Officially known as the Lao PDR (People’s Democratic Republic), Laos is in Indochina,comfortably nestled between China to the north, Myanmar to the north-west,Thailand to the west, Cambodia to the south and Vietnam to the east. The mightyMekong Riverenters Laos from China, meandering nearly 5,000kms through sixcountries (including 1,865kms through Laos),to exit through Vietnam.Laosis laid-back and exotic and the people are renowned for their welcominghospitality and friendliness so you will feel ‘at home’. The rich variety ofarchitecture is unique and the scenery is stunning. This relaxed, peacefulBuddhist country has a rich heritage, with forty-seven distinct local tribes.

Climate
Laos has a tropicalclimate with three phases:

- March to May – HOT : Werecommend light clothing and wear a hat.

- June to October – RAINY: Althoughit does not usually rain continuously – suitable attire is required.

- Novemberto February - COOL: A jacket is usually only required in the evenings and nights, particularly in thenorth.

Currency
The local currency is Kip and there are approximately 9,500 kip to US$1 (2007).US dollars are accepted widely (have a supply of small denomination notes), asare Thai Baht. Travelers’ cheques may not be accepted everywhere. There are ATMfacilities available in Vientiane.Credit cards are usually only accepted at major hotels and some up-marketshops, but they may pass on the commission fee.  

Electricity
The current is 220 volts / 50 cycles - the power outlets are two flat parallelsockets 

Time
Laos is seven hours ahead ofGMT and in the same time zone as Vietnamand Thailand.
 
Passport and Visa
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after date of arrival in Laos. Allnationalities (except some ASEAN countries) require a valid visa. If applyingfor a visa on arrival you will need two passport photographs. On request, wewill be pleased to have your visa processed.

Airporttax
There is a departure tax of US$10 on international flights leaving Laos.
Remember that you will need to present your passport when you fly domesticroutes. 

Health
Currently no vaccinations are required unless coming from a contaminated area.The usual immunizations for traveling in tropical areas are recommended, suchas: typhoid, tetanus, polio, plus hepatitis A and B. Naturally you arerecommended to carry an adequate supply of any regular medication you take.Don’t be tempted to deal with illicit drugs as there are severe penalties.Similarly, ‘liaisons’ between foreign males and local girls are against thelaw.

Clothing
Apart from weather considerations, guests to our country arerequested to dress in keeping with the situation: for instance, modestly whenentering a religious place. Footwear should be removed when entering a temple(Wat) or private home. If sitting: refrain from pointing your feet forward,fold your legs with feet pointing toward your back.    

Holidays
January 1 – International New Year
March 8 – International Women's' Day
April 14 to 16 – Lao New Year
May 1– Labor Day
December 2 – Lao National Day
Celebrating LaoNew Year can be exciting or annoying – depending on how you view being dousedwith water as you walk along some streets – at least the weather is warm! 

Festivals
February – Vietnamese Tet and Chinese New Year
Full moon in May – Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai) calling for rain
September- Boatraces in river town in Luangprabang
October - Water Festival – boat races in river towns
November full moon – Bun Pha That Luang, week-long celebrations 

Ceremonies
A significant and integral part of Lao culture is the Baci Ceremony (alsocalled Sookuan). This gentle ceremony is based on the belief that humanspossess 32 “souls” which ensure each individual’s health and prosperity. Intime, bad health or misfortune may interrupt the souls and the Baci Ceremonyrealigns them to the correct place in your body. The participants tie cottonbands around each other’s wrists, accompanied by wishes for good health andprosperity. Often accompanied by traditional music and dance, the Baci Ceremonyis an important act in conveying hospitality and friendship between family andfriends.

Fauna
The variety of wildlife varies from wild elephants in the south at Champassakand in the north at Sayabouri to amazing white fresh-water dolphins in thesouth at Me Khong Island, the giant cat fish in the north and in the veryremote areas there are still leopards and black bears, even tigers. 

SizeMatters
Our small, land-locked country is just 236,800 square kilometers with apopulation of 5.6 million people that includes 47 distinct ethnic groups, eachwith their own unique culture and style of clothing. Most provinces have their owntraditionally cultural identity.

Food
Local food is available wherever you go in Laos, alternatively (particular inthe main towns) you can choose from a wide range, including: Italian, French,Chinese, Indian, etc. If you don’t like too much ‘heat’ or spice in your food,just ask for ‘mild’ – no problem. You can try tamahung (papaya salad), fue (noodle soup with meat and vegetables), keng (meat or fish soup) usuallyheated at your table, or laap(Lao salad with minced meat or fish). There are plenty of fresh vegetables andfruit. If you are feeling really adventurous you could try ant’s eggs, orgrilled grasshoppers – but it’s not compulsory! It is recommended that visitorsdo not drink the local tap water, stick to bottled water which is availableeverywhere for a few kip.

Handicrafts
These include: carvings, silk, cotton, gold, silver, pottery, traditionalmusical instruments, jewelry, wicker ware and lots more. Look out for theinexpensive treasures lurking in the various shops packed with unique ideas forgifts or souvenirs to remember your visit to our small but diverse country.

Communication
The postal service is reliable but not renowned for itsspeed. The telephonenetwork is of a high standard for local and international calls. There are manyinternet shops whichoffer their services at very low rates. Local newspapers are produced in Lao and English (week days)and French (weekly). Most hotels (not all guest houses) have television in their rooms, usuallyincluding reception from CNN and the BBC if you need to keep abreast of what’shappening in the rest of the world. 

Lao PeoplesDemocratic Republic
The Republic Democratic Popular Party came to power in 1975. Executive power isheld by the President who is elected for 5 years, he is assisted by the Prime Minister.Legislative power is guaranteed by the Constitution which is overseen by theNational Assembly of 85 Representatives elected by the people.

Lao Language
The Lao language is somewhat fluid, some words that Lao would use between eachother, we would not necessarily use when speaking to a falang (foreigner).
There are five basic dialects within Laos– which can be further divided into various dialects - but the most common isas it is spoken and written in Vientiane.All dialects are akin to language spoken in Thailand,northern Myanmar and partsof China.
Like anyculture, our people are flattered when you use even a few words in theirlanguage.

Here is some useful Laotian

Greetingsand Courtesies			Atrestaurant / hotel
Hello	Sa Bai Dee		I would like	Koi Tong Kan
Goodbye	La Kon		I do not want	Koi Bo Tong Kan
How are you‌	Chao Sa BaiDee Bo‌		To eat	Kin khao
Good, Fine	Sa Bai Dee		To drink	dum nam
Thank You	Khop Jai		Coffee	Ka Fe
Yes	Chao or ManLeo		Tea	Sa
No	Bo		Milk	Nom
Where	You sai‌		Sugar	Nam Tan
Very Much	Lai Lai		Rice	Khao
Welcome	Yin Dee TonHap		A drink	Kheung Deum
How much‌	Tao Dai‌		Drinkingwater	Nam Deum
How many‌	Tao Dai‌		Coconut juice	Nam Mak Phao
What time isit‌	Jak Mong Leo‌		Chicken	Sin Kai
No problem	Bo Mee Ban Ha		Pork	Sin Moo
Excuse me	Kho Thot		Fish	Pa
Do you understand‌	Khao Jai Bo‌		Vegetarian	Kin Tae Phak,
I don'tunderstand	Khoi Bo KhaoJai		I would likea cold beer	Khoi Tong Kan Beer Yen
Never mind	Bo Pen Ngang		I would likea taxi	Khoi Tong Kan  Taxi
Very much	Lai Lai		Gift	Khong Khuan
			Hotel	Hong lem
Outshopping			Queries
Yes, ThankYou	Chao, KhopJai		I am ill	Kho Bo Sa Bai
No, Thank you	Bo, Khop Chai		Physician	Mao
How Much‌	Thao Dai‌		Hospital	Hong mo
It IsExpensive	Pheng Lai		(please) taketo to	(kaluna) songkoi pai
Handicraft	Hat Th Kam		Toilets	Hong nam
Clothes	Kueng Nung		Mail	Paisani
Where is theMarket‌	Ta Lad YooSai‌		Bus	Lot me
Dear	Pheng		Dollar	Dolla
Numbers
One	Neung		Six	Hok
Two	Song		Seven	Jet
Three	Sam		Eight	Paet
Four	Si		Nine	Kao
Five	Ha		Ten	Sip