Visa & Passport Requirements:
To enter Laos you require a valid passport and entry visa. Visas can be obtained in a number of ways, depending on your point of entry into Laos:
Visas can be obtained on arrival from the following points. You will be required to pay a fee of US$30, in US cash, and have 2 passport photos.
* Vientiene or Luang Prabang International Airports.
* Nong Khai in Thailand crossing the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane
* Nam Kan (Vietnamese/Lao land border/ Xieng Kuang Province).
* Lak Sao (Vietnamese/Lao land border/ Bolikhamsay Province).
* Thakek (Vietnamese/Lao border with ferry on Mekong / Savannakhet Province).
* Savannakhet (Thai/Lao border with ferry on Mekong in the middle of Laos/ Savannakhet Province).
* Lao Bao (Vietnamese/Lao land border/ Savannakhet Province).
* Chong Mek (Thai/Lao land border in the southern of Laos / Champassak Province).
* Houey Say (Thai/Lao border with ferry on Mekong in the north of Laos / Bokéo Province).
If you are entering at any other point than above please check with Travel Indochina or the consulate regarding obtaining visas.
Your Letter of Visa Approval can be arranged through Travel Indochina. It is your responsibility to ensure that all visa and entry requirements are met. Please check with Travel Indochina or your nearest Lao embassy for the latest visa information, as this information is subject to change. Note that your visa will only allow a maximum 15 day stay.
Departure Tax:
International airport departure tax is US$10 and must be paid on cash upon leaving Laos by plane. The domestic departure tax is now included in the price of domestic air tickets.
Money:
The official currency of Laos is the kip, however United States dollars and Thai baht are accepted almost everywhere. The exchange rate fluctuates but at time of writing, $1USD was the approximate equivalent of 8,500 kip (See below for detailed currency exchange rates). You will accumulate kip as change from payments you make in USD, we recommend you change a little (eg. $50 USD) into kip upon your arrival in Laos. We advise you to use the local currency if you feel comfortable with this, but US dollars are accepted virtually everywhere. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) can be used in only a limited number of shops and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Travellers crossing from Thailand at Chiang Khong/ Huay Xai can change money at fair rates next to the Huay Xai (Laos) visa post.
ATM services for international cards are available throughout Vientiane (money is dispensed in kip). Cash advances from banks on international cards are also readily available throughout Vientiane.
Luang Prabang has a limited number of ATMs accepting international cards. Cash advances can be obtained from numerous bank branches in the city for all international cards.
Hotels often change foreign currency cash, and sometimes travellers cheques, but rates tend to be more favourable at banks. If travelling to other cities and provinces within Laos apart from Vientiane or Luang Prabang it is advisable to make sure you have enough funds for the duration of your stay in that region. Lao kip cannot be converted outside of Laos, so don’t change too much money into kip. Remember that passports are required for travellers cheques and credit card transactions. As of January 2009, the rate of exchange was approximately $1AUD = kip 5,700.
Climate:
Laos is affected by the annual monsoon cycle of South East Asia. The 'wet' season is from May to October where the tropical lowlands average 30 degrees celcius whilst the mountains remain somewhat cooler. The first half of the 'dry' season is from November to February with cool temperatures ranging from 10-25 degrees Celsius. During the second half of the dry season - from March to June - the temperature can rise to up to 35 degrees Celsius, and there may be some smoke haze from agricultural activities.
Electricity:
The electric current in Laos operates on 220 volts. Two rounded pin electrical plugs are the most widely used.
Health:
Travellers to Laos should observe similar precautions to those taken elsewhere in Asia. Medical facilities are basic throughout the country - even in the capital Vientiane. We recommend you contact the Travellers Medical Centre or your local doctor for the most up to date information on traveller's health considerations at least one month prior to departure. Travellers should also carry a simple medical kit.
Food/Water:
Laos cuisine is somewhat similar to Thai food and can be quite spicy. Ingredients include vegetables, freshwater fish, beef, duck, pork and chicken. Food is generally flavoured with fermented fish sauce, coconut milk, peanuts and chillies. Vegetarians are well catered for. Bottled water is available everywhere and is recommended.
Post & Communication:
International post generally takes 10-14 days to reach its destination with prices less than western postal charges. Reverse charge (collect) calls are not currently available and IDD telephone calls and faxes are expensive. Email is rare but is gaining in popularity in the major tourist areas.
Photography:
Print film, such as Kodak, Konika or Fuji is widely available and costs approximately $4USD per roll. There are reasonable quality processing facilities in Laos. A roll of 24 exposures can be developed for approximately $4USD. Slide film and Hi8/V8 video cassettes are not widely available in Laos. The x-ray machines at all airports are film-safe. There are now a number of photo shops in Vientiane and Luang Prabang which will print photos from memory cards on digital cameras or burn images to CD. The purchase of new memory cards is available in all main cities for a reasonable price.
Local Time:
Laos is 7 hours ahead of GMT and 3 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Language:
The Lao language is written in a Thai-Khmer script. Because the language is tonal the same word can have the up to six different meanings. This makes it fairly difficult to learn but any attempt to speak the language will be well received by the local people. Many Laotians recognise the importance of learning English for business and tourism and so it is becoming more widely spoken throughout the country. The Lonely Planet Lao phrasebook is recommend for those wanting to learn more about the language.
Recommended Reading:
Books worth considering include:
Guide Books:
Lonely Planet Guide to Laos
Footprint Guide to Laos
General:
Air America: The story of the CIA's Secret Airlines by Christopher Robbins
Laos: Politics, Economics and Society by Martin Stuart-Fox.
