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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
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