USEFUL INFORMATION

I. When to Visit:
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 pasable.

The hot season, from March to May is very dry, but in some places, around Lao 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, whilst the country at its most beautiful and lush, can be difficult to get around in remote places by road. Rivers are always accesible at this time.

II. What to bring:
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. Please remember that you should normally wash your own undergarments. In the rainy season, clothes may take longer to dry. 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.

Lao 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.
- An umbrella is sensible for the rainy season
- A flashlight is a good idea, in case of power cuts.
- Electrical multi adaptor if you plan on brining electrical appliances - there are many different types of plug sockets used in Laos. Laos uses 220V AC.
- Video tapes and camera film can be found in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, but specialist products are often hard to come by. We advise you to bring plenty of film and video tape.
- Toiletries can be found in all Lao towns, but outside Vientiane, they are limited in supply. We suggest you bring your own.
- Insect repellant can be found in towns, but many visitors have their own favorite brands, not normally found in Laos.
- A first aid kit is a very good idea - medical resources are very limited in Laos.
- Mobile phones - There are a number of GSM roaming agreements in place - please check with your mobile 'phone service provider.

III. 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 normally 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

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.
- Sleep with a mosquito net outside towns
- Wear long sleeves and trousers around dusk
- Use plenty of strong insect repellant - some brands can be applied directly on clothing.

IV. MONEY:
The unit of 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.

Currency can be changed in most major towns, but we suggest you keep a ready supply of smaller US dollar bills. If you have arrived in Laos from Thailand, you may bring Thai Baht too. 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 US$ denomination, from a well known bank, eg American Express or VISA.

Credit cards can be used in major hotels in Vientiane, but are of little use elsewhere.

The best option is, despite the risk of losing it, to bring cash. Visitors arriving via Thailand can change travellers cheques in Bangkok for Thai Baht. Alternatively, bring US dollars. Change Dollars or Baht into Kip as needed.

V. Visas:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
A passport and visa are required. Visas are issued upon arrival in Laos to foreign tourists and business persons at most border crossings. You will need two passport size photographs and $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 Lao 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 $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. Check with your nearest Lao Embassy as these are subject to change at short notice. Immigration offices at some of the less used border-crossing points are net well marked. Travelers should make sure that they complete immigration and customs formalities when they enter Laos. Travelers who enter Laos without completing these formalities may be subject to fine, detention, imprisonment, and/or deportation.

VISA NOTES:
A Laos TOURIST visa is usually issued for a SINGLE entry within three months from the date of issue for a period of stay not to exceed 30 days. The visa may be extended in Laos for a further 15 days.

A Laos BUSINESS visa is usually issued for a SINGLE entry within three months from the date of issue for a period of stay not to exceed 30 days. The visa may be extended in Laos for a further 30 days.A multi-entry business visa can only be issued after a business joint- venture has been established. Higher consular fees apply. Passport must have at least six months validity remaining, and one blank visa page in order for the visa to be issued. TDS can assist with expediting U.S. Passports whether new issue, renewal, and adding visa pages.

Frequently asked questions about VISA to Laos:
Q. Do I need to get a visa before visiting Laos?
A. Not if you enter via the Friendship Bridge, Wattay (Vientiane) International Airport or Luang Prabang International Airport. You can also get a visa at Ban Muang Kao / Chong Mek

Q. I have heard that it is cheaper to get a Lao visa in Bangkok - how do I do this?
A. The cost of a visa in Bangkok is about $10 cheaper - but by the time you get to our embassy (which is situated right out of town) and back, and then return to pick up your visa, you will have wasted a lot of time and money. The cheapest, fastest and easiest option is to get a visa on arrival at Vientiane Airport, Luang Prabang Airport or at the Friendship bridge.

Q. I heard that you can get Visa on Arrival at the border with Thailand at Chong Mek - is this true.
A. There was a time when you could do this, but this is no longer the case.

Q. How long is a tourist visa valid for?
A. 14 days, but you may extend it for $US3 a day, at any travel agent in in Vientiane.

Lao Embassies can be found in the following countries:

VI. LAOS TRANSPORTATION:
1. GETTING IN:
+ Getting in by Air
Most people coming to Laos will come via Bangkok. There are International Flights in and out of Vientiane from the following countries:
Cambodia: Phnom Penh
China: Kunming
Myanamar: Yangon
Thailand: Bangkok and Chiang Mai
Vietnam: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

+ Getting in by Land
From Thailand:
Nong Khai and the FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE - click here - for more information.
Xiang Khong, Chiang Rai Province to Huay Xai, Bokeo Province
Nakorn Phanom to Tha Kek, Khammouane Province
Mukdaharn to Savannakhet
Chong Mek, Ubon Rathchathani Province to Pakse
Houay Kone, Nan to Xaingnabouri

From Vietnam:
Lao Bao, Khung Tri to Dan Savan, Savannakhet
Lak Sao, Vinh to Kaew Neua, Bolikhamsai.

From China: Mengla, Yunnan to Boten, Luang Nam Tha.

2. GETTING OUT:
+ Getting Out by Land:
There are no restrictions for exit by the Lao authorities, however, entering neighboring countries will be subject to their own visa regulations. Crossing into Vietnam or China by land from Laos is subject to their own visa regulations. We suggest that if you intend crossing by land into Vietnam or China, you make this point clear when applying for visas to enter those countries.

If in doubt, you may check with the following consulates in Vientiane:
China: Thanon Wat Nak Nyai, Vientiane
Vietnam: Thanon That Luang, Vientiane
Thailand - citizens of many countries will not require a visa to enter Thailand

Important:
Cambodia - The official line is that it is NOT POSSIBLE for tourists to cross into Cambodia from Laos. However, with Cambodia visas in advance, some people have done this crossing. We cannot give advise on this crossing at this stage.

Myanmar - It is NOT POSSIBLE for tourists to cross into Myanamar from Laos under any circumstances.

+ Getting out by bus:
Travelling from Savannakhet to Vietnam:

3. Domestic Air Transport
In Vientiane, the Lao Aviation office is situated in Thanon Phangkham, in between the fountain and the Mekong. We suggest that to save time waiting, you book flights with a local travel agent in Vientiane rather than deal with Lao Aviation directly.

Lao Aviation flies to the following town and cities. Lao Aviation has a small fleet, and as such, detinations will change according to the time of year and aircraft availability.

- Northern Airports: Houayxai, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Oudomxai, Samneua, Sayabouli.
- Southern Airports: Pakse, Savannakhet.

At the time of publication, Lao Aviation were revieving their timetable, however, published timetables cannot be relied on. A published early morning flight may depart several hours later - so please be flexible.

4. Boat - Mekong Ferries
Ferry boats run from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and back as well as from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai and back. Journeys can take several days, depending on the time of year - and whether travelling up or down river. This kind of travel is for the experienced only! Whilst cramped, hot and lengthy - it is one of the most interesting ways of touching the Lao lifestyle.

Ferries usually depart early in the morning. Times, prices and just about everything else will change according to season. On tributaries of the Mekong, ferries may run daily, or when there are enough people to run the trip.

Speed Boats
Speed boats run between Vientiane to Luang Prabang and Luang Prabang to Huay Xai and the journey takes about eight hours per leg. The cost is considerably more than the ferry. Speed boats can accomodate up to six people. Fares quoted are for example only.

Travelling by boat:

5. Bus:
Taking a bus in Laos is an experience not to be missed.  Expect to share this form of public transport not only with Laotians, but also what they are taking and bringing to market - that means all kinds of vegetable produce, and live animals as well.  Every time a bus stops, children will board with all kinds of interesting things to eat - not the kind of food that you would expect to find on restaurant menus!
Buses travel between all major towns and cities - the type of bus may vary between a converted pickup truck, a flat bed truck with benches or a more modern traditional bus,  Fares are always reasonable - but times of departure and travelling times will vary a lot.   Be patient, and allow plenty of time when travelling by bus.  Please note that the prices below may change without notice.

Travelling from Luang Prabang to: