Practical Tips and Curiosities about Laos: Travel Guide

Here is a list of tips and interesting facts about Laos, after almost a whole month traveling there, that might be useful as a travel guide. After visiting Thailand and Vietnam, I went on a trip to Laos, a country I didn’t expect much from, which ended up enchanting me and is now one of my favorite countries in Asia.

Laos, located in Southeast Asia, is a mountainous, humble country, characterized by the passage of the great Mekong River, which runs through the entire country, the respect for Buddhist religion, and the cultural marks left by the French.

Also, cities like the capital, Vientiane, or the beautiful Luang Prabang, are iconic places of the country that clearly reflect its essence. Some of these tips and interesting facts about Laos may change over the years, but surely most will remain the same. Let’s get started:

Tips and Curiosities about Laos: Visa, cities and prices

1. Laos’ currency and visa

• The currency of Laos is called Kip, and 10,000 Kips is only 0.50 euros.
• To enter Laos, you will need a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry.
• The tourist visa costs 30 euros and you can obtain it at the airport or at the land border.
• You will be granted a 30-day visa.
• You will need to provide two passport-sized photos. If you don’t have them, you will be fined 3 euros. Additionally, you will need to fill out a visa application form, which will be provided at the same place.
• If you are entering Laos by land, make sure to bring enough money for a few days, and it’s better if you have dollars, as many cities don’t have ATMs but do offer currency exchange.

2. How much does it cost to travel around Laos?

• Remember to bargain if you want to buy clothes, handicrafts, or take a tuk-tuk. There’s no need to bargain when buying food, as prices are usually fixed, and at least for me, I feel bad bargaining over 20 cents with people who are barely making ends meet.
  A double room costs around 5–10 euros in any city in Laos, except for the capital, where it will cost at least 10 euros.
  If you want to stay in hostels, a single bed in a shared room with other people usually costs 4 euros per night.
  Eating costs between 30,000 and 50,000 Kips in restaurants and 10,000 or 20,000 Kips (1–2 euros) if you eat on the street.

3. Which cities to visit in Laos?

• Don’t expect hyper-populated cities or skyscrapers in Laos, this country is characterized by its tranquility.
• Luang Prabang, for me, is the most beautiful city in Laos and has the best night market I’ve seen in Asia.
• Vang Vieng is famous for tubing, and many people only go there to get drunk. If you rent a bike and explore the surroundings, you’ll see that Vang Vieng is so much more than that…
• Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is characterized by being one of the calmest capitals in the world. It’s worth a visit to understand the history of this country and the pace of life in Laos.
• The north of Laos, such as Luang Namtha and Muang Sing, with its ethnic minority villages, is very authentic and definitely worth a visit.
• A journey along the Mekong River is also almost essential in Laos, to enjoy this wonderful river and discover the daily life along the Mekong.

Tips and Curiosities about Laos: Religion and gastronomy

4. Laotian gastronomy, what do you eat in Laos?

• Laos borders China to the north, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west, and Myanmar (Burma) to the northwest. This makes Laotian cuisine quite similar to the food of these countries, but it maintains distinctive features that make it special.
• The flavors tend to be fresh, herbal, and spicy, with the use of local ingredients such as herbs, sticky rice, and freshwater fish being predominant. Here is a list of the most typical dishes.
• A major difference is that the French colonial influence has left bread as an ingredient in Laotian cuisine. So if you’ve been traveling in Asia for a while and are tired of eating rice, you’re in luck, in Laos, you can feast on sandwiches.
• Be careful with ice in Laos; it’s made from tap water, and it’s very easy to get diarrhea if you’re not careful.
• Beerlao, the most popular beer in Laos, is internationally known for its quality and smooth taste. It’s one of the best beers in Asia!

5. Religion in Laos

• The majority of the population in Laos is Buddhist, approximately 67% of the Laotians. Specifically, they practice Theravāda Buddhism, known as the “doctrine of the elders.” It focuses on the pursuit of individual enlightenment through meditation, morality, and wisdom.
• Monks play an important role as spiritual guides and respected figures. Many young Laotians spend some time as novice monks, even if it’s not permanent.
• Around five or six in the morning in many cities, you can witness the Morning Alms-Giving Ceremony. During this ceremony, monks walk around the city with their large bowls of rice and accept offerings from citizens in exchange for blessings. It’s an experience worth witnessing.
• When entering temples, one must remove their shoes and cover their shoulders and knees.
• In addition to the beauty of each temple and the tranquility surrounding them, talking with monks about life, Laotian culture, their religion, or any random topic is simply a delightful experience.

Tips and Curiosities about Laos: Climate and Language

6. Weather in Laos

• The best time to travel through Laos is from November to February, when there is less rain and temperatures are mild.
• The monsoon season runs from May to October, and it’s characterized by short, intense showers.
• Laos has a warm climate, with an average temperature of 20.5°C in January, which is the coldest month.
• The mountainous areas in the north are cooler, while the southern regions tend to be warmer and more humid.
• Pack light and cool clothing, but also bring a jacket for the colder nights in the north. Include a raincoat and waterproof or hiking shoes.

7. Learn useful vocabulary

If you learn some vocabulary you will enjoy the experience more and you will do well in some day-to-day situations. Here are some words I learned (written more or less as they are pronounced):

• Sabaidee (hello).
• Job Chai (thank you).
• Bo job Chai (no thanks).
• Sef lai (delicious).
• Sob di (goodbye).
• Nam lai (nice).
• Noa la fandi (good night).
• Hiu huau (I’m hungry).
• Penlai (expensive).
• Hau dai? (how much does it cost?).
• Seyu (soy sauce).

8. Keep in mind that…

• According to Lonely Planet, if a foreigner has sex with a Laotian woman without prior marriage, it is a crime and he can be imprisoned and then expatriated. So don’t go to Laos if you’re looking for sex tourism.
• In the villages like Muang Sing I try to be discreet, polite and friendly. That’s why I have two things clear that many people don’t have:
  • I’m not in a zoo watching weirdos, but people, so I take pictures of them fair and square.
  • I don’t give candy to the children; later they get used to it and already in many villages they greet you asking for money…

Tips and Curiosities about Laos: Conclusion

My final piece of advice is to enjoy the tranquility that Laos offers, which is hard to find in the surrounding countries. Thailand has many overly touristy places, and Vietnam is very chaotic, but Laos is nature and calm. But above all, enjoy the people—incredibly polite, kind, humble, and friendly. Without a doubt, they are the best thing about this country.

If this post has been helpful, leave us a comment, rate, and/or share. If you are planning a route through Southeast Asia, you might be interested in my post on the Essential Guide for Backpackers: Tips for Traveling to Thailand as well as the Travel Guide to Vietnam: Key Aspects to Consider.