Destination Laos
Health and Safety
In general Laos is a safe destination for foreign visitors and most travellers will be met with warmth and friendliness and probably not experience any problems during their visit, except perhaps a mild case of the common ‘travellers diarrhea’.
Most foreign governments have travel advisory websites which detail the health and safety risks and provide the latest updates for their citizens about safety and security matters in each country – we suggest visitors refer to their own government’s travel advisory website prior to travel for the most up to date information and advice.
Medical facilities and services in Laos are limited, especially outside Vientiane, and may not meet Western standards. All travellers should take out comprehensive travel insurance prior to travel that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. If you require a particular medication, ensure that you take an adequate supply, as it may not be available locally.
Prior to travel we recommend seeking a qualified medical practitioner’s advice about vaccinations and up to date precautionary medicine. The World Health Organization (WHO) website also provides information for travellers including the latest information about any outbreaks of infectious diseases. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, can also be obtained from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
In order to minimise the risks of becoming ill while in-country we recommend the following precautions:
- Do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is cheap and readily available everywhere in Laos and is recommended at all times
- At local restaurants fresh salad vegetables are best avoided unless washed yourself, although there will not usually be any problems at international standard hotels and restaurants in Luang Prabang or Vientiane. Hotel dining and the restaurants recommended by Destination Asia are considered suitable for foreign visitors
- We do not recommend purchasing food from the street stalls unless assisted by your local guide
Laos generally has a low crime rate, however travellers should always remain aware of their surroundings and exercise the appropriate security precautions. Laos is a less developed country and lavish displays of wealth can encourage petty theft. Visitors should lock any luggage when travelling on planes or on public transport, and not leave cash or other valuables unattended. Do not carry excess cash when out and about, especially at night, and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for potential thieves – we recommend that valuables should be locked inside the safety deposit box provided in most hotel rooms.
