Laos travel tips

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	Money		Language
	Health & fitness		Transport
	Safety & security		Electricity
	Food & water		Post & communication
	Responsible travel

Money

The official unit of currency in Laos is the kip (LAK). Exchange rates fluctuate so for current exchange rates please visit www.xe.com.

In Laos, US cash and Thai baht are accepted almost everywhere, though change may be given in kip. As you will accumulate kip as you go, we recommend you change only a small amount (e.g. 50 USD) upon your arrival in Laos. We advise you to use the local currency where possible, but US dollars are accepted virtually everywhere.

ATMs for international cards dispense kip and can be found throughout Vientiane as well as a limited number in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng & Pakse. Most ATMs have a maximum allowance of 700,000 LAK (about 85 USD) and while you can make multiple withdrawals in the same day, this may incur fees from both the local and your home bank. Cash advances from banks on international cards are also readily available in both Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Hotels often change foreign currency cash, and a limited number will also change traveller's cheques, but rates tend to be better at banks. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) can be used in only a limited number of shops and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. When travelling to more rural areas of Laos it is advisable you bring enough cash with you for the duration of your stay. If you bring travellers cheque's, it is best to use USD, but these are now becoming harder to cash.

Health & fitness

Travellers to Laos should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. Medical facilities are limited, even in the capital, Vientiane. More serious medical treatments will require transfer to Bangkok. Outside the major centres, medical care facilities are basic, though a private clinic is preferable to a government hospital. Some of the diseases known to exist in Laos include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, dengue, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rabies and HIV/AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your risk of exposure to these health risks. We strongly recommend you consult your preferred doctor for the most up-to-date health advice at least one month prior to travel.

Safety & security

Laos is relatively safe by world standards. Usual common sense precautions are advisable. Cities are small, and even at night you will feel quite safe walking outside. Most Laotians go to bed fairly early so streets will usually be very quiet after 9pm.

Dark, insufficiently lit areas of town should be avoided after 9pm. Throughout your stay, always keep a photocopy of your passport, airline tickets and credit card numbers, and a detailed record of your traveller's cheques. You should leave valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes wherever possible. In Vientiane, petty crime can be a problem so we recommend you wear as little jewellery as possible and keep your spending money close to your body in a secure place when out on the street.

Please check the following websites to get the latest news and travel advice from the region:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade - www.smarttraveller.gov.au
Canadian Foreign Affairs & International Trade - www.voyage.gc.ca
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs - www.mfat.govt.nz/travel
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office - www.fco.gov.uk
USA Department of State - www.travel.state.gov
World Health Organisation - www.who.int/en

Food & water

Lao cuisine is closely related to Northern Thai cuisine and can be quite spicy. Sticky rice, rather than steamed rice, is the usual accompaniment. Common ingredients include vegetables, freshwater fish, beef, duck, pork and chicken. Food is generally flavoured with fermented fish sauce, coconut milk, peanuts and chillies. Some specialities worth trying are som tum, a spicy green papaya salad, and larb, made with diced chicken, pork or fish cooked in an array of seasonings. Vegetarians are generally well catered for, with Vegetarian options often highlighted on a menu or in a separate section. Tap water should be avoided however bottled water is readily available and provided on a complimentary basis by most hotels.

Language

Lao is the official language of Laos. Lao has six tones and is closely related to Thai - if you understand some Thai it will not be difficult to pick up the basics. The written script is also similar to Thai. English is spoken in most restaurants, shops and, to a lesser extent, by taxi and tuk-tuk drivers. Lao can be difficult language to master however you may be able to pick up a few basic words while you are travelling like hello, goodbye and thank you.

Transport

There is only 3000 kilometres of sealed road in Laos. When travelling by road we generally use late model air-conditioned minibuses. For tour groups of 6 or more travellers, air-conditioned Toyota Coaster or Hyundai with 25-40 seats are used on all road journeys. Modern sedan cars are used when there are only one or two people in the group. Some tours involve at least one domestic flight. Lao Airlines operates a relatively modern fleet, however schedules frequently change which can result in alterations to your itinerary. With the Mekong River running along most of the length of Laos, boats are a great way to travel, providing an opportunity to view the Lao way of life. Toilets on the boats, are generally of the western style but very simple. In Luang Prabang, we often use tuk-tuks for touring, which are great fun. There is no train network in Laos.

Electricity

Voltage is mainly 220V alternating at 50 cycles per second. Sockets are not standardised but most commonly feature two-prong round pins or US-style flat pins. We advise you bring a universal adaptor. Electricity supply is generally reliable in cities, but less so in rural areas that may rely on generator-run power.

Post & communication

Broadband internet is available in major centres and is generally inexpensive. In Vientiane and Luang Prabang there are numerous internet cafes providing email services and internet phone call services. Using these internet phone services is the cheapest way of calling overseas (or locally). International phone and fax fees on fixed lines are moderately priced, but generally quite expensive in hotels. Reverse charge (collect) calls are not possible from Laos. The international calling code for Laos is (+856). Mobile phones do work in Laos, although you will need to contact your service provider prior to departure to ensure you have roaming. Coverage can be patchy, though is generally fine in urban areas. International mail generally takes ten to fourteen days to reach its destination. Prices are equivalent to western postal rates.

View our full list of Laos tours.

Return to our Laos travel overview page.