Laos Travel Guide

Launched in July 2019, Laos  e-visa service is available to citizens of all countries except countries whose citizens are ineligible for visa on arrival. Actually, the e-visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, and its holders may stay for up to 30 days in Laos. The cost of e-visa  varies depending on the country and can be issued with 3 business days. To apply for e-visa, you just need to go to https://laoevisa.gov.la , a unique official government e-visa portal for Laos. Be aware that there are other websites that falsely claim to provide this service. There are some simple steps to follow, which are to sign up, sign in, apply, and pay online. After three business days, you will get an approval from the online portal,  print  out  your e-visa and present on arrival in Laos. At the time of writing, the e-visa is available at the international airports of Vientiane, Luang Prabang  and Pakse, and the Laos – Thai Friendship bridge of Vientiane  and Savanakhet.   

The main gateways to Laos are Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse International Airports where tourists can obtain visa on arrival for a 30-days stay. However, if  entering to Laos from its neighbouring countries, such as Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and Thailand, you can get visa on arrival at below border checkpoints.

a, Laos-Vietnam border:

+ Daensavan International Checkpoint ( Savannakhet, Laos) / Lao Bao, Quang Tri, Vietnam

+ Panghok International Checkpoint (Phongsaly, Laos) / Tay Trang, Dien Bien, Vietnam*

+ Nam Soy International Checkpoint (Huaphanh, Laos)/ Na Meo, Thanh Hoa, Vietnam*       

+ Nam Kan International Checkpoint ( Xieng khouang, Laos)/Nam Can, Nghe An, Vietnam*

+ Nam Phao International Checkpoint ( Bolikhamxay. Laos) / Cau Treo, Ha Tinh, Vietnam*

+ Na Pao International Checkpoint ( Khammouane, Laos)/ Chalo, Quang Binh, Vietnam*

+ Phoukeua International Checkpoint ( Atapeu, Laos)/ Bo Y, Kontum, Vietnam*

+ La Lay International Checkpoint ( Salavan, Laos)/La Lay, Quang Tri, Vietnam*

* Currently, Laos visa on arrival is  not available at these border checkpoints, so if planning to enter Laos via these border gate, you are required to obtain Laos visa in advance. 

b. Laos-Thailand border:

+ Houeixay International Checkpoint (Bokeo, Laos) /Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai, Thailand

+ Nakaxeng International Checkpoint (Sayabouly, Laos) / Kaenthao , Loei, Thailand

+ Friendship Bridge #1 International Checkpoint (Vientiane City, Laos)/  Nong Khai, Thailand

+ Tha Naleng Train Station ( Vientiane City, Laos)/ Nong Khai, Thailand

+ Friendship Bridge #3 International Checkpoint (Khammouane, Laos)/  Nakhon Phanom, Thailand

+ Friendship Bridge #2 International Checkpoint (Savannakhet ,Laos) / Mukdahan, Thailand

+ Vangtao International Checkpoint (Champasak,  Laos)/ Chong Mek,  Ubon Rathchathani,  Thailand)

+ Pakxan International Checkpoint (Bolikhamxay, Laos)/ - Bungkan,  Nong Khai, Thailand*

+ Nam Ngeun International Checkpoint ( Sayabouly, Laos)/ Houi Koln, Nan, Thailand*

+ Nam Heuang International Checkpoint (Sayabouly, Laos) / Thai Li,  Loei, Thailand*

* Currently, Laos visa on arrival is not  available at these border checkpoints, so if planning to enter Laos via these border gate, you are required to obtain Laos visa in advance. 

c, Laos – Cambodia border.

+ Veun Kham International Checkpoint ( Champasak, Laos)/ Dong Kralor, Stung Treng, Cambodi

d, Laos –China border.

+ Boten International Checkpoint (  Luang Namtha, Laos)/ Mohan, Yunnan, China

Coming from temperate countries, many travellers get shock because of hot sunny days and high humidity, especially in summer season. The weather affection may cause heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and dehydration, which you could prevent by staying vigilant about hydration and applying sunblock.

The imminent risk is mostly persistent in highland region or secluded countryside so if travelling there, you need to consider  taking anti-malarial medication. More frequent in Laos than malaria, dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease, which is quite common not only in countryside but also  in city area. To prevent this disease, you should  wear bug spray at all times and cover your ankles and arms early in the evening, around sunset.

Internet access is widely available in tourist areas and big cities of Laos so you can get Wifi access in almost all hotels, cafeterias, pizzerias, and even food stores. However, it’s less frequent or rather week in rural and remote areas. You are suggested to purchase a prepaid SIM to stay connected in Laos via a cell phone or other mobile device.  There are four trusted service providers, such as Unitel, Laotel, TPlus (formerly Beeline), and ETL

Mostly possible. You can use your mobile phone in the majority of urban areas in Laos, though network coverage may be limited in remote and mountainous areas. Before departing from home, you need to make sure that your mobile service provider has activated global roaming for your mobile phone if you intend to use it in Laos. However, global roaming can be very expensive in Laos, so the best option is to buy a local SIM if you want to use your phone on the go.

The most common credit cards honored in Laos are Visa, Master Card, JBC and American Express, which are widely accepted in many restaurants, hotels, and shops in  big cities of Laos. However, they may not be accepted by smaller vendors such as small family restaurants, market stalls or in remote towns or countryside. To travel in remote or rural areas of Laos, you need to bring  enough cash for expenses since credit cards may not be used in places. 

Widely available throughout Laos,  ATMs are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,  in big cities of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Pakse,  Savanakhet… and even in small urban centers, allowing you to a cash machine at any time. In small villages or remote areas, ATMs are rarely found so you need to prepare enough cash before your venture into these areas.

The major festival celebrated in Laos are Pi Mai (Lao New Year) on April 13 or 14 each year. There are also some other important traditional festivals such as  Boun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival),  Boun Khao Phansa,  Boun Suang Heua (Boat Racing Festival), and That Luang Festival. However, the date of celebration is subject to change based on the local calendar different from the western one.