Let take it easy. Traveling to Laos, like most other destinations in Southeast Asia is not a complicated affair. Below is some general information that you should take note of for good preparation for your coming holiday.

Your passport and visa

Your passport must be valid for at least the next six months and has at least two blank pages for visa and stamps. Check your passport status to make sure it still valid and function.

Allow enough time to arrange a visa. You will need to prepare 2 passport-type photos 2 inches by 2 inches that taken within the last six months, a visa application form (taken from the specific Embassy where you will obtain your visa), and a visa fee.

If you do not want to go through that process and just want a visa on arrival, then make sure you are legible for it.

Travel insurance

Travel Insurance is compulsory on all Travel Authentic Asia trips and is a condition of booking with Travel Authentic Asia. Your insurance policy should cover at least:

• Medical and health cover for injury or sudden illness
• 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
• Personal liability in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property.
• Lost and stolen of possessions.
• Cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip due to illness, injury, or unforeseen circumstances.).
• Personal accident.

Vaccinations and medical checking list

You should pay a visit to the hospital or medical care to examine your general health and get the necessary vaccinations 2 months before your trip. By the way, check if what type of medication you will need on your holiday.

Related Laos tours for you:

• Marvelous Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand Tour - 26 days
• Fascinating SE Asia: Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar Tour - 29 days
• Highlights of Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia Tour - 24 days
• Laos Vietnam Cambodia Itinerary - 19 days

Make photocopies

Before leaving home for the journey, you should make photocopies of your important travel documents including passport, visa, etc…and leave one copy at home and bring along one copy with you. You could also email it to yourself and your family members or scan it to save it on your phone. These things will help you to find it much simpler in case you lose any documents while traveling.

Money and credit card

Laos kip is the official currency of Laos. You can use also Thai bath and USD around. In Laos, there are not many banks equipped with modern international ATMs accepting PLUS and CIRRUS cards for VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, Cashpoint, Maestro, JCB, and China UnionPay. Most credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops in big cities.

There are many ATMs in and around Vientiane now as well as in main towns and tourist places. It's always advisable to carry some cash with you. However, in case you need cash unexpectedly, you can easily reach any bank branches or exchange kiosks on the streets. ATMs contain local currency in various denominations ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 with transaction amounts, fees, and daily limits depending on different banks. You can withdraw an amount equivalent to around US$ 1000 per day.

Before leaving, contact your bank to let them know that you are about to travel abroad so that they don’t block your cards when you use them in a different country. It would be better if you bring along a few credit cards as backup options in case it is unfortunately blocked or stolen.

Luggage

Study well your itinerary and trip note to work out what you should take for the holiday. Pack your luggage as light as possible. Just take with you what you really need. Quantity is still an issue...but today it isn't "How much".... but "How little".

You should first check the weather of the country before departure to know how to deal with it. If it is winter, then a jacket and jumper are necessary. The summertime requires loose and light clothes. Long pant, shoulder, and chest cover stuff are needed for visiting holly places like temples or historical sites.

Before you start packing, make a list of the “must takes”. Do not take more shirts, dresses, and trousers than the number of days you will travel. If your itinerary involves in adventure activities, then your own comfortable and proper gears should be prepared.

Leave the "I might need" items at home

Double-check to make sure you have packed all of your important medicines, documents, camera, and anything else you think you can’t live without for more than a day in case your luggage, unfortunately, gets lost.

In general, you can buy almost everything in Laos at a good price so; do not need to bring the whole junk shop with you. 

To be a responsible tourist

Places and you will visit have been there forever and you just pass-through for a quick peek. But these places are homes for people who live and work there. How would you want visitors to behave in your own home? Think about it!

Read up on the places you want to visit. This is not so time-consuming but really helpful to behave properly.

Plan what you can buy during your trip. You will help circulate money in the local economy and support or create jobs for local people. Things you can buy here in Laos include clothes, ceramics, painting, and work arts of many types…

Read something about local cuisine, learn a few basic words in the local language and use it whenever you can. You will surely get a smile from local people.

If you really want to give, then some of your unused pieces of stuff at home can help the disadvantaged people here. You can give it directly to the people or we will help you to distribute that stuff to those in need.

And here's the big one.... good manners are nearly universal. A professional tourist is always polite, positive, and eco-sensitive.

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Travel Authentic Asia Company is your best choice for discovering the beauty of Southeast Asia. Our experienced and knowledgeable travel advisors are committed to helping you create a tailor-made tour and extraordinary experiences in this majestic region.

If you're looking for an authentic cultural experience, do not hesitate to contact Travel Authentic Asia to choose a Laos tour, Southeast Asia tour package or to customize your own style tour to South East Asia.