Fast fact about Laos
- The Lao People’s Democratic Republic
- Capital city: Vientiane
- Official language: Lao
- Religion: Buddhism
- Population: 6,77 million (2013)
- Area: 236,800 km2
- Currency: Lao Kip (LAK)
- Time Zone: GMT +7 hours
- International calling code: +856
Weather
Laos has a tropical monsoonal climate with two distinct seasons: wet (May–October) and dry (November–April).
During the wet season, rain typically comes in bursts rather than continuous downpours, with more precipitation in higher areas and less along the Mekong River south of Vientiane. Transportation can be slow and muddy, but temperatures are cooler and air quality improves.
The dry season has two phases: the first (November–February) is fresh and cool, making it ideal for visiting, while the second phase can be hot and uncomfortable due to rice straw burning. The best time to visit Laos is during the festive season from December to February.
Clothing
What to pack for Laos depends on the season you visit.
Hot Dry Season: Light cotton clothing, such as shorts and sleeveless tops, is recommended. However, bring long sleeves and pants for temple visits. If you visit during Lao New Year, pack extra clothes as it may get wet.
Cool Dry Season (November–February): A light jacket or fleece, jeans, and trainers are advisable, especially in the mornings in Northern Laos. Long pants and sleeves are recommended for hiking and outdoor activities. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, and sunglasses.
Rainy Season: A raincoat or umbrella is essential, but you can easily buy one on the street.
When visiting temples, dress modestly with long pants and covered shoulders, and remember to remove your shoes upon entry.
Laundry services are widely available and inexpensive, so there's no need to overpack.
Religion
Within Laos approximately 60-70% of the population are said to be Theravada Buddhists, with the rest of the population largely follow Animism in the form of spirit worship. Less than 2% of the population are Christians and there are small communities of Muslims mostly in Vientiane.
Visa
Visitors to Laos must have a valid passport. Visas can be obtained from Lao embassies or on arrival at international checkpoints.
To enter Laos, your passport should be valid for at least six months, and you need one passport-sized color photo and an application form available at immigration counters.
Tourist visas are valid for 15-30 days, with many travelers choosing visas on arrival at major airports like Wattay in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse, and Savannakhet. Fees range from $20 to $42, depending on nationality.
Citizens from Russia, Luxembourg, South Korea, Japan, Switzerland, and ASEAN nations do not need a visa.
Public holidays
- 1st January: International New Year’s Day
- 6th January: Pather Lao Day
- 31st January: Chinese New Year
- 13nd – 15th April: Lao New Year (Pi Mai)
- 1st May: Labour Day
- 2nd December: National Day
Tax
In your air ticket, all airport departure tax is included. There is no further fee on your departure. Meanwhile in border gates, it is required to pay US $1 for each passport + overtime charge (applied for weekend, public holidays and not in working hours) to an officer.
Duty-free allowance is for:
· 500 cigarettes
· 2 bottles of wine
· A bottle of liquor.
Exports of antiquities and Buddha images are strictly prohibited by government.
Money
The kip is Laos' official currency, required for all transactions, though Thai baht and US dollars are accepted in many places. In Northern Laos, the Chinese Yuan is also becoming popular.
Since the kip is not convertible, banks typically exchange only to kip. It's wise to bring US dollars or baht for your trip.
In rural areas, prices are usually quoted in kip for small purchases and in US dollars for larger items. ATMs are mostly found in Vientiane, with around 15 in operation, allowing withdrawals of up to 1,000,000 kip. While credit cards are accepted in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, only a few places accept them, often with a 3% commission. As of October 2021, $1 equals 11,055 kip.
Language
Lao is the national language but there are many local dialects, not to mention the ubiquitous languages of the minority groups. Lao is closely related to Thai – a language is widely spoken by the neighbouring country.
French is spoken among the educated class who are over 40, mostly government officials and hotel staffs. But many other people are fluent in English.
Tipping
Tipping is not common among locals in Laos, but it is appreciated for drivers and guides. In some higher-end restaurants, a 10% tip is welcome if a service charge isn't included. Travelers on minibus tours often pool tips, with around $2 per day per tourist being standard.
Some restaurants may include a tip in the final bill, so check before tipping. It's also customary to make a small donation after visiting a pagoda, especially if a monk has guided you.
Food
Laos' cuisine is heavily influenced by Thai flavors, particularly from the northeastern Isaan region. It features fresh herbs, raw vegetables, and spices, with meat and fish commonly grilled or steamed, resulting in low-fat meals.
Traditional Lao meals are eaten with sticky rice (khao niaow) using the right hand. Larb (or laap), meaning “luck,” is the national dish, resembling a salad mixed with herbs, spices, lime juice, and optional chili. Variants include larb paa for fish and larb sin for meat.
Being landlocked, Laos sources its seafood from the Mekong River. A must-try dish is Mok Pa, steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves, known for its wonderful flavor.
Lao cuisine varies by region but is consistently prepared hygienically. In Vientiane, you can also find French restaurants, reflecting the country’s colonial heritage.
Drinks
Tap water is not possible to drink. Instead, you can buy bottle water cheaply which is widely sold. They are produced locally, and the price is around 3000 to 5,000 kip for a litre.
Despite there is no prohibition for buying alcoholic beverages, Las does not tolerate drunk driving, and you will end up imprisons for years. Beer Lao, which is made of jasmine rice, is national drink. A 640 ml bottle can be found anywhere that the price is from 10,000 to 15,000 kips in restaurant. There are three versions of Lao beer: origional (5%), dark (6.5%) and light (2.9%). Lao lao is the local brew as rice wine that costs less than $0.3 per 750 ml bottle.
Lao kaafeh (coffee) is recognized for its quality. The kaafeh lao is served with sugar and condensed milk, kaafeh dam is black coffee, and kaafeh nom is coffee with milk.
Safety
Laos is a Buddhist nation with a low crime rate, making it generally safe for travelers. However, it's important to stay vigilant and heed government warning signs.
Be cautious with bags and valuables when riding motorbikes or bicycles, as drive-by thefts can occur. While crime rates are lower than in many countries, staying alert will enhance your comfort.
Drowning is a significant risk for tourists, particularly during the rainy season (May–September), when floods can create strong currents. Traveling by boat during this time can be dangerous, even with safety gear.
Additionally, areas near the Ho Chi Minh Trail may still have unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War. Always stick to established paths and report any suspicious objects to the authorities.
Culture and Customs
Every Lao person practices a religion, so it’s important to respect their beliefs. Avoid touching people's heads, and women should not touch monks. Shaking hands is uncommon, and discussing politics can be offensive.
Dress modestly; shorts and skirts are generally not acceptable. When visiting temples and pagodas, cover your shoulders and remove your shoes. Avoid visiting around 11:00 AM, as this is when monks have their morning meals. A small donation is appreciated, and it's customary to kneel when placing donations in the box.
Lao people are usually addressed by their first name, and "Sabaidee" (hello) is a friendly greeting. Avoid hugging or kissing, as this may be seen as inappropriate.
Bargaining is common, but since prices are generally low, there's often no need to negotiate too hard.
Phones & Internet service
Public phones are available in major cities, but for overseas calls, you need to visit a Lao Telecom office and use a pre-paid phone card, which often provides only a few minutes of talk time to Europe. A better option is to use a mobile phone with a SIM card, as mobile network coverage is extensive throughout the country.
Many cafes in tourist areas offer Skype, which is a convenient way to make international calls.
Internet access is widely available in cafes, and it's typically fast, cheap, and accessible in major centers like Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Savannakhet.
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