Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, invites travellers to discover its serene beauty and rich cultural heritage. Step into the charming town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where ancient Buddhist temples, French colonial architecture, and vibrant night markets create a captivating atmosphere. Rise early to witness the peaceful ritual of Tak Bat, where saffron-clad monks collect alms from devout locals, offering a glimpse into the spiritual traditions of Laos. Cruise along the Mekong River, meandering through lush jungles and picturesque villages, and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of the countryside.
Venture to the southern region of Laos and explore the 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don), a scenic archipelago in the Mekong River. Relax in hammocks overlooking the idyllic river views, embark on boat trips to spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins, or simply soak up the laid-back atmosphere of island life. For adventure enthusiasts, the rugged landscapes of northern Laos beckon with trekking opportunities, giving you a chance to explore remote hill tribe villages and witness the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls. With its unspoiled natural beauty, ancient temples, and warm hospitality of the locals, Laos offers a unique travel experience that embraces tranquillity and authenticity.
GMT+7
Laotian Kip (LAK)
+856
The capital city is Vientiane, which means “the city of sandalwood”. It’s located on the Mekong River, across from Thailand. The population is not huge, with about 250,000 people actually living in the city and about 750,000 in the greater suburban area.
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.
Visas may be required in order to enter or transit through certain countries depending on your passport nationality, your reason for travel and how long you intend to stay.
Visa, passport and entry rules are subject to change and you should check the most up-to-date information from the relevant embassy or visa specialist.
To make things easier we have teamed up with The Travel Visa Company who are one of the UK’s leading travel visa specialists. You can use their website, alongside embassy websites, to find out the specific entry requirements for the countries you intend to travel to.
For a fee, their dedicated team of experts can also apply for visas on your behalf, taking away the hassle and streamlining the process for you if you wish. For more details on the services they provide please click here – The Travel Visa Company
Passports must be kept in good condition. Travellers with damaged passports may be refused entry at immigration. It is the responsibility of the traveller to ensure that all travel documents are in good condition before they travel. Most countries will also require at least 6 months of validity on your passport from the time you finish your trip.
Some countries will require proof of certain vaccines, such as yellow fever or covid, in order to gain entry. Please check with the relevant embassy or a visa specialist before travelling.
The official language of Laos is Lao, a language similar to Thai. English is often used for tourism purposes. Other languages in use are Thai, Vietnamese, French and multiple Chinese languages.
220v - Laos uses American-type and French-type plugs, so you certainly need a universal plug adapter for any British electrical appliances.
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.
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.
There have been some outbreaks of Bird Flu in the past so avoid live birds and poultry.
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.
There have been a few reports of food or drink being drugged, so don’t leave food or drink unattended.
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.
The Lao-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.
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