Laos

Country or Region Description

Known as The Country of a million elephants, Laos is tranquil and offers many pleasant surprises. It is culturally rich and unspoiled with a population of 6 million. The Laotians are very friendly and hospitable.

The scenery in places, spectacular especially the mountains. Vientiane, the capital, is the home of marvellous temples and leisurely markets. Luang Prabang, the former Royal Capital, is one of the most culturally interesting places in South East Asia.

Country Facts

Location: South-eastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam.

Area: 236,800 km².

Population: 6,068,117 (July 2004 est.)

Capital: Vientiane

Time: GMT +7

Language: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages.

Religion: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)

Currency: Lao Kip

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz

Business Hours:

Shops: Monday to Friday 0800-1900.

Business: 0800-1200 and 1300-1730 Monday-Saturday.

Country Code: 856 - Vientiane 21

Credit Cards: Some hotels and restaurants accept Visa and MasterCard.

Photography: There are restrictions at airports, ports, and harbours. It is courteous to ask permission first before taking photographs of people.

Things to know about Laos before you go

Passports and Visas

All visitors to Laos must have a valid passport and visa irrespective of nationality.

Visas can be obtained on arrival at Vientiane airport. The fee is US$30 in cash and it is necessary to submit a passport size photograph.

Health

All visitors should have inoculations for the following diseases: Cholera, Typhoid, Hepatitis A/B and Malaria. It is advised to drink boiled or bottled water.

Customs

Tourists are permitted to import the following items duty free: 500 cigarettes; 2 bottles of alcoholic beverages; a reasonable quantity of perfume. Personal effects of a reasonable quantity. All cash must be declared.

Currency

The official currency is the Lao Kip although US$ are accepted.

Population & Language

Laos has over 6 million residents; Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1% . The official language is Lao.

Telephones

Telephones can be found in all major hotels. Long distance telephone calls are very expensive. It is advisable to make collect calls or have people call you in Laos.

Travellers' Cheques

Limited acceptance. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers checks in US$.

Arrival Guide

VIENTIANE

The capital city and seat of government sits on a bend in the Mekong River amidst fertile alluvial plains. Despite its chequered past, Vientiane (pronounced 'Wieng Chan' by the locals) is a laid-back city with a number of interesting wats and lively markets.

Vientiane has around 10 top-end hotels and as many guesthouses, many of them moderately expensive, but plenty of lower-priced rooms have become available in the last few years. Most of the accommodation is in central Vientiane. You can eat at cafes, street stalls, beer halls or restaurants, offering everything from rice noodles to filet mignon. For good Lao meals, try the Dong Palan Night Market on the east bank of the Nong Chan ponds.

LUANG PRABANG

This 'city' is just barely waking from a long slumber brought on by decades of war and revolution. Luang Prabang has only 16,000 residents and few concessions to 20th-century living, save for infrequent electricity and a few cars and trucks.

Rush hour occurs when school students are let out and the streets fill with bicycles. Its main tourist attractions are its historic temples - 32 of the original 66 built before French colonization still stand - and its lovely setting encircled by mountains at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong rivers.