Laos: Land of a Million Elephants
LAOS GENERAL INFORMATION

The Peoples’ Democratic Republic of Laos is located in the center of Indochina, sharing borders with China to the North 416 kilometers, Myanmar to Northwest 236 kilometers, Thailand to the West 1,835 kilometers, Cambodia to the South 492 kilometers and Vietnam to the East 1,957 kilometers.

With a total area of 236,800 square kilometers, around 70% of Laos' terrain is mountainous, reaching a maximum elevation of 2,820 meters in Xieng Khouang Province. The landscapes of northern Laos and the regions adjacent to Vietnam, in particular, are dominated by rough mountains.

The Mekong River is the main geographical feature in the west and, in fact, forms a natural border with Thailand in some areas. The Mekong flows through nearly 1,900 kilometers of Lao territory and shapes much of the lifestyle of the people of Laos. In the South the Mekong reaches a breadth of 20 kilometers, creating an area with thousands of islands.

After decades of war and isolation, this landlocked and peaceful nation welcomes more and more curious visitors each day. Travelers to Laos, a place once known as the Land of a Million Elephants, are able to experience the many cultures and laid back hospitality of a relatively sparse population, whether in the cities or rural villages. Laos has also become a destination for those seeking outdoor fun, as the topography is covered with rivers, mountains, caves, and limestone formations. If you seek adventure, insight into a mystical place, or simply an enjoyable holiday, make Laos your destination.


Climate
Laos has a tropical climate with only two distinctive seasons. The rainy season lasts from early May until the end of September. The dry season runs from October to April. The average temperature is about 28 C/82 F, with the hottest temperatures at around 38 C/100 Foccurring in April. In the mountains, temperatures from December until February may dip down to 15 C/59 F.

Language
Lao, a monosyllabic and tonal language, is the official native tongue. English, French are also widely spoken.

Ethnic Groups
Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the H’Mong and Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese 1%

Festivals and Holidays

  • January 1 - New Year
  • April 13-15 - Lao New Year (Bun Pi Mai): this occasion is quite picturesque in Luang Prabang, with colorful costumes and elephant processions.
  • May 1 - International Labor Day
  • Mid-May - Visakha Busa: on the 15th day of the 6th lunar month – this is considered the day of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.
    Beautiful ceremonies are centered on the wat.
  • End of Apr - Rocket Festival: This is the rain ceremony celebrated to instigate the rainy
    season for rice cultivation. Festivities include music, dance, folk theater, and bamboo rockets to open the skies.
  • Mid-October - End of Buddhist Lent and national boat races
  • Beginning of November - That Luang Festival in Vientiane
  • December 2 - National Day
Top

HISTORY
One of the earliest known kingdoms of Laos was called Chenla, around the 5th century. Its capital was near Champasak, close to the Khmer temple of Wat Phu. This region is believed to be the birthplace of the Khmer people who migrated south. Others, including Tai people, migrated out of southern China around the 8th century. The nation’s Golden Age occurred during the 17th and 18th century under King Suriya Vongsa, when the capital of Vientiane became known as a major center for Buddhist learning. Laos became a French colony in 1893, was briefly under Japanese rule during WWII, then returned to the French before ultimately gaining independence in 1953. Despite attempting to remain neutral, Laos found itself stuck in the middle of the Cold War when strife crossed its borders and bombs rained down. Today, Laos is at peace and looking forward with investment projects and more tourists visiting than ever before.

Art & Culture
One of the trademarks of Laos is the diversity of its people and cultures. There are a number of traditional arts and crafts that represent their way of life. Lao has a rich cultural heritage with religious art and architecture forming the cornerstone of artistic traditions.

There exists across the country a plethora of distinctive monuments and architectural styles. One of the most notable structures is the That Luang, the great Sacred Stupa, in Vientiane. Its dome-like stupa and four-cornered superstructure is the model for similar monuments across Laos.

Stupas serve to commemorate the life of the Buddha and many stupas are said to house sacred Buddha relics (parts of Buddha's body).

Generally, Hinayana Buddhists cremate the dead body and then place the bones in the stupa, which are set around the grounds of temples, or wats. Different styles of architecture are evident in the numerous Buddhist Wats. Three architectural styles can be distinguished, corresponding to the geographical location of the temples and monasteries. Wats built in Vientiane are large rectangular structures constructed of brick and covered with stucco and high-peaked roofs. In Luang Prabang the roofs sweep very low and, unlike in Vientiane, almost reach the ground. These two styles are different from the wats of Xieng Khouang where the temple roofs are not tiered.

Lao religious images and art is also distinctive and sets Laos apart from its neighbors.
The Calling for Rain posture of Buddha images in Lao, for example, which depicts the Buddha standing with his hands held rigidly at his side, fingers pointing to the ground, cannot be found in other Southeast Asian Buddhist art traditions. Religious influences are also pervasive in classical Lao literature, especially in the Pha Lak, Pha Lam, the Lao version of India s epic Ramayana.
Projects are underway to preserve classic Lao religious scripts, which were transcribed onto palm leaf manuscripts hundreds of years ago and stored in wats. Another excellent example of the richness of Lao culture is in its folk music, which is extremely popular with the people throughout the whole country. The principle instrument is the Khaen; a wind instrument, which comprises a double row of bamboo-like reeds, fitted in a hardwood sound box. The khaen is often accompanied by a bowed string instrument or Saw. The national folk dance is the Lamvong, a circle dance in which people dance circles around each other so that ultimately there are three circles: a circle danced by the individual, another one by the couple, and a third one danced by the whole party.

Top

LAO VISAS

  • Passport must be valid for at least 6 months are required upon arrival Laos. If valid is expired in less than 6 months, you will be fined or not allowed to enter Laos.
  • Required by everyone.
    Visas can be applied on arrival at International Airports or International Borders.


Over 10 International borders can also issue visas on arrival. Immigrations will provide you the filling form and this may take about 10-15 minutes and about 20 minutes at airports.

Tourist Visa valid for 30 days, you must have a passport, passport-size photo and Visa fees depend on nationalities from 30-42USD.


International Check point borders:

  • China (Mohan) - Luang Namtha Province (Boten)
  • Thailand (Chiang Khong) - Bokeo Province (Houay Xay)
  • Thailand (Nong Khay) -Vientiane Capital (Friendship Bridge)
  • Thailand - Xayabouly Province (Nam Heuang Friendship Bridge)
  • Thailand (Nakhon Phanom) - Khammouane Province (Thakhaek)
  • Thailand (Moukdahan) - Savannakhet Province (Friendship Bridge II)
  • Thailand (Chong Mek) - Champasak Province (Vang Tao)
  • Vietnam (Nam Kanh) - Xieng Khouang Province (Nong Haet)
  • Vietnam (Kao Cheo) - Bolikhamxay (Nam Phao)
  • Vietnam (Lao Bao) - Savannakhet Province (Dene Savanh)


Laos has three International Airports :

  • Wattay International Airport in Vientiane Capital.
  • Luang Prabang International Airport in Luang Prabang Province.
  • Pakse International Airport in Champasack Province .

Top

TRAVEL TIPS

Local Etiquette

  • Visit temple, should dress appropriately, covering shoulders and knees. Take off your shawl when go inside the “Sim”
    • Buddhist culture, should not pointing your feet at some one. For example, by putting your feet upon a stool-is rude.
  • Fewer local people give alms in the morning than in the past. Camera flashes in their faces are not appropriate practice at a time when they are quietly practicing their faith. Any time you see our culture hurt by a thoughtless individual, please speak up.
  • Holding hands, and other displays of affection with the opposite sex are private acts that should not be done in public.
  • Lao People are modest, and it’s uncomfortable to see people who are not. Nude bathing at the water fall, in the river or while rafting, is never appropriated.
  • Don’t buy old objects or antiques as souvenirs; they were probably stolen from unprotected temples or historic sites. This is our national treasure leave it so others and our children may enjoy and be proud of what our ancestors left for us.

Lao people are frank, open and friendly, and they possess a strong developed sense of courtesy and respect for all people.

The generally accepted form of greeting among Lao people is the Nop. It is performed by placing one’s palms together in a position of praying at chest level, but not touching any part of the body . The higher the hands, the greater the sign of respect. Nonetheless, the hands should not be held above the level of the nose. The Nop is accompanied by a slight bow to show respect to persons of higher status and age. It is also used as an expression of thanks, regret or saying good-bye. But with western people it is acceptable to shake hands.

The feet form the inferior part of the body (as much spiritually as physically). You must never indicate or touch another person or object with your foot.


Food
Lao cuisine is similar to Thai food with meat salad and papaya salad being popular dishes.

Vegetables, fish (mostly fresh water varieties, as Laos is landlocked), chicken, duck, pork, beef, and water buffalo are often grilled or roasted in lime juice, lemongrass, mint leaf, coriander, coconut milk, hot chilies, and other spices.

Internet Access
Access is available at internet cafes. In provincial capitals, where there is more competition, rates run from .50-$1/hr. Travelers can expect to pay from $3-$6/hr in places where there are fewer outlets.

Health Travelers are advised to take insect repellent with DEET. You may want to consult your physician on proper medication to take for malaria. Mosquito netting is always suggested when you sleep.

Insurance
Travelers are advised to check with their insurance company for emergency evacuation coverage.

Meal Costs
Expect to spend about $40 USD/person/day, an additional $20 in high end restaurants.

Tipping
For good service, guides are usually tipped $10-15 USD/day, and drivers about $5-10. Tips are not expected in restaurants, but for good service you may leave $1-2 USD in the local currency.

Top

Currency, Banking, and Credit Cards


Local currency is called kip. One USD is worth approximately 8500 LAK (Lao Kip). Money can be exchanged at banks, authorized shops, or hotels. Rates fluctuate slightly on a daily basis. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in most hotels, and in higher end restaurants and shops. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. Traveler’s checks may be cashed inside banks; a fee (around 1.8%) is usually charged if exchanged for USD but not for the local currency. Most hotels do not accept traveler’s checks. Visitors are advised to take USD in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.

Credit Cards
Visa is the most common. Master Card and American Express are accepted at most banks in the larger towns (such as Vientiane and Luang Prabang) and in the big hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops.

ATM Cards
Many ATM can be found in the main towns or Shopping Mall. But in small town, you can find in front of banks or markets. You can withdraw 10 times per day and each amount 700,000 Kip (Equal 80USD). You can withdraw only local currency.

Photography
Films can be found in shops in the larger towns, also if you need a digital download service for your digital camera it is also available.

Purchase
Silk and cotton fabrics, objects made from wood (sculptures, cut-out figures), pottery and traditional instruments are part of the rich tapestry of Laotian craftsmanship.

Electricity
220 volts, 50 Hz. Power outlets are two-prong round or flat sockets.

Top
PACKING LIST
  • Airtickets : check your departure times and date. Where possible buy e-tickets it saves you time when you inadvertently lose the document you can always pull out a copy from the computer or provide the ticket number. Paper tickets are more likely to get lost and end up having to wait for months to claim the lost ticket. Make sure you save a copy of your e-ticket in your traveling email.
  • Call your credit card company to inform them you will be traveling overseas and name of countries that the card will charged and the period that you will be using the card overseas to avoid identity theft and inconvenience that your card gets blocked when you travel.
  • Check your visa documents and passport size photos if you need them to get visa on arrival.
  • Make copies of your passport and visas scan it and send it to your traveling email in case your passport is lost or visas lost you can contact the proper authorities to provide those copies.
  • Make sure you have your health/accidental /emergency evacuation insurance. Most important is health /accident coverage. Make sure that the coverage will pay for you while you are in the hospital or need assistance in the country you are traveling. Costs are covered and not require you to pay first and claim later. From our experience insurance underwritten by AIG in the US and Lloyds of London in Europe has come through for our clients in times of emergencies with little inconvenience.
  • Check with your mobile phone carrier if they have roaming coverage in the countries you are traveling. Make sure your phone is compatible to receive or make calls in the country you will be traveling. Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a local sim card in the country of arrival and put it in your phone to use locally. But it’s always good to have a back up to have your phone roaming coverage.
  • Make sure you have enough passport pages in your passport. Usually try to have at least 2 pages in your passport for each country you will be visiting (not transiting at the airports). This is if you will get your visa on arrival at the country you are visiting.
  • Make sure you have your travel agent’s mobile phone number in your phone or where you can access information in case of an emergency.

Clothing

  • sunglasses
  • hat
  • t-shirts
  • shorts that are not too revealing
  • long trousers
  • light-weight, long-sleeved tops
  • light jacket that is wind and rain-resistant
  • good shoes with treads
  • socks
  • Slip-on shoes for ease of taking your shoes on and off when visiting pagodas, houses and other places where footwear is inappropriate.
  • 1 or 2 sets of going out clothes for the cities – Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket. S.E Asia are casual dressed countries no suit and ties are required for dinner.
  • In winter, you’ll need a warm coat for mountainous areas

Toiletries & Medication
While imported beauty products are readily available in major cities.

  • sunscreen,
  • contact lens solution
  • sanitary items
  • mosquito repellent
  • prescription medication
Top