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visa formalities for Indochina

by seagypsy

The only country you'll need a visa in advance of arrival is for Vietnam. For Laos or Cambodia, you can get a 'visa upon arrival' via an airport arrival OR via their recognized international border crossings. One may also get a Viet visa upon a fligh arrival BUT this needs to be pre-arranged with a Viet travel agency well in advance. They'll have to send you a letter stating that you're eligible to get the visa at the airport. Otherwsie, the airline will not allow you to board a flight to Vietnam without already having a visa or this letter.If you're going to spend some time in Cambodia, then you could also get a Viet visa there since it's also the cheapest place to get Viet visas. Major cities like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville have travel agencies who'll arrange it but make sure you get a 28 day visa and not a two week one.I've entered all 3 countries mulitple times without...

The Mighty Mekong

by magor65

The Mekong is the 12th longest river in the world. It stretches from Tibet to the South China Sea and flows through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Over 60 million people, many of whom belong to the poorest in the world, depend on the Mekong for water, food, transport or other aspects of daily life. The river is unique in many respects. Unlike other rivers, it does not flow in the same direction all year long. For half of a year, the part of it in Cambodia reverses its flow and goes into Tonle Sap lake instead of flowing towards the South China Sea. The Mekong has the third highest fish diversity in the world (after the Amazon and the Congo). It's home to over 1200 fish species, including such rare ones as catfish - the world's largest freshwater fish which can grow to 3 metres in length and weigh to 300 kg. Yet, many fish species are in decline and may even become...

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getting KIP: from ATMs

by picek

It's nowsadays much easier to get your KIP from ATMs - you need to find BCEL's ATMs as so far they're the only ones that accept foreign cards such as Maestro, Visa, Mastercard... The atm network grows rapidly in Laos and it's now possible to withdraw money in almost all bigger cities with many tourists and some provincial capitals. For the entire list of international ATMs and locations look at: http://www.bcellaos.com/atmlocator.phpHowever, you're limited to max. 700 000 KIP withdrawal per once (and up to 8 times withdrawals in same day). Add to that BCEL's bank commision which is 20 000 Kip per EACH withdrawal so you'll be actually charged 720 000 KIP in your currency PLUS the cost of your bank-card issuer- commision which varies from the type of card (you should know that in advance - some people doesn't and they'll complain laters!!!) and other rules. Taking money from ATMs in Laos...

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Making your way in LP

by GenuinelyCurious

In Luang Prabang, you can find a lot of quiet, simple things to fill your days.It's a sweet place full of temples and unique views of a culture in transition. You may have read recently that LP has become overrun with tourists out to capture this transition, and thus hasten its down fall.It's a tough question and one worth pondering. There's a discussion at Lonely Planet's bulletin board that you may want to weigh in on:http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/message.jspa?messageID=14060205 Getting up before dawn. Enjoying a Laotian coffee with milk in the mist as the fruit sellers set up for the day's business and those seeking to make merit prepare their offerings. The first budhhist monks and novices begin to seek alms and the town is quiet, peaceful. THAT's the LP i visited.

Getting to Vang Vieng from VT.

by LakeFever

Hi there, You can easily take a bus to VV from VT. It takes about 3 hrs and costs roughly $6-$8. Once you are in VV you can head right down to the river and sort yourself out with a place to stay no problem. We had a room overlooking the river with a nice balcony and we paid $10/night. I believe the place was called.....shoot Im having a hard time remembering....ah the orchid. Vang Vieng Orchid.Its a pretty small little town and ou should be able to walk around and find a place to stay no problem.Good Luck.A Tubing....nothing more to say....well the scenery was amazing, simply amazing.

Lao Kip

by globally79

I did have a bit of trouble with getting cash in Laos. There were very few ATMs in Vientiane, and I only found one which accepted my card. I felt really akward entering 500,000 as the amount I wanted, and I was surprised when I saw the stack of bills emerge. In Luang Prabang, I found a few travel agents who would give you a csh advance against a credit card for a fee and one ATM which wouldn't accept my card.

Land of Smiels and Maybes...

by ytanay

In Laos, it seems as if they have no concept of time so you need to be patient and just chill. Most of the time, when i was told that the journey would take 1 hour, it's actually 2 or 3 hours. And be patient if the locals do not understand your English. Speak slowly and use simple words even though it's not grammatically correct. I'd witnessed a lady shouting at a service staff just because she'd ordered baguette but he brought her toast instead. And the poor guy didn't understand what she was yelling at but he was clearly upset for being shouted at. Laotians are generally calm and gentle people.

Hearing protection-no joke...

by Splint

For those people like me who have sensitive hearing and find sudden loud noises irritating think about bringing some ear plugs like those used in industrial work places. The need may arise for them if you are travelling by bus through the mountains where the roads are incredably windy and steep. Vehicles on the road use both lanes when going through corners and their way of letting others know they are coming around a blind corner is by blowing their horns, if no one blows their horn back it's safe to use both lanes to get around the corner otherwise they stick in their own lane. This would not seem like a significant problem but the horn on the bus I was in was VERY loud and really bothered me, I even noticed another passenger tear a peice of paper out of a note book, screw it up and plug it in his earsThe other place you may need them is on the boats going down the Mekong river, they...

Understatment

by AshleeS

I don't know where to put this so I will put it under general. I noticed some tendencies while traveling both times. First if someone says something is not hot (spicy) don't trust them and try only a little first, they like things hot. Second when someone says soemthing is sweet don't beleive them, they like things spicy they don;t have a sweet tooth so don't be surprised when things are not as sweet as they say. Also if someone says that the temperature is cold don't always believe them. We were told it was going to be cold when we went and to bring jacket and all. It does get cooler in the morning and night time but not cold like we saw people wearing winter jackets and toques and scarfs and gloves like a snow storm was going to happen and we were in pants and a t-shirt. Lastly sometimes they may tell you a place is a certain distance, don't always believe that always add more time, we...

Take it easy

by dimitrib

Don't be stressed, laugh, enjoy life and do not rush people. After taking the necessary medical precautions, you can drink and eat anywhere, swim in rivers and pools.You will have a very relaxing trip if you take the time to listen to the people. Take it as it comes and you'll have the time of your life. Lao people are very proud and very distguished.Please respect them and their country.

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Related Laos Favorites Tips

Top 3 Hotels in Laos

La Residence Phou Vao  Luang Prabang

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Settha Palace Hotel  Vientiane

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Ban Sabai Riverside Bungalow  Vang Vieng

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163 Hotels in Laos
 
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Favorites: Cities in Laos
  1. Luang Prabang Favorites
  2. Vientiane Favorites
  3. Vang Vieng Favorites
  4. Pakse Favorites
  5. Ban Phonsavan Favorites
  6. Ban Pak Beng Favorites
  7. Champasak Favorites
  8. Ban Houayxai Favorites
  9. Ban Pak-Ou Favorites

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Questions and Answers

trusmibatik profile photo

Q:  do any VT have any experience with the VIP overnight sleeper bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang??? is it reasonably... 

singnomore profile photo

A: I took the VIP bus from Luang Prabang to Vientienne in 2010. There is a toilet on the bus. I was on the upper deck and the airconditioner was very weak. So it was a VHB... 

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