Laos Practical Info
Visa & passport
TRAVEL TIP: Take several passport photographs with you if you plan to obtain a visa upon arrival and for visa extensions.Visitors to Laos need a visa to enter the country and require a passport valid for at least six months with a blank page for a visa stamp.
A tourist visa is valid for 30 days and can be obtained before entering Laos. Otherwise you can obtain a 30 or 15 day visa on arrival at Vientiane or Luang Prabang Airports or at Friendship Bridge at the Thai Border and other border crossings (please check with your Lao Embassy for more details).
You need two passport size photographs and US$30 for the visa.
A Laos' tourist visa may be extended in Laos for a further 15 days by submitting an application through a tour agency for US$3 per day. Foreigners who overstay in Laos risk arrest, and they will be fined $5 for each day of overstay before departure.
Getting there
TRAVEL TIP: Confirm your flight a day in advance and always arrive early at the airport in Laos as it has been reported that when flights are full they may leave early.
Combining Laos with other South East Asian countries like Vietnam is becoming increasingly cheaper and easier with good value regional air deals from airlines like Vietnam Airlines, Bangkok Air and Lao Airlines.
Laos has three international airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse.
Below are airlines flying to and from Laos from Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phuket, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Siem Reap.
Airline |
Website |
Lao Airlines |
|
Thai Airways |
|
Bangkok Airways |
|
Vietnam Airlines |
|
| Jetstar | www.jetstar.com |
| Qantas | www.qantas.com |
| Singapore Airlines | |
| Air Asia | |
| Cambodia Air |
|
Money & banks
TRAVEL TIP: If you arrive on a weekend, it would be wise to have either $US dollars or Thai Baht as back up currencies.
The currency of Laos is the ‘kip’. There are no coins in circulation. Notes of kip include 10,000, 20,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1000, 500, 100 and 50. The highest denomination note is worth little more than US$2 as a result your pocket and wallet tend to bulge with huge wads of kip. The kip is pretty much non-convertible, so once you leave Laos any remaining notes are useless or collectors’ souvenirs.
US dollars and Thai Baht are readily accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels and prices are quoted at that day’s exchange rate. So it is wise to keep track of the exchange rates, as they tend to fluctuate.
Major currencies and traveller’s cheques in US dollars, AU dollars, Euro and pounds sterling can be exchanged at leading banks like the Lao Development Bank and Le Banque pour Commerce Exterieur (BCEL) and moneychangers in major centres including Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The rates tend to be similar but keep an eye on bank fees as some charge hefty commission per traveller’s cheque. Changing money in regional areas can be difficult so it is better to think ahead and change what you need in towns.
ATM withdrawals are now available in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, however, they can be unreliable and some will only dispense a small amount at a time. Credit cards like American Express, Visa and MasterCard are accepted at larger hotels and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang and some more up market establishments. Many banks will advance cash on credit cards, but not all cards are accepted.
Communication
If you want to use your mobile phone in Laos, the simplest and cheapest way is to buy a prepaid phone card from most mini-marts or phone shops for around US$10. The major phone providers are Tango and Laotel. Otherwise check if your phone company has international roaming coverage in Laos.
Wireless is available free of charge in most guesthouses, hotels and some cafes in the main tourist centres.
Electricity
The usual voltage is 220V. Power supplies can be erratic, so be prepared to be flexible. Plugs with two round pins are more popular than the three-pin. If you have any devices needing a special outlet, please bring its adapter kit. The best investment is the universal AC adapter, which will enable you to plug it in anywhere.
Land & wildlife
Laos PDR is a land locked country. The mighty Mekong in the west and the Annamite Mountains in the east offer natural borders to Thailand and Vietnam respectively, while Laos also shares borders with China in the north, Myanmar (Burma) in the northwest, Cambodia in the south. The country stretches 1000km from north to south, and distances range between 140km to 500km east to west, which in total mass is less than half the size of France.
Seventy percent of the country is mountainous with its highest peak standing at 2,820m in the ranges to the northeast. Just as impressive are the river and stream systems that all eventually end up feeding into the Mekong through one of its 15 tributaries. Rural people rely heavily on the Mekong River and its watershed for everything from transport to rice production, fishing and even gold mining. It is estimated that 80% of the country is located near rivers and streams with about 80% of the population engaged in subsistence farming.
Much of Laos is forested. The vegetation is rich and diverse with a mix of tropical and sub-tropical species. In the mid 20th century over 70% of the country was covered with forest. Today, this has been reduced to around 40% due to immense logging. The Lao Government has established 20 National Protected Areas, although this is a step forward, the illegal hunting and logging is still rife.
Laos is home to some 800 mammals including everything from wildcats, leopards, tigers, bears to wild cattle and small barking deer, Asian elk, rhinoceros, elephants, monkeys, gibbons, rabbits and squirrels. Over 800 bird species inhabit the country encompassing pheasants, partridges, ducks, hawks and eagles. On the lower reaches of the Mekong is the rare pink Irrawaddy dolphin and another rare species of the river is the pa buk catfish, which weighs up to 340kg.
Climate
Laos has three distinct seasons. The cool dry season between November and February has temperatures that can drop to below 10 degrees Celsius in mountain regions. During this season, the rivers are navigable and the roads are passable.
This gives way to the hot dry season from March to June where temperatures can soar over 35 degrees Celsius. During this time, some rivers are harder to navigate, and boat journeys in remote places may not be possible. In the north, the months from March through to the first rains in May or June can be very hazy as smoke from the burning of secondary forest hangs in the air.
June to October is the wet season where temperatures are in the 30s. The country is at its most beautiful and lush and rivers are accessible, however it can be difficult to get around in remote places by road.Average minimum/maximum temperatures:
Location |
January |
April |
July |
October |
Vientiane |
17/29 |
23/34 |
25/31 |
23/31 |
Luang Prabang |
14/28 |
21/36 |
23/31 |
21/31 |
Pakse |
20/31 |
22/34 |
23/28 |
24/31 |
People
Laos is the least populated country in South East Asia with only around 6 million inhabitants. Eighty percent of the population is subsistence farmers and only 10 percent of its villages are near roads. Laos is a collection of different tribes and languages. In total there are more than 60 minority tribes determined by their geographic location, language and culture.
Simplistically, the ethnic minority groups can be divided into three groups. The wet rice cultivating Lao Loum who live in the lowland plains and fertile Mekong River valley, constitute over half the population which makes them the more politically dominant. The Lao Theung who occupy the mountain slopes comprise almost a quarter of the population and the Lao Soung, who represent 10 percent of the populous, live high in the mountains and practice shifting cultivation. There is also a small percentage of Chinese and Vietnamese who live in Laos.
The three main groups also have many different sub-groups of which the most recognized live in the mountains of Northern Laos. The Yeo who live mainly around Nam Tha, deep inside the Golden Triangle, are best known for their craftsmanship making knives, crossbows, rifles and high quality elaborately designed sliver jewellery. The Akha who primarily live around Muang Sing follow strict traditional beliefs to cultivate rice where the growing process must all be done according to the “Akha Way”. Akha women are striking donned in their elaborate headdresses decorated with jewellery and silver coins.
Probably the best-known ethnic group is the Hmong, who mainly inhabit the mountain areas of Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouanga and Xam Neua provinces. They are the only tribe that makes indigo-dyed batik and they place significant value on silver jewellery as it represents wealth and a good life.
Religion
TRAVEL TIP: When visiting temples and people's homes, if you sit down, avoid pointing your feet forward as this is considered offensive behaviour and try to sit in a kneeling position.
By the 15th century Theravada Buddhism was the main religion in Laos. Theravada is distinct from Buddhism practiced in India, as the language is ‘Pali’ rather than Sanskrit and emphasis is placed upon a precise interpretation of the Buddha’s teachings.
The monks are held in high esteem and treated with great respect. When entering a religious place please observe the dress code. To err on the side of caution, ladies should wear a dress or at least a suitably long skirt and shoulders must be covered. It is recommended men wear long pants and shoes must be removed at the temple (Vat) entrance.
Respecting Morning Alms Ceremony
The morning monks’ round, ‘Tak Bat’ is a living Buddhist tradition for the people of Laos.This colourful, serene almost meditative procession has become a major tourist attraction, especially in Luang Prabang.
However, when tourists are unaware of the customs associated with Tak Bat, inappropriate behaviour can be disruptive.
So here a few tips on how you can take part in the alms giving ceremony while protecting its dignity and beauty.
- Observe the ritual in silence, and contribute an offering only if it is meaningful for you and comes from the heart.
- Buy rice offering at a local market, rather than from street vendors’ along the monks’ route.
- If you make an offering, keep an appropriate distance and behave respectfully by not getting in the way of the monks’ procession or the believers’ offerings.
- Do not photograph the monks too closely. Camera flashes are very disturbing for both monks and locals.
- Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and knees should be covered.
- Do not make physical contact with the monks or stand above the monks, as this is disrespectful in Laos.
Animism co-exists with Buddhism. The Lao people believe in ‘Phi’, which translates as spirit or ghost. It is believed Phi is everywhere; in trees, animals, houses and people and can take on traits that are good, bad or mischievous.
To keep the Phi pacified, the local’s build a small alter which is placed in a precise location in front of the house or garden. This ‘spirit house’ is always sheltered from the sun and offerings of food and drink are made regularly to keep Phi happy.
Shopping
TRAVEL TIP: The export of antiques, such as Buddha images and other artifacts, is prohibited. Any antique items that have been purchased in another country must be declared to customs on arrival in Laos.
Popular souvenirs from Laos include handicrafts and textiles. Local markets and minority villages are a good place to shop at bargain prices, while cities and towns also have larger tourist markets and shops that offer a wide range of local handicrafts from around the country.
One of the biggest and the best markets is Talaat Sao in Vientiane where you can get everything from electrical goods, fabrics, silverware, gems and gold.
The art of weaving is still very much a home industry in Laos, where some of the finest silk and cotton weavers in the world can be found in the smallest of communities. Hand woven textiles are made from locally produced silk and cotton and traditional designs and patterns vary from province to province. Antique woven pieces are still available but are becoming increasingly rare, often fetching very high prices.
From the simple and mundane, to the aesthetic and highly spiritual, Lao craftsmen can carve a wide variety of attractive pieces from wood and stone. The higher-quality handicrafts can be found in outlets in Vientiane and Luang Prabang where craftsmen can produce carved panels and statues for tourists.
The crafting of gold and silver jewellery is another skill at which the Lao people excel. Many of the best examples of silver jewellery come from the hill tribes, the standouts being chunky bangles, pendants, belts and earrings.
Saa paper is made from the mulberry tree and its bark. Like many things in Laos, it is made by hand and is very labour intensive. However the results are intricately layered sheets of paper produced to make photo albums, notebooks and paper and envelope sets.
Food
Lao cuisine is very similar to its Thai neighbour – diverse and delicious.
Dishes are drizzled in aromatic flavours such as lemon grass, chillies, ginger and tamarind. Being a land locked country most of the food source comes from the Mekong.
The staple diet comprises khao niao, sticky rice eaten with your hands, served with pa dek a fermented fish and lashings of nam pa or fish sauce. Another Mekong specialty is dried seaweed, a popular snack to accompany the country’s own brew, Beer Lao.
Laap is a traditional dish made from minced fish or meat marinated in lemon juice and mixed with chopped mint. Tam som is a local favourite green shredded papaya salad served with chilli peppers, spices and fish sauce. In fact, fish sauce and sweet chilli sauce tend to be the main accompaniments with every meal.
Fruit is plentiful. The tropical climate produces coconuts, papayas, mangoes, bananas, durians, pineapple, rambutan, sugar cane, custard apple and more. Street stalls serve grilled bananas and blended fresh fruit juices, which are cheap and to die for!
Vietnam has influenced Lao cuisine by introducing the feu noodle soup served with meat and vegetables and deep fried or fresh spring rolls. The French have also left a legacy of fresh baguettes, croissants and sticky pastries washed down with a cup of strong black Lao coffee. In Vientiane there are several good French restaurants and you can also find Italian and Indian restaurant in major towns.
Language
The official language is Lao and it has successfully become the accepted language between the various different ethnic groups. A member of the Tai Kadai (or just Kadai) language group, Lao is tonal and very similar to its Thai neighbour. In fact there are more Lao speakers in Thailand's northeast than there are in Laos. The two languages are so similar that Thai television and radio have become very popular among the Lao people.
French is still spoken in some towns predominantly by the older generation, however English is on the increase, particularly with the influx of tourists over the last few years.
English |
Lao |
Hello |
sa-baai-dii |
Thank you |
khawp-jai |
Thank you very much |
khawp-jai lai lai |
Please |
ka-lu-naa |
How are you? |
sa-baai-dii baw |
I’m good |
sa-baai-dii |
What’s your name? |
jao seu nyang |
My name is…. |
khawy seu… |
No problems |
baw pan nyang |
Excuse me |
khaw thoht |
I’m looking for… |
khawy sawk haa… |
How much? |
thao dai |
Where is? |
… yuu sai |
Hotel |
hohng haem |
Toilet |
hawng nam |
Bottled water |
nam deum |
Tea |
saa |
Coffee |
kaa-feh |
Please bring the bill |
khaw saek dae |
Numbers
| 1 | neung |
11 |
sip-et |
21 |
sao-et |
2 |
sawng |
12 |
sip-sawng |
30 |
saam-sip |
3 |
saam |
13 |
sip-saam |
100 |
hawy |
4 |
sii |
14 |
sip-sii |
200 |
sawng hawy |
5 |
haa |
15 |
sip-haa |
1,000 |
phan |
6 |
hok |
16 |
sip-hok |
10,000 |
meun (sip-phan) |
7 |
jet |
17 |
sip-jet |
100,000 |
saen (hawy-phan) |
8 |
paet |
18 |
sip-paet |
1,000,000 |
laan |
9 |
kao |
19 |
sip-kao |
|
|
10 |
sip |
20 |
sao |
|
|
Please note that the information provided for ‘Laos Practical Info ’ is sourced from various websites and guide books and was correct at the time of writing. If you have more updated details please do not hesitate to contact us.
