Laos is the least populated of the Indochinese countries, and perhaps the most beautiful. For years a little visited destination, Laos is one of the most scenically and culturally rewarding holiday experiences in Asia. Mountains, jungles and the Mekong River dominate the landscape. Devoutly Buddhist and largely undeveloped, Laos offers travellers an opportunity to experience rich traditions, natural beauty and a sense of Asia as it once was. Our journeys to this intriguing country include time in Luang Prabang - a perfectly preserved blend of rustic colonial architecture and gilded monasteries - and in the laid back waterside capital city, Vientiane. Discover the "Land of a Million Elephants" with Vietnam Royal Tourism. .
Visa requirements & departure tax - Arrival instructions - Insurance - Money - Climate - Baggage & clothing - Electricity - Health - Safety & security - Food & water - Post & communication - Photography - Hotels - Massage Services - Transport - Local time - Local Guides - Language - Group dynamics - Important dates affecting touring, and compulsory meals - Recommended reading - Guide Books
Visa requirements & departure tax:
Travellers on all of Vietnam Royal Tourism's small group journeys can easily obtain 15 day tourist visas on arrival in Laos, subject to the furnishing of 30USD and one passport photo per person. Laos visas can be obtained on arrival at the following border crossings:
* The Friendship Bridge crossing (near Vientiane, bordering Thailand) * The Vientiane International Airport (Wattay Airport)If you have arranged an arrival transfer you will find a representative from Vietnam Royal Tourism waiting to meet you outside the airport. Please look carefully for a Vietnam Royal Tourism sign with your name on it (not a hotel sign). If you cannot find a sign with your name please call our local office contact number (on your detailed itinerary) and our duty officer will advise you what to do. You must be comprehensively insured as a condition of travelling with Vietnam Royal Tourism. Insurance should include coverage for personal accident, medical expenses, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. We will ask you to confirm your insurance details as part of our travel registration process at the start of your journey. If you do not have appropriate insurance we will insist you obtain insurance. We reserve the right not to provide the services booked with us until insurance is purchased. Note that travel insurance may be 'attached' to your credit card, although usually such cover is effective only if your travel arrangements have been purchased with the card. Insurance cover from credit cards often does not include payment of medical expenses. Please check your policy carefully. You must have adequate insurance to cover you in the event you suffer a medical problem while travelling. <<< TOP PAGE >>> The official currency of Laos is the kip, however United States dollar cash is accepted almost everywhere. Thai baht is readily acceptable, although at less favourable rates. As you will accumulate kip as change from payments you make in USD, we recommend you change either nothing or very little (eg. 30USD) into kip upon your arrival in Laos. We advise you to carry a mix of USD cash and travellers cheques. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) can be used in only a limited number of shops and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Travellers crossing from Thailand at Chiang Khong/ Huay Xai can change money at fair rates next to the Huay Xai (Laos) visa post. As your time in Laos will be limited, please bring enough money for the duration of your trip. We suggest you allow approximately 5USD per person for a main course meal at a nice restaurant.
<<< TOP PAGE >>> Laos is affected by the annual Southeast Asian monsoon cycle. The 'wet' season is from May to October. During this time, the tropical lowlands average 30 degrees celsius, while the mountains remain cooler. The first half of the 'dry' season is from November to February; temperatures during this time range from 10 to 25 degrees celsius. Mornings and evenings in the north of Laos around Luang Prabang can be quite cool at this time of the year. People travelling between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang on the Mekong should bring at last one layer of warm clothes. During the second half of the 'dry' season - from March to June - the temperature can rise to up to 35 degrees celsius. Many travellers prefer Laos outside the dry season; there are fewer tourists, and rainfall is often limited to brief afternoon showers which lend a different atmosphere to the country and towns.
<<< TOP PAGE >>> Your baggage should be clearly labelled and kept to a reasonable minimum. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited. Porters are not always available, so be prepared to carry your own bags. Comfortable casual clothes made of cotton are best in tropical and semi-tropical climates. Packing one set of smart casual clothes is advisable. Laundry services are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive. Make sure you bring:
<<< TOP PAGE >>> The electric current in Laos operates on 220 volts. Electrical plugs of the two rounded pin type are the most commonly required. You may want to bring a small hair dryer - many hotels do not provide one.
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Some of the diseases known to exist in Laos include malaria, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, diphtheria, tetanus, and HIV/ AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your risk of exposure to these health risks. We are a travel company and we are not qualified to provide detailed medical information appropriate to your individual needs. We recommend you consult with your local doctor or a specialist travel medical centre for up to date health information on vaccinations and medicine for your trip, at least one month prior to departure. Medical facilities are limited throughout the country (even in the capital Vientiane) compared to western standards. We suggest you bring a simple medical kit. Your doctor should advise you what to include, however as a minimum we suggest you bring: . Aspirin or paracetamol (for pain or fever)
<<< TOP PAGE >>> Laos is a safe country by world standards, but the usual commonsense safety precautions should be adhered to. Cities are small, and even at night you will feel quite safe walking outside. Most Laotians go to bed fairly early so streets will usually be very quiet after 9 pm. When outside your hotel, spending money should be kept in a secure place, close to your body. Wear as little jewellery as possible. You should leave valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes at all times and make sure you have photocopies of your passport, airline tickets, and a detailed record of your encashed travellers cheques and credit card numbers.
<<< TOP PAGE >>> Lao cuisine is somewhat similar to Thai food and can be quite spicy. Ingredients include vegetables, freshwater fish, beef, duck, pork and chicken. Food is generally flavoured with fermented fish sauce, coconut milk, peanuts and chillies. Vegetarians are well catered for. Breakfast is included each day on our tours and is usually a mix of buffet and continental style. You should only drink bottled water - available everywhere for purchase. International post generally takes ten to fourteen days to reach its destination and prices are similar to western postal prices. Reverse charge (collect) calls are not currently available and IDD telephone calls and faxes are very expensive.
<<< TOP PAGE >>> Print film, such as Kodak, Konika or Fuji is widely available and costs approximately 4USD per roll. Vientiane has good and fast processing facilities. A roll of 24 exposures can be developed for approximately 4USD. Slide film and Hi8/V8 video cassettes is not widely available in Laos. The x-ray machines at all airports are film safe.
<<< TOP PAGE >>> Most hotels we use have private western style bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning, IDD telephones, laundry and other facilities. Where possible we endeavour at passenger request to accommodate couples in double rooms. Please note however that on occasions during your journey, this may not be possible and a twin room will be provided. Our Bangkok to Hanoi, and Inside Laos journeys involve at least one overnight stop at a town. The standards at some hotels will not always match western standards, as Lao tourism infrastructure is still developing. Check in and check out times can vary but most hotels in Vietnam require guests to check out by 12 noon and do not allow check in until 2pm. Many hotels may allow an earlier check in or later check out subject to availability on the day. However, if you are arriving early in the morning to a destination or leaving late in the evening you should consider pre-booking a guaranteed early check in/late check out. The additional cost varies from hotel to hotel but is usually between 50-100% of the nightly rate. <<< TOP PAGE >>> Many countries in Asia are deservedly renowned for their massage techniques and the quality and value for money of these services. Unfortunately, many massage parlours including some in otherwise 'reputable' hotels are also linked to the paid sex industry. We advise you to check carefully before using massage services in Asia.
There is only 2000 kilometres of sealed road in Laos. When travelling by road we generally use late model air-conditioned minibuses. Larger vehicles are used for bigger group sizes. Modern sedan cars are used when there are only one or two people in the group. Some tours involve at least one domestic flight. Lao Airlines operates a relatively modern fleet, however schedules frequently change which can result in alterations to your tour programme. Some tours also involve boat journeys along the Mekong River. This is a great opportunity to view the way of life for most families living along the banks of the river and will provide you with terrific photo opportunities. Toilets on the boats, where available, are generally of the Asian squat style. There is no train network in Laos.
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The Lao language is written in a Thai-Khmer script. Because the language is tonal the same written word can have several different meanings. This makes it fairly difficult to learn, but any attempt to speak the language will be well received by local people. Many Laotians recognise the importance of learning English for business and tourism purposes and for this reason English is becoming more widely spoken throughout the country. The Vietnam Royal Tourism Lao phrasebook is recommended for those wanting to learn more about the language.
<<< TOP PAGE >>> Our small group journeys provide you with a good balance of group activity and personal discovery. Travellers need to be aware of certain personal responsibilities when travelling with a group. Simple things like being ready at agreed times and keeping to schedule will ensure the smooth running of the programme. Furthermore, the traditions and culture of the country you are visiting should be respected. Correct behaviour includes wearing the appropriate dress when visiting religious sites and refraining from making comments or acting in a manner that would be viewed as unacceptable by your fellow group members or by the local people in the country you are visiting. Please ask your tour leader for further clarification of the issues mentioned above.
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Important dates affecting touring, and compulsory meals:
Mobile libraries are carried in the minibus when the group is at least seven people in size. Books include guide books, books about local history, and often some fiction written by local authors. Feel free to use these books at any time during the tour. Books worth reading include:
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* 'The Rough Guide to Laos', by Rough Guide Publications - This guidebook provides detail and (generally) accuracy where others are lacking. Great maps, and the best of the English language guidebooks on the 'land of a million elephants.'
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Vietnam Hotels
Getting Start
Plan Itineraries
Vietnam Food & Drink
The Culture
The Hill Tribes
Environment
Useful Information
Vietnam Language
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