Laos

Visa requirements for Laos depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.

November–February is cool and dry — peak season for Luang Prabang and the Bolaven Plateau. March–April is very hot and hazy. Wet season (May–October) brings the Mekong to full flow, dramatic waterfalls, and fewer tourists.

• Modest dress at all temples and wats — cover shoulders and knees
• The tak bat (monks' alms-giving ceremony at dawn) requires observers to be fully covered, respectful, and silent — do not use flash photography
• Remove shoes when entering temples
• Casual throughout the rest of the day

• The nop (hands pressed together, slight bow) is the traditional greeting
• Monks are central to Laotian society — never touch monks; women must not hand anything directly to a monk
• The tak bat is a sacred ceremony, not a tourist attraction — observe quietly and keep distance
• Sabaidee (hello) goes a long way; Lao people appreciate the effort
• Do not touch anyone on the head

• Laos is a one-party communist state — criticising the government or the Lao People's Revolutionary Party is illegal
• Drug trafficking carries the death penalty; cannabis, despite growing informally, is technically illegal
• Sexual relations between foreigners and Lao nationals outside of marriage were historically prohibited — laws have relaxed but discretion is still wise
• LGBTQ+ activity is not explicitly illegal but is culturally sensitive; public displays should be avoided
• Drones require a permit from the Lao aviation authority