Laos flights and travel guide

Language

Lao is the official language, but some English and French is spoken.

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Communications

The international access code for Laos is +856. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)21 for Vientiane and (0)71 for Luang Prabang. International Direct Dial is available in the major towns, but the service is expensive and inefficient. Hotels sometimes add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills: check before making long-distance calls. Mobile phones will only work in the major cities; it is advisable to check the coverage with your service provider before leaving as the local mobile phone companies have few active roaming agreements with other network operators. Internet cafes are widely available in tourist areas.

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Tipping

Tipping is becoming more widely practised in tourist hotels and restaurants where 10 per cent is expected; elsewhere there is no need to tip.

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Safety

Most visits to Laos are trouble free, but there have been bombing incidents and attacks on buses mainly in Vientiane in recent years, resulting in injury and death. These appear to have been linked to domestic disputes rather than international terrorism, but visitors are warned of the possibility of being caught up in such incidents. Theft of passports is a problem and travellers are advised to take care, avoid carrying large sums ofmoney and keep valuables and documents in a safe place. Travel in some rural parts of Laos is dangerous because of banditry and unexploded ordnance. Visitors should also note that an ID document or passport should be carried at all times and should be presented on demand or a heavy fine could be imposed.

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Health

Those planning to travel to Laos should seek medical advice about vaccinations and endemic diseases at least three weeks prior to departure. Malaria exists throughout the country except in Vientiane, and typhoid and cholera occur in some areas. Other risks include HIV/AIDS, hepatitis A, B and E and dengue fever.Travellers' diarrhoea is a problem for many visitors; only drink bottled water and avoid dairy products, uncooked meat and fish, salads and unpeeled fruit. Medical care in Vientiane is extremely basic and outside the capital there are no reliable facilities to deal with medical emergencies. Medical evacuation is difficult to organise and very expensive. Travellers are advised to take out comprehensive medical insurance, and those who have an unstable medical condition should consider not travelling to Laos. A yellow fever certificate is required by all entering from an infected area. Although no human cases have been reported, bird flu has been detected in poultry and wild birds and visitors should avoid contact with domestic, caged and wild birds and ensure that poultry and egg dishes are well cooked; the risk is very low for travellers.

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Electricity

220 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are used, including the European-style two-pin, the UK-style three-pin and the flat two-pin type.

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