Vietnam Travel

Weather & When to go ?

All year is fine. Travellers should note that Laos is especially hot and humid (highs of 35 degrees plus) between March and June. The winter months from October to February are generally the most pleasant. The country is at its greenest and most attractive (for photographers) during the wet season months from June to October or immediately afterwards. Smoke haze from traditional agricultural practices can dull the skies from March to May.

Laos is affected by the annual Southeast Asian monsoon cycle. The ‘wet’ season is from May to October. During this time, the tropical lowlands average 30 degrees Celsius, while the mountains remain slightly cooler. The first half of the ‘dry’ season is from November to February; temperatures during this time range from 10 to 25 degrees Celsius. Mornings and evenings in the north of Laos around Luang Prabang can be quite cool at this time of the year. People travelling between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang on the Mekong should bring at last one layer of warm clothes. During the second half of the ‘dry’ season - from March to June - the temperature can rise to up to 35 degrees Celsius. Many travellers prefer Laos outside the dry season; there are fewer tourists, and rainfall is often limited to brief afternoon showers which lend a different atmosphere to the country and towns.

December to February and August are the peak tourist times. January, in particular, is very busy and booking ahead is advisable.

 

High tourist seasons : in Vietnam runs from November to March
Lower tourist seasons : in Vietnam runs from April to September

You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).  You can also access http://www.nhc.noaa.gov for updates

 

Money & Cost

Laos is an inexpensive country to visit by almost any standards. Not including transport, a budget of US$ 15 a day brings with it decent food and comfortable, but basic, accommodation When you add aircon, hot water and falang (Western) food, costs are around US$ 30 to US$65 per day if you economise, and around US$115 for top-end hotels and food. Of course, you can spend even more if you stay in the best hotels and eat at the most expensive restaurants, although such a scenario exists only in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

For those on a tight budget, in Vientiane or Luang Prabang you can squeeze by on about $15 a day if you stay in the cheapest guesthouses and eat local food; in remote areas where everything's less expensive you can whittle this figure down to around US$8 or US$10 a day.

The official currency of Laos is the kip, however United States dollars and Thai baht are accepted almost everywhere. The exchange rate fluctuates but at time of writing, $1USD was the approximate equivalent of 8,500 kip. You will accumulate kip as change from payments you make in USD, we recommend you change a little (eg. $50 USD) into kip upon your arrival in Laos. We advise you to use the local currency if you feel comfortable with this, but US dollars are accepted virtually everywhere. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) can be used in only a limited number of shops and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

ATM services for international cards are available throughout Vientiane (money is dispensed in kip). Cash advances from banks on international cards are also readily available throughout Vientiane.

Luang Prabang has a limited number of ATM’s accepting international cards. Cash advances can be obtained from numerous bank branches in the city for all international cards.

Hotels often change foreign currency cash, and sometimes travellers cheques, but rates tend to be more favourable at banks. When travelling to more rural areas of Laos it is advisable you bring enough cash with you for you duration in that region.

As always, a good travel insurance policy is a wise idea. Laos is generally considered a high-risk area, and with medical services so limited it's vital to have a policy that covers being evacuated (Medicated), by air if necessary, to a hospital in Thailand.

If you undergo medical treatment in Laos or Thailand, be sure to collect all receipts and copies of the medical report, in English if possible, for your insurance company.

TRAVEL INSURANCE ADVICE

Unfortunately things can go wrong on holiday. You could fall ill or have an accident; you could have money or luggage stolen; your visit might be cancelled or cut short through injury or illness; your family may need to fly out to be with you if there is a serious incident.
Costs - particularly medical treatment costs - can easily run into thousands of dollars. Local medical facilities are unable to provide the full range of medical services available in developed countries making evacuation a requirement in many non life threatening medical emergencies. The costs of relocation as well as local international standard care are extremely high. In the most serious emergencies, you may not be positioned to authorise payment for an appropriate medical response that is urgently required. This may delay or prevent the provision of critical and possibly life saving medical attention.
Market surveys show that many people don't take insurance. People believe that their credit card accident cover, home insurance, or private health cover is sufficient. However, it is unlikely that these will give adequate cover. If you do not already have a policy we urge you to take out insurance as soon as you make a booking with us to ensure you have adequate cancellation cover.
Know what your policy covers and check that the cover is adequate.
If in doubt ask your insurer.

What should my travel insurance policy cover
• medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad – more infomation on medical and health cover
• 24 hour emergency service and assistance
• personal liability cover in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property
• lost and stolen possessions cover
• cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip) cover
• extra cover for activities that are commonly excluded from standard policies, such as jet skiing.

The policy should cover the whole time that you’re away.
Your policy may also have:

• personal accident cover
• legal expenses cover
• financial protection if your airline goes bankrupt before or during your trip.
Many insurers will extend cover if you ask them. If not, shop around for a specialist policy.

Common travel insurance policy exclusions
Always check the conditions and exclusions of your policy:
• most policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents
• you must take reasonable care of your possessions or your policy will not cover you.

Travel insurance buying tips
• shop around to find a good price and the right product rather than opting to travel without cover
• cheaper policies will usually have less cover – for some the price seems most important, but is it worth the initial saving?
• consider annual multi-trip insurance if you make several trips a year – you’ll save time and money.

Cancelling or cutting a trip short
A good insurance policy will cover you for cancelling or cutting a trip short. Check carefully to see exactly what you’re covered for:
• accident
• illness
• pregnancy (unknown when you buy the policy)
• jury service or witness summons
• home emergency: fire, storm or flood, burglary
• redundancy
• strikes
• bad weather – affects the departure of flights and ships.

Ensure your policy:
• will refund the full cost of your holiday
• pays out if you need to cancel or cut short a trip because you fall ill for example
• covers pre-paid expenses such as excursions
• covers extra costs incurred to get home

Personal liability insurance
If you accidentally cause an injury to someone or damage their property they may sue you. Good travel insurance will cover you for personal liability.

Personal accident cover – disability and death
Travel insurance can cover a personal accident payment made for permanent disability or death.

Cover for stolen, lost or damaged possessions
You can normally choose the limit in your policy. Limits for single items such as cameras and jewellery can vary from as little as US$250 up to US$1000 or more. Check these limits are adequate and realistic.
You should report a loss to the Police within 24 hours. Proof of notification will be required when you make your claim.
All insurance policies say that you must take care of your belongings at all times. If you don’t, the policy may not pay out.
Tip: take as much care of your property as if it were uninsured.

Lost baggage on flights
Do not rely on compensation from an airline if it loses your luggage.
By law, airlines only have to pay a specified minimum value per kilo of lost luggage. This is unlikely to cover the full value of your things.

Legal expenses cover
Taking out legal expenses cover will help you to pursue compensation or damages following personal injury while you're abroad – very important in countries without a legal aid system.

Internet

Internet cafes are popping up fast, and you can get online in most, but not all, provincial capitals. Generally speaking, if tourists go there in numbers, someone will have established a connection. In places where there's plenty of competition - such as Vientiane and Luang Prabang -rates are usually very low, about US$0.50 to US$1 an hour.

Computers in most internet cafes have messenger software such as Yahoo! and MSN Messenger loaded and increasingly Skype, though you might need to search around for a headset.

If you're travelling with a laptop, internet cafes usually allow you to plug into their bandwidth for the same cost as using a fixed computer. To get online in your hotel you'll probably need to be in a newer mid-range or top-end hotel. Some cafes in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng have wi-fi. The other option is to buy a dial-up card from minimarts in Vientiane, or from some inter­net cafes in the provinces, and use it in your hotel room.

Phone & Mobile Phone

You can make international calls from Lao Telecom offices in most provincial capitals.

International calls are also charged on a per-minute basis, with a minimum charge of three minutes. Calls to most countries cost between about US$0.75 and US$1.80 per minute.It's almost always cheaper to use an internet cafe (most provide international call services), if there is one. In Vientiane the telephone office has responded to competition from the internet by slashing rates to about 20cent a minute. Faxes, can be sent from the same Lao Telecom or post offices.

Mobile Phone
Laos has bought into mobile telephony big time. Lao Telecom and several private companies offer mobile phone services on the GSM system. Competition is fierce and you can buy a local SIM card for US$5 from almost anywhere - we bought ours from an optometry shop. Calls are cheap and recharge cards are widely available for between 15,000 and 60,000 kip each.

Network coverage varies depending on the company and the region. Lao Telecom and another government-affiliated company, Enterprise of Telecommunications Lao (ETL), have the widest coverage. These are more expensive than Tango Lao and M-Phone, but Tango's coverage is limited to larger cities and towns.

Safety & Security

Laos is a safe country by world standards, but the usual commonsense safety precautions should be adhered to. Cities are small, and even at night you will feel quite safe walking outside. Most Laotians go to bed fairly early so streets will usually be very quiet after 9 pm. Dark, insufficiently lit areas of town should be avoided after 9pm. When outside your hotel, spending money should be kept in a secure place, close to your body. Wear as little jewellery as possible. You should leave valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes at all times and make sure you have photocopies of your passport, airline tickets, and a detailed record of your traveller’s cheques and credit card numbers.

That's not to say Laos is danger free. However, most dangers are easy enough to avoid.

Road Travel

Better roads, better vehicles and fewer insurgents mean road travel in Laos is quite safe, if not always comfortable. It's not yet possible to totally rule out the threat from armed bandits or insurgents, though it is miniscule. And while the scarcity of traffic in Laos means there are far, far fewer accidents than the daily horror on Vietnam's roads, accidents are still the major risk to travelers.

ACCIDENTS
After speedboats, and assuming you'll not be walking through any minefields, the law of averages suggests travelling by road is prob­ably the most dangerous activity in Laos. Hav­ing said that, there are relatively few reports of bus crashes and the like, and the lack of traffic and quality of roads makes collisions less likely too.

When riding in buses, you may be able to cut your risk of serious injuries if you choose an aisle seat towards the middle of the bus; these are generally more comfortable too. If you can't get an aisle seat, the right side is usually safer as it cuts down the risks in the event your conveyance is side-swiped by oncoming traffic.

Theft

While Lao are generally trustworthy people and theft is much less common than elsewhere in Southeast Asia, it has risen in recent years. Most of the reports we've heard involve opportunistic acts that, if you are aware of them, are fairly easily avoided.

Money or goods going missing from hotel rooms is becoming more common, so don't leave cash or other tempting items (such as women's cosmetics) out on show. If you ride a crowded bus, watch your luggage and don't keep money in your trouser pockets. If you ride a bicycle or motorcycle in Vientiane, don't place anything of value in the basket - thieving duos on motorbikes have been known to ride by and snatch bags from baskets. Also in Vientiane, we've had several reports of (usually) women having daypacks stolen after they've changed money near the BCEL bank on the riverfront - be especially careful around here.

Other reports involve theft on buses be­tween Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and on the slow boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang. Simple locks on your bags are usually enough to discourage the light-fingered.

UXO

Large areas of eastern Laos are contaminated by unexploded ordnance (UXO) left behind by nearly 100 years of warfare. Despite heavy US bombing late in the Indochina War, the majority of UXO found today was left be­hind by ground battles and includes French, Chinese, American, Russian and Vietnamese materials, among them mortar shells, muni­tions, white phosphorus canisters, land mines and cluster bombs. US-made cluster bombs (known as bombi to the Lao) pose by far the greatest potential danger to people living in or travelling through these areas and account for most of the casualties. The Lao National UXO Programme (UXO Lao) reported 164 casualties in 2005, of which 54% were chil­dren and 36 people died. These statistics come only from the districts where UXO Lao is working; real figures are believed to be higher. Large bombs up to 500kg dropped by US aircraft also lie undetonated in some areas, but it's very rare that one of these is accidentally detonated.

According to surveys by UXO Lao and other non-government UXO clearance organizations, the provinces of Salavan, Savannakhet and Xieng Khuang fall into a category of most severely affected prov­inces, followed by Champasak, Hua Phan, Khammuan, Luang Prabang, Attapeu and Sekong.

Statistically speaking, the UXO risk for the average foreign visitor is low, but trav­elers should exercise caution when con­sidering off-road wilderness travel in the aforementioned provinces. Put simply, if you walk where other people have walked you should be OK. Never touch an object that may be UXO, no matter how old and defunct it may appear.

Government Travel Advice

The following government websites offer travel advisories and information on current hot spots.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs The department's role is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves working to strengthen Australia's security; enhancing Australia's prosperity; and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas.
The department provides foreign and trade policy advice to the government. We work with other government agencies to ensure that Australia's pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is coordinated effectively.

British Foreign Office : Travel advice and tips for British travellers on staying safe abroad and what help the FCO can provide if something goes wrong

Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs

US State Department The State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program.

 

 

 

Health

Laos has no facilities for major medical emergencies. The state-run hospitals and clinics are among the worst in Southeast Asia in terms of the standards of hygiene, staff training, supplies and equipment, and the availability of medicines.

For minor to moderate conditions, including malaria, Mahasot International Clinic in Vientiane has a decent reputation.

For any serious conditions, you're better off going to Thailand or Vietnam. If a medical problem can wait until you're in Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, then all the better, as there are excellent hospitals there.

Some of the diseases known to exist in Laos include malaria, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, diphtheria, tetanus, and HIV/ AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your risk of exposure to these health risks. We are a travel company and we are not qualified to provide detailed medical information appropriate to your individual needs. We recommend you consult with your local doctor or a specialist travel medical centre for up to date health information on vaccinations and medicine for your trip, at least one month prior to departure. Medical facilities are limited throughout the country (even in the capital Vientiane) compared to western standards.

Buying medication over the counter is not recommended, as fake medications and poorly stored or out-of-date drugs are com­mon in Laos.

Medical Kit

We also suggest you bring a simple medical kit. Your doctor should advise you what to include, however as a minimum we suggest you bring:

Aspirin or paracetamol (for pain or fever)
Antihistamines (for allergies and itches)
Cold and flu tablets
Anti diarrhea medication
Something appropriate for nausea and vomiting
Rehydration mixture (to prevent dehydration)
Insect repellant
Antiseptic and bandages
Sunscreen and lip balm
Antibiotics (discuss with your doctor)
As part of our travel registration process at the start of any journey with Relaxl Indochina, you will be asked to declare any serious pre-existing medical conditions or allergies.

Baggage & Clothing:

Please ensure that your luggage is of a standard size (preferably soft bags) as backpacks or soft cases are only permitted on our journeys. It should be clearly labelled and not exceed the airline’s own limitations. Any flight (both domestic and international) has a luggage limit of 20kg per person. If you have made your own flight arrangements, please check the luggage allowance directly with the airline. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles and trains is limited. . If you are doing a lot of shopping during your travels, it may be necessary for you to forward any excess to the city where your tour concludes, or ship purchases directly home.
Keeping the amount of luggage you carry in check will ensure your safety and comfort, and the comfort of your fellow travelers. Please note you may be required to carry your own luggage at times. Porterage is not included in the cost of your journey. Please ensure you pay porters around 1USD per person for carrying your luggage. Should you wish to avoid such payments, please carry and take responsibility for your luggage.
Comfortable casual clothes made of cotton are best in tropical and semi tropical climates – packing one set of smart casual clothes is advisable. Laundry services are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive.

We suggest you include:
Flat walking shoes and sandals
Hat & sunglasses
Jumper/coat/thermals - if visiting in winter
Bathers
Money belt
Raincoat or umbrella
Basic first aid kit (see below)
Insect repellent
Alarm clock
Small torch
Swiss Army pocketknife
Power adapter
Women’s sanitary products
Ear plugs and eye patches for the train
Please note that airlines insist all sharp items (knives, scissors, nail clippers etc.) are packed in your ‘check-in’ luggage. Alcohol is no longer permitted onboard domestic flights and must also be stored in your check-in luggage.

Electricity in Laos is 220 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Vietnam with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Electric plug types vary throughout the country, however the two-rounded pin standard Asian plug is usable in most parts of the country

There are three main types of voltage converter. Resistor-network converters will usually be advertised as supporting something like 50-1600 Watts. They are light-weight and support high-wattage electrical appliances like hair dryers and irons. However, they can only be used for short periods of time and are not ideal for digital devices.

Transformers will have a much lower maximum Watt rating, usually 50 or 100. Transformers can often be used continuously and provide better electricity for low wattage appliances like battery chargers, radios, laptop computers, cameras, mp3 players and camcorders. However, they are heavy because they contain large iron rods and lots of copper wire.

Some companies sell combination converters that include both a resistor network and a transformer in the same package. This kind of converter will usually come with a switch that switches between the two modes. If you absolutely need both types of converter, then this is the type to buy.

Laos Plug Adapters and Outlet Shapes
Outlets in Laos generally accept 3 types of plug:

Flat blade plug & Two round pins & Two parallel flat pins with ground pin

 

 

 

If your appliances plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter.
Depending on how much you plan to travel in the future, it may be worthwhile to get a plug adapter
Ask someone to help you to buy a plug adapter in Laos, it is easy to buy it or can find them out at any Electricity Store along streets, cost 1 or 2 cent

Plug adapter

 

 

 

 

Tipping

If you are happy with the services provided by your local staff as a guides and drivers and hotel' staff.... a tip is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, tipping inspires great service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across Vietnam destinations. As a general guide on private tours, please allow 3USD to 5USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide and driver. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip

 

 

Photography

Digital photography is spreading fast and, particularly in popular tourist central such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Pakse, the usual range of batteries, memory cards and even a limited range of cameras are available and cheap.

There are still plenty of old-school film cameras around, and Fuji and Kodak colour print films in ASA 100 or 200 are available in larger towns. A few of the better photo shops in Vientiane and Luang Prabang carry slide film, typically Ektachrome Elite or Fu-jichrome Sensia. For B&W film or other slide film stock up in Bangkok, where film is relatively cheap, before you come to Laos. Processing is inexpensive.

Most internet cafes have card readers and can write photos to either CD or DVD for about US$1 or US$2 .

Video

Blank videotapes in popular formats, includ­ing DV, are readily available for sale in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and to a lesser extent in Savannakhet, Pakse and a few other profincial capitals.

Vietnam Shopping.

Bargaining

Bargaining is a tradition introduced by early Lao traders, however, in most places in Laos it's not nearly as aggressive as in other parts of Southeast Asia. Good bargaining, which takes practice, is one way to cut costs. Most things bought in a market should be bargained for and it can't hurt to try in a shop, though increasingly prices are fixed.

In general the Lao are gentle and very scrupulous in their bargaining practices. A fair price is usually arrived at quickly with little attempt to gouge the buyer (tour operectors may be an exception to this rule). The amount they come down is usually less than what you see in neighboring countries. Laos definitely has a 'two-tier pricing system' when it comes to quoting prices to foreigners, but it's nowhere near as evident as in Vietnam.

What is really important here is to remember that a good bargain is where both the buyer and the vendor end up happy. By all means try to get a fair price. But if you find yourself getting hot under the collar over 1000 kip (about US$0.10) it's time to take a reality check. In this instance both you and the seller lose face and everyone ends up unhappy. In a country as cheap as Laos, it's just not worth it.

Antiques

Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Savannakhet each have a sprinkling of antique shops. Anything that looks old could be up for sale in these shops, including Asian pot­tery (especially porcelain from the Ming dynasty of China), old jewellery, clothes, carved wood, musical instruments, coins and bronze statuettes. Because of the government's lax enforcement of the ban on the export of antiques, due to an overall lack of funds and personnel, you might be tempted to buy these objects. However, bear in mind not only that it is illegal to take them out of the country but that if you do so you will be robbing the country of its precious and limited heritage.

 

Fabric (Textiles)

Textiles are among the most beautiful, most recognizable and easiest items to buy while you're in Laos. Together with a hanger that was once part of a loom, these can look great on a wall at home and, unlike many handicrafts that are ubiquitous throughout Indochina, these are unmistakably Lao.

Silk and cotton fabrics are woven in many different styles according to the geographic provenance and ethnicity of the weavers. Although Lao textiles do have similarities with other Southeast Asian textiles, Lao weaving techniques are unique in both loom design and weaving styles, generating fabrics that are very recognizably Lao.

The best place to buy fabric is in the weaving villages themselves, where you can watch how it's made and get 'wholesale' prices. Failing this, you can find a decent selection and reasonable prices at open markets in provincial towns, including Vientiane's Talat Sao. Tailor shops and handicraft stores generally charge more and quality is variable. In Vientiane and Luang Prabang several stores are dedicated to high-quality textiles, with high prices to match.

Jewellery

Gold and silver jewellery are good buys in Laos, although you must search hard for well-made pieces. Some of the best silverwork is done by the hill tribes. Gems are also some­times available, but you can get better prices in Vietnam.

Important Dates Affecting Touring, And Compulsory Meals

International New Year (1 January)

Army Day (20 January)

International Women's Day (8 March) For women only Lao New Year (14-16 April)

International Labour Day (1 May)

International Children's Day (1 June)

Lao National Day (2 December)

 

Women Travellers

Laos is an easy country for women travelers, though you still need to be sensitive to a set of cultural mores that hasn't been watered down as much as in many parts of Thailand. Laos is very safe and violence against women travelers is extremely rare. And while everyday incidents of sexual harassment are more common than they were a few years ago, they're still much less frequent than in virtually any other Asian country.

That, however, is not an absolute. Lao women rarely travel alone, so a foreign female without company might be judged by Lao - male and female - as being a bit strange. And while this is less prevalent in the larger towns and cities where society is generally more permissive, in rural areas Lao men might see a woman travelling alone as a woman who wants company. Generally, though, if your bus or sawngthaew has other women on board, you shouldn't have any problems.

The best way to avoid unwanted attention is to avoid overly revealing clothes. It's highly unusual for most women (even in more modern places like Vientiane and Vang Vieng where they're used to seeing tourists), to wear singlet tops or very short skirts or shorts.

Lao people will almost never confront you about what you're wearing, but that doesn't mean they don't care.

Elsewhere, just keep your eyes open and dress in a way that's not too different from women around you. This doesn't mean you need to get wrapped up in a sin, but you'll notice that shirts with at least a tiny strip of sleeve are universally popular, as are shorts or skirts that come to somewhere near the knee. Show this small measure of respect for Lao culture, and it will be repaid in kind.

Traditionally women didn't sit on the roves of riverboats, because this was believed to bring bad luck. These days most captains aren't so concerned, but if you are asked to get off the roof while men are not, this is why