COVID: Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Laos
Vientiane has an approximate population of around 948,477 people and you can typically expect to pay around £0.87p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
The capital of Laos, Vientiane is located on the banks of the River Mekong. It is an ancient city with cobbled paved roads and medieval buildings. Vientiane is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the extensive preservation it has undergone. A visit to this historic city will give you an insight into both the history and culture of Laos. The primary attractions include Vientiane's National Museum, the National Library, the Central Library and a replica of the Taopham's House, all of which are situated within walking distance of each other.
Vientiane is also known for its festivals and there are many of them every year. These range from the traditional to the contemporary and are spread out between April and November. Vientiane offers a wide range of hotels and guesthouses which can be chosen according to your needs and budget. Some of the most luxurious hotels in the city are the Le Ton Chevalier Guesthouse and the Le Baconna Guesthouse, both of which have comfortable and luxurious surroundings.
Touring Vientiane in Algeria can be made even more exciting if you hire an algerian taxi or minibar. Taxis in Vientiane are easy to find since there are so many companies operating in the city. There are also many tourist guides who can help you plan your sight seeing itinerary through Vientiane. If you are touring algeria or simply want to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings of this historic and cultural city, then visiting Vientiane in Algeria is one of the best decisions that you can make.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Laos are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
For up to date information around safety and security in Laos read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office latest information for Laos.
When is the best time to visit Laos? The small, landlocked country of Laos is best visited between October and April, when the weather's warm and dry throughout.
Many of the country's festivals are traditional, yet some are more unique than others. Bun Bang Fai is the Lao version of the Rocket festival, held on the full moon of May to welcome the rainy season. The festival is celebrated by firing bamboo rockets into the air as offerings, which are meant to encourage rain and flood the rice fields. Aside from the launch of the bamboo rockets, the country celebrates the full moon with performances known as mor lam, which are colorful and humorous portrayals of rural life.
One of the more intimate Laotian festivals is the Boun Haw Khao Padap Din, which commemorates the life of a deceased family member. This event marks the exhumation of a deceased family member, with the body cremated under a full moon. Family members exchange gifts with the monks who recite the deceased's name, and the ceremony is followed by a feast and a procession of the dead.
The country's economy depends on the monsoon season, so festivals are a big part of Laotian culture. In honor of the monsoon season, Laotians celebrate the "Rocket Festival," which takes place just before the rainy season. The festival consists of musical performances, float processions, and a rocket competition. The country's thriving agriculture is celebrated throughout the country.
Other festivals include Bun Pha Wet, which marks the start of Buddhist Lent, which begins after the full moon of the eighth lunar month. This celebration is held across the country and takes place during the annual three-month rain retreat. During this time, Buddhist monks stay in their temples to study Buddha's teachings and meditate. For the three months, they do not leave their temples. This is a special time of year for the people of Laos and should be observed.
The Lao New Year is celebrated on April 14 and is celebrated for three days. During this time, the country shuts down for worship. The festival is marked by several celebrations, including the washing of the Buddha statue and water fights. The water fights are a way to celebrate the Buddha's new year. A few of the locals also celebrate the New Year by performing traditional dances and singing. The Lao people look forward to this festival.
There are many festivals and holidays in Laos throughout the year. Most of these festivals are Buddhist and are held during the rainy season. The country celebrates the New Year in April and has a wide range of traditional activities. In addition to water splashing, people visit temples to bathe Buddha, and the festival also features water throwing. In some villages, the festivals are a bit more elaborate than others, but all of them are worth experiencing.
The Laotian Government requires British passport holders to have a visa for entry into Laos and the easiest way to do this is apply for your visa on arrival in the country. You will need US$35 in cash and two recent passport photos for a single entry visa. Visas are issued for a stay of 30 days.
See which forms you may need for entry into Laos.
The official currency of Laos is the Lao Kip (LAK). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Laos you can grab amazing Lao Kip deals via Wise.com (GBP to LAK).
Asian elephant, pot bellied pig, tiger, sun bear, leopard cat, rhinoceros, kouprey, sun bear, gaur, giant flying squirrel and the newly documented saola. 5 species of gibbon, 4 species of primates, and 5 species of macaque are found here and over 740 species of birds have been recorded in Laos.
Vietnamese food? Laap, the national dish of Laos. Many of the standard dishes served around Laos are adaptations from Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese food.
Vientiane Lao is the dialect which is widely understood and upon which the Laovocabulary is based. Several languages used in Laos and Thailand are closely related to Lao such as Tai Daeng, Phu Thai, Tai Dam, and Nyaw. You can learn some basic Vietnamese before you travel to Laos and really impress the locals!
The currency in Laos is the Lao Kip (In most places in Laos, tipping is not expected though as always it is appreciated. If you want to tip, 10% percent is pretty generous.).
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What is the time difference?
The GMT time difference is 7 hours