post
The General Post Office (GPO) is beside the Morning Market
in Vientiane. Normal postal service is inexpensive and
generally reliable although it can take around two weeks to
and from Western countries. A courier service is recommended
for urgent or valuable mail.
Media
The Lao media is basically a tool of the government, which
owns all of the country's newspapers and broadcast media.
Newspapers are not widely read.
Press
• English-language newspapers include the Vientiane Times.
• Le Rénovateur is a French-language newspaper.
• The Lao-language daily is the Vientiane Mai.
• All are state run.
TV
• Lao National TV (TVNL) and Laos Television 3, a joint
venture with a Thai company, are the main TV channels.
Radio
• Lao National Radio is the national radio station.
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CLIMATE
Throughout most of the country, the climate is hot and
tropical, with the rainy season between May and October when
temperatures are at their highest. The dry season runs from
November to April.
Required Clothing
Lightweights and rainwear, with warmer layers from October
to March and upland areas.
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MAP
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TRAVEL TIPS
Most visits are trouble free.
The threat from terrorism in Laos is low. However,
travellers should be aware of the global risk of
indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public
areas, including places frequented by foreigners.
Travellers should be aware of and respect local conventions
at all times.
Unexploded ordnance in rural areas is an ongoing danger.
Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Laos have
resulted in human fatalities, the last one of which was in
2007. As a precaution, travellers should avoid live animal
markets, poultry farms and other places where close contact
with domestic, caged or wild birds is likely; and ensure
poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
The Lao government prohibits sexual relationships between
foreign citizens and Lao nationals except when the two
parties have been married in accordance with Lao family law.
Penalties for breaking these regulations can range from
fines to imprisonment.
Penalties for illegal drug importation and use are severe
and can include the death penalty.
It is illegal not to carry an ID document, and fines for not
having one for presentation are high.
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Laos
major places of interest:
Phongsali,
Sayabouri,
Savannakhet,
Luang Namtha,
Xieng Khouang,
Salavan,
Bokeo,
Vientiane,
Sekong,
Luang Prabang,
Bolikhamsai,
Pakse,
Houa Phan,
Khammouane,
Attapeu
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