Last updated: 23 Oct 2025
Laos
About
| This land-locked mountainous country is gaining a reputation as an ecotourist destination. Its unspoilt national parks and many rivers criss-crossing the country are ideal for activities such as trekking, kayaking and caving. For a unique experience stay in a tree house in Bokeo Nature Reserve, near Houayxai, and travel through the forest canopy on zip wires looking for Black Gibbons. Slowly float along the Nam Song River in a rubber tube in Vang Vieng. The scenery is stunning and enterprising locals will tow the thirsty in to riverside bars for Beer Lao. Trek through the jungle on the back of an elephant to Tad Sae waterfall near Luang Prabang. |
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| Official Name: | Lao People's Democratic Republic |
| Local Name: | Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao |
| Capital: | Vientiane (VTE) |
| Currency: | Lao Kip (LAK). USD and Thai Baht are also accepted and many larger transactions use these currencies instead of Kip. |
| Language: | Lao. Many tribal languages are also spoken. French, Vietnamese and English are spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 856 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +7 (5 hours ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best Time to Go: | November – February |
| Best for: | Ethnic Villages, Religious Sites and Artefacts |
| Plugs: | 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Flat and round two-pin plugs are in use |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. Note that air evacuation is extremely difficult to organise and expensive, and if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which may be an issue on your travel, it is best to avoid Laos. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. Exercise caution when buying medication locally as counterfeit drugs are very common.
Tourists visiting parts of Laos other than Vientiane are advised to obtain medication for malaria. Immunisation against Hepatits A & B is also recommended (Dengue fever of DHF). There is no immunization against DHF. It is strongly recommended that comprehensive travel and health insurance be obtained which would include emergency air evacuation by a recognised carrier. Prospective travellers should check with their insurer make sure that their policy meets their needs. |
| Customs: | Lao is a predominantly Buddhist country and respect to religious beliefs should be shown. Lao people should not be touched on the head, and women should not touch monks. Dress should be conservative. When visiting a mosque, short skirts, skimpy shorts and sleeveless shirts should be avoided. Shoes should be removed when entering a Wat (Temple) or home. Public displays of affection should be avoided. Avoid discussing politics. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Identification should be carried at all times and fines for non-compliance will be issued. Harsh prison sentences / fines are issued for the use of illegal drugs. Sexual relationships between foreigners and local citizens are forbidden unless the parties are married in compliance with local law. Photographing military personnel and installations is illegal. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Precautions against mosquitos should be taken. In rural areas, banditry does occur. Avoid buying antiques. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported into Laos by travellers aged 16 and over without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco • 1L of spirits and 2L of wine • 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette • Goods up to the value of US$50. You must declare any antique items purchased in other countries |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited and restricted goods include products affecting national security and stability or public health, narcotics, wildlife, endangered species, and historical artefacts. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Any antiques of great historical value. You should check with the Ministry of Information and Culture before exporting cultural artefacts. |
Issuing Authorities
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Mar 8; Apr 13-15; May 1; Jul 20-21; Dec 2
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Mar 8-9; Apr 14-16; May 1; Jul 20; Dec 2
Visa Requirements
South African passport holders do require a visa to enter Laos.
Visa applications can be done online at www.laoevisa.gov.la if entering through one of the below ports. eVisa is currently available for Tourist Visa (T-B3) only, for stays of up to 30 days.
- Wattay International Airport (Vientiane Capital)
- Lao – Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane Capital)
- Luang Prabang International Airport (Luang Prabang)
- Lao – Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet Province)
- Pakse International Airport (Champasack Province)
- Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV (Bokeo Province)
- Boten International Checkpoint (Luang Namtha Province)
- Boten Railway Station (Luang Namtha Province)
Documents required:
- Photograph size 4x6 cm (have been taken no longer than 6 months).
- Passport cover page.
- Passport bio page.
Note: Please upload the photo of your passport that covers the whole bio page including its MRZ (two lines at the bottom of the page)
Entry Requirements:
- Passport must be valid for more than 180 days from the date of arrival, with 1 blank page
- Proof of sufficient funds
- A print out of your e-visa is required. This may be in black and white.
- There will be a special lane for eVisa service at the arrival ports.
Visa Processing Time
Usually 3 working days
Visa Cost
USD 50.
eVisa fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Bangkok, Thailand
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
