Public Holidays in Laos

 •    January 1st                                                   International New Year

 •    January 20th                                                 Armed Forces Day

 •    March 8th                                                     International Women’s Day

 •    April 14-16th                                                 Lao New Year

 •    May 1st                                                         Labor Day

 •    December 2nd                                               Lao National Day

The Current Covid-19 & Visa Policy in Laos

The current Covid-19 updates in Laos

Covid-19 travel updates may change, so please check prior to travel. Currently, these are the guidelines to follow:

▸ As of 9 May, Laos is officially fully open to international travelers

▸ A Lao Green Pass, Covid insurance, and the on-arrival test are no longer required.

▸ Fully-vaccinated travelers only need to provide their certificate of vaccination upon entering, and those who are not fully vaccinated only have to take a Covid ATK test within 48 hours before departure.

▸ Private vehicles may be used to enter and exit Laos.

Visa policy in Laos

To begin, a passport valid for at least 6 months is required and you should have at least one blank visa page.

Laos Visa Exemption

With an ordinary passport of the below countries, you can travel to Cambodia without a visa up to:

•  30 Days for Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore: 

•  14 Days for Brunei and Myanmar

•  15 Days for Japan, South Korea, Russia, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland)

Laos Visa On Arrival

Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival in Laos or E-Visa before arrival to Laos, valid 30-day, including    •   EU citizens 

                                                                                                                                                                •    Australians

                                                                                                                                                                •    North Americans

Visa on arrival in Laos is available at all ports of entry in this country, including international airports and major cities.

Visa on arrival is also available at all border checkpoints in Laos:   •  Thailand – Laos

                                                                                                •   Cambodia – Laos

                                                                                                •   Vietnam – Laos

                                                                                                •   China – Laos border

Fee For Visa On Arrival Fee:   •    China: US $20

                                           •    Australia and other countries: US $30

                                           •    USA and UK: US $35

                                           •    Canada: US $42

                                           •    India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka: US $40

You should bring two passport-size photos with you if you want to apply for a visa on arrival.

Travelers from Africa and the Middle East must apply for Visas in advance.

Click here to apply online for your tourist E-visa to Laos, valid for a maximum of 60 days after receiving the Approval Letter

Laos Visa Extension

•   Traveler can extend visa up to an additional 60 days for about US $1 for each day through the Department of Immigration in Vientiane.

•   However, if you extend after the visa expiry date, you will be fined TheUS $10 for the days you overstayed.

Note: On weekends or Laos public holidays as well as before 8 am and after 4 pm on weekdays, an additional US $1 is charged from the overtime fee.

Laos Highlights: things to do & travel guide

▸ Luang Prabang – With The Old Quarter, a UNESCO World  Heritage Site & picturesque landscapes of palm-lined riverbanks, ornate golden temples, and ancient monuments.

▸ Vientiane          – The capital and largest city of Laos is located in the northeast of the Mekong River and serves as the country’s central river port located in a country that heavily relies on its rivers for transportation and its surrounding hinterland of intensive rice cultivation.

▸ Pakse                  –  Wat Phu, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the fifth century, as well as the spectacular Bolaven Plateau, a lush, cool region famous for home-grown coffee and spectacular waterfalls!

▸ Don Khong         – Dong Khong is a natural beauty island with 4,000 small islands and 19 villages, many of which depend on fishing for a living. The main market, which is organized in the early market to offer a wide variety of fresh Mekong fish, is extremely beautiful.

Top 10 Things to Do in Laos

1. Do not miss to experience and talk with the children in the Tribal village in Laos 

2. Must explore the Mekong Smile boat – very relaxing and amazing 

3. Best lodging is Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge resort 

4. Enjoying the textiles in Laos – Pakbeng market 

5. Pak Ou Caves is a treat, home to 4000 buddhas in a cave!

6. Best adventure – The elephant village camp in Luang Prabang

                                 – Feeding and footing on elephants in the Mekong!

7. Walking through the Luang Prabang street market

     Starting right after the morning ALMS ceremony!

8. Visiting a shop where a master weaver creates the most unique and beautiful products

9. Enjoying the Ban Chan pottery village & Khmu Village

10. Staying at a hotel in Luang Prabang, eating along the river across the street 

▸ Best Laos Tours 

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Destinations & Attractions in Laos: things to do & travel guide