Ten Tips on Laos Tourism You Can Use Today

The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies launched the ASEAN Economic Bulletin (AEB) in July 1984. China is one five nations neighboring the land-locked country, with the others being Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.

The official also states that Chinese people are interested in Lao culture and the lifestyle of ethnic groups, so these areas should be highlighted as part of Laos' sales pitch. Oudomxay officials have held discussions with their Chinese counterparts on how to influence Chinese companies to invest in various sectors in the province, including tourism. In a consular emergency, if you're unable to contact the Embassy, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

If the matter relates to complaints about tourism services or products, contact the service provider directly. If the matter relates to criminal issues, contact the Vientiane Tourist Police on +856 21 251 128, or the Foreigner Control Police on +856 21 212 520. Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Depending on the nature of your enquiry, your best option may be to contact your family, friends, airline, travel agent, tour operator, employer or travel insurance provider in the first instance. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Australians visiting Laos for the purposes of commercial surrogacy should seek independent legal advice before doing so. See our Overseas births, adoptions and surrogacies page for further information.

Offenders may be questioned or detained. Lao authorities have advised that tourists should not visit temples or sites that have religious or cultural significance after 10.30pm. See our general air travel page for information on aviation safety and security.

See the Aviation Safety Network website for information on aviation safety in Laos. The Australian Government does not provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths. Keep your credit card in sight at all times, take care not to expose your PIN, particularly when using ATMs, and monitor your transaction statements.

Be vigilant when using ATMs and credit cards as ATM fraud, including the use of skimming machines, can occur in Laos. There have also been reports claiming that hire companies have arranged for motorbikes Top things to do in Laos be stolen from the renter, with the renter being forced to pay thousands of dollars in compensation, including the value of a new motorbike plus lost earnings. Australians have reported cases where hire companies have demanded large amounts of compensation for existing damage to motorcycles.

Penalties for drug offences are severe in Laos, and include the death penalty.