Go with a plan.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Laos
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go with a plan.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Border crossing bribes
Border officials may demand small bribes of a few USD when you enter or exit the country. Observe what local travelers do at checkpoints to avoid these payments.
Traffic police shakedowns
Police wait at specific intersections to pull over foreigners and accuse them of made-up traffic infractions. Ask your rental shop which intersections to avoid and be prepared to pay 200,000-400,000 kip.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Mandatory identification
You must carry an identification document, such as a passport or national ID card, at all times. Police have the legal right to request it, and failing to produce it results in a fine.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Polio
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Chikungunya, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Measles, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Visitors to Laos must obtain a visa from one of the Laotian diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens eligible for a visa on arrival or an e-Visa. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
Passport validity required: 6 months beyond entry.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Laos, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations in Laos. Proud To Be Us Laos raises awareness about LGBT+ rights and HIV/AIDS among the LGBT+ community. More information can be found on the Proud To Be Us Laos Facebook page . Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Laos in general is a safe country, in part because violent crime is punished to a significant extent by the government. This said, petty crime remains a concern.
- •In accordance with the law, you are required to have an identification document on you at all times, and the police have the legal right to ask you for it.
- •Corruption: Laos is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
- •Crime: Laos is generally a safe low-crime country.
- •If you are the victim of a crime in Laos, do not expect to be taken seriously; the Laotian justice system is inefficient, lacks accountability, corrupt, and is susceptible to political interference.
Staying healthy
- •Laos is on track to hit its goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, but there are still occasional outbreaks, particularly in the south (Savannakhet and beyond).
- •The usual precautions regarding food and water are needed.
- •Medical care in Laos is limited owing to a lack of resources.
- •Travel insurance that includes cover for medical evacuation is strongly recommended.…
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
A / B / C / E / F · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 191 / ambulance: 195 / fire: 190
Cash vs. Card
The use of ATMs and credit cards in banks is subject to computer operation, staff computer skills, power cuts, telephone network breakdowns, holidays, etc. A few visitors have been forced out of the country prematurely as they couldn't withdraw funds to continue their travels. Always bring some cash. Changing money can be next to impossible outside major towns.
Show the receipts (9 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09