Laos Travel Guide

• With so many tourists and travellers in Thailand, and now increasingly in Cambodia, Laos is seen to offer a more original, rustic Asian experience.
• There are some interesting places to see, such as Vientiane, the capital, and the historic, colourful city of Luang Prabang.
• A “rite of passage” for backpackers is to go river tubing at Vang Vieng.
• There are beautiful landscapes, ancient sites and fun activities galore!
• It’s great for the budget traveller.

Laotian cuisine is similar to some Northeastern Thai dishes and uses many of the same ingredients. Most Laotian dishes contain vegetables and herbs, rice or noodles and fish, chicken, pork or beef.  Food is fresh and delicious and the Lao people like to prepare fresh food from scratch. Herbs such as galangal and lemongrass are frequently used and Laotian food is very rich in vegetables and is often browned in coconut oil. The Lao fish sauce known as ‘Padaek’ is a condiment usually found on every table.   

One of the staples of Laotian food is sticky rice, which naturally sticks together and can be rolled into small balls, dipped in sauce and eaten with your fingers. Noodle soup is another Lao speciality, often served with a side of fresh vegetables. 

A dish unique to Laos and widely available is known as ‘Laap’ (or Larb) which means luck or good fortune. This is a tasty, spicy mix of marinated meat or fish with herbs and spices. Another Lao staple dish is a spicy green papaya salad dish known as Tam Mak Hoong or Tam Som.

The weather in Laos is similar to Vietnam - a single rainy season with maximum rainfall between May and September/October, with the rest of the year being dry and quite sunny. The wet season tends to be a downpour for a few hours each day rather than rain all day long, which is typical for the region. The higher places get the most rain, with Vientiane and the towns along the lower Mekong receiving less. 

April and May are the hottest months with average highs of 34°C and lows of 24°C, but the temperature rarely falls below 17°C, and the highs for most months are around 30°C.

Visa Assistance

Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.

To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.

Entry Requirements for UK Travellers

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Laos’s current rules for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in Laos set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, send a message to the Lao Embassy London Facebook page.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Laos, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages.

Airlines will only let you board your flight if your passport has enough blank pages.

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Digital Arrival/Departure Cards - Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) 

All foreign nationals entering Laos are required to complete the LDIF digitally within 3 days before arrival and 3 days before departure.  

The LDIF applies at Wattay International Airport (Vientiane), Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport and Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I. At these checkpoints, the LDIF replaces paper arrival and departure cards. 

The LDIF does not replace visa requirements.

Visa requirements 

You must have a visa to visit Laos.  

To work, study and travel for business or other reasons, you must meet the Lao immigration department’s entry requirements.

Applying for a visa

From 1 January 2025, tourist visas reverted to the previous 30 days from the date you arrive in Laos.

You can apply online for a Laos e-visa – apply at least 5 days in advance. The e-visa is single entry only and is accepted at major entry points.

You can also get a visa on arrival (single entry) at many entry points, including:

• Vientiane Wattay airport
• Luang Prabang airport
• Pakske airport

See a full list of the entry points that accept e-visas and visas on arrival.

Visa extensions

From 1 January 2025, you’re allowed to extend your tourist visa twice while in Laos, for a total of 60 additional days.

If you do not extend your visa within 90 days, you will face a fine in Lao kip worth 2,000 US dollars, deportation to your home country and a ban on returning to Laos.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Laos guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Laos. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

The traditional greeting in Laos is to press your palms together. 

Touching or showing affection in public is not approved of.

Touching someone’s head is considered impolite as is using your feet for anything other than walking or playing sports.

Dress is modest and public nudity is not accepted. 

Remember to remove your shoes when entering a Lao home. Show respect at sacred sites; in some places taking photographs may not be permitted. 

Queuing is not a familiar concept in Laos! Don’t expect to wait patiently in a British-style queue; you’ll have to learn to push yourself forward if you want to be seen.

Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following standard vaccinations for travellers to Southeast Asia: Adult diphtheria and tetanus boosters, Hepatitis A and B, MMR, Polio and Typhoid. 

Make sure you visit your GP several weeks before travel to make sure you are up to date with all your vaccinations. 

Malaria and Dengue Fever can be present in some areas so seek advice from your GP before travel and make sure you take all preventative measures against mosquito bites. 

See our general health advice for more information. 

If you are travelling in from a yellow fever zone you will need to have a yellow fever certificate to present on arrival in Laos. 

Medical care in Laos is fairly basic and is only really generally available in the capital city. If you have any ongoing serious health conditions consider them carefully before visiting Laos. 

Hygiene standards are not high so avoid drinking tap water and don’t have ice in drinks. Drink only boiled or bottled water. If you contract diarrhoea seek medical advice. 

Safety

Laos is a very friendly country and is considered one of the safest in Asia, but as happens everywhere, there have been some incidents of petty crime, so be alert and follow our general safety advice when travelling. 

While you’re enjoying yourself, it’s important to be aware of the risk of drink spiking and methanol poisoning, so it’s worth familiarising yourself with the steps you can take to help you keep safe. To learn more visit the FCDO Travel Aware page on spiking and methanol poisoning and visit FCDO Travel Advice for information specific to Laos.

If you are thinking of travelling on the Mekong River avoid the speedboats and opt for a slow boat instead – the speedboats pose a risk to travellers. Roads in Laos are also basic and levels of safety are not good so try to travel during the day and take care on public transport. We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.

The Laos-Thai border sees occasional political skirmishes so avoid getting caught up in any violence. Keep to well-beaten tracks in rural areas as there are a few unexploded mines still present in the country. Avoid all military sites. 

Involvement in drugs is severely punished and illegal in Laos. The government prohibits sexual relations between Lao nationals and foreign nationals and this can impose a heavy penalty.

You should carry your ID when travelling through Laos as you may be spot-checked and if you cannot provide proof of identity you may be fined.