For those seeking more detailed tips and advice on the more popular areas, please click on the following links listed below:

Vientiane       Luang Prabang

Customs and Immigration A valid transit, tourist visit, business, diplomatic, or service visa is required. All foreigners may enter and depart Laos via Wattay Airport or via one of the following entry points: Nong Khai (near Vientiane), Chong Mek (near Pakse), Nakhon Phanom (opposite Tha Khaek), Chiang Khong (opposite Huay Xai) and Mukdahan (opposite Savannakhet). Boarder crossings are open between 6am and 6pm

Use of the Friendship Bridge spanning the Mekong at Nong Khai is hampered by controls on foreign-registered vehicles, but individual travellers should experience nothing more harassing than a slight delay. It's possible to cross to/from Vietnam via Lao Bao or Kuen Neua if you have a valid visa. It may also be possible to cross into Cambodia at the border town of Voen Kham, in Champasak Province. Entry to Laos is also possible from China's Yunnan Province at Boten.

Departure Tax There is a US$10 airport departure tax for all foreign and local travellers.

Visas A visa can now be obtained upon arrival at the airport and other official entry points. However, certain regulations apply. If you book a tour to Laos and you are resident of a country that does not have a Lao embassy or in the case of any urgency, you can obtain the visa upon arrival at the International border checkpoint. You will however need to be carrying documentary evidence that your visa has already been approved.

Warning: If travelling by car rather than arriving by aeroplane, be careful of touts trying to take you to 'visa offices.' These tend to be profit agencies that will help you fill out the visa form and help process the application but will cost you a further US$15-20 per application on top of the official US$30. Skip this and head directly to the border crossing and the official immigration office for an application. These 'visa offices' may save you 20-30 minutes of time queuing up to get the applications at the border and filling them out and submitting, but are not worth it at US$15-20 per person. The forms are in English and quite easy to understand.

Communications Forget about bringing your mobile unless you are a subscriber of Thailand's AIS network, as very few other carriers have roaming agreements with the Shinawatra network in Laos. International telephone, fax, telegraph and telex services are available at post offices, hotels and business centres in the main cities, in outlying areas, some or all of these may be non-existant.

Several radio stations broadcast in Lao. The Lao National Radio carries news in English, French and Thai. There are daily TV broadcasts, with two local channels,Thai television and satellite reception.

When calling Laos from overseas, the country code is 856. In Thailand, where calls to Laos are rated as local ones, the international access code is 007. Country Code-856.

Tourism Authorities (Guide to expected behaviour of visitors) The National Tourism Authority of Lao PDR publishes a handy booklet that provides guidance to visitors on how to enjoy their stay in the country and not offend the sensibilities of the citizenry. Some of the following more important rules are good to know before you arrive:

• Show respect and use your head and eyes and common sense will guide you well in navigating Lao culture safely.
• Try and do as the as the Lao do and remember; don't touch heads, don't loose your cool with people and don't flash your flesh. The rest is about manners, shoes left outside, accepting hosts' greetings and not upsetting religious feelings.
• In Buddhism and general Asian society, the head is very important to the souls and its purity, while the feet walk the earth and all that is deposited on it. Raising your feet to head-height, putting them on furniture or pointing with them is taken as a deliberate insult or sign of barbarism.
• A kiss or embrace from a stranger is insulting and humiliating. Traditionally, Lao people use the 'nop' on meeting and using it will win you instant friends if performed sincerely.
• Public displays of affection are taboo in Lao society, so don't cause shock or embarrassment by kissing or cuddling in front of people.
• Modest dress and discreet behaviour will ensure you don't attract unwanted attention or embarrass others.
• Appearance - Bodily hygiene and cleanliness are of the highest standard in Lao and a visitor's failure to meet these standards is not well received. Wash yourself and your clothes daily or prepare to be laughed at and avoided!

Etiquette Lao people are frank, open and friendly, and they possess a strongly developed sense of courtesy and respect. Everyone who adheres to the latter will receive a warm welcome.

The Nop The generally accepted form of greeting among Lao people is the nop. It is performed by placing one's palm together in a position of praying at chest level, but not touching the body. The higher the hands, the greater the sign of respect. Nonetheless, the hands should not be held above the level of nose. The nop is accompanied by a slight bow to show respect to persons of higher status and age. It is also used as an expression of thanks, regret or saying good-bye. With western people however it is acceptable to shake hands.

What to Wear Light-weight washable cotton or cotton-blend clothes are suitable. Do not bring nylons and other synthetic clothes as these tend to make you sweat more. A coat or thick jumper is needed for the winter and in upland areas. Tip: Bring a good supply of clothes and or be prepared to launder frequently as the heat will take its toll and local standards are high in terms of personal hygiene. At least two changes of clothes a day would be recommended. Skip the rain coats and stick to rubber sandals and umbrellas for the rainy season. A good pair of athletic sandals or sneakers (running shoes) will prove invaluable.

Currency The Kip is the official currency of Laos. The bank notes are presently in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 Kip.

Money can be exchanged at banks, authorized shops, or hotels. Bring a combination of a visa card as well as US$ travellers cheques and US$ notes. There is a 3-5% mark-up for using credit cards in Laos and you are often a long way from an ATM, so conserve cash and use your credit card for paying things like your hotel bill or airline tickets.

All major currencies such as the US Dollar, French Franc, DM, Yen, Baht and others can be exchanged at banks that are located in all major towns. In Luang Prabang and Vientiane competitive rates are offered by numerous authorized private exchange bureaus. One exchange facility is available at Wattay Airport in Vientiane.

Exchange bureaus and banks will cash traveller cheques in major currencies. Furthermore, most domestic and foreign banks in Vientiane allow cash withdrawals on Visa credit card or Master Card. In case of journeys to remote areas it is, of course, advisable to take a good supply of Kip with you.

Banks Banque pour le Commerce Exterier Lao, Sethathirath Bank, Nakornluang Bank, Joint Development Bank, and Thai branch banks.

Electricity 220 volts at 50 HZ

Transportation Public transportation is by bus, taxi and samlo (rickshaw). There are both metered and un-metered taxis. No railroad is available in Laos. Lao Aviation, Thai Airways International, Cambodia and Vietnam Airlines connect Wattay Airport of Vientiane to Bangkok, Yangon, Hanoi, Hochi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Kunming, China. Domestic flights shuttle daily between Lao cities. Mittaphab Bridge across the Mekong to Thailand is another access point that opened in early 1994.

Culture About 60% of Lao, mainly the lowland Lao and a sprinkling of Thai tribes, are Theravada Buddhists. Every Lao Buddhist male is expected to become a monk for a short period of his life, usually between school and starting a career or getting married. The main non-Buddhist 'religion' is phii worship, a spirit cult which is officially banned. Hmong/Mien tribes practise animism and ancestral worship, and some follow a Christian version of the cargo cult, believing Jesus Christ will arrive in a jeep, dressed in combat fatigues. A small number of Lao - mostly the French-educated elite - are Christians.

Religion is a major part of daily life and remains the practice of the massive majority. Show respect in temples and shrines, watch how locals behave in such places and follow suit. Dress neatly when visiting temples and religious shrines. You should never go shirtless, or in shorts, miniskirts or hot pants. It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around a temple compound, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Visitors are welcome to relax and be peaceful in all temples.

Every Buddha image is regarded as a sacred object, no matter how big, small, old or new. Never climb onto a Buddha image to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect.

Keep your head lower than the Buddhas and monks. Buddhist priests must not be touched by a woman nor accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman gives anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Don't turn your back on a Buddha, when you walk away from one do so in reverse, then turn and walk away when you have gone a respectable distance.

Language The official language of Laos is Lao, as spoken and written in Vientiane. There are five main dialects in the country, each of which can be divided into further sub-dialects. All Lao dialects are closely related to the languages spoken in Thailand, northern Myanmar and pockets of China's Yunnan Province. 

Health Medical and dental facilities are mostly operated by the government. Private clinics and pharmacies are available in the major cities. The International Clinic is operated under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, to accommodate foreigners and diplomats.

Medicine and Emergencies See your physician prior to leaving for Laos and bring your own mini pharmacy/good supply with you in terms of plasters, antibiotic ointment, alcohol wipes, etc. Wounds go septic twice as fast as in temperate climates. Things such as contact lens solutions which are readily available in Thailand are very difficult to find - so rely on glasses or bring your own supply.

It is also recommend that you get medical evacuation insurance prior to leaving for Lao. It is relatively inexpensive and most policies generally cover doctors bills, hospital charges, provide air evacuation for serious injuries that cannot be treated in country, translators via phone, medical consultations via phone etc.

Medicines from France, USA, Russia, Thailand and China are widely available in most pharmacies

In case of a medical emergency the following institutions may be able to assist. They all operate up-to-date medical clinics.

• International Medical clinic, Fa Ngum Road (next to Mahosot Hospital) Tel: 214018, 214022, 214025
• Sethathilath Hospital, Nongbone Road Tel: 412783
• Friendship Hospital (150 beds) Pholthong Road Tel: 413302, 413303-6
• Australian Embassy Clinic, J. Nehro St. (near the Australian Embassy) Tel: 020 511061, 020 511462, 413603
• Swedish Clinic, Sok Pa Luang Road (Close to the Swedish Embassy) Tel: 315015

Useful Emergency Contact Numbers In Vientiane province, the police can be reached at the emergency number 212520 (Immigration Office) or 212248, 212251, 212769 (National Tourism Authority of Lao P.D.R.).

Environment You will rarely be alone in Laos, even when you seem to be, and pollution is not well received. Bins are scarce, so use your plastic bags to return rubbish to towns or villages.

Drugs Don’t…the penalties may be severe for you and even worse for the Lao society. Not only that but your stay within the country may land up being a lot longer than you expected.

Travel Warning

As of 2001, most areas of the country are considered secure. The western portion of Rte 7 in Xieng Khuang Province, between Muang Phu Khun and Phonsavan, has recently opened to regular bus traffic though you are advised to ask around on arrival to make sure the situation is still safe. The Saisombun Special Zone, considered a 'troubled' area, is definitely not safe.