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Travel Guide
Visiting Laos
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Updated 2026-03-19
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Top Attractions in Laos
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
UNESCO World Heritage
Luang Prabang Old Town
The UNESCO-inscribed old town of Luang Prabang preserves an extraordinary blend of traditional Lao timber architecture and French colonial buildings across a compact peninsula. Over 30 wats are woven into the streetscape, and the pre-dawn alms-giving ceremony, in which monks collect offerings from residents, remains one of the most distinctive rituals in Southeast Asia. Strolling the streets at first light or exploring the night market along the main road gives visitors an immediate sense of the town's layered history.
UNESCO World Heritage
Wat Xieng Thong
Founded in 1560 at the northern tip of the Luang Prabang peninsula, Wat Xieng Thong is considered the finest surviving example of classical Lao temple architecture, with its sweeping multi-tiered roofs that extend close to the ground. The rear wall of the sim is adorned with an elaborate mosaic known as the Tree of Life, created in the 1960s and depicting scenes from Lao Buddhist tradition. A separate pavilion houses the royal funeral chariot used for the state cremation of King Sisavang Vong.
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Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical numbers Dial 1195 or 030 525 7239 and ask for an ambulance. Voluntary ambulance services also operate in Vientiane free of charge. Vientiane Rescue: 1623 or (0)20 5666 8825 Lao Red Cross Rescue: (0)20 5996 6111 or (0)20 2200 5563 Make sure anyone attending an accident is wearing a uniform marked ‘Vientiane Rescue’ or ‘Lao R
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police191
Ambulance195
Fire190
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Laos
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Laos page at Yoogo.
The official currency is the Lao Kip (LAK), though US dollars and Thai baht are widely accepted in tourist areas. Card payments are available at larger hotels and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, but cash remains essential outside the main cities, so it is wise to carry a supply of kip for markets, transport, and smaller establishments.
Laos is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia, with low rates of violent crime against tourists and a generally relaxed atmosphere in the main tourist centres. Unexploded ordnance from past conflicts remains a hazard in some rural and remote areas, so staying on marked paths and using accredited guides outside designated sites is important.
The most common modes of local transport are tuk-tuks and songthaews (shared pickup trucks with benches), which are used for short journeys within and between towns. Long-distance travel is typically by bus, minivan, or the scenic two-day slow boat along the Mekong River between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang, which remains one of the most popular overland routes in the country.
The cool dry season from November to February is generally considered the ideal time to visit, with comfortable temperatures and low humidity across most of the country. The hot dry season runs from March to April, while the monsoon season from May to October brings heavy rain that can make rural roads difficult but turns the landscape a vivid green.
The official language is Lao, a tonal language written in a script derived from ancient Khmer. English is spoken by many people working in tourism in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng, though French also has a presence as a legacy of the colonial era, and in rural areas communication in any language other than Lao can be limited.
No vaccinations are legally required for most visitors, but hepatitis A and typhoid are routinely recommended, and Japanese encephalitis may be advised for extended rural travel during the rainy season. Malaria risk exists in some rural areas outside the main towns, so consulting a travel health clinic at least four to six weeks before departure is advisable to discuss antimalarial options and any other precautions relevant to your itinerary.
Tipping is not a strong local tradition and is rarely expected in everyday settings such as markets or street food stalls. In tourist-facing restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, rounding up the bill or leaving around 10 per cent is appreciated, and a small daily tip for tour guides (around $2–4 USD per day) is a recognised courtesy.