A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 1190.
Call 20 5666 8825 (Vientiane Rescue Team).
Call 1623 or 1624.
Call 1195 or go direct to the hospital. Where possible, go to a hospital in Thailand.
Call 21 251 128 for the Vientiane Tourist Police.
Call 21 212 520 for the Foreigner Control Police.
Call 1191 for the regular police or visit a police station.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Laos overall.
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
Reconsider your need to travel in Xaisomboun Province, east of Vang Vieng.
Reconsider your need to travel to Xaisomboun Province, east of Vang Vieng due to the high risk of armed attacks.
See Safety
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Violent opportunistic crime such as robbery occurs in Laos, including in:
Petty crime is common, especially in tourist areas. It may include:
In the lead-up to local festivals, there's an increase in theft and violent crime. This includes Lao New Year in April.
Thieves often operate in pairs, with 1 person creating a distraction while the other steals unguarded items.
Thieves sometimes target foreigners in rural and remote locations, especially along:
To protect yourself against petty crime:
Local media has reported violent muggings involving guns and knives in Vientiane.
Gun ownership is illegal. However, illegal guns are sometimes used, causing deaths and injuries.
The region east of Vang Vieng in Xaisomboun province has seen several shooting incidents and explosions. This has led to multiple deaths and injuries, including among civilians.
To protect yourself against violent crime:
When you're out at night:
Travellers have died from drug-related incidents in Laos.
Some restaurants in popular tourist spots sell food and drink containing drugs. These drugs may contain harmful and unknown substances.
Travellers have been assaulted after accepting spiked food or drinks.
To protect yourself against spiking:
Travellers have been sexually assaulted, including in Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang.
Learn about reducing the risk of sexual assault overseas before you travel. Know what help is available to victims.
HIV/AIDS is common in Laos. If you're a victim of violent crime, especially rape, get immediate medical help. Contact the Australian Embassy in Vientiane as soon as possible. See Local contacts
More information:
Australians have reported hire companies demanding high payments for existing damage to motorbikes.
Hire companies sometimes arrange for motorbikes to be stolen from the renter. The renter is forced to pay 1000s of dollars to compensate. This can amount to the value of a new motorbike plus lost earnings.
To avoid these scams:
ATM and credit card fraud are also common. To protect yourself against this kind of fraud:
One-off incidents of civil unrest, including armed attacks and bombings, happen in Laos. Foreigners, including Australians, are not often targeted.
Curfews may be enforced and can include:
Always follow the advice of local authorities.
Protests and demonstrations are illegal in Laos. Avoid any protests, demonstrations or political activities that happen.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
More information:
There's a low threat of terrorism in Laos. However, terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Laos experiences severe weather.
The rainy season is normally from May to November, bringing:
The Mekong River Commission website has news on flood levels for the Mekong River.
Earthquakes and tremors have happened in the border areas of Laos, Burma and Thailand.
If there's a natural disaster:
Transport and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes activities such as river tubing, jumping and riding in fast boats.
'Fast boat' river travel, in particular, can be dangerous due to:
If you plan to do an adventure activity:
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
At Vang Vieng, Australians have been injured or killed while:
River levels can vary during the year.
Take care when diving or jumping into the river. Debris can make it very dangerous.
Unexploded remnants of war are still found in many parts of Laos, particularly in:
Affected areas are often unmarked.
To stay safe:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Laos. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Malaria is a risk in rural areas. Take precautions.
Dengue fever is endemic throughout the country and year-round. Outbreaks are common in the rainy season. There's no vaccination or specific treatment for dengue.
Other insect-borne diseases are common, especially during the rainy season. These include:
Get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis before you travel.
If you're pregnant, discuss any travel plans with your doctor. Avoid non-essential travel to areas where there's Zika virus.
To protect yourself from disease:
Get medical advice if you develop a fever, muscle pain, a rash or a bad headache.
More information:
If you engage in high-risk activities, you risk catching HIV/AIDS. High-risk activities include unprotected sex and injecting drugs.
Take precautions during activities that may expose you to the virus.
Dogs throughout Laos carry rabies.
Rabies is a deadly virus that passes to humans from mammals, such as:
Rabies is fatal if you don't get vaccinated or don't get medical treatment quickly.
Take care when dealing with any animal in Laos.
If an animal bites or scratches you:
Human cases of avian influenza are confirmed in Laos.
To reduce your risk of infection:
Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. They include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
Get medical advice if you develop a fever or diarrhoea.
Medical facilities are extremely basic in Laos. Hospitals don't feed their patients.
Many doctors and hospitals require a cash payment before providing services, even for emergency care.
Avoid local medical facilities if you can. Travel to medical services in Thailand instead.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to Thailand. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death penalty.
More information:
If you're visiting Laos for paid surrogacy or adoption, get legal advice first.
More information:
Intimate relationships between Lao citizens and foreigners who are not married are illegal. This includes sexual relationships and living together.
Marriages between Lao citizens and foreigners must be pre-approved by Lao authorities. This is the case if you are in Laos or another country.
Marriage certificates issued outside of Laos need to be checked by a Lao embassy. This needs to happen in the country where the marriage took place.
If you don't register a relationship, authorities could fine you or send you to prison.
The death penalty can result from serious crimes such as:
Activities that are illegal in Laos include:
It's also illegal to:
It's also illegal to sleep or camp in:
Night-time curfews apply throughout the country after certain hours. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and follow the instructions from security forces.
Curfews may be enforced with short notice or without notice and can include roadblocks, spot roadside checks and occasional raids on premises.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Laos doesn't recognise dual nationality. If you're a dual citizen, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
Always travel on your Australian passport.
More information:
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.
You need a visa to enter Laos.
If you're visiting Laos for tourism, you can get a 30-day tourist visa when you arrive at:
Check the full list of border checkpoints to confirm if visa on arrival is available where you plan to enter the country.
To apply, you need:
In other situations, you need to apply for a visa from an embassy of Laos before you travel.
If you're entering Laos through Wattay International Airport or by crossing the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, you can apply for a visa online beforehand at Lao Official Online eVisa.
Lao immigration authorities will stop issuing on-arrival visas from the below border checkpoints from the following dates:
31 December 2019
31 March 2020
30 June 2020
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Some travellers go by road to Thailand to renew their Laos visa. Thailand limits this practice. Thailand will only grant 2 land entries per person per year.
This restriction doesn't apply to travellers who arrive through international airports.
More information:
Only use official border crossing points to enter Laos.
Make sure you get an entry stamp on arrival. If you don't, authorities could fine or detain you.
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
If your passport is lost or stolen in Laos, you also need to:
If you don't take all these steps, immigration authorities could fine or detain you.
The local currency is the Lao Kip (LAK).
You can't buy or exchange Lao Kip outside Laos. Only exchange money at official outlets.
ATMs are available in major cities in Laos, including:
High-end hotels and restaurants accept credit cards.
Contact your bank to ensure your cards will work in Laos.
The Mekong Riverbank in Vientiane is a border of Laos and Thailand. It's a known smuggling route. Lao and Thai border security strictly patrol it. Anyone suspected of smuggling will be questioned and may be detained.
Take extra care along the Mekong Riverbank in Vientiane.
The riverbank has a 10.30pm curfew. If you're in the area after 10.30pm, you could face:
You can drive in Laos with a valid:
You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.
More information:
Road travel in Laos can be dangerous. Hazards include:
The number of road accidents and deaths has increased in recent years. Accidents at night and those involving motorcycles are common.
Police often check drivers in towns and in rural areas. If you don't provide identification (ID) when asked, police could fine or detain you.
Before driving:
While you're on the road:
Avoid driving at night if you can, especially on rural roads.
More information:
If you plan to ride a motorbike:
Always wear a helmet. See Safety
Where possible, use official taxisor reputable ride-sharing companies that can be booked by phone, app or at major hotels or inside airports. Don't share taxis with strangers.
Be alert to possible scams and safety risks. Riding in tuktuks (motorised 3-wheel vehicles) or on motorcycle 'taxis' brings extra safety and security risks.
Make sure you agree on both the fare and route before taking:
Secure your belongings while travelling in tuktuks or on motorcycles.
Local vehicles and roads don't always meet Australian safety standards. Serious accidents do happen.
Inter-city bus networks are the main public transport option in Laos. However, the service isn't reliable in some parts of the country.
More information:
Boats travelling on the Mekong River in the area between China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have been robbed and shot at.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Laos's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
If you're travelling on your own and not part of a tour group, find out about travelling to specific areas. Provincial or district offices can provide this advice.
If you want to camp, get permission from local authorities in advance.
Authorities may set and strictly enforce curfews in some provinces. Contact provincial or district authorities about where and when curfews are in place.
Follow instructions of local authorities. If you don't, they could fine, arrest or detain you.
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 1190.
Call 1623 (Vientiane Rescue Team).
Call 1623 or 1624.
Call 1195 or go direct to the hospital. Where possible, go to a hospital in Thailand.
Call 21 251 128 for the Vientiane Tourist Police.
Call 21 212 520 for the Foreigner Control Police.
Call 1191 for the regular police or visit a police station.
Always get a police report when reporting a crime.
There have been reports of foreigners finding that:
police stations are closed
emergency phone numbers go unanswered
police don't have the resources to look into crimes
Contact the embassy if you face these problems.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Check the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular help, contact the Australian Embassy, Vientiane.
KM4, Thadeua Road
Watnak Village
Sissatanek District
Vientiane, Lao P.D.R
Phone: (+856) 353800
Fax: (+856) 353801
E-mail: austemb.laos@dfat.gov.au
Website: laos.embassy.gov.au
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.