Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.
Prices here are about 22% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
For short stays, most ASEAN citizens need no visa. Other nationalities, in most cases, can apply online for the official e-visa (accepted at some land borders and the main airports) or obtain a visa on arrival, which calls for USD cash and a passport photo. The current list is on the official e-visa site; check it.
The country is quiet, Buddhist and conservative. The 'nop', with palms pressed together, is the greeting. Modest dress is expected, particularly in Luang Prabang, and women should not touch monks. Dawn alms-giving is a sacred ceremony: from a distance, watch quietly and use no flash. Affection shown in public is inappropriate. Legal rules govern relations between Lao citizens and foreigners. Stay on marked paths in rural areas, where unexploded ordnance remains.
Police 191. Fire 190. Ambulance 195.
Canadian advice says the kip is hard to obtain outside Laos, while US dollars and Thai baht are commonly accepted. Major cards work at some international hotels and tourist businesses. Cash machines are widely available but card fraud is frequent. Cash advances are possible at some banks, with high commission. The advice suggests getting kip from a bank or machine rather than a kiosk, and avoiding large single exchanges because of counting scams.
Laos has a zero-tolerance approach to drugs, with the death penalty possible for trafficking, and UK advice says police may require urine or blood tests. Vapes, heated tobacco and shisha are illegal. Both UK and Canadian advice say sexual relationships between foreigners and Lao nationals are prohibited unless the couple is married under Lao law. Shoulders and knees should be covered at temples, and photographing military sites is prohibited.
A known taxi service, a car arranged by your accommodation or a local taxi app are the choices UK advice gives. When the vehicle turns up, check that the driver and licence plate match, and tell a friend your journey details. The advice also warns of drivers who say they are registered with app companies and try to pick up passengers on the street.
Money-counting scams happen at currency exchanges, Canadian advice warns, and it suggests not changing large sums in a single transaction. Both UK and Canadian advice say never to leave a passport as a deposit or collateral when renting a motorcycle or vehicle. Canada adds that fraud or scams should be reported to the local tourist police.
local government
Helps with: Lao government department that runs the tourismlaos.org website. Its contact details are given on the site's Before You Go page for tourism enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Laos or planning a trip there.
Phone: +856-21-212248
Address: Lane Xang Avenue, Hatsadi Village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital
un agency
Helps with: The UN migration agency, working in Laos since 2002. It gives humanitarian help to migrants, displaced people and returnees and supports the government on migration management.
Who qualifies: Migrants, displaced people and returnees. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +856 21 26 77 95
Email: [email protected]
Address: UN House, 3rd Floor, Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane
local government
Helps with: Reaches the police in Laos. The number comes from UK government travel advice, which also lists 021 251 128 for the tourist police in Vientiane.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 1191
local government
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Laos. UK government travel advice also lists 030 525 7239 for the ambulance.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 1195
local government
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Laos. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 1190
Luang PrabangKuang Si waterfalls, night markets, golden temples and morning alms-giving by monks are found in this UNESCO-listed town.Photo: 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0
VientianeOn the Mekong, this calm capital is known for its riverside night market, the Patuxay monument and Pha That Luang stupa.Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0
Vang ViengLimestone hills ring this small town, which is popular for hot-air balloon rides, blue lagoons, caves, tubing and kayaking.Photo: Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0
Champasak (Pakse and Wat Phou)The Bolaven Plateau, a cool coffee and waterfall area, is part of this southern province, along with the UNESCO-listed ruins of Wat Phou temple.Photo: Adam Carr of English Wikipedia, Public domain
Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands)Near the Cambodian border lie these Mekong River islands, grouped in a cluster, where large waterfalls and slow island life are the draw.Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0
religious
That Luang stupa, which is golden, hosts the biggest Buddhist festival in the country.
culture
Luang Prabang offers the nicest setting to watch the water festival and processions.
festival
As Buddhist Lent comes to an end, the Mekong sees long-boat races and boats carrying candles.
religious
That Luang stupa, which is golden, hosts the biggest Buddhist festival in the country.