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LAOS > FACTS ABOUT THE VISITORS
GETTING THERE
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand now have an agreement about border crossing
for tourists. There is no need to apply for a particular crossing when filling
out your visa application form. Vientiane’s Wattay airport is connected
to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Guangzhou and Kunming. There
are several border points open to Thailand: Tha Khaek - Non Khai (the Vientiane
Friendship Bridge), Huay Xai - Chiang Khong, Savannakhet - Mukdahan, Ubon Ratchathani
- Chong Mek. For all, except the first, you have to have a valid permit. Vientiane
Friendship Bridge is the "standard" way to enter Laos by land. It
is located conveniently near Vientiane. There are minibuses leaving to and from
the bridge every 30 to 60 minutes. The border at Huay Xai / Chiang Khong is
open from 8am to 5pm. It is now possible to obtain a visa on the spot. Most
roads between Laos and Vietnam are now open for crossing. It is easy to enter
and leave Laos by way of Lao Bao. On the Vietnamese side, the buses don't go
all the way to the border, you either have to walk the last 3 kilometers or
pay one US dollar for a motor taxi. Currently, there is still an occasional
Khmer Rouge activity, so it's not safe to cross at Tha Boei. The border to China
is also open. It is, however, also subject to Chinese regulations, meaning that
if the officials there want to make some extra money, the crossing is more expensive.
There is no problem to cross from China into Laos. There are tuktuks waiting
on the Laotian side. It is necessary that you go to the immigration office in
every town in order to let them stamp your passport. This is usually done at
the point of your immigration (e.g. airport, river bank, etc.).
PLANNING
Light, unrevealing, modest, cotton clothing is the most suitable attire for
Laos. In December and January, a light jacket is often necessary and warmer
clothing may be needed if traveling in the highlands. Slip-on sandals are a
good idea because you can take them off easily when entering temples. An umbrella
may be needed in the rainy season. A torch or flashlight is useful because there
are regular power cuts. Medical resources are very limited in Laos so it is
highly recommended to bring a first aid kit.
VISA AND DOCUMENTS
A valid passport with an entry visa is required for all visitors. Fifteen-day
tourist visas are generally issued through embassies, consulates and authorized
travel agencies. Following the policy of the National Tourism Authority of Lao
PDR, foreign tourists are advised to buy a package tour through licensed agencies.
Otherwise, the tourist visa will not be granted. Since April 1994 it is no longer
necessary to have travel permits, so with this visa it is possible to travel
freely all over Laos. All visas must be used within two months of issue.
It is possible to get a visa directly at Vientiane's International Wattay Airport
and at the Friendship Bridge (the Mekong Bridge International Border Checkpoint).
You will need two photographs, a valid letter of confirmation of your hotel
reservation in Laos, or a personal, business or official address reference in
Laos. You will have to show either a valid flight ticket out of Laos or a valid
visa for your next country after Laos.
Transit visas allow a stay of up to 5 days. They are issued only to travelers
arriving in Vientiane by air and en route to another destination, with a valid
ongoing flight ticket. A transit visa only permits a stay in the Vientiane district;
travel to other parts of the country is not permitted.
EMBASSIES:
Australia Nehru Street, Vat Phonsay area.
Tel: 41-3610, 41-3805, 41-3602.
Bulgaria Sisangvone Area
Tel: 41-110
Cambodia Saphathong Nua Area
Tel: 31-4952, Fax: 31-2584.
China Vat Nak Street, Sisattanak Area
Tel: 31-5103, 31-5100, 31-5101.
Cuba Saphathong Nua Area
Tel: 31-4902
France Setthathirath Road
Tel: 21-5258, 21-5259, Fax: 21-5255.
Germany 26 Sokpaluang Road
Tel: 31-2111, 31-2110
India That Luang Road, Vat Phonsay Area
Tel: 41-3802.
Indonesia Phon Kheng Road
Tel: 41-3910, 41-3909, 41-3907, 41-3914
Japan Sisangvone Road
Tel: 21-2623, 41-4400-2, 41-4406, Fax: 41-4403
Korea (PDR) Vat Nak Street, Sisattanak
Tel: 31-5261, 31-5260
Malaysia That Luang Street, Vat Phonsay Area
Tel: 41-4205
Myanmar Sokpaluang Street, Sisattanak Area
Tel: 31-2439, 31-4910
Poland Thadeua Road, Km 3
Tel: 31-2219, 31-2085
Russia Tel: 31-2219, 31-222
Sweden Sokpaluang Street, Vat Nak
Tel: 31-5018, 31-5000, 31-3772, Fax: 31-5003
Thailand Phonkheng Road
Tel: 21-4582-3, 21-4585
U.S.A. That Dam
Tel: 21-2580-2, 31-2609, Fax: 21-2584
Vietnam That Luang Road
Tel: 41-3400, 41-3409, 41-3403
CUSTOMS
It is prohibited to take antiques items, antique Buddha images, and old cultural
artifacts are out of Laos. If you have already purchased valuable items in neighboring
countries, you are advised to declare them to customs upon arrival. Customs
duty must be paid, according to weight, on silver or copper items purchased
in Laos.
MONEY
The currency of Laos is the Kip, and this is officially the only legal currency.
But Thai Baht and US dollars are regularly accepted, particularly in the cities.
There are bank notes of 1 Kip, 10 Kips, 20 Kips, 50 Kips, 100 Kips and 500 Kips.
In Vientiane you'll be able to change most major currencies, but in the country
you should stick to US dollars or Thai Baht. You can cash travelers’ checks
in the capital, but expect to be charged a large amount of commission. You may
have trouble cashing travelers' checks outside Vientiane. Credit card cash advances
are also available at various banks in the city, but there are very few places
that accept credit cards for the payment of purchases. Kip cannot be reconverted
into another currency.
COMMUNICATIONS
The central telephone office is open daily between 08:00 and 22:00, and is located
on Setthathilath Road near Nam Phu Circle (Nam Phu Fountain). Fax services are
also available. International Direct Dialing is available in Vientiane. When
calling from overseas: the country code is 856, and the city code is 21. Mobile
phones - There are a number of GSM roaming agreements in place - please check
with your mobile 'phone service provider.
BOOKS
Vietnam, Laos and Laos Handbook by Michael Buckley. History of Laos by Maha
Sila Viravong. Tragic Mountains: The Hmong, the Americans and the Secret Wars
for Laos, 1942-1992, by Jane Hamilton-Merritt.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Videotapes and camera film can be purchased in Vientiane and Luang Prabang,
but specialist products are often hard to find, so bring plenty of film and
videotape. Taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of
military or security interest may result in problems with authorities.
TIME AND ELECTRICITY
Time Is GMT plus 7 hours. Electricity is 220V 50Hz.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Metric with local variations in rural areas
LAUNDRY
You will find that all hotels offer a laundry service and, 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.
HEALTH
There are no requirements for immunization when visiting Laos, apart from the
usual requirements if you have recently traveled in a yellow fever affected
area. The following immunizations are normally recommended for all travelers
to Laos: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Polio. For
visitors spending more time in the region, especially in remote areas, immunization
against Tuberculosis and Japanese B Encephalitis is also recommended.
Malaria and Dengue fever are a problem in Laos. Please consult your doctor for
anti-malarial prophylactics. There is no protection against dengue fever. The
best prevention is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes and sensible precautions
include sleeping under a mosquito net, wearing long sleeves and trousers around
dusk and after dark, and using plenty of strong insect repellent
An International medical clinic is operated by Mahosot Hospital, situated at
the Bank of Mekong River on the Fa Ngum road. It is open 24 hours per day. Tel:
21-4018, 21-4022, 21-4025.
DANGERS
Between March 2000 and January 2001, Vientiane and several other towns throughout
Laos experienced a series of bombing incidents, generally in public places,
including markets and public transport, and foreign tourists were injured. But
since then these incidents seem to have stopped. The Government of Laos tightly
controls travel to Saysomboun Special Zone and this is considered to be a troubled
area, and is definitely not safe. There is more than 500,000 tons of unexploded
artillery left over from the Vietnam War, and this causes about 120 casualties
per year in Laos. The war has also left a legacy of numerous minefields. Savannakhet,
Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu,
and Luang Prabang provinces and Saysomboun Special Zone are severely contaminated
by unexploded bombs.
There have been several drownings and near-drownings involving individuals swimming
in the Nam Song River during the rainy season.
Persons traveling in Vientiane and elsewhere, especially after dark, are subject
to being stopped, searched, detained, and fined by local police if they cannot
present suitable identification.
Taking drugs is especially high-risk in Laos. Penalties for possession of illicit
drugs are also very harsh. There have been reports of tourists dying from opium
overdoses.
The Lao Government prohibits sexual contact between foreign citizens and Lao
nationals outside of marriage in accordance with Lao Family Law. Any foreigner
who enters into a sexual relationship with a Lao national may be interrogated,
detained, arrested, or jailed. Foreigners are not permitted to invite Lao nationals
of the opposite sex to their hotel rooms and police may raid hotel rooms without
notice or consent.
Lao citizens who wish to have a foreign citizen stay in their home, even if
this is a family member, must obtain prior approval from the village chief.
The foreigner may be held responsible if the Lao host has not secured prior
permission for the visit.
BUSINESS HOURS
Banks are open Monday through Friday (except holidays) 8 am to 12 am and 2 pm
to 3 pm.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1st January, International New Year: National holiday.
6th January: Pathet Lao Day; national holiday with parades in Vientiane
20th January: Day of the Army.
January or February: Chinese and Vietnamese New Year. This it is celebrated
mainly by the Chinese and Vietnamese minorities, but many shops are closed at
this time. The date is determined by the lunar calendar.
January: Boun Pha Vet; commemoration of the incarnation of King Vessanthara
as Buddha; the date is determined by the lunar calendar.
February: Magha Puja; Buddhist holiday, the date is determined by the lunar
calendar.
8th March: Women's Day; national holiday with parades.
22nd March: Day of the People's Party; national holiday
March: Boun Khoun Khao; thanksgiving celebration, the date is determined by
the lunar calendar.
13th-16th April Boun Pimai, the Laotian New Year
Boun Pimai, the traditional Laotian New Year is celebrated with festivities,
especially in Luang Phabang. The celebrations last for three days during which
citizens drench each other with water.
1st May International Labour Day: National holiday with parades in Vientiane.
May (full moon) Visakha Puja celebrated on the 15th day of the 6th lunar month.
On this day Buddha was born, enlightened and passed away. At the same time Bun
Bang Fai (the Rocket Festival), a pre-Buddhist ceremony is also celebrated.
Bamboo rockets are fired at the sky; and it is believed this will bring about
the much-needed rain.
The Festivals of the Rain and Fasting are Buddhist festivals. They take place
between the full moon of the eighth and eleventh lunar month (July, and October).
At the end of the rainy season the festival of Boun Ok Pansa is celebrated with.
Boat races on the Mekong River.
1st June: Children's Day; national holiday
June or July: Khao Pansa; beginning of the Buddhist Lent; the exact date depends
on the lunar calendar. This day is also chosen by Laotians for the induction
to monk-hood.
13th August: Lao Issara, Day of the Free Laos; national holiday
August: Ho Khao Padap Dinh; a festival in commemoration of the dead and the
ancestors; the exact date determined by the lunar calendar.
September: Bouk ok Pansa; the date of the final celebrations of the Buddhist
Lent.
12th October: Day of Liberation from the French; national holiday
November (full moon): The That Luang Festival takes place in Vientiane and lasts
for a full week.
2nd December: Independence Day; national holiday with military parades
December: New-Year celebration of the Hmong, a strong ethnic minority in Laos;
the exact date is determined by the lunar calendar.
ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment, mainly to be found in Vientiane, includes live music and discos
with electrified Lao folk music and Western pop.
FOOD
It is possible to eat very cheaply in Laos. The staple food is rice and nearly
all dishes are cooked with fresh ingredients including vegetables, freshwater
fish, poultry, duck, pork, beef or water buffalo. For breakfast try Lao coffee
and ba-tan-gho, fried doe available from street vendors. Sticky rice and chicken
or laap (chopped spicy meat) and spicy soup are typical and popular dishes.
Herbs and spices used in cooking include lemon grass, fresh coriander, hot chilies,
garlic, mint, ground peanuts, tamarind juice and ginger. Coconut milk and limejuice
are other seasonings. Dishes are often served with an accompanying plate of
lettuce, mint, coriander, mung-bean sprouts, lime wedges and basil. There are
many local versions of sweet lemonade. Beer Lao has a good taste and contains
about 5% alcohol.
THINGS TO BUY
Tribal crafts, fabrics, jewelry and furniture are the best items to look out
for when shopping, especially in Vientiane.
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