Laos Travel Tips & General Information

AIRPORT TAX

International airport tax: US $ 10 per outgoing international passenger at Vientiane Wattay International airport, at Luang Prabang and Pakse airports.
Domestic airport tax: 10,000 Lao Kip (approx. USD 1.00) per outgoing domestic passenger at all domestic airports.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Laos - 3rd edition 2003 - Asia Horizons - Pat Parisot and Vincent Marchand
Laos - 4th edition 2002 - Lonely Planet - Joe Cummings
Luang Prabang - 2001 - SEAMEO Regional Center for Archeology and Fine Arts - Barbara Pavlic
Treasures of Luang Prabang - 2000 - Editions Routes de la Soie - H. Rattanavong, B. Siripaphanh, M. Derepas and P. Gay
Petit Fute Laos - 1999 - Nouvelles Editions de l'Universite - Collectif
Laos - 1999 - Hirmer - Ann Helen and Walter Unger
Laos Handbook - 1998 - Footprint Handbook, Joshua Eliot and Jane Bickersteth
Treasures of Laos - 1997 - Editions Routes de la Soie - H. Rattanavong, B. Siripaphanh, M. Derepas and P. Gay
Lao Textiles and Traditions - 1995 - Oxford University Press - Mary F. Connors

CLIMATE

Laos can be visited throughout the year. However those planning to travel extensively by road in the Northern part of the country and/or in the south of the Boloven Plateau should avoid the last two months of the rainy season when some countryside roads may be impassable.

Laos enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons. The dry or cool season begins end of October and lasts until end of February (average 20-25? C). Take along a pullover or jacket during the cool season, as nights can be cold, especially in the mountainous areas such as Luang Prabang, the Plain of Jars, Saravane and Houeixai (0-5? C). The hot season lasts from March to June, light cotton clothes and hats are recommended (average 35? C). From June to early October is the rainy season (average 25-30? C). Most precipitations come in the afternoon and in the evening. Rainfall varies considerably from area to area with the highlands in the Phou Louang range along Lao / Vietnam border receiving the more precipitation (300+ mms per year). Vientiane average 150/200 mms per year and Luang Prabang 100/150 mms per year.

Visitors traveling between end of March and beginning of April should be aware that in the mountainous areas, slash and burn cultivation causes smoke that alters the weather. Domestic flights may also be delayed or cancelled.

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE

The local currency is the KIP. Notes come in denominations of 500 ,1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 20,000 and 50,000 Kips.

The rate of exchange as per the time of printing is approximately 10,200 Kip to one US Dollar and 12,485 Kip to one Euro. In Vientiane, notes of most international currencies can be exchanged either at banks or at licensed moneychangers. Outside Vientiane, most provincial banks and licensed moneychangers accept only US Dollars, Thai Bahts and sometimes Euros. Only major banks accept traveler's cheques. It is best to carry U.S Dollar bills in small denominations. Credit cards are accepted only at major hotels and up-market shops and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES

Arrivals at Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse International airport are generally rather casual events. Carry-on bags are usually not inspected if that is all you have brought. For checked-in baggage, when claimed at counter, passengers are sometimes required to declare if they have brought antiques and silver items with them. Simple formalities should be observed also when entering the country overland.

ELECTRICITY

The electric current is 220 volts AC, 50 cycles.

FLIGHTS

Starting from July 2006, Lao Airlines operates domestic flights from Vientiane Wattay airport on Turboprop ATR 72 for main domestic destinations such as Luang Prabang, Houei Xay, Xiengkhouang, Oudomxay, and Pakse, and Y12 Chinese aircrafts for other domestic destinations such as Luang Namtha and Samneu. From province to province, domestic flights are operated on MA 60 and Y 12. International flights are operated either on Turboprop ATR 72.

Other air companies are Lao Air and Laowest Helicopter, operating charter flights and medical evacuation on request.

Vientiane:
Lao Airlines & Thai Airways International operate daily flights from / to Bangkok with a share codes QV and TG.
It is possible to fly daily from / to Hanoi, four times a week from / to Ho-Chi-Minh City and daily from / to Phnom Penh with Lao Airlines or Vietnam Airlines. Lao Airlines operates five times a week from / to Siem Reap and Chiangmai via Luang Prabang and twice a week from / to Kunming ( Yunnan, China ), China Eastern flies once a week from / to Kunming.

Luang Prabang:
Direct flights from / to Bangkok are operated daily by Bangkok Airways and twice a week by Lao Airlines. Lao Airlines operates three times a week from / to Chiang Mai and two times a week from / to Siemreap and two times from/to Hanoi.

Pakse:
Lao Airlines operates directs flights five flights a week from / to Siem Reap and two flight a week from/to Phnom Penh.

Baggage allowance on international flights and between Vientiane and Luang Prabang is limited to 20 kg per person and 15 kg on other routes. Baggage can be stored at hotels until return.

Domestic flights in Laos are prone to last minute schedule changes and cancellation without ANY advance notice, especially during the peak travel season of October through March. It is not uncommon for flights to be delayed or even canceled once passengers have checked-in at the airport.

FOOD

Laos has abundant food supplies and their cuisine is simple and fresh. Sticky rice is the staple of the Lao diet and food is enhanced by such spices as lemongrass, hot chilly, peanuts, coconut milk and ginger. In addition to Lao cuisine, the larger hotels also serve a wide variety of Continental, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine. In the smaller cities, when the hotels only have one restaurant, ordering a-la-carte may involve a slight wait, consequently it is advised that you take advantage of the large and diverse buffets available at these hotels to minimize any delay.

Never drink (or brush your teeth with) water from the hotel tap, no matter what category of hotel you are staying in. Bottled mineral water is available at all hotels throughout Laos. Do not have any ice in your drinks as this is often made from water that has not been purified. The most popular beverage in Laos is the domestically produced Beer Lao. Lao coffee, grown in the fertile south of the country, is some of the best in the world.

GENERAL ADVICE ON TRAVELING IN LAOS

Use an insect repellant against mosquitoes, especially when traveling up-country and in forested areas.

Since Laos has a hot and humid tropical climate, casual and light clothing is best all year round, preferably made from natural fibers. A sweater or jacket may be useful in hill areas, particularly during winter months, when evenings can be quite cold. 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 (June-September). A hat and a high-factor sun block cream are advisable a protection against the hot tropical sun when sightseeing outdoors. Shoes are generally removed at the entrance to temples.

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. Photography and video in airports and near any military installations and government offices are forbidden and discretion should be observed when photographing people especially monks and hill tribes.

Useful, too, is a flashlight, for exploring caves or details of temples interiors, which are often not properly illuminated.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

An adequate supply of any essential medication should be brought along, as certain medicines may not be available locally. A spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses is also advisable. Extra personal insurance is recommended in case of illness, or situations where medical evacuation by air is required, as Laos hospitals are generally not up to international standards.

HOW TO GET TO LAOS

By air: Presently, Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse are the three international airports where arrival / departure of international passengers is allowed.

Overland: The country can be entered or exited overland at the following immigration checkpoints, which are open daily from 08.30 AM to 05.00 PM:
Friendship Bridge from / to Nongkhai (Thailand) crossing Mekong River by shuttle bus (from 06.00 AM to 10.00 PM)
Houei Xay by crossing Mekong River by ferry from / to Chiangkhong (Thailand) (from 08.00 AM to 06.00 PM)
Sam Neua ( Nameo) / Pa Hang on route N0 6 to Vietnam
Boten, Luang Namtha province, from / to Bohan and Mengla (Yunnan, China)
Nonghet, Xiengkhouang Province, from / to Nam an (Vietnam)
Savannakhet from / to Mukdahan (Thailand), actually by ferry. At the end of 2006, the bridge crossing Mekong river will be completely finished
Denesavanh from / to Lao Bao (Vietnam)
Namphao, Borikhamxay province, from / to Cau Treo (Vietnam)
Thakek from / to Nakhon Phanom (Thailand) by ferry
Naphao /Chalo , route N0 12, which link Thakek to Ving or Dong Hoi (Vietnam)
Vangtao from / to Chongmek and Ubon Ratchatani (Thailand)
Veunkham from / to Stung Treng (Cambodia) by boat

LANGUAGES

The official language of Lao PDR is Lao. It is spoken throughout the country as well as the Vientiane's dialect. In spite of the colonial past, French remains the second language and English is in common use among business sectors and young generations, even though they are not widely spoken except in the capital and in major tourist sites such as Luang Prabang.

LOCAL TIME

Laos runs at GMT + 7 hours, it lies in the same time zone as its neighbors Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Working hours: Government offices are generally open Monday to Friday from 08.00 AM - 12.00 PM, and from 01.00 - 04.00 PM. Shop and private business offices open and close a bit later and usually stay open during lunchtime.

NBCAs

The National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA) system was established in Lao PDR in 1993. NBCAs are multi-purpose areas and not national parks in the conventional sense. This means people live inside the NBCA and harvest some animals and plants as rural livelihoods. There are 19 NBCAs in the whole country. Currently the NBCAs have very different levels of access to foreigners.

There are many unique animals still found in Laos, but they are hard to see, because they are still hunted. Several animal species are on the verge of extinction. To slow these declines, do not buy or eat wildlife in the restaurants and be very careful with fire especially during the dry season.

People living in the NBCAs often belong to minority ethnic groups. When traveling in these areas, please dress modestly and respect local traditions. Do not touch anything that may be of religious significance and always ask before taking close-up portraits. Also do not give anything to the children and do not give medicine but to a doctor or a nurse.

POST AND COMMUNICATION

The General Post Office (GPO) is located next to the Morning Market in Vientiane. Its branches are available in the main cities and almost in all the districts through the country. It offers postal services and public telephone for local, national and international calls. In the major cities, telephone card cabins are available for domestic and overseas calls. Phone cards can be purchased at the shops nearby or at Lao Telecom Company. Most hotels in the main cities have IDD lines calls to oversea are not expensive as before. Mobile phones are also largely used in the main cities and roaming works with major countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Hongkong; coverage does not extend to the whole country yet. The normal mail service is inexpensive and generally reliable. For urgent or valuable mail (either to or from Laos) it is advisable to use EMS, DHL or other courier services.

PASSPORT AND VISAS

Visas are required by all nationalities (subject to exceptions for local neighboring people and ASEAN countries)

Visas can be obtained either from Lao Embassies and Consulates abroad or upon arrival at following immigration checkpoints:
Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse airports
Friendship Bridge in Vientiane (opposite Nongkhai, Thailand)
Houei Xay (opposite Chiangkhong, Thailand)
Boten, Luang Namtha province (opposite Bohan, Yunnan, China)
Nonghet, Xiengkhouang Province (opposite Nam Can, Vietnam)
Savannakhet (opposite Mukdahan, Thailand)
Denesavanh (opposite Lao Bao, Vietnam)
Vangtao (opposite Chongmek, Thailand)
Namphao, Borikhamxay Province (opposite of Cau Treo, Vietnam)
Thakek (opposite Nakhon Phanom, Thailand)
Naphao , Khammouane province (opposite Cha Lo, Quangbinh province of Vietnam)

Important note: Travelers arriving from Cambodia overland at Veunkham immigration checkpoint must have their Lao visa arranged and stamped prior to arrival at the Laotian border.

The visa fee is US$ 30 - 35 per person, depending on nationality of applicant; 2 passport photos are required for each visa application. Visa upon arrival allow a stay of maximum 30 days in Laos.

SHOPPING

Many handicrafts can be found at the common markets. The Morning Market (Talaat Sao Shopping Mall) in Vientiane is known for its superior silk weaving, metal work, and woodcarving. The Central Market in Luang Prabang also offers a great variety of souvenirs, from silk weaving, Sa paper handicraft, silver items, basketworks to hill tribes' costumes and jewelry. In Luang Prabang, traditional Hmong embroideries are to be found at the ethnic market as well as at the night market. Up market handicraft stores are available in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

Travelers should avoid purchasing antiques and other cultural pieces, such as bronze drums or gongs and Buddha image_laos. Since the export of antiques is subject to the approval of Ministry of Culture, souvenirs may thus be seized when leaving the country. If you travel in from a neighboring country and have bought any antiques or silver pieces, when arriving in Laos, you are recommended to declare these items to customs.

Bargaining is essential for all souvenirs shopping, because most of shops do not stick selling prices on the items. Reduction may vary from 10-20%.

Silk and cotton are woven in different styles according to the techniques of each province. The best place to buy is in the villages themselves, where you can watch the weaving process and get wholesale prices.

The artisans produce well-crafted carvings in wood, bone and stone. Subjects can be everything from Hindu and Buddhist mythology to themes from every day life. Pipes seem to be plentiful in Laos and sometimes have intricately carved bone or bamboo shafts, along with engraved ceramic bowls. To shop for carving, look in antique or handicraft stores.

Please be aware that what may be described as authentic or valuable items, such as gems, high value antiques or carpets are often fakes or highly overpriced. Several stores will offer you certificates of authenticity. Shopping is always at the discretion of the traveler.

The Northern hill tribes and Luang Prabang people do some of the best silverwork in Laos. Gems such sapphires and rubies are also sometimes available. However, jewelry is generally not up to international standards and buyers should use caution when purchasing gems.

Clients are NOT OBLIGED to visit any shops at the urging of the local guide or drivers. We make every effort to remind guides that clients are not to be pressured in any way regarding shopping.

SOME FACTS ON LAOS

Laos, officially known as the Lao People's Democratic Republic, covers an area of 236,800 square kilometers. It is an entirely landlocked country located in the center of Indochina. It shares borders with Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Latitude 14-23 degrees North. Longitude 100-108 degrees East.

The population of Laos estimated at 5,679,00 millions, is comprised of some 49 ethnic groups divided into 4 main linguistic families: Lao-Thai, Mon-Khmer, Tibeto-Burmese and Hmong-Loumien. Each group has its own distinct customs, culture, clothing and dialect. The official language is Lao. Vientiane is the capital and the largest city in the country. The major religion is Theravada Buddhism.

Geographically, Laos is divided into three main regions: the north, the Center and the South. While mountains and forests cover most of this land, the majority of the population is settled along the fertile Mekong River valley.

The main rivers are the Mekong (flowing 1,898 kms through Lao territory), the Nam Ou (448 kms), the Nam Ngum (354 kms), the Nam Xebanghiang (338 kms), the Nam Tha (325 kms) and the Sekong (320 kms).

TIPPING

Tipping is at the discretion of the client and is not required and obligatory. For those clients traveling on a group tour your tipping for porterage and all specified sightseeing is included. All of your guides have been fully pre-paid and you are under no obligation to tip them. However, if you feel that they have been particularly helpful and informative any tip you may wish to give is at your discretion and will be in addition to the tips paid to them on your behalf.

TRANSPORTATION

Depending on the road conditions of each province, visitors are provided with bus, minibus or car, most of the time with air-conditioning, for the excursions. In the remote areas as well as in the Northern part of Laos where the road condition is still poor, the transportation will be either by pick-up or 4x4 wheel drive and mostly non-air conditioned vehicles.

VACCINATION

Yellow fever: Not obligatory if the travelers come from Europe
Japanese encephalitis: For long trips in rural area only
Hepatitis A: Vaccination is recommended
Hepatitis B: Vaccination is recommended
Rabies: Advisable if on a long or adventures trip
Tenatus - Poliomylitis: Check if your vaccination is up-to-date
Typhoid: Vaccination is recommended
Malaria: The country is classified as a zone 3 countries: Consult your doctor before your departure.