According to aristmarketing, Laos (Lao) (Lao: ລາວ) is a country in Asia bordering Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. The capital of Laos is Vientiane. A number of major cities in Laos are: Luang Prabang, Seno, Savannakhet, Thakhek and Vang Vieng.
Laos is known for its beautiful untouched nature. You will find mountains, waterfalls, rainforests, rivers and an array of wildlife species all over the country, such as the elephant, tiger, leopard, bear and various snake species. You will also find poppy fields for the extraction of opium on a large scale. In Laos, the Buddha is central. You can see this in the many temples and statues that the country has. You can also see Buddhism with the monks who are dressed in an orange robe. In the south of the country you will also find a real Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) with dozens of Buddha statues. Laos is also known for the Mekong River that crosses the country. In the south of the country, the river is known for its 4000 islands and rapids. Traces of the Vietnam War can also be found in Laos. See picktrue for safari and nature trips in Asia.
Where is Laos located?
Travel information of Laos
Official name: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Continent: Asia
Area: 236,800 km²
Capital: Vientiane
Country code: LA, LAO
Population: 7,447,396 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: People’s Republic
Highest point: 2,817 m (Phou Bia)
Distance (Amsterdam – Vientiane): 8,954 km
Flight time: approximately 11 hours and 45 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: All non-essential travel to certain areas in Laos is discouraged.
Current color code: Yellow and orange.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in place in Laos that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Laos, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Laos. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compile your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Laos?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Laos at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Laos has a tropical climate. The temperatures are between 25 and 40 degrees all year round. Higher in the mountain areas the temperatures are about 5 degrees lower.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Laos can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Laos can be found at Climate info.
Best time
January, November and December are the best months to travel to Laos. This avoids the rainy season and the hottest months.
Language
Lao (Lao) is the official language in Laos.
Would you like to translate from or into Lao for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon departure from Laos.
A visa is required. You can apply for this in person at the embassy of Laos in Brussels.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Dutch Embassy in Thailand (also for Laos): netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Laos: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Laos in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting Laos it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in Laos (with the exception of Vientiane). Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency
In Laos people pay with the Laotian kip (LAK).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Laos can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Laos are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -20% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (49% cheaper), food (5% cheaper), imported beer in catering (49% cheaper), cigarettes (74% cheaper) and public transport (84% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Laos it is not customary to tip. With good service you can round off the total amount.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 5 hours later in Laos.
During our winter time it is 6 hours later in Laos.
Laos has no difference in winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Laos can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Laos you have to drive on the right.
To drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Laos, you must have an international driver’s license. The international driver’s license is available at an ANWB shop.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Laos.
Electricity In Laos you may need a travel plug
in some cases. More information about common plugs and sockets in Laos can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 191
– Fire brigade: 190
– Ambulance: 195
– Tourist police: 021-251128
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Laos can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Laos can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Laos end in.la.
Laos official website: tourismlaos.org.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Laos is 00856 or +856.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Laos? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Laos.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Laos.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Laos can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Laos, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Laos?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Laos. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Laos can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Laos can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Laos? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in or do business with Laos, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Laos, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Laos.
– Alcohol: Buy from the age of 18, drink at all ages.
– Alcohol and traffic: Maximum permitted blood alcohol content is 80 mg per 100 ml of blood.
– Tobacco: Unknown
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know…
…There are no railways in Laos?
…1 in 3 inhabitants of Laos lives below the poverty line?
…Laos has been independent from France since 1949?
…Laos does not border on any sea?
…Laos is the most bombed country in the world?
…80% of the population work in agriculture?
