Top 6 Things to Know When Traveling to Laos

Laos Currency is known as Kip. 1 USD equals approximately 9000 Kip (exchange rate is subject to change). The denominations available are: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000 Kip. The locals in Laos are generally friendly and open-minded, and many tourist spots accept various currencies including Kip (Laos), Baht (Thailand), USD (USA), and in areas with a large Vietnamese population, you can even use Vietnamese Dong and speak Vietnamese.

It’s recommended for travelers to carry USD to exchange for Kip when spending, as locals predominantly use Kip. While you might be able to use USD in some shopping areas, it’s not common. You can exchange Kip at Laos’ BCE bank or a Laos-Vietnam joint venture bank in Vietnam. USD or Vietnamese Dong can also be exchanged at border crossings with minimal difference in exchange rates. It’s best to bring USD bills printed from 1995 or later.

When shopping, bring a small calculator for easier calculations. Shopping will mostly take place at souvenir shops and central markets. The duty-free allowance for tourists is goods worth up to 500 USD. It’s advisable to ask for prices and negotiate before purchasing, even in stores where prices are clearly marked. Always check the items thoroughly before buying.

Traditional Dishes in Laos include sticky rice and Laap. Laap is a traditional dish often prepared during festivals, made with minced beef, deer, buffalo, or fish, mixed with mint leaves and lime juice, giving it a tangy and spicy flavor. It's quite an acquired taste. In restaurants, a plate of Laap typically costs around 30,000 Kip (approximately 80,000 VND).

A unique feature of Laotian cuisine is its love for spicy food. Many dishes are prepared with intense spiciness. Additionally, the Laotians have a taste for insect-based dishes, such as crickets, ant eggs, water beetles, and even spiders. Among these, water beetles are especially delicious, offering a distinctive flavor.

Recommended Dining Spots:

• In the capital Vientiane, try restaurants such as KhopChaiDeu and Kualao.
• In Xieng Khuang, you can dine at places like Phone Keo and Sangah Restaurant. Xieng Khuang has a wide range of dining options, offering both beautiful and unique locations for visitors.
• In Savannakhet, you can enjoy meals at Lao-Paris Restaurant, Dao Savanh Restaurant, or Indochina Spirit.

Laos' Climate is quite similar to Vietnam, with distinct regional variations. The average temperature ranges from 24 to 33°C.

• The northern part of Laos (including the historic city of Luang Prabang) experiences a four-season climate similar to northern Vietnam.
• The central and southern regions of Laos have a climate similar to central and highland Vietnam but tend to be harsher in the summer (hotter and drier), with more rainfall during the rainy season.

Visitors can travel to Laos at any time of the year, but it’s important to know the country’s specific seasons in advance to pack for sun protection or rain gear. Laos has two main seasons: the wet and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from May to November, followed by the dry season from December to April. This dry period is considered the best time to visit, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C.

To ensure your trip to Laos goes smoothly, here are some important things to keep in mind and prepare for regarding immigration procedures when entering or leaving Laos:

• Vietnamese citizens are exempt from a visa to Laos and can stay for up to 30 days.
• If you are carrying valuable items worth over 300 USD (such as cameras, large photographic equipment, communication devices, etc.), or cassette radios, videotapes with content, they should be packed in your carry-on for easy inspection and must be declared on the customs form.
• The maximum amount of money you can bring without needing to declare it to customs is 5,000 USD.
• Do not carry confidential documents, national secrets, or internal documents of government agencies.
• Make sure to bring your original passport for immigration procedures at the border.
• Foreign travelers should carry the customs declaration they filled out when entering Vietnam, along with their visa, as they will need to go through immigration again when returning to Vietnam.
• Items purchased abroad worth over 300 USD will be taxed upon arrival at Vietnamese customs. TVs over 21 inches are taxed at 120% when brought into Vietnam.
• Be at the International Terminal, at the check-in counter at Noi Bai Airport, at least 2 hours before your international flight departure.
• According to Lao customs, each traveler is allowed to bring only 1 pack of cigarettes and 1 bottle of alcohol. It is advisable to purchase these at the airport duty-free shops when entering Laos.
• Chewing gum, chewing tobacco, cigarettes labeled with “E” on the packaging, narcotic drugs, fireworks, and any publications that violate copyright laws are prohibited from being imported into Laos.

- Getting to Laos from Vietnam can be done in two main ways:

+ By air: Wattay International Airport, the largest airport in Laos, is located in the capital city, Vientiane. Direct flights are available from Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Vinh. From Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there is one daily flight operated by Vietnam Airlines, with a stopover at Pochentong Airport in Cambodia. Wattay Airport is about 4km from the city center. Traveling by air is a time-efficient option for tourists visiting Laos.

+ By land: If you prefer a scenic drive or bike ride to experience the landscape, you can travel overland by car or motorcycle from Vietnam to Vientiane. The procedure involves registering for a Vietnam-Laos transit permit at the Department of Transport, and you can drive your vehicle to Vientiane for sightseeing. The most common routes are National Road 9 (from Quang Tri) through the Lao Bao border, or National Road 12 through the Cha Lo border (from Quang Binh), as well as other border crossings in Kon Tum, Cau Treo (from Ha Tinh), Nam Can (from Nghe An), and Tay Trang (from Son La).

- Getting Around in Laos: Popular local transportation in Laos includes tuk-tuks and pickup trucks (small trucks). These vehicles are commonly available at bus stations or through travel agencies. From central Vientiane, visitors can hire tuk-tuks to visit villages located 30-40km away, offering a chance to explore local culture and customs. Fare is typically based on the journey’s distance, so the more people traveling together, the cheaper the ride. To save money, it's best to share a ride with others. Solo travelers can opt to join other groups heading in the same direction.