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Laos Information

 

A visit to Laos is a voyage back in time. Laos is an old country where time stands still in some places. In the mountain villages of the north, hill tribe people live the same way as generations ago. The saffron colored garments of Buddhist monks radiate a timeless tranquility and devotion. The mighty Mekong River winds through the country from north to south, the same as centuries ago.

Laos was one of the most important countries of Southeast Asia during the Kingdom of Lan Xang or "One Million Elephants" from the 14th to the 16th century.

Laos was later a part of french Indochina and in many places you can still admire beautiful colonial buildings. Delicious coffee and fresh baguettes are another legacy of the french.

Luang Prabang, a World Heritage Site, is set amid beautiful scenery on a bend of the Mekong River. This jewel of a city is the most perfectly preserved traditional capital in Southeast Asia. The many historical temples and old colonial buildings make Luang Prabang one of the most beautiful cities of Asia.

The Plain of Jars is covered with hundreds of big stone jars. The origin and meaning are still a mystery today.

Vientiane is one of the most tranquil capitals of Asia. The capital combines the best of both the Lao and French architectural traditions.

The Lao people are very friendly and hospitable and welcome visitors who want to discover their country. Now is the time to explore this fascinating country and its people.

Sabaai Dee! Welcome!

 

 

Highlights of Laos

 

 

Monk in temple

 

 

Practical Information about Laos

Visa and Documents
Visas are required for all western tourists. These are issued on arrival at Vientiane International Airport and at all overland crossings from Thailand. You have to obtain an advance visa if crossing overland from Cambodia at Voen Kham. A single-entry tourist visa (30 US$, one passport photograph required) is valid for 30 days. Your passport has to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your trip.

Health
Make sure you have medical insurance. Hospitals in Laos are very basic. In case of serious sickness or emergency go to Thailand for medical care. See our Health page for more general information about health.

Money and banks
The currency of Laos is called Kip. The exchange rate is 9,600 Kip for 1 US$ (June 2008). Thai Baht is accepted in some places. Travelers' cheques from American Express of Thomas Cook can be cashed in at banks. Buy travelers' cheques in US dollars, other currencies can not be cashed in everywhere. Credit cards are only accepted at deluxe hotels and restaurants. ATMs can be found in Vientiane.

 

Theun river

 

Electricity
Electricity in Laos is 220V, 50 Hz. Power sockets are generally of the round, two-pin variety. Adapters can be bought at markets and supermarkets. Power cuts are frequent in the provinces.

Communications
Postcards sent from Laos to western countries take about 10 days to arrive
To telephone to Laos from home, dial your international access code followed by 856, then the local area code (minus the initial zero), then the number.
To call home from Laos, dial 00 + your country code + area code without the initial zero + the number.
In the capital and provincial cities there are internet cafes for checking and sending email.

Books
Travels in Siam, Cambodia and Laos by Henri Mouhot
A Dragon Apparent by Norman Lewis
One Foot in Laos by Dervla Murphy

Films
Air America - 1990 starring Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. - comedy about the infamous CIA airline

Time
Laos is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). When it is midday in Laos, it is 1 am in New York, 5 am in London, 6 am in Amsterdam and 3 pm in Sydney.

 

Lao children swimming

 

Opening Hours
Government Offices are open Monday to Saturday from 07.30-11.30 and from 14.00-17.30. but don't come too early or too late, as the officers may not be there yet or have left already.
Banks are usually open from 08.30 till 15.30

Crime and personal safety
Laos is a very safe country and not dangerous for tourists to visit. Watch out for pickpockets at busy places. Keep all your valuables at the hotel safe.
Upcountry stay on the roads and paths. There are still many landmines buried in the countryside. Do not leave the roads in the countryside, even when you have to go for a "toilet emergency!".

Climate
Laos is a tropical country and the weather is warm all year round. Laos has 3 seasons. The cool season (November to February) is cool with temperatures in the mid- to upper 20s Celsius. In the hot season (March to May) the temperatures and humidity rise with peak daytime temperatures of 35C. Do as the locals and avoid the midday heat. The rainy season (June to October) brings rain on the whole of Laos. The rain falls mostly in the afternoons. The countryside turns lush and green again.

Average maximum daily temperatures (°C), amount of sun hours per day and amount of days per month with rain in Vientiane.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
°C 23 26 28 31 31 30 29 29 29 28 26 23
Sun hours/day 5 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 6 7 5 4
Days with rain 2 2 4 8 13 12 17 19 12 7 3 1

 

Lao mountain children

 

 

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