LAOS - Travel tips

Tips For Travelers
VISA: Required by all.
Types of visa and cost: Tourist and Business: FFr150 (or US$30 if obtained on arrival). Family: FFr300.
Validity: Tourist visa: 15 days, renewable in Laos for up to 1 month. Business visa: Negotiable. Family visa: 1 month, renewable for up to 3. Visas are valid for 2 months from date of issue.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy)
Application requirements: (a) 2 passport-size photos. (b) 2 application forms. (c) Letter from sponsor for business application. (d) Valid passport. (e) Fee.
Business: (a)-(e) and, (f) Officially endorsed letter of invitation from Laotian company.
Working days required: Applications should be made as far in advance as possible.

Currency: the kip

HOTELS: There are good hotels and guest houses in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, but facilities are sparse elsewhere. Local village hostels are available, but with few amenities. For more details of prices and location, contact a tour company with experience in Laos.
CAMPING: There are no facilities for camping in Laos.

Attractions

Until 1988 tourists were not allowed access to Laos, but the country has recently opened up and it is perfectly feasible to travel all over the country, preferably with a recognised tour company. Following a considerable increase in tourist arrivals, the Government declared 1999 Visit Laos Year, and the number of tourists is expected to continue increasing over the next few years. Most Laotian monuments are Buddhist, but many structures show the influence of the French upon the country, not least the Monument des Morts in Vientiane which bears a striking, if somewhat rococo, similarity to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Visitors will find Vientiane to be an extremely relaxed city for a national capital. 25km (15 miles) from the capital is the stone garden of Xieng Khuane. In the royal palace at Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos, there is fine artwork, and the visitor can see gifts made to former kings. Nearby, the Phousi in the town centre is a huge rock which visitors can ascend for a panoramic view of the river. Several interesting excursions along the Mekong River are possible from Luang Prabang, including a visit to the Pak Ou Caves where there are a great many statues of the Buddha. The Plain of Jars at Xien Khuang is accessible by air and offers the mysterious sight of hundreds of stone jars, some weighing up to six tonnes, scattered over the landscape. Located in a mountainous area with many hilltribe villages nearby, this is a popular tourist spot, although a local guide is necessary owing to the presence of unexploded ordinance.

Getting In & Out

The national airline of Laos is Lao Aviation (QV) which serves the international routes from Vientiane to Hanoi (Vietnam), Bangkok, Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Kunming (China) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). Thai International flies from Bangkok, Vietnam Airlines flies from Hanoi and Royal Air Cambodge flies from Phnom Pen.
International airport: Vientiane (VTE) (Wattai) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city (travel time – 20 minutes).

 Moving Around

AIR: Domestic air services run from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, Paks?? and Savannakhet, Xayaboury, Nam Tha, Xieng Khuang, Oudomxay, Houixay and Sam Neua.

RIVER: The Mekong and other rivers are a vital part of the country's transportation system. The choice is between irregular (and very basic) slow boats and exciting but noisy and hazardous speedboats. Limited tourist services are available and a travel company specialising in Laos will have details.

ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. Many of the roads have been paved in recent years, including the main highway from the Thai border at Savannakhet to the Vietnamese border. However, few main roads are suitable for all-weather driving. In the north of the country there is a road link between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and from Vientiane to Nam Dong and Tran Ninh. Bus: Services link only a few major towns. Car hire: Arrangements can be made through hotels for a car with a driver. Documentation: International Driving Permit recommended, although it is not legally required.

URBAN: Taxis are available in Vientiane, but only operate along fixed routes similar to those of the urban buses.