Banks: 08:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 16:00, Saturdays; 08:00 to 12:00
Government Offices: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday; some open on Sundays

Visitors to Laos should be aware that there is a low threat of terrorism in Luang Prabang, as in most Southeast Asian cities. Past attacks in Laos have sometimes involved tourists. However, you will find security good at most upmarket hotels and restaurants.

Relationships between Lao nationals and foreign citizens are prohibited until the relationship has been sanctioned through marriage in accordance with Lao law. Foreign men or women who date local residents should observe this rule or face imprisonment.

Theft is an annoyance in Luang Prabang and visitors should take care to keep a close eye on belongings, particularly their passports. Avoid walking around with more cash than necessary and dress casually, leaving flashy watches and earrings at home.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50 hertz

Visitors are advised to seek medical care at a private clinic should they require medical attention while in Luang Prabang. If you need serious medical care, consider travelling to Bangkok in Thailand, where medical facilities are excellent. 

Care and treatment at government run hospitals in Laos is often below western standards and medical equipment and supplies may be limited. For minor complaints, pharmacies are widespread in Luang Prabang and can sell medication to patients without a prescription. Centrally located pharmacies normally have a pharmacist on hand who speaks English or French.

It is recommended that you ensure all standard vaccinations are up to date before travelling to Luang Prabang. Although no immunisations are currently required for entry into Laos, vaccination against typhoid, hepatitis and tetanus are recommended, as is vaccination against Japanese encephalitis if you plan to stay in rural areas. Malaria is present in some parts of the country and visitors should use insect repellent liberally, cover up and consider taking anti-malarial medication.

HIV/AIDS infection rates are on the increase and visitors should protect themselves accordingly. Avian influenza (bird flu) has been responsible for two human deaths in Laos since January 2007.

The official language of Laos is Lao. The Vientiane dialect is the most widely understood throughout the country, but dialects vastly differ based on region. French is the second official language, and visitors will find that many of the older generation speak French. English is commonly spoken by the younger generation and those in the tourist industry.

The official currency of Laos is the kip, however Thai baht and US dollars are widely accepted and often preferred. Coins come in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 cents, while banknotes are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 kip.

Cash is paramount in Luang Prabang, with prices frequently quoted in three currencies: Lao kip, US dollar and Thai baht. Two ATMs are available in the city, one at each of Luang Prabang’s BPCEL branches, but visitors should not rely on being able to withdraw cash from either of these facilities.

Internationally recognised credit cards are accepted at some hotels and shops, and they can be used at some banks to get cash advances. Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at banks and at money exchange outlets, but are not commonly accepted at shops. Emergency money transfers can be made through Western Union, which is represented in Luang Prabang.

The import and export of the following items is restricted: firearms, religious materials, foreign currency, antiquities and cameras. Visitors wanting to bring any of these items in or out of the country should contact their nearest Lao embassy in advance of travel for more information. Visitors must seek authorisation if they wish to import or export more than US$2,500, or the equivalent.

All persons entering Laos must fill out a customs declaration form. Duty free allowances per person are: 1 litre of sprits and 2 litres of wine; 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; and 50 grams of perfume.

When visiting a religious site such as a temple in Luang Prabang, it is important to cover your arms and upper legs. Shoes must also be removed before entering. Women should refrain from sitting next to Buddhist monks, who are prohibited from touching women. In Laos, the head is thought to be the most sacred part of the body and the feet the lowest, thus touching a person’s head is considered impolite, as is using your feet to touch or point.

Greetings are made by placing the palms together and bringing them close to the chest in a prayer-like gesture called a ‘nop’, similar to the Thai wai. Younger persons should nop elders first. The Western handshake is becoming increasingly common among business people and youngsters.

As when entering a temple, visitors who are invited into a Laotian home should remove their shoes first. Many hotels and guesthouses also require guests to remove their shoes. Noisy behaviour is considered impolite and hotel owners may object to guests coming back late at night.

You should always ask permission before you take photos of locals. Many of the minority groups fear photography and do not appreciate cameras being pointed at them.

Tipping is common practice among foreigners in Luang Prabang, particularly for service in restaurants. Porters, tour guides and taxi drivers also appreciate a small tip.

Dining Etiquette
Many Lao dishes are accompanied by the staple ‘sticky rice’, a glutinous form of rice that can be easily rolled into small balls. Diners typically eat sticky rice with their hands, breaking off small pieces to be eaten along with mouthfuls of the main dish. Diners should place the lid on the sticky rice basket to indicate they have finished eating.

The French colonists left their mark and fresh baguettes are still widely available on most street corners. Visitors can buy a plain baguette or sit at a street stall and eat a Laos-style baguette sandwich, which includes salad and meat pâté. Baguettes are eaten with your hands. If you dine at a French restaurant in Luang Prabang, you will be given western utensils to eat with.

Traditional restaurants offer floor mats for diners to sit on, with food being served on small tables known as ka toke. Today, diners commonly sit at small plastic tables and chairs. If you are invited to eat at someone’s home, expect there to be twice as much food as is likely to be consumed.

Coffee is commonly consumed throughout the day and is served in a glass and followed by a glass of green tea.

As visa stipulations are subject to frequent changes, visitors are advised to check with their nearest Lao embassy before travel for up to date information.

Tourist visas for periods of 5, 15 and 30 days are available and can be obtained in advance of travel. Alternatively, 15-day tourist visas are available on arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport and at some border points. Visitors wanting to obtain a visa on arrival must supply a passport-sized photograph and the required payment in US dollars or Thai baht. Long-stay visas are available for nationals of some countries.

As you enter Laos, you will receive an entry stamp in your passport specifying the date your visa expires. All passports must have a minimum validity of six months upon entry, or entry may be refused. UK nationals wanting to apply for a visa in advance need to submit an application to the Lao embassy in Paris, France as there is no Lao embassy in the UK.

The headquarters of Lao National Tourism Authority is at: 3556, Lan Xang avenue, Hatsady Village, Chanthabouly district, Vientiane. Phone: +856 21 212248, +856 21 212251; website: www.tourismlaos.gov.la.

There is no official tourist information office in Luang Prabang, but you will find that many travel agencies and hotels can provide useful tourist information.