Travel guide – laos
laos
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Overview
Laos has been known since ancient times as Lan Xang, or Land of the Million Elephants, and offers visitors a glimpse of old Indochina. It is less developed than its Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese neighbours, and traditionally the most reserved, but offers natural beauty and shy hospitality combined with a mix of original Buddhist culture and French influences. It also shares its borders with Burma and Cambodia.
A mountainous, landlocked country, situated at the heart of South East Asia, Laos’ lifeline is the Mekong River that flows the length of the country, providing water for agricultural lands and a major means of transport. Vientiane, the unassuming capital, is situated on its banks, and the city provides a comfortable introduction to the charms of the country. Laos’s most enticing destination is the town of Luang Prabang, the former royal kingdom, with a legacy of splendid golden temples and whitewashed houses.
A troubled history of French colonisation, internal conflicts and assertive communism chased much of Laos' population away in the 1970s and isolated the country from the outside world. Today, though, the doors stand open, and services for travellers are gradually being instituted so that visitors can enjoy an unrivalled look at the old-fashioned way of life of a country still largely unscathed by the harsh effects of mass tourism. Tourists willing to brave the lack of infrastructure will discover charming towns and rural villages, smiling, endearing people, splendid scenery, and a slow, relaxed pace of life.
Regions and cities within Laos...
Vientiane
Luang Prabang
Climate
Laos has a tropical climate. The rainy season runs between July and October, when high humidity can also be expected.
Health
Those planning to travel to Laos should seek medical advice about vaccinations and endemic diseases at least three weeks prior to departure. Malaria exists throughout the country except in Vientiane, and typhoid and cholera occur in some areas. Other risks include HIV/AIDS, hepatitis A, B and E and dengue fever. Travellers' diarrhoea is a problem for many visitors; only drink bottled water and avoid dairy products, uncooked meat and fish, salads and unpeeled fruit. Medical care in Vientiane is extremely basic and outside the capital there are no reliable facilities to deal with medical emergencies. Medical evacuation is difficult to organise and very expensive. Travellers are advised to take out comprehensive medical insurance, and those who have an unstable medical condition should consider not travelling to Laos. A yellow fever certificate is required by all entering from an infected area. Although no human cases have been reported, there was an outbreak of bird flu in poultry in 2004, and visitors should avoid contact with domestic, caged and wild birds and ensure that poultry and egg dishes are well cooked; the risk is very low for travellers.
The basics
Time
GMT +7.
Electricity
220 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are used, including the European-style two-pin, the UK-style three-pin and the flat two-pin type.
Language
Lao is the official language, but some English and French is spoken.
Tipping
Tipping is becoming more widely practiced in tourist hotels and restaurants where 10% is expected, elsewhere there is no need to tip.
Safety
Most visits to Laos are trouble free, but there have been bombing incidents and attacks on buses mainly in Vientiane in recent years, resulting in injury and death. These appear to have been linked to domestic disputes rather than international terrorism, but visitors are warned of the possibility of being caught up in such incidents. Theft of passports is a problem and travellers are advised to take care, avoid carrying large sums of money and keep valuables and documents in a safe place. Travel in some rural parts of Laos is dangerous because of banditry and unexploded ordnance. Visitors should also note that an ID document or passport should be carried at all times and should be presented on demand or a heavy fine could be imposed.
Customs
Short and revealing clothes are generally not acceptable. Public displays of affection are taboo in Lao society. Avoid touching anyone on the head or using the feet to point at anything. Appropriate dress and behaviour when entering places of worship is essential. The Lao government prohibits any sexual contact or relationships between Lao nationals and foreigners, unless married under Lao law; penalties may involve heavy fines or imprisonment.
Communications
The international access code for Laos is +856. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). International Direct Dial is available in the major towns, but the service is expensive and inefficient. Hotels sometimes add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills: check before making long-distance calls. Mobile phones will only work in the major cities; it is advisable to check the coverage with your service provider before leaving; the local mobile phone companies have few active roaming agreements with other network operators. Internet cafes are widely available in tourist areas.
Duty Free
Travellers to Laos do not have to pay duty on 500 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco; 2 bottles wine, or 1 bottle of other alcohol; and jewellery up to 500g, provided they are from countries not bordering Laos.
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