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Visa Information
Weather
General Info
Travel Tips
Festivals
Country Map

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Visas are required by SA passport holders.
Visas can be obtained from the Embassy of Laos in Bangkok. A visa can also be issued on arrival

VISA INFORMATION

All South African nationals require visas to enter Laos. This should preferably be obtained from any Lao PDR Embassy abroad before arriving in the country.
Documents required:
* Two visa application forms duly completed and signed by the applicant;
* Two recent photographs of passport-holder; and
* A valid passport with at least six month remaining validity.
Visa fees are charged according to the nationality of the applicant. Current visa fees for SA passport-holders are US$30 for a 15-day tourist visa. These can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Laos.
Visas can also be obtained on arrival as follows :
• Wattay International Airport (Vientiane), Luang Prabang and Pakse International Airports
• Border check points : (Please note that not all entry border posts are open to foreigners)

All South African nationals require visas to enter Laos. This should preferably be obtained from any Lao PDR Embassy abroad before arriving in the country.
Documents required:
* Two visa application forms duly completed and signed by the applicant;
* Two recent photographs of passport-holder; and
* A valid passport with at least six month remaining validity.
Visa fees are charged according to the nationality of the applicant. Current visa fees for SA passport-holders are US$30 for a 15-day tourist visa. These can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Laos.
Visas can also be obtained on arrival as follows :
• Wattay International Airport (Vientiane), Luang Prabang and Pakse International Airports
• Border check points : (Please note that not all entry border posts are open to foreigners)

All South African nationals require visas to enter Laos. This should preferably be obtained from any Lao PDR Embassy abroad before arriving in the country.
Documents required:
* Two visa application forms duly completed and signed by the applicant;
* Two recent photographs of passport-holder; and
* A valid passport with at least six month remaining validity.
Visa fees are charged according to the nationality of the applicant. Current visa fees for SA passport-holders are US$30 for a 15-day tourist visa. These can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Laos.
Visas can also be obtained on arrival as follows :
• Wattay International Airport (Vientiane), Luang Prabang and Pakse International Airports
• Border check points : (Please note that not all entry border posts are open to foreigners)

Visa obtained at airport

30Days rom date of arrival.

Visas may be extended, however if Visa expires huge penalties will apply

WEATHER

Laos can be visited throughout the year. Laos has a dry and wet monsoon climate with three basic seasons:
– The dry or cool season begins at the end of October and lasts until the end of February.
– The hot seasons lasts from March to June.
– The rainy season starts in June and end in October.
The maximum temperatures are in March (28 – 37 degrees). The minims take place in December and February (15 – 25 degrees).

The best time to travel is between October and April.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Capital City: Vientiane
International Airports: Attapeu International Airport , Luang Prabang International Airport , Pakse International Airport , Wattay International Airport
Area: 236,800 km²
Population: 6.48 Million
Time Zone: (UTC)+7:00
Religion: The major religious traditions in Vietnam are Buddhism (which fuses forms of Taoism and Confucianism), Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), Islam, Caodaism and the Hoa Hao sect and some follow the primitive mother worship cult of Tho Mau
Language: The official mother tongue is Vietnamese. French and English are also widely spoken.
Currency: The official currency is’ DONG (VN Dong) but in the big cities American dollars are widely used. Credit Cards are accepted only in big Hotels.
Exchange Rate: Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate.
Credit Card Payment Availability: Easily Available
ATM Accessibility: Easily Accessible
Dialling Code: +856

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: Voltage in most places is 220v AC/DC. Socket sizes vary, so it is recommended to carry adapters.
Water: It is advisable to drink only bottled or distilled water.
Business Hours: Government offices: Monday – Friday 08:00 to 11:30 & 13:00 to 17:00 (some offices may be open on Saturday morning). Shops and private businesses open and close a bit later and usually stay open during lunch.
Only restaurants are open on a Sunday
Offices: 09:30-17:00 Mon-Fri, 09:30-13:00 Sat
Shops: 09:30-18:00 Mon-Sat
Post Offices: 10:00-17:00 Mon-Fri and Saturday mornings. This varies in different cities.
Banking Hours: Mon-Fri -10:00-14:00 , Sat 10:00- 12:00
Photography Restrictions: No objections, however it is always polite to ask.
Tipping: Tipping is not expected but much appreciated. Some restaurants have started including in the bill
Vaccination Requirements: Tourists visiting parts of Laos other than Vientiane are advised to obtain medication for malaria. Please consult your medical practitioner or travel clinic with regards to other vaccinations.
Dress Code Restrictions: As much as no one will say anything it is frowned upon to walk in the street with your bathing costume.
Peculiar Customs to Observe: It’s worth noting that since Buddhism is the dominant religion in Indochina, many social customs in Laos have Buddhist roots. In Buddhism, for instance, the head is holy and the feet profane – so it’s very rude to put your feet up, point at something with your feet, or touch anybody else on the head or shoulders.

FESTIVALS

– Elephant Festival Sayaboury 12-14 Feb
– Wat Phou Festival 15 Feb 2019
– Boun Pha Vet 14 Mar
– Lao New Year “Boun Pi Mai” 14 – 16 Apr
– Sikhottabong Festival 10 – 11 May
– Rocket festival “Boun Bangfai” 09 – 10 May
– Khaophunsa (Beginning of Buddhist Lent’s day ) – 30 July
– Haw Khao Padap Din (Rice Ceremony) & Boat Racing Festival 15 Aug
– Boun Awk Phansa (End of Buddhist Lent) & Boat Racing Festival 29 Oct
– That Luang Festival 19 Nov
– That Inhang Festival 09-10 Dec
– Hmong New Year 20-22 Dec

MAP

“If you don’t leave the village you won’t see other villages”

– Lao Proverb