Laos Travel Tips

Location: Southeast Asia, bordered by Vietnam, Thailand, China, Cambodia and Myanmar
Area: 236,800 km2
Population: 6.8 million (2009 estimate)
Capital: Vientiane, Population: 702,000 (2007 estimate).
Government: People’s Republic since 1975.
Language: Lao is official language. English and French are commonly used in major tourist centers. Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai are widely understood.
Religion: Buddhism is majority, Confucianism, Animism and Christianity.
Climate: Tropical
Tourist Attractions: Luangphabang, Plain of Jars (Xieng Khouang) 3,000 years stone jars, Vientiane City, Ruins of Wat Phu Champassak temple,Khonephapheng Waterfall.
International Airports: Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Pakse
Money: Kip
Voltage: 220v/50Hz. Two-pin plugs are in use.
Time zone: GMT +7
Telephone: Country code: +856
Communications: International roaming is available throughout the country, but please check with your service provider. Internet cafes are common in most major towns and in places frequently visited by tourists: Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
Business Hours: 8:30-12:00 / 1:00-4:30. Closed Saturday and Sunday

Laos Overview

Topagraphy
The main features of the country are its mountains and the Mekong River valley. Around 70% of Laos' terrain is mountainous, reaching a maximum elevation of 2,820 meters in Xieng Khouang Province. The Mekong River forms the country's western border and the Annamite mountains form its eastern border with Vietnam. 

Climate in Laos
Laos has a monsoon climate of a dry and a wet season. The climate is hot and tropical average temperature is about 28ºC, with the rainy season between May and October when temperatures are at their highest. The dry season runs from November to April, which is the best time to visit as the temperature is at its most comfortable. However, the mountainous areas can be very cold at this time.

Best time to go to Laos
-The best time to visit Laos is between November and April.
-The hot season from March to May is very dry and certain river trips are not possible.

Laos Food & Dining
Dishes are a blend of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese in flavor and presentation. Laotian food is based on fish, buffalo meat, pork, poultry and especially herbs. It is traditionally very spicy and fish sauce is often used to flavor dishes.

Laos 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, onions, powdered rice and chillies, accompanied by sticky rice).

• Tam maak hung (Lao-style papaya salad).

• Khai phaan(weed from the Mekong River - a Luang Prabang specialty).

Laos National drinks:

• Lao lao  (rice whisky) is popular and there are two brands available.

• Beer Lao.

Laos Culture
Lao people are open and friendly, and they possess a strongly developed sense of courtesy and respect. The generally accepted form of greeting among Lao people is the Nop. It is performed by placing one’s palms together in a position of praying at chest level, but not touching the body. It is also used as an expression of thanks, regret or saying good-bye. But with western people it is acceptable to shake hands.

Public Holidays in Laos

1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Pathet Lao Day.
20 Jan Army Day.
Feb/Mar*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)
28 Apr Buddha Day (Vesak).
1 May Labor Day.
1 Jun Children's Day
Jun/Jul* Khao Pansa (Buddhist Fast begins).
August 13: Lao Issara (Day of the Free Laos)
Sep/Oct*Bouk Ok Pansa (Buddhist Fast ends)
12 OctDay of Liberation.
2 DecNational Day.

Note
* Dates are changeable every year as they follow the lunar calendar and the Buddhist calendar

LAOS TRAVEL INFORMATION

Passport & Visa

Passport valid for at least six months are required for all nationals. Visa can obtained from Lao Embassies and Consulates abroad. In addition, visa can also be obtained on arrival at the international Checkpoint. The entry visas are obtainable from the nearest Laos Embassy, a travel agent or upon arrival. The validity of tourist visas is about one month and can be extended.
 

The following Passport Holders of Nationality listed are required to obtain the Pre-arranged VISA to Laos

Nationalities that are not required to have visa to Laos:

- Nationals of Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Switzerland for stays of up to 15 days;
- Nationals of Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippine, Thailand, Cambodia and Singapore for stays of up to 30 days

Visa on arrival into Laos:

-   Stamped at international airport: Vientaine, Luang Prabang, Paske

-   Procedures: No need to have visa approval letter in advance (as in Vietnam). Upon arrival at the airport, clients will fill in the Immigration Form (given by the Immigration Officer) at the airport, paste their passport size photos and pay US$ 30 as stamping fee directly to the immigration officer there

-   Bring 02 passport size photos

-   Costs: visitors need to pay the stamping fee of US$ 30 per person for each time of entry

Note: The price is subject to change and varies between nationals

Getting to Laos

Getting There by Air

The national airline of Laos is Lao Airlines (QV). There are no direct flights from the USA or Europe; flights are mainly via Bangkok, China, Vietnam or Cambodia.

Main Airports

Wattay International Airport
City/Region: Vientiane
Airport Code: VTE
Location: 3km (2miles) from Vientiane.
Ground Transport: Taxis are available to take visitors to the city center (20 minutes drive)
Facilities: Banks, restaurants, duty-free, post office and shops.

Luang Prabang International Airport
City/Region:Luang Prabang
Airport Code:LPQ
Location:4km (3miles) from Luang Prabang.
Ground Transport:Taxis are available to take visitors to the city center (20 minutes drive)
Facilities:Banks, restaurants, duty-free, post office and shops.

Getting There by Water

It is possible to travel from the Thai border 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 Houaixay on the Laos border to Luang Prabang in around six hours.

Getting There by Road

It is possible to enter Laos from Thailand, China, Vietnam and Cambodia

Laos - China

-    Mohan - Botene , Yunnan to Luang Namtha Province  (Visa on arrival)

-    Xiangkok riverport on Mekong River in Luang Namtha Province   (No visa on arrival permit)

Laos - Thailand

-    Chiangkhong - Houixay, Chiang Rai to Bokeo Province.   (Visa on arrival)

-    Nakaxeng - Nameua, Loei to Sayabouly Province   (Visa on arrival)

-    Nongkhay - Friendship Bridge , Nongkhay-Vientiane Capital   (Visa on arrival)

-    Bungkan - Pakxan, Nongkhay-Bolikhamxay Province  (No visa on arrival permit)

-    Nakorn Phanom - Thakhaek, Nakorn Phanom-Khammouane Province   (Visa on arrival)

-    Moukdahan - Savannakhet, crossing the Mekong River    (Visa on arrival)

-     Chongmek - Vangtao, Ubon Ratchathani to Champasack Province    (Visa on arrival)

Laos - Vietnam

-     Tay Trang - Sobhoun, Dien Bien Laichau to Phongsaly Province    (No visa on arrival permit)

-    Nameo (Cau Treo) - Banleui, Thanh Hoa to Huaphanh Province     (No visa on arrival permit)

-    Namkan - Namkan, Nge An to Xieng Khouang Province     (Visa on arrival) 

-    Keoneua - Nampao (Lak Sao), Ha tinh to Bolikhamxay Province.    (Visa on arrival)

-    Napao - Chalo, Quangbinh to Khammouane Province     (No visa on arrival permit)

-    Laobao - Dansavanh, Quang tri to Savannakhet Province   (Visa on arrival)

-     Kon Tum – Bo Y, Kon Tukm to Attapeau Province     (Visa on arrival)

Laos - Cambodia

-     Dong Calor - Veun Kham, Cambodia to Champasak Province    (No visa on arrival permit)

Internal Travel:

By Air
Lao Airlines(QV) (www.laoairlines.com) runs domestic air services from Vientiane to Houayxai, Luang Namtha, Xieng Khouang, Luang Prabang and Oudomxai in the northand Pakse and Savannakhet in the south.

By Water
There is route from Luang Prabang to Houayxai, but there is no longer a service between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The journey upstream from Luang Prabang to Houayxai or vice verse, takes two days with an overnight stop in Pakbeng

By Road
Many of the roads have been paved in recent years, including the main highway from the Thai border at Savannakhet to the Vietnamese border. In the north of the country, there is a road link between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and from Vientiane to Savannakhet and Pakse in the south.

Around Towns and Cities
Taxis, Motorcycles, and bicycles can be hired for the day in Vientiane, Luang Prabang. Converted motorcycles, known as tuk-tuks or jumbos, are available in all major towns and cities and are perfect for shorter journeys around town.

Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Vientiane & Lunang Prabang to other major cities and towns in Laos.

Shopping in Laos
Silk and cotton fabrics, objects made from wood (sculptures, cut-out figures), pottery and traditional instruments are part of the rich tapestry of Laotian craftsmanship. Lao sarongs (pha sin) and hill tribe bags are a popular souvenir.

Currency
Lao Kip (LAK; symbol â‚­) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of â‚­100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, and 500.

Currency Exchange (Update Feb 17, 2011)
US Dollars and Thai Baht are widely accepted and exchanged but other currencies are generally only recognized at banks.

Exchange rate (exact exchange rate depends on date you make transaction, below is a guide)

-          1 USD                  = 8,035 LAK (February, 2011 figure)

-          1 EURO               = 10,898 LAK

-          1 AUD                  = 7,945 LAK

-          1 CAD                  = 8,040 LAK

-          1 GBP                 = 12,735 LAK

-          1 CNY                  =  1,206 LAK

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Major credit cards are accepted in the more upmarket hotels and restaurants only in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. ATMs are slowly being introduced, particularly in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, but are not recommended.

Traveler’s Cheques
Limited acceptance and travelers are advised to take traveler’s cheques in US Dollars

Do’s & Don’ts in Laos 

Dos:  

-    A formal greeting for most Lao people is the “Nop” (joining one’s hands together in a praying gesture at chin level). Handshakes are also commonly used among male friends and with foreign visitors.

-     Dressneatly and conservatively when visiting religious shrines or temples.

-    Take your shoes off before entering a Lao person’s home and leave them outside the house or on stairs.

Don’ts:

-   Do not showing the bottom of your feet, touching someone with your feet, or relaxing with your feet raised up on the table is considered extremely rude in Laos culture... don't do it, ever. Feet are for walking or kicking a football.

-    Do not touch people on the head unless you are close friends.

-    Never plod into someone's home with your shoes on

-    Physical displays of affection, kissing, even hugging in public is considered impolite.

-    Females should never touch monks or novices, though talking to them are fine.

-    Do not take photos of people unless asking them first, especially in temples and hill tribe villages.

-    Feet are low. Placing them on furniture or pointing at things or people with your feet is not acceptable.

-    Stepping over someone on your path is very impolite, similarly stepping over food is disgusting and some Lao won’t eat the food that has been stepped over.