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 Passport and visa
All nationalities are required to have visa
before getting into Laos. Visa is usually delivered by Lao Embassies who require the
original passport and 2 photos for two full working days in order to stamp the visa. If
Visa is arranged by Dragon Travel upon the client request, the personal data ( full name,
passport number with date of issuance and expiry, date and place of birth, nationality)
must be supplied to us at least 14 days before arrival to Laos. Visas obtained upon arrival at Wattay Vientiane airport and Friendship
Bridge is quoted US$ 30 per person. However, the procedure of getting of visa will be
change from time to time.
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Customs
and formalities
The
regulations are now relaxed for travelers arriving by air in Wattay Vientiane airport.
Passengers should have completed immigration and customs declaration forms during the
flights and must submit these on arrival.
Currency
The local
currency is the KIP. The exchange rate at the time of updating is approximately 9,800 KIP
to one US. Dollar. Travelers can make an exchange either at licensed exchange shops in the
major cities or at your hotel. While paying in Laos. Traveler cheques and other currencies
than U.S.Dollars are only accepted by major banks. It is best to carry US Dollar bills in
small denominations.
Climate
Laos can be visited throughout the year. The dry or cool season begins end
of October and lasts until end of February. It is necessary to take along a pullover or
jacket during the cool season as nights can be very cool , especially in the mountainous
areas such as Luang Prabang , the plain of jars, Saravane and Houeixai. The hot season
lasts from March to June and light cotton and hats are recommended. The rainy season
starts in June and ends in October. For visitors travelling between end of March and
beginning of April , please note in the mountainous area where the slash and burn
cultivation remained, the weather may be worse caused by smokes and domestic flights might
be delayed or cancelled.
Health requirements
No vaccinations are
presently required. If travelling to remote or border areas, travelers should check with
their doctor or travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation
against Typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis.
International flights
The direct flights
to Vientiane are available from Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Kunming, Chiang
Mai ( via Luang Prabang ). By air : Presently, Vientiane is the only legal point of
disembarkation in Laos for air passengers. At the present time, Bangkok is the most common
gateway for entry to Vientiane , although it is possible to come from Hanoi, Phnom Penh,
Ho Chi Minh City, Yangon, Kunming ( CHINA) , Chiang Mai , Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as
per schedules show below: Airport arrival : Arrivals at Wattay airport, Vientiane
are generally rather casual event. Carry on bags are not surely inspected if that all you
have brought. For checked baggage when claimed at counter ,sometimes passengers are
required to declare if they had antiques and silver item brought with.
Overland
The other way to
get into Laos is by land from from Vietnam, China, Thailand. Tourists can pass the
border at the following entry points:
* From Nongkhai (
Thailand ) by crossing Mekong River by shuttle bus.
* From Chiangkhong
( Thailand ) by crossing Mekong River by ferry to Houeixey.
* From South China
(Yuna ) to Luang Namtha province via Boten chek point.
* From Mukdahan
(Thailand ) and from Quang Tri (Vietnam ) to Savanakhet.
* From Ubol
Rachathani (Thailand ) to Pasker.
* From Vinh (Vietnam) via Keo Neua check point to Km 20 , Khamkeuth district
Borikhamxay province, then on to Vientiane by bus.
Language
The official
language of Lao PDR is Lao. It is spoken in different parts of the country The Vientiane
dialect is understood throughout the country. In spite of the colonial past, French
remains the second official language . English is in common use among business sectors and
young generations.
Public holidays
Jan 1 : International new years Day
Mar 8 :
International Women Day
May 1 : Labour Day
Oct 14 : Boat
Racing Festival in Vietiane
Dec 2 : Laos
National Day
Tipping
Tipping is not
obligatory in Laos, but is nonetheless widely practiced in hotels and restaurants in
addition to the service charges shown on bills. (Porters, 5000 - 1,000 Kip per bag.)
Airport tax
Airport tax
is US$ 1,0 per passenger on domestic flights and US$ 10 per passenger on international
flights.
Business hours : GMT + 7 hours
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