Laos country & travel info: Indochina Exklusive by Myanmar Travel Ltd. - travel and tours to Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, China and Thailand

Laos
Country & Travel Info

Where is Laos? As one of the poorest countries in the world, with a population of only 5 million, it slowly opened its gates to foreign travellers after the turmoil of the 'Secret War'.
The country of the Million Elephants does not offer splendid sightseeing such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the thousands of Pagodas in Bagan, or the glamorous metropoles of Bangkok or Hongkong. BUT - it has a treasure, which is unique in South East Asia: The peaceful nature of country and people, who are told to lean themselves back in order to hear the rice growing... Laos was under the control of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. It is a landlocked country located on the Indo-Chinese peninsula of South East Asia. It is bound by Vietnam to the east, Myanmar (Burma) and China to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west.		Morning market, Luang Prabang

People: The principal ethnic majority are the Laotians who account for 67% of the population and are related to the Thai people. The Laotians are divided into four main groups, the Lao Lum, Lao Theung, Lao Thai and the Lao Soung. Other ethnic minorities include the Vietnamese and Chinese. Religion: The Lao Lum and Lao Thai are mostly Buddhists (60%) while the Lao Theung are Animists and the Lao Soung are a mixture of Animists (38.5%), Christians (1.5%) and Confucianists. Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages.
Dancers, Plain of Jars		Culture: Laos is a rural nation whose comparatively low population density has allowed the continuation of a village society reliant on subsistence agriculture. The deficiency of a national government infrastructure and effective transportation networks has also contributed to the relative freedom and autonomy of most villages. Rice is the staple food for all Laotians, and most families and villages are able to produce enough or nearly enough each year for their own consumption. Education and social services remain rudimentary at best but are improving. In lowland villages orthodox education was provided to boys and young men through the Buddhist temples. Child and infant mortality is high, and life expectancy is the lowest in Southeast Asia; the population, is increasing at a rapid rate.

Since the end of World War II remarkable differences in education, health, and demographic conditions have prevailed among the ethnic groups and between rural and urban populations.

History:
In the 13th century the rulers of Louangphrabang (Luang Prabang) constituted a large indigenous kingdom with a hierarchical administration. Even then, migratory and religious crosscurrents never really ceased. The durability of the kingdom itself is attested to by the fact that it lasted within its original borders for almost four centuries.

Today, the Lao People's Democratic Republic covers only a small portion of the territory of that former kingdom. In late 1975, months after the fall of Cambodia and the Republic of Vietnam to the communists, the Pathet Lao came to power in Laos, proclaiming that Laos's territorial integrity as well as its freedom, sovereignty, and solidarity with other new regimes of Indochina, would be defended. In a demonstration of this determination, Laos fought a border war with Thailand in 1988, and protracted negotiations were necessary to demarcate the border between the two countries. Internally, the regime proved ruthless in stamping out political and armed opposition. Only since the introduction of the New Economic Mechanism in 1986 has the government made some headway in the long and difficult process of bettering the lives of its citizens.		Ancient temple ruins
Visa: A passport and visa are required. Visas are issued upon arrival in Laos to foreign tourists and business persons with two passport size photographs and US$ 30 at Wattay Airport, Vientiane, Friendship Bridge, Vientiane, and Luang Prabang Airport. Visas on Arrival are not available at the Chong Mek border crossing. Foreign tourists are generally admitted to Laos for 15 days with a visa on arrival or for 30 days with a visa issued at a Laotian embassy. The Department of Immigration in Vientiane will only extend tourist visas for one day. It is sometimes possible to get an extension for an additional 15 days by submitting an application through a tour agency. Foreigners who overstay in Laos risk arrest, and they will be fined US$ 5 for each day upon departure.Foreign tourists planning on entering Laos at any international checkpoint where Visas on Arrival are not available must obtain a visa in advance.

Preparing your breakfast		Money: The currency in Laos is the Kip which is available in 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 100 and 50 Kip notes. In major towns, Thai Baht and US Dollars are readily accepted in markets, hotels and restaurants. Many hotels will only accept US Dollars. Please beware of 1990 series US$ 100 bills which are often not accepted in Asia. US$ 100 bills should be new series only. Travellers cheques can be changed in major banks in Vientiane but are difficult to negotiate outside the capital city. If bringing travellers cheques, they should be in US$ denomination, from a well known bank, e.g. American Express or VISA. Credit cards can be used in major hotels in Vientiane, but are of little use elsewhere.
Time: Laos' time is six hours ahead of Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT).

Climate:
Laos has three distinct seasons, all with their advantages and disadvantages. The best time to visit overall is the cool season, between November and February. By November, the rains are usually over, all rivers are navigable and roads are passable.

The hot season from March to May is very dry, but in some places, around the Laotian New Year, 14th - 16th April, accomodation of your choice may be harder to find. During this time, some rivers are harder to navigate and boat journeys in remote places may not be possible.

The rainy season, from June to October, during which the country is at its most beautiful and lush, can be difficult to get around in remote places by road. Rivers are always accessible at this time.

Health:
There are no requirements for immunisation other than the usual requirements if having recently travelled in a yellow fever-affected area.

The following immunisations are usually recommended for all travellers to Laos, and other countries in southeast Asia. Please check with your local doctor before travelling:

Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Diptheria and Tetanus
Hepatitis B
Polio

In addition to the above, the following vaccinations are suggested for visitors spending some time in southeast Asia, especially in remote areas:

Tuberculosis
Japanese B Encephalitis

Samnuea - lunch in the cave...

Malaria and Dengue Fever are a problem in Laos. However, with caution, they can easily be avoided. Please consult your doctor for anti-malarial medication.

There is no protection against Dengue Fever. We suggest that you take the following precautions in addition to taking anti malarial prophylactics. In any case, the best prevention is not to get bitten by mosquitoes:

Outside towns sleep with a mosquito net
Wear long sleeves and trousers around dusk
Use plenty of strong insect repellants - some brands can be applied directly on clothing

Dress:
Light clothing made from natural fibres is the best clothing for Laos. You will find that all hotels offer a laundry service; 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.

For the months of December and January, a light jacket is often necessary in the lowlands - more warm clothing may be needed if travelling in the highlands, such as - really - WINTER JACKETS, thick socks and pullovers!

Laotian people dress modestly - traditionally, Lao women wear a 'phaa sin', a beautiful wrap around woven skirt made of silk or cotton. Women visitors are not expected to wear skirts, but miniskirts and revealing shorts may often be viewed as 'not polite'. The best plan is to dress modestly like the locals.

FOOTWEAR - bring sandals or slip ons-to take off easily when entering temples.

Mobile phones:
There are a number of GSM roaming agreements in place - please check with your mobile 'phone service provider.

How to get to Laos:

By international flights in and out of Vientiane:
Cambodia: Phnom Penh
China: Kunming
Thailand: Bangkok and Chiang Mai
Vietnam: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

You are in good hands...

By international flights in and out of Luang Prabang:
Thailand: Bangkok

By land in and out of Vientiane:
Nong Khai and the FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE (via flight from BKK to Udon) and transfer to Vientiane
By land in and out of Pakse:
Chong Mek, Ubon Rathchathani Province to Pakse (via flight from Bkk to Ubon) and transfer to Pakse
By land in and out of Xiang Khong:
Xiang Khong, Chiang Rai Province to Huay Xai, Bokeo Province and boat transfer to Luang Prabang (via flight from BKK to Chiang Rai and transfer)

Embassies:
Laotian embassies can be found in the following countries:

Australia	Indonesia	Russia
Embassy of Lao PDR 1 Dalman Crescent O'Malley Canberra, ACT	Embassy of Lao PDR Jalan Kintamani Raya c15 No 33 Kuningan Timur, Jakarta	Embassy of Lao PDR Moscow 121069 UL Katchalova 18
Cambodia	Japan	Singapore
Embassy of Lao PDR 15-17 Mao TseTung Blvd P.O. Box 19 Phnom Penh	Embassy of Lao PDR 3-3-22 Nishi-Azabu Minato-Ku Tokyo	Embassy of Lao PDR 179-B Goldhill Centre Thomson Road Singapore
China	Malaysia	Sweden
Embassy of Lao PDR Sanlitum Dongsie jie Beijing 100600	Embassy of Lao PDR 1 Loront Damai Tiga Kuala Lumpur 55000	Embassy of Lao PDR Badstrandvagen 11 11265 Stockholm
Cuba	Mongolia	Thailand
Embassy of Lao PDR 7 Are calle 36A 505 Miramar Havana	Embassy of Lao PDR Ikh Toiruu PO Box 1030 Ulan Bator	Embassy of Lao PDR 520.502/1-3 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39 Bangkapi Bangkok
France	Myanmar	USA - New York
Embassy of Lao PDR 74, Av. Raymond Poincare 75011 Paris	Embassy of Lao PDR Na 1 Diplomatic Quarters France Road, Yangon	Permanent Mission of Lao PDR 317 East 51 Street New York
Germany	Philippines	USA - D.C.
Embassy of Lao PDR Am Lessing 6 53639 Königswinter 1 Bonn	Embassy of Lao PDR 34 Lapu-Lapu Street Magallaness Village Manila	Embassy of Lao PDR 2222 S Street NW Washington D.C.
India	Poland	Vietnam
Embassy of Lao PDR E53 Panchsheel Park New Delhi - 17	Embassy of Lao PDR UL Rejtana 15/26 02-516 Warsaw	Embassy of Lao PDR 22 Rue Tran Binh Trong Hanoi