Laos was once a small landlocked country, which was often overlooked in favour of its better-known neighbours in Southeast Asia. However, its laid-back charm and the lack of foreign influence surely offer all the people travel to Laos an unparalleled memory of traditional Southeast Asian life. Today, Laos is becoming a famous destination and for the last decade the country has seen a steady increase in number of tourists as well as many significant advances have taken place. After a few of days in Laos, all the travellers will find every parts of the country from history, culture to landscape and people just too intoxicating to leave them behind.
Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
Population: 6.7 millions
Capital City: Vientiane
Ethnicity: 49 groups
Time zone: GMT +7
CURRENCY: The official currency is the Lao Kip (L-KIP). US dollars or Thai Baht are accepted in the main cities as well as Euros in banks and for payment in some hotels and restaurants in major cities.The exchange rate is US$ 1 = 8167 Laos KIP, and 1 Euro = 8751 Laos KIP (Exchange rate update in September 2016).
PASSPORT AND VISA: A visa is compulsory to enter Laos. To obtain a visa you must first ensure your passport will be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.
CLIMATE: Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons: dry from October to April and rainy from May to September. Temperatures vary according to altitude and can be very cold in mountainous areas from November to February.
ELECTRICITY: In Laos electric current is 220V, but sockets are not always standard. Adapters can be found in local markets. Note that one third of the country has not yet connected to electricity.
TRANSPORTATION: There are three international airports in Laos: Wattay in Vientiane located 15 minutes from the town centre, Luang Prabang in the North, 10 minutes from the heart of the historic quarter, and Pakse in the South located 10 minutes from the town centre. Road networks have improved but still need to be upgraded in some areas. By car or bus, it takes about 7-8 hours from Vientiane to reach Pakse and 8-9 hours from Vientiane to get to Luang Prabang.
In Laos, vehicles drive on the right side of the road. Owners of an International Driving license are allowed to drive a car. Renting a motorbike is possible but, for security reason, can be temporarily forbidden in some areas by the local police.
VACCINATION: No vaccination is required, but visitors are advised to receive inoculations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies and tetanus, and to check in advance whether anti malaria treatment is necessary depending on the region they travel to. Inoculation for yellow fever is not necessary although doctors still usually recommend it.
FESTIVALS: Laos cerebrates many annual festivals called “Boun” in the Lao Language which are particularly enjoyable and beautiful, signifying traditional aspects of Lao lifestyle. Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle. The timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar, thus changing every year. Please check the latest information before visiting these events. For more information of festivals in Laos, please click here
LANGUAGE: The official language is Lao. In addition to the dialects of Lao, numerous closely related languages (or dialects, depending on the classification) are spoken throughout the Lao-speaking realm in Laos and Thailand, such as the Nyaw, Phu Thai, Saek, Lao Wieng, Tai Dam, Tai Daeng.
HELLO: SA BA DEE
THANK YOU: KHOP JAI
