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HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR VISITORS Getting There / Visas / Local Time / Money & Lao Currency / Business Hours / Post & Internet Access / Phone & Fax Services / Electricity / Health Precautions / Food / Shopping / Do and Don'ts in Laos Culture / Clothing Travel Facts - Getting There
Laos can be reached by land, air and river from neighboring Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China. There is regular air service to Laos on Thai International, Viet Nam Airlines, Lao Airlines, China Southern and Bangkok Airways. The busiest entry-exit point is the Friendship Bridge that connects Vientiane to Nong Khai, Thailand. Another popular overland border crossing is Houeixai that links northern Thailand's Chiang Rai province to northwestern Laos at the center of the infamous Golden Triangle.
Arrival by Air - The only port of arrival by air is Wattay Airport in Vientiane. You can travel by Lao Aviation, Thai Airways International, Vietnam Airline, The Southern China Airline, Silk Air, Malaysian Airline and Regular flights are available to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Kunming, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Arrival by Road - Road access is possible from neighboring countries. Between Thailand and Laos the border can be crossed at Houeixay in Bokeo province, at Mittaphab friendship bridge near Vientiane and at Dan Savannakhet in Savannakhet Province.
China can be reached by road at Boten in Luang Namtha province. Border crossings between Laos and Vietnam have been set up at Lak Sao on the road No.8. Borikhamsay province and at Dan Savanh in Savannakhet province on the road No.9. Arrival by Train - Although there is currently no rail connection to Laos yet, an extension of the Bangkok-Nong Khai railway is planned and a line from Vientiane to Nong Khai is scheduled to start operating in near future. Arrival by Boat - From Kunming or Xishuangbanna, China, it is possible to travel by boat through the Mekong river straight South into Bokeo province.
Visas
To enter the country, visitors need a passport with at least six months validity. Visas are available from Lao Embassies and consulates abroad or can be obtained upon arrival at Laos’ international airports or international border crossings. Please refer to the following table for visa requirement for ASEAN nationals.
ASEAN Countries | Duration stay in Laos | Visa Requirement | Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. | Within 30 days | No | Brunei and Indonesia | Within 15 days | No | Myanmar | | Yes |
Local Time
Local time is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus seven hours.
Money / Currency
The official currency of Laos is the Kip and the following bank notes are currently in circulation: 500; 1,000; 2.000; 5.000; 10,000; 20,000 and 50,000 Kip. Major travelers checks can be cashed at banks. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and a limited number of upscale shopping establishments. ATMs accept Visa, Mastercard and several cards with inter-bank access, and dispense kip notes. Thai baht and US dollars are generally accepted in larger urban centers. (US $1 = 10,800K)
Business Hours
Government offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30-12:00 and from 1pm to about 4:30. Private businesses are generally open later, especially restaurants and entertainment venues. Except for restaurants, most businesses are closed on Sunday.
Post and Internet Access
There are post offices in all provincial capitals, from which to send letters and parcels to your home country. Vientiane 's main post office offers a post restante service, (a service where the post office holds mail until the recipient calls for it. It is a common destination for mail for people who are visiting a particular location and have no need, or no way, of having mail delivered directly to their place of residence at that time).
Both DHL and FedEx have offices in the capital.
Internet access is widely available in all major tourism centers, and all but the most remote population centers.
Phone and Fax Services
International Direct Dial is widely available and travelers can send and receive faxes from all post offices and many private businesses. You can also purchase a local SIM card for your mobile phone.
Electricity
24-hour electricity is now available in all major population centers and many district capitals. Laos uses 220 volt AC. Most sockets found in hotels are French style two-pin.
Health Precautions
No vaccinations are required for entry into Laos. However since health care in Laos is basic (especially in the remote areas), it is recommended that all visitors consult their doctor regarding inoculation against typhoid, tetanus, and hepatitis A and B before coming. Prescription drugs are available in urban areas. However it is wise for those taking special medications, be sure to bring along an adequate supply to last the length of your trip.
It is not wise to drink tap wate. Precautionary measures like eating only well-cooked food, drinking bottled water, staying hydrated, avoiding being bitten by mosquitoes and wearing protective clothing will help prevent most common ailments
Food
Most visitors will find Lao cuisine to be similar to that of neighboring Thailand. Freshwater fish is a popular part of most Lao diets, while in remote areas wild animals are more likely to be part of the diet than domestic animals. Local specialties include laps, a salad of minced meat, lime juice, garlic, green onions, mint and chilies. Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai food is also widely available, as is a range of western cuisine in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
Laotian food is based on fish, buffalo meat, pork, poultry and especially herbs. It is always being freshly prepared and not being preserved. Other than sticky rice, which can be eaten either sweet or sour, or fermented and is eaten with fingers, Laotian food is very rich in vegetables and is often browned in coconut oil. Rice is the staple of Laotian food. Lap is a traditional dish. It consists of minced meat accompanied by citronella, onions, and spices and mixed with a fish sauce and roasted rice. Lap means "happiness and luck". The sticky rice is always served with the hot sauce or a spicy fish or shrimp based sauce.
Laotian cooking not only uses cultivated vegetables, but often wild fruit or vegetables picked from the forests are used as well. Laotian food has a unique flavor and some dishes can be spicy to the un accustomed foreigner.
Shopping
Laos offers a limited range of handicrafts when compared with neighboring Thailand, but Lao textiles are among the most accomplished in the region. Different minority groups produce different patterns and items can be bought as clothing, tablecloths or bags. Carvings in wood or stone are popular depicting scenes from Hindu or Buddhist mythology, as well a intricately carved opium pipes, although make sure these not of ivory. Some Asian antiquities are available in the tourist centers, but officially there is a ban on the export of these items so do not invest too much in any one item.
There are many things to shop for in Vientiane. Popular local products include silk and cotton, shawls, bags, quilts, art and antiques and gem stones. These products can be found in the morning market and are suitable to bring home as souvenirs. The morning market is open about 9 am and closes only at about 4 pm. You are advised to bargain here. Vientiane does not have big shopping centers, but it has several marketplaces and speciality shops with cheap prices. The large, two-story indoor market Talat Sao has pretty much anything for sale, from textiles to electronics and jewelery. Haggling is expected. There is also a night market in Vientiane, as well as several high-quality clothes and textile boutiques, supermarkets and minimarkets
Dos and Don’ts in Lao Culture
As anywhere else, the default attitude is to pay attention to basic rules of politeness. Making a good first impression for yourself and be greatly appreciated by the Lao people who are often as shy as they are gentle.
· The Lao work for hello is “Sabai dee” (feel good), usually said with a smile.Touching or showing affection in public will be embarrass your hosts
· Please remember to take your shoes off before you enter a Lao person’s home
· Touching some’s head is very very impolite
· In Laos your head is “high” , your feet “low”. Using your feet to point to a person or any object other than walking or playing sports is generally considered rude
· Lao people traditionally great each other by pressing their palms together to “Nop” although it is acceptable for men to shake hands
· Lao people appreciate clean and neatly dressed visitors
· Do not distribute gifts to children as it encourages begging, but give to an established organsation or village elders instead.
· Monks are revered and respectful in Laos, however women should not touch a monk or a monk’s robes.
· Please help to keep Laos clean and beautiful by not leaving litter.
· The use of drugs is illegal in Laos. The consequences maybe severe for you and Lao society
· Before you take a photo of someone, ask if it is ok
· When visiting temples (call "Wat") you must be dressed decently and remove your shoes before you enter the religious buildings. Avoid wearing short and sleeveless shirts. When entering a Wat or a private home, it is customary to remove one’s shoes.
· In Lao homes raised off the ground, the shoes are left at the stairs. In traditional homes, one sits on low seats or cushions on the floor. Men usually sit with their legs crossed or folded to one side, women prefer solely the latter. Upon entering, guests may be served fruit or tea. These gestures of hospitality should not be refused.
 Click in image to view more do & don't in Lao culture.
Clothing
During the hot season, January to April, bring light clothes in cotton and linen, sunglasses and a hat all year long. Sunscreen and bug repellant is also recommended. From November to December, the cold season, it is a good idea to bring warm clothing such as sweaters and jackets for the morning and evening, and even more so if you are visiting the mountainous regions of the North. From May to October, during the rainy season, it is best to have waterproof clothing. It is best to wear easily removable shoes or sandals when visiting the temples. |
