LAOS PRACTICALITIES

 

Facts and Figures

Area: 236,000 sq. km / 91,120 sq. miles

Population: 6,000,000

Capital: Vientiane

Passport Requirements

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay. Visas are required for all non-Thai visitors to Laos. You don’t need a visa in advance: fifteen-day visas can be bought on entry to the country. To do this you will need to take two passport photos and the current price is $US 30. To apply for an advance visa, which is good for longer than fifteen days, you will have to go through a Lao embassy or a tour agency.

Geography

Laos shares borders with China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Two main features, rivers and mountains, dominate the topography. The Mekong River, which is the 12th longest river in the world (10th in terms of volume), demarcates most of the western border. Laos is largely mountainous across most of the north of the country, except for the plain of Vientiane and the Plain of Jars in Xiangkhoang Province. The southern "panhandle" of the country contains large level areas in Savannakhét and Champasak provinces that are well suited for extensive paddy rice cultivation and livestock raising. Much of Khammouan Province and the eastern part of all the southern provinces are mountainous. Only about 4 % of the total land area is classified as arable and 54% is covered in forest or woodland.

Climate

Laos has three distinct seasons, all with their advantages and disadvantages. The cool season is between November and February. By November, the rains are usually over, all rivers are navigable and roads are passable. The daytime temperatures are agreeably warm and the evenings are slightly chilly. The hot season, from March to May is very dry. During this time, some rivers are harder to navigate, and boat journeys in remote places may not be possible. The rainy season, from June to October, whilst the country at its most beautiful and lush, can be difficult to get around in remote places by road. Rivers are always accessible at this time.

Language

The official language is Laos. Laos dialects (closely related to Thai) are also spoken. English and French are spoken in most tourist areas.

Money

The unit of currency in Laos is the Kip, which is available in 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 100 and 50 kip notes. In major towns, Thai Baht and US Dollars are readily accepted in markets, hotels and restaurants. Many hotels

will only accept US dollars. Currency can be changed in most major towns, but we suggest you keep a ready supply of smaller US dollar bills. If you have arrived in Laos from Thailand, you may bring Thai Baht too.

Travellers cheques can be changed in major banks in Vientiane but are difficult to negotiate outside the capital city. If bringing travellers cheques, they should be US$ denomination, from a well-known bank, e.g. American

Express or VISA. Credit cards can be used in major hotels in Vientiane, but are of little use elsewhere.

The best option is, despite the risk of losing it, to bring cash. Visitors arriving via Thailand can change travellers cheques in Bangkok for Thai Baht. Alternatively, bring US dollars. Change Dollars or Baht into Kip as needed.

Religion

60% Buddhist, 40% animist and spirit cults

Time

7 Hours ahead of GMT

Electricity

220 V AC (50 Cycles). You will need a multi adapter, as there are many different types of plug sockets used in Laos.

Brief History

For much of its history, its neighbouring countries have dominated Laos resulting in it experiencing great difficulty in establishing a national identity.

Special Events

There are many more festivals and events that take place in Laos but this is a short list of the main national holidays. Please note some dates do vary.

January 1 New Years Day
January 6 Pathet Lao Day
January 20 Army Day
March 8 Women’s Day
March 22 Lao Peoples Party Day

April 15-17 Lao New Year
May 1 International Labour Day
June 1 Children’s day
August 13 Lao Issara
August 23 Liberation Day
October 12 Freedom from France Day

December 2 National Day

Immunisations/Malaria

Visitors to Laos are typically advised to make sure they are up to date with their Diphtheria and Tetanus, Polia, Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese Encephalitis are also recommended. Malaria is a risk in Laos so we recommend you take your doctors advice on anti malarial medication.

Getting Around

Air:

Lao Aviation is Laos’ only domestic airline. It has a small fleet which fly’s to a number of destinations although they change according to the time of year and aircraft availability.

Transfers: Whilst we use reputable companies to transfer our clients from place to place there may be occasions when the ‘Laos time’ clashes with the ‘English time’ and the driver does not arrive as promptly as we may wish. If this is the case do wait for a good half-hour before ordering a taxi and call our local operator if possible.

Baggage

We strongly recommend you use lockable luggage, and don’t leave any valuables in unlocked side pockets. 

CHECK

Airports

If you have arranged a transfer, look out for your local representative outside the arrivals area. Please wait outside the arrival area for a reasonable amount of time e.g. half an hour. If your flight was late and you think they may not have waited please ring your contact number (provided by Magic of the Orient before you depart). If your plane is delayed or connection missed please try to phone the contact number and leave the new arrival time.

 

British High Commission

CHECK

Useful Numbers

From Laos to the UK: 0044 and remove the first zero from the dialling code CHECK

To Laos from abroad: international code is 856

 

Communications

Internet cafes are available in the major towns and are the cheapest way of keeping in touch. Phones and fax machines are becoming increasingly available in the major towns as well as large hotels and post offices.

Media

Laos only has one English-Language newspaper, The Vientiane times, but it is hard to find outside the capital. Foreign publications are sometimes available in Vientiane but very rarely outside the city.

Tipping and Etiquette

Tipping is not normal practice although the more expensive hotels and restaurants have a 10% service charge.

Shopping

Laos is famous for its woven silk and cotton, which are found in varying designs throughout the country. Each area has its own specific design. Most products eventually find their way to Vientiane and can be found in the Morning Market – a rainbow of colours of silks and cotton. A huge choice of phaa sin, shawls, bags and wall hangings can be found in the morning market and around Vientiane. As well as traditional Lao weavings, you will find hilltribe embroidery and quilts that can be used as wall hangings. The night market in Luang Prabang is also worth a look.

Opening Hours

Official hours for government offices are 8am–12noon and 1pm-5pm Monday –Friday. Post Offices are generally open 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday and 8am – 12 noon on Saturdays. Banks are generally open from 8:30pm – 4pm Monday –Friday.

What to pack

Light clothing made from natural fibres is the best clothing for Laos. For the months of December and January, a light jacket is often necessary in the lowlands - more warm clothing may be needed if travelling in the highlands. Lao people dress modestly, traditionally, Lao women wear a 'phaa sin', a beautiful wrap around woven skirt made of silk or cotton. Women visitors are not expected to wear miniskirts and revealing shorts, as they will often be viewed as 'not polite'. The best plan is to dress modestly like the locals.

An umbrella is sensible for the rainy season. Video tapes and camera film can be found in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, but specialist products are often hard to come by. We advise you to bring plenty of film and videotape. A first aid kit is a very good idea - medical resources are very limited in Laos. Insect repellant can be found in towns, but not everywhere.