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LAOS - Practical Information
The Lao People's Democratic Republic has so far remained unmoved and unimpressed by the lure of large scale industrial development and as a result is the least developed of the former French Colonies in Indochina. Laos is also one of Asia's least traveled countries, despite its rich array of cultures and traditions. This small, landlocked nation offers the traveler an unmatched glimpse of the South East Asia of old.
CLIMATE
Laos can be visited throughout the year. However those planning to travel extensively by road in the Northern part of the country and/or in the south of the Boloven Plateau should avoid the last two months of the rainy season when some countryside roads may be impassable. Laos enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons.
The dry or cool season begins end of October and lasts until end of February (average 20-25 C). Take along a pullover or jacket during the cool season, as nights can be cold, especially in the mountainous areas such as Luang Prabang, the Plain of Jars, Saravane and Houeixai (0-5 C). The hot season lasts from March to June, light cotton clothes and hats are recommended (average 35 C). From June to early October is the rainy season (average 25-30 C). Most precipitations come in the afternoon and in the evening. |
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PASSPORT AND VISAS
Visas are required by all nationalities. Visas can be obtained either from Lao Embassies and Consulates abroad or upon arrival at the Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse airports. The visa fee is US$ 30 per person, 2 passport photos are required for each visa application.
CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES
Arrivals at Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse International airport are generally rather casual events. Carry-on bags are usually not inspected if that is all you have brought. For checked-in baggage, when claimed at counter, passengers are sometimes required to declare if they have brought antiques and silver items with them. Simple formalities should be observed also when entering the country overland. Passengers have to complete immigration and customs declaration forms during the arrival flight or upon arrival and must submit these documents on arrival.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
An adequate supply of any essential medication should be brought along, as certain medicines may not be available locally. A spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses is also advisable.
CURRENCY AND MONEY EXCHANGE
The local currency is the KIP. Notes come in denominations of 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10.000 and 20.000 Kips. The rate of exchange as per the time of printing is approximately 10,450 Kip to one US Dollar and 13,340 Kip to one Euro. In Vientiane, notes of most international currencies can be exchanged either at banks or at licensed moneychangers. Outside Vientiane, most provincial banks and licensed moneychangers accept only US Dollars, Thai Bahts and sometimes Euros. Only major banks accept traveler's checks. It is best to carry U.S Dollar bills in small denominations. Credit cards are accepted only at major hotels and up-market shops and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
ELECTRICITY
The electric current is 220 volts AC, 50 cycles.
AIRPORT TAX
International airport tax: US $ 10 per outgoing international passenger at Vientiane Wattay airport, at Luang Prabang and Pakse airports.
Domestic airport tax: 10,000 Lao Kip (approx. USD 1.00) per outgoing domestic passenger at all domestic airports.
LANGUAGES
The official language of Lao PDR is Lao. It is spoken throughout the country as well as the Vientiane's dialect. In spite of the colonial past, French remains the second language and English is in common use among business sectors and young generations, even though they are not widely spoken except in the capital and in major tourist sites such as Luang Prabang.
LOCAL TIME
Laos runs at GMT + 7 hours, it lies in the same time zone as its neighbors Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. |
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