Laos tours
Laos, located as a neighbor to Vietnam, is one of the most captivating destinations in Southeast Asia. This country is renowned for its stunning natural and historical attractions, which never fail to impress visitors. Despite undergoing rapid change from the long-standing Indochina War, Laos still holds onto its traditional pace of life.
Visitors will be amazed by the beauty of Laos, from its isolated beaches to its landlocked mountains, swamped jungles, and incredible adventures in remote tribal villages and ancient Buddhist caves. When traveling to this “Forgotten Country”, you’ll be struck by the friendliness and easy-going nature of its people. A trip to Laos promises to be a truly unforgettable experience, offering a unique taste of off-the-beaten-track Southeast Asian life. So why wait? Plan your visit to Laos today and be captivated by its stunning landscapes and rich culture.
Passport & Visa
Who needs a visa to go to Laos?
Citizens of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as Japan, South Korea, Russia and Switzerland,Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Cuba, DPR Korea, Hungary, India, Japan, Mongolia, Peru, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Poland, and Timor Leste enjoy visa-free access to Laos.
Most other nationalities can obtain their visa on arrival, including EU citizens, North Americans and Australians. Thirty-day tourist visas are readily available on arrival at international airports and most land borders.
Citizens of some African and Middle Eastern countries must apply for a visa in advance.
Before leaving, please check the following documents and their validity:
• Validity of the passport: > 6 months after the return
• The price of each file: 35 - 40 $
• Delivery period: 2 to 3 working days
• Maximum length of stay: 30 days
• How to obtain a visa: get a visa through the Embassy of Laos
• Health insurance: recommended
Note: If you exceed 30 days, each additional day costs $ 2. Otherwise you can leave for the country and re-enter with a new 30-day visa.
How to get the Laos visa on arrival?
It is very easy to get a visa on arrival in Laos because there are no requirements for the invitation letter. You only need to follow the steps:
• Prepare 2 pictures which are the same size as the one on the passport (4 * 6 cm).
• Prepare $ 30 ($ 42 for Canadians) in cash for the stamp fee (paid by yourself on arrival).
• Check your passport to ensure validity for at least six months.
Currency
The Kip, Laos Official currency, is available in quantities of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000. There are three currencies used in Laos: Laos Kip( national currency), Thai Baht, and US Dollar. However, Laos Kip and USD seem to be the most popular currencies in Laos.
Apart from the hotels and restaurants and a couple of few stores in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, credit cards are typically not accepted. If you're traveling beyond the major cities, keep in mind you have a quantity of cash on hand because credit card usage will be restricted there. In the majority of banks in Vientiane, cash advances can be made using major credit cards, and the city's ATM network is extensive. Moreover, Luang Prabang and a few other sizable cities including Pakse, Savannakhet, and Vang Vieng have ATMs.
Exchange rate:
1 USD = 16,932 LAK
1 EURO = 18,154 LAK
Weather
In Laos, the annual rainfall lasts from May to September, with the heaviest rainfall normally occurring in August and September, particularly in the south. The dry season typically lasts from October to April. In Laos, the hottest months of the year are normally from March to June, when highs of 35°C and higher are common.
Vaccinations & Medicines
There is no vaccination which is compulsory for international tourists before visiting Laos including Covid-10 vaccines. But the following vaccines are recommended by the Pasteur Institute: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Poliomyelitis, Rabies, Hepatitis B, Meningitis A, C, Hepatitis A, Malaria Treatment.
Please consult your doctor or Travel health clinic before traveling.
Phone & Internet Service
Tourist SIM cards are available from Lao Telecom for 15 000 LAK (US$0.90) and 25 000 LAK (1.45 USD).
Where to buy:
The mobile network operators (Unitel, Lao Telecom (LaoTel),
TPlus (formerly Beeline) & ETL)
Both Vientiane-Wattay International Airport and Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) provide SIM card sales (VTE).
Flights & Airports
Laos is considered as off the beaten track for international tourists to travel and relax there. As a result, there are limited international direct flights from Laos to other countries like Vietnam, China, South of Korea, etc or the other option is to transit at one stopover, then tourists can step their feet in “The land of million elephants”.
Tourists also can search some frequent domestic flights there to reach some of the most convenient airports below:
Wattay International Airport (VTE) – The largest airport of Laos
Luang Phrabang international airport (LPQ)
Pakse airport (PKZ)
Savannakhet Airport (VKZ)
Luang Namtha Airport (LXG)
In terms of international flights, there are some suggested airline carriers including Lao Airlines, AirAsia, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air Busan, Jeju Air, Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines.
With domestic flights, Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway are the two most dominant airline suppliers in The land of million elephants, there are some common routes to travel among Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha, Muang Xay, Paske, Phonsavan, and Savanakhet.
Security
Laos has acquired a reputation as a pleasant vacation spot in recent decades.
Despite the absence of considerable risk to one's safety when visiting other parts of Laos, adventure tourists should be conscious of potential crimes and approach vital local safety regulations before engaging in such activities. You should also be cautious with your possessions and avoid wandering until midnight.
Language
The national and most widely spoken language in Laos is Laotian, one of the Tai languages of South-Eastern Asia. The Tai-Kadai languages are among the most typically used in Southern China, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. A significant proportion of Laotians can comprehend spoken Thai, and those who are educated in Lao can read Thai due to the two languages' close similarities. Currently, Northeast Thailand is also home to speakers of the Isan language, the main tongue of the Lao people.
Time difference
Its time zone is UTC + 7, 5h.
Electricity
Generally, the voltage in Laos is 220V so you do not need a power plug adapter or a voltage transformer. However, electricity supplies worldwide can vary from anything between 100V and 240V. It can be extremely dangerous to use an electrical appliance that is rated at a voltage different from the supply.
On-site traffic
Airplane: it is the most convenient and fastest way to travel to Lao. Lao Aviation and Lao Skyway operate the main domestic flights from Vientiane with the affordable price and provide scheduled frequent flights to the North-west of Laos.
Cruise: the waterways constitute the important transport network in the country (around 4,600 km of length) accompanied by the Mekong delta river. Ferries provide Huay Xai-Vientiane, Paksé-Champassak or Huay Xai-Luang Prabang links.
Longtail boat taxis: The drawbacks of this mean is overpriced (around 20 US $ per hour) and quite dangerous (terrible accidents have sometimes occurred on the Mekong). It is suggested that you wear a helmet to protect you from unexpected accidents.
Car: The land transportation in Laos is chaotic and there are no private lanes for different kinds of vehicles. Laotian often ignore and do lots of rule breaking to make their journey faster and convenient.
Taxi: the taxi network is mostly common in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Pakse.
Rickshaw or tuk-tuk: The price is cheaper and they are found in all cities. However, tourists should ask for a clarified price or negotiate with drivers because of the unstable transfer rate in some Indochina countries.
Useful addresses
- Embassy of France in Laos
Setthathirath Street, PB 06, Vientiane
Tel: +856 (0) 21 26 74 00
- Honorary Consul of France in Luang Prabang
French institute
Ban Vat Nong, BP 874, Luang Prabang
Tel: +856 (0) 20 54 04 88 69
- Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Laos
Wat Xieng Ngeun 04/35, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane
Tel: +856 (0) 21 21 41 50
- Embassy of Canada in Laos
KM4, Thadeua Road, Watnak Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane
Tel: +856 (0) 21 35 38 34
- Consulate of Switzerland in Laos
ACE Consultancy Co, 10/2 Manthaturath Road, Vientiane
Tel: +856 (0) 21 26 41 60
- Embassy of Luxembourg in Laos
Dongpayna Street, Ban Saphanthong Neua, Sisattanak District, Vientiane
Tel: +856 (0) 21 417 320
