Finding vehicles for traveling to your favorite places is not always easy in Laos, so you are recommended to ask for help from the travel agents or local hotels where you choose to stay. If you have intention of hiring a car so as to get around Laos, it is not recommended to drive yourself since the driving style is somewhat hazardous for those not used to it.

There is a low threat from terrorism in Laos. In effect, travellers should be aware of and respect local conventions at all times. The Local Laws and Customs section of this advice for more details should be consulted.

Most visits to Laos are trouble free. Yet, the thing should be careful is that travellers must carry an ID document or passport at all times, travellers will be heavily fined if you do not present any documentation on request by the authorities.

Foreign travellers are strongly advised that they obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. They should check any exclusion, and that their policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.

Safety and security

Awareness of Terrorism/Security

There is a low threat from terrorism in Laos. Yet, the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas should be concerned about. In February 2007, there were reports of armed clashes between Lao government forces and unidentified groups north of Vang Vien. Travellers should be particularly vigilant when travelling by road on Route 13 from Vang Vien north through Phou Khoun, to south of Luang Prabang, on Route 7 from Phou Khoun to Phonsavan and on Route 6.

As informed, there are small-scale skirmishes between anti-government groups and government troops in isolated areas along the Lao-Thai border. There is a danger you may unconsciously get caught up in unpredictable acts of violence. Thanks to the effort of local law enforcement agencies in Laos, they have limited capability to counter these threats.

 Problem of Crime

Some main violent crimes such as robbery, rape and other sexual offences still occur in some places. Foreigners have been assaulted after having their drinks drugged. Travllers should be careful about taking drinks from strangers.

According to some reports, some restaurants in popular tourist destinations offer drug laced food and drink which has led to the victim being assaulted. These products can contain harmful substances and using them can result in serious injury or even death. You are advised not to leave food or drink unattended.

The theft of passports is viewed as a particular problem. It is, therefore, strongly advised that you have insurance cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, cards, passports or luggage. There are reports of a visa scam affecting travellers to Laos.

Travelling in rural areas

It is necessary for travellers to be aware of the dangers of unexploded ordnance, particularly in Xieng Khouang Province (Plain of Jars), increasingly in Luang Prabang Province (as a result of scrap metal collection) and areas of the Lao-Vietnamese border, formerly traversed by the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Mined areas are regularly unmarked. Travllers are advised not to not stray off main routes in rural areas, therefore.

There is no curfew in Vientiane but you should be informed that people travelling in the city and elsewhere in Laos may be stopped by the police at any time, particularly in the evening. You may be asked to show identification papers before being allowed to travel on. The simple thing to follow is that travellers need to comply with requests to stop at checkpoints and roadblocks.

Road Travel

Almost all roads in Laos are in a poor condition, so travel should only be undertaken during daylight hours. Travel after dark extensively increases the risk of an accident due to without lights of vehicles. Another problem that causes accidents is that livestock often stray on to the roads.

The numbers of road accidents and fatalities in Laos have increased substantially in recent years along with the increase in the number of motor vehicles, especially motorbikes. When a traveller is involved in a road accident he/she will generally be required to pay compensation for third party property damage and injury, even if fault is judged not being travellers’s . Lao insurers will commonly only meet a small proportion of the costs of an accident. They will not cover this compensation, which can be the largest part of the expense.

It is essential for travelers to check with a travel company on arrival for an update on local conditions before they travel by road or river.

River Travel

Travel on the Mekong River by speedboat is extremely interesting; however, due to the weather in the dry season, November to Apriland, travelers should be more careful. Therefore, life-vests and crash helmets should be provided and worn.

Local laws and customs

Getting involved with illegal drugs, such as possession, trafficking and manufacture of such drugs are serious offences in Laos. Those caught face lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty. According to recently reports, there have been several deaths as a consequence of drug abuse among foreigners visiting Laos.

The Lao Government does not allow sexual relationships between foreign citizens and Lao nationals, only when the two parties have been married in accordance with Lao Family Law. Permission for marriage or engagement to a Lao citizen must be submitted in an official application to the Lao authorities. If breaking the law, some penalties for engaging in prohibited sexual contact or failing to register a relationship are from US0 to US,000 and may even involve imprisonment.

It is illegal not to carry an ID document or a passport, and fines for not having documentation for presentation on demand can be high.

Photographing or visiting military sites is prohibited and can result in arrest or detention.

Entry requirements 

 Visas

Visa conditions change frequently. In effect, travelers should contact the nearest Laos Embassy or Consulate for the most up to date information.

It is noted that reports of a visa scam where travel agents are supplying 5-day or 15-day visas to customers who pay for 30-day permits. Proper long-stay visas can also be obtained from the Laos Embassy in either Hanoi or in Bangkok.

When entering Laos, make sure that you obtain an entry stamp in your passport. Immigration offices at some border crossings are sometimes difficult to identify. Fines for not having a legitimate entry stamp can be quite high.

Passport validity

Your passport should have a minimum validity of 6 months, if not; entry to Laos may not be permitted.

Health

Medical care is not very good in Laos, even in big cities. Medical care in Vientiane is so basic and outside the capital there are few reliable facilities to deal with medical emergencies. Medical evacuation is difficult to organize and very expensive.

Good advice for travellers is to seek medical advice about endemic diseases including HIV or AIDS before travelling. Safe sex practices are essential.

You should eat only thoroughly cooked food, and should not drink tap water or water that is not bottled and sealed. Wherever possible, bottled water should be bought from reputable sources.

Natural disasters

- Monsoon Season

The rainy season in Laos normally starts from June to November, in the same time of the typhoon season in South East Asia. Some mountain areas are mostly vulnerable to landslides in the rainy season and flooding may occur along river basins and elsewhere. Therefore, it is necessary to update weather forecast from local news or weather reports.

Insurance and money

- Insurance

It is advised that travellers should obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Travellers should check any exclusions, and that their policy covers them for all the activities travellers want to undertake.

- Money

There are no reliable international ATM facilities in Laos. Major credit cards are accepted at the larger international hotels and main tourist orientated establishments. Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at most banks in Vientiane and major towns. Most transactions are conducted in cash, American Dollars, Thai Baht or Lao Kip. Western Union, United Kingdom freephone 0800 833 833 , offers international money transfer facilities in Vientiane through a branch of the Bank of Ayudhya on Lane Xang Avenue.