Laos is a stunning, relatively undiscovered
landlocked country nestled between Thailand,
Vietnam, China and Cambodia. A ruinous
sequence of colonial domination, internecine
conflict and dogmatic socialism finally
brought the country to its knees in the
1970s, and almost 10% per cent of the
population left. Now, after two decades of
isolation from the outside world, this
landlocked, sparsely populated country is
enjoying peace, stabilising its political
and economic structures and admitting
foreign visitors - albeit in limited numbers
due to a general lack of infrastructure.
The lack of foreign influence offers
travellers an unparalleled glimpse of
traditional South-East Asian life. From the
fertile lowlands of the Mekong River valley
to the rugged Annamite highlands, travellers
who have made it to Laos tend to agree that
this country is the highlight of South-East
Asia.
Weather
Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with two
distinct seasons May to October is the rainy
season and November to April is the dry
season. It gets hottest in March and
April when temperatures can reach as high as
38C/100F. The lowest temperatures,
usually in December are around 15C/59F.
The average temperature is between 25C/77F
and 30C/84F.
Language
The official language used in Laos is Lao
language. However, the usage of the language
can differ from north and south. English,
French and Russian are spoken in business or
by some senior government officials. Many
shopkeepers can understand basic English and
French.
Religion
Buddhism first appeared in Laos during the
eighth century A.D. as shown by both the
Buddha image and the stone inscription found
at Ban Talat near Vientiane, now exhibited
at the Museum of Ho Prakeo. After the
foundation of the unified Kingdom of Lane
Xang, King FaNgum (14th century) declared
Buddhism as the state religion and urged the
people to abandon animism or other beliefs
such as the cult of spirits. His policy
meant to develop the Lao culture based on a
common faith: the Theravada Buddhism. Today
Theravada Buddhism is the professed religion
of about 90% of Lao people. Buddhism is an
inherent feature of daily life and casts a
strong influence on Lao society. Lao woman
can be seen each morning giving alms to
monks, earring merit lessening the number of
their rebirth. Lao men are expected to
become a monk for at least a short time in
their lives.
Visa
When getting your Laos your passport should
be valid for six months after your planned
date of departure from the country. You can
either get your visa in advance at any
Laos’s embassy which will be valid for 30
days. Otherwise you can obtain your visa at
the border ‘on arrival’; such a visa will be
valid for 15 days for a cost of about 30USD.
Two passport-size photographs are also
required. In Vientiane you can extend your
‘visa on arrival’ for another 15 days at a
cost of about 2USD per day. Otherwise you
will be charged 10USD per day by border
authorities when you leave the country.
Citizens of Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and
Cambodia can travel visa-free in Laos.
Travel Insurance
Hola Vietnam will do everything possible to
ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. However,
certain risks are involved and should be
recognized by participants. Thus, we require
all participants to purchase travel
insurance for their trip. Travel insurance
is a cost effective way of protecting
yourself and your equipment in the event of
problems due to cancelled trips, delays,
medical emergencies, baggage loss or damage.
It also gives you peace of mind.
Arrival
We will arrange your transfer to and from
Vientiane Wattay airport or Luang Prabang
airport, unless otherwise specified.
Departure Tax
There is an airport departure tax of US$10
for both domestic flights and international
flights which is not included in the
airfare.
Currency Exchange & Banking
Cash - The Laos Kip is the official currency
of Laos. US dollars are also widely accepted
in bigger cities, particularly in
restaurants. It’s a good idea to arrive in
Laos with some US dollars as the Laos Kip
cannot be exchanged outside Laos and thus
you won’t be able to buy any in advance of
your arrival. Note that torn and old US
dollar notes are not generally accepted in
Laos. In areas located near the Thai border,
the Thai currency, Baht, is also accepted.
Credit Cards, ATMs and Foreign Money
Exchange - Traveller cheques (in US dollar
or Euro) can be cashed at banks. Credit
cards (Visa, Mastercard and Amex) are
accepted in major hotels and in a very
limited number of upscale shopping places.
Please note that there is usually a levy of
4 % charged on credit card purchases.
In Vientiane you will find several ATM
machines which dispense Laos Kip only.
Heading to the countryside it is recommended
that you carry cash with you (in small notes
as people may have difficulty in getting
change) as banks are not always available.
Exchange Rates
At time of print, the most common (though
not fixed) rates of exchange are:
1 Euro = 12,700 Laos Kip
1 USD = 10,600 Laos Kip
Communication
Depending on your (foreign) provider, some
mobile phones will receive a signal in major
towns as Vientiane. But you can also easily
purchase a local SIM card. Services for
making international phone calls are widely
available. All major tourism centres offer
internet access (rates in Vientiane 1min/100
kip) and some provide chat-webcams.
All major cities and tourist towns have
email services. The rate is usually around 1
min/100kip in Vientiane. Some Internet cafes
provide chat and webcams. Services for
making international phone calls are widely
available in tourist areas. Your own mobile
phone should be able to receive a signal in
major towns like Vientiane or you can easily
purchase a local SIM card.
Transport
Trains: There is no train service in Laos.
Buses: Laos has its own public transport
network, including conventional buses and
'sawngthaew' (trucks that have been
converted at the back with benches running
up the middle). Though we find it is not up
to the safety standards it will enrich
experience and a great way of meeting the
locals.
Boats: A boat trip up the mighty Mekong is a
great way of appreciating Laos’ stunning
countryside.
Immunization
Medication:
Before you depart for an extended holiday,
you should consult with your physician. Make
your doctor's appointment no less then 8
weeks before departure. It is likely that
you will need some prescriptions,
inoculations and perhaps some special advice
that relates to your own physical condition.
If you have any special conditions or
allergy that might require attention
overseas, have your physician write a letter
describing the nature of the condition and
the treatment. Always carry the letter on
your person. You should be aware that
medical services in Laos are extremely basic
and might not be readily available during
all or parts of your trip. It’s also a
good idea to bring your own basic medicine
kit with you containing some basics like
paracetamol since brand names of medicines
that are familiar to you will not be
available in pharmacies here.
Immunization:
Before travelling to Laos it is important to
ensure that you have adequate protection
against disease. Bear in mind that there is
a malaria risk in very rural parts of Laos.
Consult your tropical medicines doctor for
the latest information. In general, most
visitors to Laos will require the following
vaccinations:
Hepatitis A and
B, Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Diphtheria
Food
Laos food is very similar to Thai cuisine
and offers delightful national staple food
like sticky rice (khao niauw), laap (a meal
of minced meat or fish with lime juice,
garlic, unions, mint leaves and chillies) or
tam maak hung (a spicy salad made of
green papaya’s). Vegetarian food is widely
available, in no small part due to the
strong Buddhist influence.
Bottled mineral water, soft drinks, tea and
coffee are readily available. Beer is the
main alcoholic drink and is usually a light
lager style. As a general rule, travellers
should avoid tap water, ice made from tap
water, peeled fruit and vegetables, uncooked
food, shellfish and street vendor offerings.
Traveller’s diarrhoea is common and easily
treated; choose a remedy that works best for
you (Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, etc...).
Antibiotic solutions are also available for
intestinal ills.
Luggage & Clothing
You will be able to store any extra luggage
or clothing not needed on your excursions in
the hotel storage or our office. Most of
your toiletries requirements are available
in Laos (e.g. tooth paste, soap, shampoo,
sanitary towels). Tampons are less widely
available. If you wear contact lenses make
sure to bring enough cleaning fluids as
these are difficult to find.
Light thin layers of cotton clothing are the
best. Long-sleeved shirts and pants are a
good idea for a number of reasons:
They provide good protection
against mosquito bites
To keep yourself warm during
chilly November to February evenings
They are necessary for temple
and countryside village visits where
the shoulders and legs should
be covered to below the knee (see
more in the culture section)
Depending on the season, your
activities and the region you will
be visiting e.g. mountainous areas,
it may be advisable for you to bring
a jacket or fleece with you.
Culture
Experiencing cultural diversity is one of
the great joys of travelling, and it is
important that these differences are
encouraged and respected. Things are done
differently in Asia, which is why we love
it! At a general level, we need to
respect the cultural rules in the areas we
travel to. Please remember to accept
these differences and not try and change
them for the benefit of your own comfort.
The traveller who wishes to have a happy and
successful trip should keep as calm,
cheerful and friendly as humanly possible.
Patience and courtesy are virtues that open
many doors. Demanding tourists do not
get smiles, service or respect.
Public Holidays
In Laos, working days are from Monday to
Saturday, from 8.00 AM to 12.00 AM and form
2.00 PM till 5.00 PM. A variety of festivals
and religious ceremonies are observed
throughout the whole year. The most
important ones include 1 Jan (New Year), Mid
April (Lao local New Year Day), 1 May
(Labour’s Day), and 2 December (National
Day).
VIENTIANE.
Capital of Laos is crowded with life in
their temples and pagodas. We visit Wat
Sisaket, the oldest of its monasteries, the
Prakeo, which was historically the famous
Emerald Buddha and the pyramid of That Luang
Stupa, the symbol of the city.
LUANG PRABANG.
It is
the jewel of Laos, a small town located
between lush vegetation and the Mekong
River.
We visited temples mostly carved in wood of
Wat Aham, Wat Wat Xixoum and Xiengthong with
tiered roofs that stretch almost to the
ground. In its streets the comings and
goings of monks is constant and it is worth
not to miss the ceremonies in their temples
performed daily at dawn. From here, visit:
PAK OU CAVES,
which is accessed after a tour of the Mekong
during which visit some small villages.
