Laos

There are two distinct seasons in Laos: the wet season (May to October) and the dry season (November to April). You can travel to Laos any time of year. The dry season is popular, but many Travel Indochina travellers prefer the wet season as there are fewer tourists. Monsoonal showers usually occur in the afternoon and rarely affect travel plans, although travelling overland in some remote areas may not be possible.

March and April are the hottest months and the evenings can be quite cool in the north between November and February.

The Lao language has varying dialects throughout the country. Interestingly, many ethnic groups do not speak any Lao. Other  languages used in Laos are French, English, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese.

Let’s learn how to speak Lao with your guide!

Laotian                                                     English

Sa-bai- dee                                             Hello (or hi)

Jao sa-bai- dee bor                               How are you?

Khoi sa-bai- dee                                    I'm file, thank you

Jao deu nyuang                                    What is your name?

Khoi sue                                                 My name is...

Jao chak bpee                                      How old are you?

Khoi...bpee                                            I am...years old

Ahnn nee tao dai                                 How much is...?

Peng lai                                                 It's too expensive!

Bor                                                         No

Jao                                                        Yes

Khor tord                                               Excuse me / I'm sorry

Khoi ao/Khoi bor ao                           I want/ I don't want

Lar-korn                                                Goodbye!

The great majority of the Lao people are Theravada Buddhists. Many Laotian men attend Buddhist monasteries for training before entering nonreligious life. Other religions practices include various Christian beliefs, Baha'I Faith and Islam. Animism is widely practiced among ethnic groups.

A typical Lao meal consists of sticky rice accompanied by fish, poultry or beef seasoned with chili or garlic. Fresh fruit and vegetables should always be peeled or washed thoroughly with purified water. Bottled water should be used at all times for drinking. Boiled drinks such as coffee or tea are fine. There are several restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang offering international cuisine, including Italian, French, Thai and Chinese.

Lao cuisine shares many similarities with that of its neighbor Thailand. It is dry, spicy and delicious. Lao food is traditionally eaten with sticky rice and with the fingers. In the countryside, people will eat on a common basis, sitting on the floor and sharing the dishes. The food eaten in Laos is influenced by its neighbors and the colonial French.

The passport needs to be valid for 6 months at the departure date. Visitors with passports from these countries do not require a visa for stays up to the days specified:

·         14 days – Brunei, Myanmar

·         15 days – Japan, Russia, South Korea, Luxembourg, Switzerland

·         30 days – Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Mongolia

All other nationalities require a visa in advance to visit Laos. You can get your visa in the country where you are living by contacting the embassies and representative is available on this site. 

A regular tourist visa is valid for up to 30 days and may be issued upon arrival at any land international immigration checkpoints to Laos including international airports such as Vientiane's Wattay Airport, Luang Prabang Airport, Pakse Airport and Savannakhet Airport for US$18.00-US$45.00. This visa fee is subject to the passport holder. (2 passport size color photos are required and the application form is available at the immigration counter). For travelers arriving overland from Vietnam at most border crossings, Taichang - Sobboun, Nameo - Banteui, Namkan – NamCan, Kao Jeo - NamPao, Napao - Chaolo, Laobao – Dansavanh and Bo-er –Phou Keua crossings are open to foreign travelers. From Cambodia is Pra Preng Krian – Nong Nok Khian.

Guests who has pre-visa arranged must obtain a copy of the visa approval before boarding the flight to Laos. If visas are needed, or if visas have already been approved, please provide us with passport and applicant details at least 10 days before the date of travel so that arrangements can be made / checked (as appropriate). You may require to check out the official site of Lao Immigration http://www.immigration.gov.la/

All Airport departure tax is included in your air ticket, no further fee exist on your departure, however, overland border gates require to pay your fee at US$1.00/passport plus an overtimes charge to an officer is applied for weekend, public holidays and after office hours. 

Laos is a very safe country, despite being one of the poorer nations in the region. However, you should apply common sense as you would when travelling anywhere: make sure your spending money is out of sight and near your body and keep jewelry to a minimum.

Even in Vientiane, you will feel safe walking at night, however Laotians tend to go to bed early so the streets are quiet after 9pm. Always carry a hotel address card with you when you go out so you can show taxi drivers.

While on holiday in Laos, you should keep a photocopy of your airline tickets, passport and credit card numbers separate from the originals in a safe place. Most hotels have room-safes for deposit boxes at reception where you can store valuables. Read our safety guidelines for further information. 

SHOPPING & DINING

The central markets in Vientiane and LuangPrabang both offer a wide range of souvenirs, as do many of the cities' shops. However, while the majority of private shops have fixed prices, in the markets the art of bargaining still rules.

TIPPING & BARGAINING

Tipping according to a percentage of the bill is not expected in Laos, but is enormously appreciated. For someone earning US$50 / month, a US$1 tip is about half a day's wages. You should also consider tipping drivers and guides. Typically, travelers on minibus tours will pool together to collect a communal tip to be split between the guide and the driver. About US$ 2 / day (per tourist) is standard. It is customary to make a small donation after visiting a pagoda, especially if a monk has shown you around.

ZEN TRAVELLING

We suggest these tips for traveling successfully in Laos (and anywhere else, for that matter!):

1. Try your best to smile and be pleasant.

2. Do not complain loudly.

3. If you want to criticize someone, do it in a joking manner to avoid confrontation

4. Expect delays - build them into your schedule.

5. Never show anger - ever! Getting visibly upset is not only rude; it will cause you to lose face.

GIFTS

Small, practical gifts such as a sewing kit, or pens and paper, are very welcome. It is best to present gifts with the right hand.

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

Light cotton and linen clothing is best in tropical climates. Long trousers are recommended for visits to temples and pagodas. Long sleeved shirts and socks should be worn at dusk for protection against mosquitoes. Sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are recommended for protection against the strong tropical sun. Bring a few items of warm clothing for trips to mountainous or highland areas where the temperature can be markedly cooler than in tropical lowlands. A windproof jacket is essential when touring along Mekong River during November to February. An umbrella or raincoat is recommended if visiting the country during the monsoon months.

PHOTOGRAPHY

It is best to bring your own film. Color standard films (such as Kodak, Konica or Fuji) are available in the main cities. But slide films, B/W films, video films and camera batteries as well as any specialized photo or video equipment should be brought with you. Obtain permission before photographing monks or the interiors of pagodas and temples.