Asia
Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.
Prepare these before applying
I applied for the Laos visa online. It can also be obtained on arrival. The fee was 50 USD. A passport photo and passport copy were enough to apply. You can apply online through the official e-visa portal at <a href='https://laoevisa.gov.la' target='_blank'>laoevisa.gov.la</a>.
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| S.No | Details | Date | Amount | Currency | Amount (NPR) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | — | — | 17,326 | Flight from Bangkok to Luan Prabang |
| 2 | — | — | — | — | 13,050 | Visa fee |
| 3 | — | — | — | — | 474 | Taxi City to airport |
| 4 | — | — | — | — | 482 | Breakfast |
| 5 | — | — | — | — | 2,173 | Hotel cost Luang Prabang - 1 |
| 6 | — | — | — | — | 6,123 | Dinner |
| 7 | — | — | — | — | 190 | Grill Food |
| 8 | — | — | — | — | 119 | Beer |
| 9 | — | — | — | — | 632 | Snack |
| 10 | — | — | — | — | 277 | Lunch |
| 11 | — | — | — | — | 316 | Stupa Entrance |
| 12 | — | — | — | — | 40 | Rice inside bamboo |
| 13 | — | — | — | — | 103 | Fruits buy from shop |
| 14 | — | — | — | — | 790 | Tuktuk to Kuang Si falls and back |
| 15 | — | — | — | — | 711 | Lunch |
| 16 | — | — | — | — | 395 | Kunag Si falls entrance |
| 17 | — | — | — | — | 790 | Lao Massage |
| 18 | — | — | — | — | 2,765 | Hotel cost Luang Prabang - 12 |
| 19 | — | — | — | — | 3,950 | Mini bus ticket to Vientiene |
| 20 | — | — | — | — | 1,074 | Dinner at Indian Restaurant |
| 21 | — | — | — | — | 277 | Breakfast |
| 22 | — | — | — | — | 395 | Lunch in road |
| 23 | — | — | — | — | 24 | Toilet use in Luang Prabang buspark |
| 24 | — | — | — | — | 198 | Auto from hotel to buspark |
| 25 | — | — | — | — | 474 | Auto from Vientiene bus station to hotel |
| 26 | — | — | — | — | 3,785 | Hotel accomodation |
| 27 | — | — | — | — | 972 | Dinner |
| 28 | — | — | — | — | 174 | Hotel to bus station |
| 29 | — | — | — | — | 190 | Bus from Vientiane to Friendship Bridge |
| 30 | — | — | — | — | 316 | 2 post cards sent to Finland |
| 31 | — | — | — | — | 237 | Friendship bridge to Thai immigration office |
| 32 | — | — | — | — | 235 | Tuktuk from imigration office to Nong Trang Station |
| 33 | — | — | — | — | 7,056 | Train fare from Nong Trang to Bangkok |
| 34 | — | — | — | — | 392 | Lunch |
| 35 | — | — | — | — | 78 | Water of 1.5 ltr |
| 36 | — | — | — | — | 784 | Sim |
| 37 | — | — | — | — | 274 | Snacks |
| 38 | — | — | — | — | 55 | Water of 1.5 ltr in mart |
| 39 | — | — | — | — | 78 | Water of 1.5 ltr in restaurant |
| 40 | — | — | — | — | 392 | Dinner |
| 41 | — | — | — | — | 68,162 | — |
| Total | 0.00 | 136,324 |
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Laos offers visa on arrival at most international airports and land borders for citizens of over 150 countries, allowing a 30-day stay for $30-50 USD. You can extend your tourist visa twice while in Laos for up to 60 additional days. eVisa is also available via laoevisa.gov.la.
The local currency is the Lao Kip (LAK), but US dollars and Thai Baht are accepted in tourist areas. Cash is essential as credit cards are not widely accepted outside major hotels. ATMs are common in cities but unreliable in remote areas. Use USD for visa fees and large hotel bills.
Many parts of Laos still have unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the Vietnam War era, especially Xieng Khouang province and areas along the former Ho Chi Minh Trail. Always stay on established paths and roads, and never touch unknown metal objects.
The morning alms-giving ceremony in Luang Prabang is a sacred Buddhist tradition. If observing, maintain a respectful distance, do not use flash photography, and dress modestly. Do not touch or obstruct the monks.
Tuk-tuks and songthaews are great for short trips. Always agree on the fare before riding. For long distances, VIP buses offer more comfort and safety. Renting a scooter is ideal in Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng but always wear a helmet and check the brakes.
Several foreign nationals died of methanol poisoning from consuming cheap alcoholic drinks in 2024. Lao authorities banned certain brands including Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky. Stick to well-known brands and avoid homemade or unlabeled spirits.
The dry season from November to February offers the most comfortable weather with cooler temperatures. March to May is extremely hot. The rainy season from June to October brings lush landscapes but can make roads impassable, especially in rural areas.
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📍 Vientiane
Explore the relaxed Lao capital starting with the golden Pha That Luang stupa, the national symbol of Laos. Visit Patuxai Victory Monument for panoramic city views and the serene Wat Si Saket, the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane. Walk along the Mekong River promenade at sunset and enjoy a Beer Lao with a view of Thailand across the water.
📍 Luang Prabang
Fly or take the scenic road to UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang. Wake early to witness the alms-giving ceremony where saffron-robed monks collect offerings at dawn. Climb Mount Phousi for sweeping views of the town between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. In the afternoon, swim in the turquoise pools of Kuang Si Falls surrounded by lush jungle.
📍 Luang Prabang
Explore the exquisite Wat Xieng Thong temple with its stunning mosaic tree-of-life mural. Take a boat trip up the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves filled with thousands of Buddha statues. Browse the vibrant Luang Prabang Night Market for handwoven textiles and traditional crafts. Enjoy a traditional Lao dinner with sticky rice and laap.
📍 Vang Vieng
Travel south to the stunning karst landscape of Vang Vieng along the Nam Song River. Go kayaking or tubing on the river surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and lush greenery. Explore the Tham Chang Cave with its underground pools and impressive stalactites. Take in the breathtaking views from the Pha Ngern viewpoint before heading onward.
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Minced meat salad with lime juice, fish sauce, toasted rice powder, and fresh herbs.
Glutinous rice steamed in bamboo baskets, the centerpiece of every Lao meal eaten by hand.
Comforting hand-rolled rice noodle soup with chicken or pork in a starchy broth.
Spicy green papaya salad pounded with fermented fish sauce, lime, and chilies.
Hearty Luang Prabang stew with meat, eggplant, and lemongrass thickened with sticky rice.
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Security Ranking
79/100
Strong
Laos currently sits in the lowest caution tier across the main government travel advisories we track. Some sources also call out region-specific exceptions, so the public rank is kept slightly conservative.
Refreshed 04 Apr 2026
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A UNESCO World Heritage city at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, where golden Buddhist temples sit alongside French colonial architecture. Wake at dawn to watch hundreds of saffron-robed monks collect alms in a silent procession through the streets. Climb Phousi Hill for sunset views over the town and rivers, and browse the vibrant night market for handwoven textiles and Lao handicrafts.
📍 Open in Google Maps →A stunning three-tiered waterfall cascading into turquoise limestone pools surrounded by lush tropical jungle, about 30 minutes from Luang Prabang. Swim in the crystal-clear natural pools, hike the trail alongside the falls to the top, and visit the Asiatic black bear rescue center at the entrance. The calcium-rich water creates the signature milky blue-green color that makes these falls among the most photographed in Southeast Asia.
📍 Open in Google Maps →A small riverside town set against a dramatic backdrop of jagged limestone karst mountains and the turquoise Nam Song River. Once known for wild partying, it has transformed into an adventure hub — kayak down the river, explore the Tham Chang cave system, hike to stunning viewpoints, or float lazily in a tube past the karst scenery. The Blue Lagoon nearby offers cliff jumping into impossibly blue water.
📍 Open in Google Maps →One of Southeast Asia's most mysterious archaeological sites — hundreds of massive stone jars, some weighing up to 6 tons, scattered across the highland plateau of Xieng Khouang province. Their origin and purpose remain debated, with theories ranging from burial urns to rice wine fermentation vessels dating back 2,000 years. The area also bears the heavy scars of Secret War bombing, with UXO craters visible alongside the ancient jars.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Last updated 1 hour ago
A glimpse into our favourite moments from Laos.
Welcome to Laos
