Ban Phonsavan Warnings and Dangers

There are still thousand of cluster bombs lying around the area from the Vietnam war.
The area is being cleared extensively, but a lot of work still needs to be done and if an area is not cleared then you should never walk in there.
It's very clearly stated which areas are not cleared so you don't need to worry.
you just need to follow the signs.

Even though the risk is quite low for the average traveller you must be aware of UXO. Laos is the most bombed country per capita in world history, with more than two million tons of ordnance, including 80 million cluster bombs or "bombies," dropped during the Indochina War especially between 1964-1973. An estimated 10 to 30 percent of this ordnance failed to explode, leaving up to 25 million bombies still on the ground. Laos is also contaminated with heavy bombs, rockets, grenades, artillery munitions, mortars and landmines. Clearance teams have found at least 120 different types of ordnance scattered across Laos, including 13 types of cluster bombs, some of which can kill people up to 200 meters away. A survey done by Handicap International (HI) in early 2000 stated that from 1973-1996, there were 1,171 casualties from landmine accidents and 9,473 victims of UXO accidents.

How do you avoid becoming a casualty?
- Follow well worn paths. Never take a short cut as it isn't worth losing a leg or worse over a couple of seconds.

- Don't handle UXO. Never touch it on the ground as it is not a toy. Don't buy it from anybody as not only may it be dangerous but it is illegal to buy it.

So be aware and don't be stupid. Enjoy your trip to the region and try to donate to the local Red Cross if you can to support the victims.