Banks: 08:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00; Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 12:00, Saturday and Sunday
Department Stores and Shops: 08:00 to 18:00, daily
Museums: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, Monday to Sunday
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Vientiane is safe city for visitors. Perhaps due to the pervasive nature of Buddhism within the society, most residents don’t think about stealing from foreigners and violent crime is practically unheard of. However, Vientiane is a poor city and some Laotians may try to overcharge foreigners who are unfamiliar with local prices.

Don’t let the relaxed atmosphere in the capital lull you into complacency when it comes to looking after your valuables. Keep everything of value with you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is concealed. Some hotels have a safe for guests’ use; do not under any circumstances leave cash or valuables in your hotel room. Buying travel insurance will provide peace of mind that you will be covered should anything unforeseen happen during your visit to Vientiane.

Police: 991

Electricity: 220V AC, 50Hz; all plugs are round European two-pin types or have flat prongs.

While Vientiane doesn’t present a major risk with regards to contagious diseases, healthcare here is commonly well below standards enjoyed in most developed countries. Hepatitis, dengue fever, malaria and tetanus are common occurrences here.

All visitors should be aware that sanitation in restaurants does not follow any standard health code and should choose eating venues wisely. Street stalls selling barbecued meats are fine to eat at, as long as the meat or fish has been thoroughly cooked. Where visitors need to be most diligent is with any food item that has not been cooked, such as sauces and the famous (but raw) papaya salad. Unless you’re in a top French restaurant, it’s best to stick to cooked dishes.

Water is the other main culprit for illness in Vientiane. The tap water is not safe for consumption and should not even be used to brush your teeth. Bottled water can be bought everywhere for a nominal fee. Ice is fine as long as it has been kept in a clean cooler, but should be avoided when drinking at places along the street. Should you catch a stomach bug during your trip, local pharmacies or your hotel can assist you.

For more serious illness or a medical emergency, there is one 24-hour clinic in Vientiane which offers the city’s best medical treatment. Mahosot Hospital is not up to international standards of healthcare and it is better to fly to Bangkok or back to your home country if you require serious treatment. Travel insurance is the best way to cover any unforeseen medical expenses. The cost of travel insurance is minor compared to the potential cost of medical care in Laos.

Ambulance: 195
Medestra Hospital: +856 21 214022

Lao is the official language used in Vientiane, although there are many regional dialects. Lao is similar to Thai, so if you know a little Thai you will have no trouble getting by in Vientiane. Some of the older generation can speak French, learned during the colonial era of the 1950s. English is not widely spoken outside of the tourism industry, but staff at hotels and travel shops should not have a problem understanding you.

Laos uses the kip as its national currency. The kip only comes in banknotes with denominations of 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000. There are no coins. Thai baht and US dollars are also accepted at most businesses just as readily as Lao kip, though you’ll usually get your change in kip.

Although visitors can use US dollars and Thai baht just as easily as Lao kip, you will need some kip for small transactions at the markets. The banks run the currency exchange offices in Vientiane, so it’s just as convenient to use an exchange kiosk as to stand in line at the bank. There are several places to exchange money near Nam Phu Fountain and along Lan Xang. Many of the banks will exchange travellers’ cheques into US dollars and allow withdrawals on some credit cards.

ATMs are very difficult to find in Vientiane and virtually impossible to find outside the capital. Most of them don’t accept common networks such as PLUS or Cirrus therefore you should not rely on being able to use an ATM during your stay. Only the most upscale hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards, so prepare to mainly use cash when you visit Vientiane.

All visitors to Laos may bring 500 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco; 1 litre of alcohol and two bottles of wine; and an unlimited amount of money into the country. Customs officials are lax, but keep in mind that you are not allowed to take any Buddhist relics or certain antiques out of the country.

Laotians are extremely friendly and personable people, but they also have a conservative society which comes with a lengthy set of social rules. Conscientious travellers should be aware of the most basic of these rules in order to enjoy a smooth visit. Even if you make a major social mistake, the locals will quickly forgive you if you accept responsibility, apologise and try to make amends.

Covering up with earn you respect from the locals. Showing excessive flesh is considered both rude and sexually intrusive in Laotian culture. You will rarely see a Lao woman wearing anything other than a long traditional skirt and shirt which covers the elbows at the least. Covering up will also keep your skin protected from the sun. Men who dress inappropriately will be considered as lacking in etiquette, but women may be treated with genuine aversion.

Public displays of kissing are considered impolite, as is holding hands. Women in particular should be aware of the sexual insinuations of touching men. Monks hold the highest level of respect in Lao society and women should never touch a monk or even hand something directly to a monk. It’s fine, however, for women to talk to novice monks in the temples.

Be sure to remove your shoes whenever you enter a temple or house. If you are unsure about whether to remove your shoes, look to see what others are doing. Be careful not to touch anyone on the head, even children. Also, don’t use your feet for anything other than walking. The feet are considered the lowest part of the body, while the head is considered sacred. To greet someone in Laos, you should put your palms together at chest height and slightly nod your head. This greeting is called a ‘nop’ and is a great sign of respect.

Dining Etiquette
The traditional way of eating a meal in Laos is to share food communally among family and friends. Diners typically order a number of dishes along with a big bamboo basket of sticky rice. Dishes rarely appear at the same time, so don’t expect Western-style service where everyone’s food comes out together. Most locals use their right hand to eat sticky rice, but using a fork and spoon combination is also acceptable. Chopsticks are served with bowls of noodles.

It is a good idea to let your host dig in first, but this honour may be deferred to foreign guests. Take a small portion from each dish you’re interested in and place it on your plate first before eating it. Drinking is also done communally and it’s considered strange to see someone drinking alone or from an individual beer. The custom is for a bottle or two of Beer Lao to be served along with glasses and a bucket of ice and then each drinker is served a glass. As each bottle is emptied, more appear. Again, sharing is the theme in Laos.

Tipping is not a concept that has caught on yet in Vientiane, as service is still in its developing stage. If you enjoyed the service however, feel free to leave some small change as a token.

Unless you are a citizen of an ASEAN country, you will need to purchase a tourist visa for your visit. A 15-day tourist visa can be arranged upon arrival at all airports and border crossings. If you want a 30-day visa, you’ll need to apply for one ahead of time at your nearest Laos embassy. Most travel shops in neighbouring countries such as Thailand provide visa services for Laos. It should take about three days to complete the process. Tourist visas can be extended twice, but only in Vientiane.

The Laos Tourism Authority serves more as a government administrative branch than an information source for tourists. The best places to get travel information are at travel and tour shops and at your hotel or guesthouse.

Laos National Tourism Administration
PO Box 3556
Lan Xang Avenue
Vientiane, Laos
Phone: +856 21 212251
Website: www.tourismlaos.gov.la