Laos Travel Tips

To have a better travel experience in Laos, there are some useful Laos travel tips which may be helpful for your Laos tour. When plan your trip to Laos, view our answers to questions about Laos travel to get better understanding of Laos.

Useful Numbers

  • Emergency medical aid: 195
  • Fire: 190
  • Police: 191
  • Tourist police: 251；128
  • Laotian influenza telephone：199
  • Telephone Information Enquiry: 168

Best Time to Visit

The dry season, from November to February, is the best time to visit. During this time, the temperature is pleasant and rainfall is low. It is also a prime time for outdoor activities.

What to Pack

  • Essential Travel Items: flights, passport, visa, credit and Debit Cards, ID card, travel documents scans, face mask, hand sanitizer, smartphone, power bank, travel adapter, pocket torch, etc.
  • Clothing, Footwear and Accessories: Laos is warm and sunny most of the year, you can pack T-Shirts, Short and Other Light Clothing, but it can get cold once the sun sets in the mountainous area, it is better to bring hiking shoes and lightweight jackets. Laos gets very sunny during the dry season, meaning sunglasses, hats and sunscreen will also be needed. Laos is also humid, so prepare enough underwear with you. In addition, you’ll need to cover up with long-sleeved T-shirt and trousers when visiting temples in Laos. Taking your swimwear with a good amount of coverage if you like swimming.

Currency

The unit of currency in Laos is the kip, with denominations of 10 kip, 200 kip, 500 kip, 1,000 kip, 2,000 kip, 5,000 kip, 10,000 kip, 20,000 kip, and 50,000 kip. Thai baht and U.S. dollars are widely accepted throughout the cities, and some stores in northern Laos also accept the Chinese Yuan.

Exchange Rate

The exchange rate is roughly 1 USD ≈ 16,925 Kip and 1 RMB ≈ 2,493.37 Kip. (varying). Kip can be exchanged at airports, hotels, and post offices in major cities such as Luang Prabang and Vientiane, with some exchange offices clearly marked with "Exchange, $US, and ແລກປ1ຽນເງiນຕາ(lek bian en da)".

Card Consumption

Most restaurants, family hostels and handicraft stores in Laos are unable to use credit cards, and only some high-end hotels and restaurants support Visa and MasterCard, usually in popular tourist cities such as Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane. Amex and Japanese JCB credit cards can be used to a very small extent.

UnionPay

All BCEL bank ATMs in Laos carry the "UnionPay" logo and usually charge a fee for using UnionPay cards. ATMs are common in Luang Prabang and Vientiane.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Laos and is generally not required. However, given that the local consumption is not too high, we can still consider taking the initiative to give some tips if we are very satisfied with the service. Laotians will also be very happy with a 10 percent tip after the restaurant check.

Language

The official language of Laos is Lao, and Thai and Lao are roughly interchangeable, allowing Thais and Laotians to converse in their own languages in the area. English is more prevalent in cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang, where tourists gather.

Post Office

The symbol of the Lao Post Office is the Bureau de Poste in French, and parcels sent in Laos must be opened for inspection by the postal staff. The Bureau de Poste de laProvince de Luangprabang is located near the junction of Fa Ngum Road and Kitsalath Road, just across the road from the Tourist Center. The post office is open daily from 8:00-11:30 and 13:30-17:00, with night service from 17:00-22:00, subject to availability.

Commonly spoken Lao

Greeting：sabaidii
Thank you：khop chai
Sorry：kho tuo
Bye：la kon
Yes：men
No：bo men
Help：suai
Restroom：hong nam
How much：thao dai

Etiquette and Taboos

  • Meeting Etiquette: Lao people are easy-going and kind by nature, and treat visitors very kindly. Remember to greet Lao people when meeting or parting from them, and the handshake is a courtesy applicable to both men and women. Generally, younger people take the initiative to greet older people, and women take the initiative to salute men.
  • Do not dress too openly: In Laos, temples are very sacred places and must be dressed neatly and appropriately, with the upper body not showing the navel and shoulders, and the lower body not showing above the knees. You must take off your shoes when entering the main hall to show respect, and you must not touch the statues or take pictures. You must speak softly and be respectful in front of the Buddha statue.
  • Women are not allowed to touch monks: Monks are respected, women are not allowed to approach or touch them, and when they need to pass something, they must put it on the table or give it to other men first, and then they pass it to the monks. When taking a photo with a monk, you must ask their permission, keep a certain distance when taking a photo together, and politely express your gratitude at the end.
  • Do not be overly intimate in public: The Lao people practice Hinayana Buddhism and are relatively conservative, so remember not to be overly intimate or speak loudly in public without fear.
  • Take off your shoes when entering a house: In addition to the main temple, some lodges and stores require you to take off your shoes when entering.
  • Protection of wildlife: Do not buy fried insects sold in the area, as the possibility of contracting unknown diseases cannot be ruled out; do not kill wildlife of any kind, as we should work together to protect this natural ecological home.
  • Other taboos: Lao people consider the head to be the most sacred part of the human body and do not touch the head of others, including children. The feet are the lowest part of the human body, and it is rude to point at things with your feet, point at Buddha with your feet, or step directly over others. It is also important to remember not to use your left hand when passing things to the locals, because they consider the left hand to be unclean.

Hospitals

If you are not feeling well, some local and international hospitals in Laos can be chosen.

  • Mittaphab (Friendship) Hospital
    Address: Phontong Road, Ban Phonsavang, Vientiane, Laos
    Tel: +856-21710005/ +856-21710006
  • 103 Hospital
    Address: Rue Lao-Thai, Vientiane Capital 01005
    Tel: +856-21312127
  • Alliance International Medical Center
    Address: Honda New Chip Xeng Centre on Souphanouvong Rd, Wattaiyai Thong, Sikhotttabong District, Vientiane Capital.
    Tel: +856-2055529711/ +856-2054613492
  • Australian Embassy Clinic
    Address: Km 4, Thadeua Road, Ban Watnak, P.O. Box 292, Vientiane
    Tel: +856-21353840
  • Centre Medical de L’ Ambassade de France
    Address: Kouvieng Road, Ban Simuang, Vientiane
    Tel: +856-21214150 / +856- 21215713
  • Lao Asian Hospital
    Address: Khamphengmeung Rd, Ban Donkoi, Sisattanak District, Vientiane.
    Tel: +856 -213303745
  • Mahosot Hospital
    Address: Quai Fa Ngum, Ban KaoNyot, Sisattanak District, Vientiane
    Tel:+856 -21214018 / +856 -21214024
  • Lao Skyways
    Address: Strengthen Hotel, ASEAN Road, Sikhottabong District, PO Box 6618, Vientiane
    Tel: +856- 21512027
  • Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital
    Address: a few km outside of the center at Ban Phoumok, Luang Prabang District, Luang Prabang Province
    Tel:+8561-71254026
  • Attapeu Province Hospital
    Address: Ban Vernkhean, Samakkixay District, Attepeu Province.
    Tel: +856 - 36211246 / +856 -2099979599
  • Bolikhamxay Province Hospital
    Address: Ban Parks and Tai, Paksan District, Bolikhamxay Province
    Tel: +856-54212149 / +856 -5412154
  • Bokeo Province Hospital
    Address: Ban Yai Houaysaineya, Houaysai District, Bokeo Provine
    Tel: +856-84211048 /+856-84211327
  • Champasak Province Hospital
    Address: Route 1, Ban Lakmeuang, Pakse District, Champasak Province
    Tel: +856-31212018 / +856-2055532990
  • Khamouane Province Hospital
    Address: Souphanouvong Ave, Ban Laophosay, Thakek District, Khammouane Province
    Tel: +856 -5121284 / +856- 2097163807
  • Luang Namtha Province Hospital
    Address: Banbouavieng, Luang Namtha District, Luang Namtha Province
    Tel: +856-86211752 / +856 -8621 1753
  • Oudomxay Province Hospital
    Address: Ban Donkeo, Xay District, Oudomxay Province
    Tel: +856 - 81212505 / +856 -2022833394
  • Phongsaly Provine Hospital
    Address: Ban Watkeo, Phongsaly District, Phongsaly Province
    Tel: +856 - 88210108 / +856-2055688088
  • Savannakhet Province Hospital
    Address: at Ban Thahae, Kaysone Phomvihane District, Savannakhet Province
    Tel: +856- 41212231 / +856-2099266255
  • Sekong Provine Hospital
    Address: Route 13, Ban MaiHouameuang, Lamarm District, Sekong Province.
    Tel: +856 - 38211055 / +856-2054738858
  • Xieng Khouang Province Hospital
    Address: Ban Phonsa At Pek District, Xieng Khouang Province
    Tel: +856 -61211228 / +856 – 61312166

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