Travellers' Information

What to Bring Along?
Light clothing made from natural fibres is the best clothing for Laos. You will find that all hotels offer a laundry service, in many cases, this is carried out by hotel chambermaids free of charge. All towns have laundry services and will usually return your clothes to you within 24 hours. Please remember that you should normally wash your own undergarments. 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 skirts, but miniskirts and revealing shorts, may often be viewed as 'not polite'. The best plan is to dress modestly like the locals.

Health
There are no requirements for immunisation other than the usual requirements if having recently travelled in a yellow fever affected area. The following immunisations are normally recommended for all travellers to Laos, and other countries in southeast Asia. Please check with your local doctor before travelling:.
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Diptheria and Tetanus
- Hepatitis B
- Polio

In addition to the above, the following vaccinations are suggested for visitors spending some time in southeast Asia, especially in remote areas:
- Tuberculosis
- Japanese B Encephalitis

Malaria and Dengue fever are a problem in Laos. However, with caution, they can easily be avoided. Please consult your doctor for anti malarial medication. There is no protection against dengue fever. We suggest that you take the following precautions in addition to taking anti malarial prophylactics. In any case, the best prevention is not to get bitten by mosquitoes:
- Sleep with a mosquito net outside towns
- Wear long sleeves and trousers around dusk
- Use plenty of strong insect repellant - some brands can be applied directly on clothing

Money
The unit of currency in Laos is the Kip which is available in 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500 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, eg 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.

Visas
A passport and visa are required. Visas are issued upon arrival in Laos to foreign tourists and business persons at most border crossings.
You will need two passport size photographs and $30 at Wattay Airport, Vientiane; Friendship Bridge, Vientiane; and Luang Prabang Airport. Visas on Arrival are not available at the Chong Mek border crossing.
Foreign tourists are generally admitted to Laos for 15 days with a visa on arrival or for 30 days with a visa issued at a Lao embassy. The Department of Immigration in Vientiane will only extend tourist visas for one day. It is sometimes possible to get an extension for an additional 15 days by submitting an application through a tour agency. Foreigners who overstay in Laos risk arrest, and they will be fined $5 for each day upon departure.
Foreign tourists planning on entering Laos at any international checkpoint where Visas on Arrival are not available must obtain a visa in advance. Check with your nearest Lao Embassy as these are subject to change at short notice.
Immigration offices at some of the less used border-crossing points are net well marked. Travelers should make sure that they complete immigration and customs formalities when they enter Laos.
Passport must have at least six months validity remaining, and one blank visa page in order for the visa to be issued.

Dos and Don'ts
Show respect and use your head and eyes and common sense will guide you well in navigating Lao culture safely. When in Laos, try and do as the as the Lao do and remember; don't touch heads, don't loose your cool with people and don't flash your flesh. The rest is about manners, shoes left outside, accepting hosts' greetings and not upsetting religious feelings.
The Lao are very friendly and hospitable and a minimum effort will make your trip smooth and memorable. Respect the culture and you will earn its respect in turn.

Lao Food
Lao food is traditionally eaten with sticky rice, with the fingers. In the countryside, people will all eat family style, sitting on the floor, sharing a few dishes. Traditional Lao food is dry, spicy and very delicious. The food eaten in Laos is influenced by its neighbours and the colonial French. Here are some favourites:
Laap, a traditional Lao food is made from chopped meat, chicken or duck is a favourite. The finely chopped meat, spices and broth is mixed with uncooked rice grains that have been dry fried, and crushed. Laap is eaten with a plate of raw vegetables and sticky rice.
Tam Mak Houng is a salad made from sliced raw papaya, garlic, chile, peanuts, sugar, fermented fish sauce and lime juice - it can be extremely spicy, so be careful!
Som moo is fermented pork sausage, found in many forms. The sausage is made from raw pork - sometimes lean, sometimes pork skin. Som moo may be eaten raw or cooked. A mixture of som moo, tam mak koung and laap make a popular Lao lunchtime meal.
Barbequed som moo, served Vietnamese style is popular in Laos. Known as Naem Nuang, it is served with transparent rice paper, thin noodles and lots of herbs, vegetables, lettuce and a sauce. You take all the ingredients, and build your own spring roll - watch the locals to see how it is done.