Laos is one of the few Communist
countries left in the world. Until 1988 tourists were not
allowed access to Laos, but the country has now opened up
and it is perfectly feasible to travel all over the country,
preferably with a recognized tour company, although plenty
of backpackers do it independently. The number of tourists
is expected to continue increasing over the next few years
as more and more people discover the delights of this
laid-back country of mountains and rivers.
For now, Laos remains relatively isolated and undeveloped.
Its capital, Vientiane, is more like a big village than a
crowded Asian hub and life throughout the country is
slow-paced. Most people come to Laos and make a brief tour
of Vientiane and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang
with perhaps a brief detour to the mysterious Plain of Jars.
But those who make the effort to explore further afield will
be well rewarded with luscious landscapes, friendly people
and unique glimpses of a country hardly changed for over a
century.
Population
6,521,998 (July 2007.
Around 85% of the population are farmers and live in rural
areas. There are 3 main ethnic categories: Lao Loum (low
landers), Lao Thueng (lower mountain dwellers), and Lao
Soong (high landers). The great majority of Lao are
Buddhist.
Climate
Laos has a warm and
tropical climate with two seasons: the rainy season from the
beginning of May to the end of September and the dry season
from October to April. The average temperature 29 degree
centigrade. Maximum temperature can reach up to 40 degree
centigrade. Temperatures can drop to as low as 15 degrees or
even lower in mountains. Generally, tourists are recommended
to visit Laos during the months of November to March because
these are cool months and rainfall is lower than other
periods.
Language
The official language used
in Laos is Lao language. However, the usage of the language
can differ from north and south. English, French and Russian
are spoken in business or by some senior government
officials. Many shopkeepers can understand basic English and
French.
Electricity & Water
Laos uses 220 volt (50 Hz)
electricity for use with either two-pronged round or flat
plugs. It is not recommended to drink directly from taps
since it is not very clean. However, purified water is
available throughout the country.
Currency
Lao national currency is
Kip. There has been some devaluation of Lao Kip in the past
few years. There are exchange booths available throughout
town. Major credit cards are also accepted in large shops.
You can also withdraw cash by using your credit cards, but
it has to be done at a bank, since there is no automatic
teller machine in Laos just yet.
Communication Facilities
Public phones are available
in Vientiane and other major cities. You can also go to Lao
Telecom office to call and fax overseas. Phone cards are
widely available in most convenient stores. There are a
number of Internet cafes in Vientiane and major cities. So
you can be sure that you can always keep in touch with your
family and friends.
Travel Tips
There are a few things that you need to know and seriously
take into account prior to your visit to Laos. This will
make your travel experience much more enjoyable and you will
have to best time of your life in Laos.
Visa Matters
Visitors traveling to Laos for the purpose of tourism need a
visa. An easy way is to book a tour to Laos with an
authorized travel agency abroad who has a formal contact
with one of local tour operators. This agency will provide
you with the necessary form, enabling you to apply for the
visa at your nearest Laos embassy or consulate or you can
make contact directly with local tour operators.
If you book a tour to Laos
and you are resident of a country that dose not have a Laos
embassy or in case of urgency, you can obtain the visa upon
arrival only Vattay airport and Friendship Bridge which both
are the international border checkpoint in Vientiane. To do
so you will need to meet at least some of the following
conditions:
- Pay a fee
- Have a return air ticket or a valid visa from a third
country.
- Have a confirmation of Hotel in Laos PDR.
- Certificate of a bank statement or a life insurance
Custom - Antique items for
example Buddha images and other old artifacts are prohibited
to be taken out of Laos. If you have already traveled from
neighboring countries, you are advised to declare you
belongings to the customs to avoid any problems when leaving
Laos.
Health - There are no
requirements for immunization before entering Laos. Like
other tropical countries, Malaria is a problem in Laos. It
is a good idea to prepare some kind of mosquito repellant so
that you can use it especially at night.
Dos & Donts
How respect and use your head; Eyes and common sense will
guide you well in navigating Laos's culture safely. When in
Laos, try and do as the Laos do and remember: don't touch
heads, don't lose cool with people, and don't flash your
flesh. The rest about manners: Shoes left outside, accepting
host's greeting; not upsetting religious feeling. The Laos
are friendly and hospitable. A minimum of effort will make
your trip smooth and memorable.
Getting Around
The most convenient way of traveling from a province to
another is by air with Lao Aviation. It has daily flights
from Vientiane to almost all of the cities in Laos. There
are also regular buses linking cities in the north to the
south. However, some parts of the road are still under
construction, this makes it difficult especially when
traveling in rainy season.
For short trips within town
tuk tuk (motorized tricycle) and taxi can be used. There are
a number of places that you can rent bicycles so that you
can cruise through the city at your convenience. |
