Practical information Laos: your travel guide for visiting Laos
Laos at a glance
- Area 236,800 km² (half the size of France)
- Population of Laos approximately 7,900,000 inhabitants (2026 estimate), including around 680,000 in Vientiane and 70,000 in Luang Prabang
- Capital of Laos Vientiane — see the Map of Laos
- Religion Buddhism, the most widespread in Laos and Southeast Asia
- Highest point Phou Bia, 2,817 metres
- Language in Laos Lao, including 35 official dialects. Also English, French, Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese.
- Time difference 5 hours ahead of Paris in summer, 6 hours in winter.
- Electricity 220V sockets, some European-type plugs. Bring an adapter.
- GSM coverage. 3G coverage is available throughout the country except in some remote areas in forests and mountains.
- Telephone Calling Laos from France: 00 + 856 + city code + 6 digits. Calling France from Laos: 00 + 33 + 9 digits (without the initial 0).
- Lao cuisine based on rice. Meat, poultry, vegetables. Thai or Vietnamese influences.
- Taxi tuk-tuk: agree the fare in advance. Ask your travel advisor.
Visa on arrival
To obtain a visa before departure, click here. Extending your visa on site (maximum duration of 2 months) is possible at the immigration office in Vientiane at a cost of US$2/day of extension. Suggestion: keep a photocopy of your important documents with you (passport, credit cards, invoices for electronic equipment, insurance policy, plane tickets)
Weather in Laos
March to May: hot season (30 to 37°C) with very sunny days. Ideal for those who love high temperatures and swimming pools. This is the season of the Lao New Year (Pi Mai), celebrated in April to welcome the rains that generally arrive at the end of May.
June to September: wet season with rainfall that varies depending on altitude and latitude. The northern provinces, which are more mountainous, are less exposed than those in the south. Humidity levels are often close to 100%. Temperatures range between 15° and 30°C. Nature takes over again; everything grows very quickly. It is also the start of the Buddhist Lent (Khao Pansa). A low season period, with fewer tourists and more attractive rates.
Mid-September to late November: mild season; the rainy season is ending, daytime temperatures are pleasant (25°C-30°C) and can drop to 0°C in some northern regions, notably in the provinces of Phongsaly and Xieng Khouang. Nights do not exceed 20°C. The season is ideal for photography, with vibrant colours (rice fields) just before harvesting in early October. It is also the start of the emblematic festivals: Ok Pansa (end of the Buddhist Lent) as well as the boat racing festival.
December to February: it is winter; daytime temperatures are pleasant (15 to 25°C), and nights are sometimes very cool (7 to 18°C). In Vientiane, nights are cool (10 to 15°C), so bring a sweater. In the north, morning and evening mists offer a beautiful spectacle over the mountain ridges.
Health
No vaccinations are required to visit Laos, except for yellow fever for travellers coming from infected areas (check). It is recommended to update your vaccinations.
Malaria is present in Laos. Consult a doctor before departure. From sunset onwards, wear covering clothing and use repellents on skin and clothing.
Drink only sealed bottled mineral water (no ice cubes), avoid raw fish, meat or poultry, and limit spicy dishes.
During treks and homestay nights, as mountain villages have few sanitary facilities and hygiene conditions are basic, bring wet wipes.
In Laos, medical facilities are still limited. In case of problems, consider medical evacuation to France or to Bangkok (take out insurance).
Currency / Banking
The official currency is the Kip or LAK in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 kip.
| 1 Euro € | ≈ 25,800 kip |
| 1 British pound £ | ≈ 30,000 kip |
| 1 US dollar $ | ≈ 22,400 kip |
| 1 Swiss franc CHF | ≈ 27,700 kip |
| 1 Thai baht ฿ | ≈ 680 kip |
Kip can be purchased at banks and exchange offices in exchange for dollars, euros or Thai baht.
Paying in baht and dollars is possible in major cities, but it is preferable to carry small-denomination kip to pay your expenses in villages.
Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted in major cities (banks, department stores, main hotels and restaurants). A commission (bank fees) of 3 to 3.25% of the amount of your purchase is charged.
Note that ATMs (Visa card) are not widespread outside the main tourist cities such as Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Pakse or Vang Vieng.
Safety
Laos is one of the safest countries, in the city, countryside or mountains. It is not uncommon to meet independent female travellers. Incivilities are very rare; Laotians are naturally reserved and kind.
Customs and traditions – etiquette
As everywhere, a few basic safety rules should be observed: avoid driving at night, do not stay on the banks of the Mekong after midnight; in certain places such as the Plain of Jars, stay on hiking trails (due to possible unexploded war ordnance still present in the ground). A few rules of etiquette: No indecent clothing, especially when approaching or inside temples (shoulders and legs covered for women, no bare torso for men). Greetings are made with hands pressed together in front of the chest, head slightly bowed. Older people or those of higher status will not return the greeting. Handshakes are not practised, except in westernised circles. Kissing in the Western way is very inappropriate. Chopsticks are used fairly little for eating, except for some Chinese or Vietnamese dishes. A fork is generally used to push food onto a spoon. No knife. In Laos, people eat everything, so it is an opportunity for the more adventurous to try unusual foods such as cubed beef blood, insects, frogs, as well as snakes and bats.
Suitcase
Long, covering clothes for the evening; light cottons during the hot season; sunglasses; swimsuit; torch. For treks and homestay nights, bedding and towels are provided; however, bring a small towel for bathing in waterfalls. Do not forget to bring a pair of comfortable shoes for excursions, treks and walks; long clothes (legs and sleeves) for visiting temples; and a warm garment depending on the period of your trip . Small first-aid kit (consult your doctor/pharmacist): disinfectant, anti-diarrhoeal, broad-spectrum antibiotic, painkiller, eye drops (especially if you wear contact lenses), sunscreen, mosquito repellent lotion, cream for muscle pain, blister plasters. Do not forget your usual medication.
Embassy of Laos in France
74, rue Raymond-Pointcaré, 75116 PARIS
Tel: 01 45 53 70 47 / Fax: 47 27 57 89
Embassy of France in Laos
Avenue Setthathirath VIENTIANE
Tel: +856 (021) 215 253 / Fax: +856 (021) 215 250
Embassy of Laos in Belgium
19-21 rue Brabançonne, 1000 Brussels
Tel: (0032) 740 0950 / Fax: 734 1666
Embassy of Laos in Thailand
520/522 1-3 Ramkhamhaeng Soi, 39 Bang
Kapi, 10310 Bangkok
Tel: +66 253 83 696 / Fax: +66 253 96 678
Consulate of Laos in Vietnam
22, rue Tran Bing Trong, Hanoi
Tel: +84 4 942 4576 / Fax: +84 4 822 8414
Embassy of Laos in Cambodia
15-17 boulevard Mao Tse Tung, 245, Phnom Penh
Tel: +855 23 982632 / Fax: +855 23 720 907
Embassy of Laos in China
Hôtel Caméllia 3*, 154 East Dong feng Road, Kunming
+86 871 31766 23-24 / Fax: +86 3178 556
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Why choose Asia Safari for your trip to Laos?
With Asia Safari, you plan your tailor-made trip directly with a local English-speaking team. Our agency has been based in Vientiane since 2002. Its founder, Jean-Paul Duvergé, has worked in Laos since 2000. Our guides are Lao, our accommodations are hand-picked, and each itinerary is tailor-made. The result: a vibrant, fair trip, without unnecessary frills.
- Local English-speaking agency: we speak your language and know the country from the inside
- Zero intermediaries: you deal directly with the local team
- Truly tailor-made: no fixed catalog — each trip is unique
- Since 2002, Asia Safari has been creating tailor-made journeys in Laos, drawing on the experience its founder has gained in the country since 2000.
How does our tailor-made service work?
1. You send us your request (dates, budget, desires, profile)
2. We send you an initial response within 24 working hours, followed by a detailed proposal within 48 working hours of receiving the necessary information: your itinerary, accommodation and a quote specifying the services included.
3. We refine the proposal together, adjusting the itinerary, accommodation and activities to suit your expectations and budget.
4. We coordinate the services included in your itinerary on the ground: guides, transport, accommodation and activities.
When to visit Laos?
From November to February, the weather is generally drier and temperatures are milder. March and April are often hotter. The rainy season, from May to October, brings lush green landscapes; we adapt the itinerary and transport to local conditions.
Laos, the heart of your Indochina tour
Laos is often the surprise of a trip: uncrowded, authentic, with a quiet beauty. Asia Safari makes Laos much more than a stopover — we make it the central experience of your stay, before or after Vietnam, Cambodia, or Thailand.
Our travel ideas for Laos and neighbouring countries
Laos + Cambodia: from the temples of Luang Prabang to Angkor, shape a journey combining cultural heritage and Mekong scenery. A visit to Tonlé Sap can complement the itinerary, depending on your interests and the time available.
Laos + Vietnam: Two contrasting countries — the calm of Laos and the energy of Vietnam. From Hanoi to Vientiane or vice versa.
Northern Laos + Yunnan: from the landscapes of Yunnan to the mountains of northern Laos, the Laos–China railway can connect some of the stops on your journey. We plan the route with you, in either direction.
Grand Indochina Tour (40 days): Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand — a memorable trip for life.
Tips for preparing your multi-country tour
Visas: each country has its own rules — Asia Safari guides you through all procedures.
Duration: we adapt the number of stops to the time you have available. For a trip combining two countries, we consider the regions you want to explore, travel between destinations and your preferred pace.
Seasons: seasons vary by country — we help you choose the best window.
Budget: the cost of a multi-country trip depends on its length, the season, the number of travellers, accommodation and transport between destinations. We prepare a personalised quote specifying the services included and any expenses to budget for separately.
Our Story
Jean-Paul Duvergé has worked in Laos since 2000. In 2002, he founded Asia Safari in Vientiane to design tailor-made trips in Laos and Indochina. Today, the agency’s French-Lao team plans each itinerary with its travellers and coordinates arrangements on the ground with its local guides and partners.
What sets us apart
A team on the ground: based in Vientiane, we plan your trip using our knowledge of Laos and information from our local partners. We take the seasons, travel conditions and accommodation into account when designing your itinerary.
We speak your language: our team supports you in English, from planning your trip to assistance during your stay. English-speaking guided visits are arranged according to your itinerary.
Direct contact with our team: you speak with the people who plan your trip and coordinate its organisation on the ground. Your quote specifies the price of your trip and the services included.
Tailor-made journeys: our suggested itineraries are starting points. We adapt the destinations, pace, accommodation and activities to your dates, wishes and budget.
Our commitment
We give preference to local accommodation providers and partners. When visiting villages, we take care to respect residents and their customs. Our approach also aims to help preserve the cultural and natural sites that make Laos special.
Laos in figures
Laos covers 236,800 km² and had a population of around 7.9 million in 2025. Its capital is Vientiane, its official language is Lao and its currency is the Lao kip (LAK). Theravada Buddhism is the main religion. The country is in the UTC+7 time zone.
Laos must-sees
Luang Prabang: Former royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, its golden temples, French colonial houses, and gentle way of life make it an undeniable favorite.
Vientiane: The human-sized capital — That Luang, Patuxai, and the banks of the Mekong are worth a visit.
Vang Vieng: Surrounded by limestone karsts, ideal for kayaking, caving, and hiking.
Southern Laos and 4000 Islands: Champassak, the Vat Phou temples (UNESCO), the Bolaven Plateau, and the Mekong islands.
Lao culture
Theravada Buddhism has an important place in Laos, alongside a variety of cultural traditions. In Luang Prabang, the monks’ morning alms round is a religious ritual to observe with discretion and respect. Boun Pi Mai, Lao New Year in April, and Boun Ok Phansa, which marks the end of the Buddhist rains retreat, are among the events that shape the year.
Nature and biodiversity
The forests and protected areas of Laos are home to a variety of wildlife, including Asian elephants, gibbons and sun bears. Rivers, mountains and plateaus offer many opportunities to explore nature.
