#laos travel #

Laos Register Travel insurance Destinations

Last updated: November 23, 2015 15:04 ET Still valid: December 1, 2015 09:04 ET Latest updates: The Security tab was updated - shooting incidents in Xaisomboun Province.

Advisories

Advisories

LAOS - Exercise a high degree of caution

There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Laos. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to ongoing security concerns related to banditry and unexploded munitions.

Security

Security

The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The purpose of this Travel Advice is to provide up-to-date information to enable you to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Street crime is prevalent in cities and towns including Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, and occasionally involves violence. Bag theft occurs frequently. Thieves on motorcycles grab bags and other valuables from pedestrians, other motorcycle drivers and their passengers. Ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Do not show signs of affluence and avoid travelling late at night. Break-ins at hotels and guesthouses occur. Armed robberies occur occasionally in Phou Khao Khouay National Park.

Sexual assaults occur, particularly in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng. Be particularly vigilant along hiking trails. Consult our publication entitled Her own way - a woman s safe-travel guide for travel safety information specifically aimed at Canadian women.

Local police may not have the capacity to respond to crimes, especially at night.

Random shooting incidents occurred in Xaisomboun Province, in the area of Xaisomboun town, November 15, 17 and 18, 2015, leaving at least one person dead and a few others injured. Exercise a high degree of caution if travelling to the area.

Demonstrations

Avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, and follow the advice of local authorities.

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave your food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as they may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Some food and drinks, such as happy pizzas and special shakes, may contain unspecified amounts of opium and other unknown substances. These items are sold in areas frequented by tourists, particularly in Vang Vieng. While these items may be easily accessible, taking any amount of opiates can be dangerous. Foreigners, including Canadians, have died as a result of drug overdoses.

Landmines

Landmines and unexploded ordnance constitute a risk across the country, particularly in the Plain of Jars, in the province of Xieng Khouang. as well as in the Laotian-Vietnamese border areas, including those formerly traversed by the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Follow the advice of local authorities, and only travel on well-used roads and paths.

Transportation

Road travel in Laos can be hazardous, as vehicles are often poorly maintained and road conditions are poor, especially during the rainy season. Drivers have little regard for traffic regulations and do not follow safe driving practices. Livestock often stray onto the roads, causing accidents. Travel should be undertaken only during daylight hours. Travellers involved in traffic accidents have been required to pay compensation for property damage or injury, regardless of who the police judge to be at fault. Laotian insurers will generally only meet a small proportion of the costs of an accident and refuse to cover compensation, which can be the largest expense.

Do not leave your passport as collateral when renting vehicles, including motorcycles. Read rental contracts thoroughly to ensure that the vehicle is correctly insured to cover damages and theft. Only rent from reputable companies, as some companies have been known to steal the vehicle, particularly motorcycles, and claim for the loss. If your passport is inaccessible or stolen as a result of misuse, you may be subject to investigation by Passport Canada and may receive limited passport services.

Public transportation is unreliable and limited after dark. River travel is common in Laos; however, travel by boat on the Mekong River from Vientiane to Luang Prabang is unreliable. Safety standards are minimal. Speedboat travel is especially dangerous during the dry season (November to May). Lifejackets and helmets should be provided to and worn by passengers. Do not travel on or across the Mekong River after dark. In some areas, the Laotian military has been known to shoot at boats after dark.

Air travel

The Government of Canada does not assess foreign domestic airlines compliance with international aviation safety standards. See Foreign domestic airlines for more information.

River-based sporting activities

Exercise extreme caution and carefully consider your safety when engaging in river-based sporting activities, including in Vang Vieng. Travellers have died or been seriously injured while taking part in river-based activities such as tubing or jumping/diving into the river. River levels can fluctuate considerably and debris can make river-based activities dangerous.

General safety information

Canadians are encouraged to register with the Embassy of Australia in Vientiane in order to receive the latest information on situations and events that could affect their safety.

Tourist facilities outside Vientiane and Luang Prabang are limited. International telephone and email facilities are available in Vientiane but are extremely limited elsewhere. Even where available, these services are often unreliable and expensive.

Comply with requests to stop at checkpoints and roadblocks. Travellers are subject to search, detention and the possibility of fines by authorities if suitable identification is not presented. Security authorities may place foreigners under surveillance. Hotel rooms, telephones, fax machines and email messages may be monitored. Personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched.

Emergency services

Dial 191 to reach police, 195 for ambulance or 190 for fire fighters.

The Vientiane Tourist Police can be reached at +856 021 251 128.

Entry/exit requirements

Entry/exit requirements

It is the sole prerogative of every country or territory to determine who is allowed to enter or exit. Canadian consular officials cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet entry or exit requirements. The following information has been obtained from the Laotian authorities and is subject to change at any time. The country- or territory-specific entry/exit requirements are provided on this page for information purposes only. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, information contained here is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, express or implied. The Government of Canada assumes no responsibility, and shall not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided. It is your responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic for up-to-date information.

Official (special and diplomatic) passport holders must consult the Official Travel page, as they may be subject to different entry requirements.

Passport

Canadians must present a passport to visit Laos, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of expected entry into that country.

Visas

Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. A tourist visa can be obtained upon arrival at Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport and most international (that is, open to all foreign nationals) border crossings. Confirm whether tourist visas are available with the nearest Laotian embassy or consulate. Two passport photos and US$42 are required to obtain a visa upon arrival.

Tourist visa: Required

Business visa: Required

Student visa: Required

Entry stamp

Immigration offices at some border crossings are difficult to identify. Ensure that you obtain an entry stamp into Laos; failure to do so can result in serious fines, detention and deportation.

Special permissions

Travellers are required to obtain permission from local authorities prior to travel to certain parts of the province of Xaisomboun. You may be refused entry to some areas of the province, particularly around Long Tieng.