Attraction in Laos
Pha That Luang
Rising 45 metres above Vientiane, Pha That Luang is a gilded Buddhist stupa that serves as the national symbol of Laos and the most revered religious monument in the country. Local tradition holds that a stupa was first erected here in the 3rd century BCE to enshrine a relic of the Buddha, though the current form dates principally from the 16th century under King Setthathirat. Each November the stupa is the focal point of the Boun That Luang festival, when tens of thousands of worshippers and hundreds of monks gather for three days of ceremony.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Laos. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Laos.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
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.