Language

Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages

Currency

Laotian Kip

Thai Baht and USD are the best currencies to exchange although AUD, GBP, NZD are also accepted.

Banks and exchange facilities are found in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane.

Visa cards and ATM are available in most major centres, however it is not recommended to rely on these solely.

If you are purchasing items of over US$50 it is best not to change this into Lao kip as you will require a small back pack to carry all the notes!

International Dialing Code

+856

Electricity

Electricity in Laos is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The pin type varies but is most commonly types A and C. We recommend taking a universal adapter.

Visas

A visa for Laos is required for passport holders from the following countries: Australia New Zealand United Kingdom United States Canada

Citizens of the above countries can obtain a 30 day tourist visa with the easy to use e-visa system - https://laoevisa.gov.la/index. Processing time is 3 days and the e-visa can be used to enter through the following border points;

Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)

Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane)

Luang Prabang International Airport

Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet Province)

Pakse International Airport (Champasack Province)

Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV (Bokeo Province)

You can also obtain your Laos visa upon arrival at Vientiane and Luang Prabang International Airports, and at the Friendship Bridge between Nong Khai Thailand and Vientiane Laos. Passport photographs are required for a visa on arrival. To apply for a visa on arrival you will need: 2 blank pages in your passport 2 recent passport-size photos USD40 in cash.

In addition to holding a valid visa, all travellers must complete immigration arrival and departure information. This can be done either by filling out the paper immigration form on arrival or by submitting details online through the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF). If using the LDIF, it must be completed within 3 days prior to entering or exiting Lao. The online submission is made via the Lao Department of Immigration website:

https://www.immigration.gov.la/en/home

All other nationalities should check with your nearest embassy or consulate.

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.