Laos · Planning your trip
Is Laos safe? 5 myths about travelling in Laos
Dangerous, very poor, nothing to do, nobody speaks English: five myths about Laos, and what you actually find there.
Safety
Very low crime
People
Welcoming
Language
English in tourism
Bring
Travel insurance
“Isn't Laos dangerous?” It is one of the questions we get asked most. The country is little known, so myths spread easily. Mélissa, who has lived there for years, took the time to answer them. Here is what you need to know before you go.
Laos, really
One of the safest countries in Southeast Asia · kind people
Laos is one of the safest countries in the region, with very low crime. As anywhere, you keep an eye on your things and take care on the road. But what strikes travellers most is the everyday kindness and warmth.
“A smile is often the best language.”
Travel with peace of mind
- On the road: take care on scooters, mountain roads are long and winding
- In the countryside: stay on paths, unexploded ordnance remains in some areas
- Health: bottled water, mosquito repellent, travel insurance
- Money: kip in cash, ATMs are mostly in towns
01
5 myths about Laos
“Dangerous”
It is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia. Mélissa often feels safer there than in France.
“Very poor everywhere”
The reality is mixed: villages without infrastructure, but also lively towns with cafés, markets and schools.
“Nothing to do”
Temples, mountains, rivers, villages, markets: the country is rich, especially in nature and encounters.
“Life is hard”
It is simpler, calmer and more human. You learn to slow down.
“Nobody speaks English”
Many young people and tourism workers speak English. For the rest, there are gestures and smiles.
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And a few more myths
“Everyone speaks Lao”
Not quite. Lao is the official language, but the country is home to many ethnic groups, each with its own languages, traditions and cultures, so there is great linguistic diversity. To find out more: the peoples of Laos.
“Always stress-free”
It's an image people may have, but the reality is more nuanced. As everywhere, daily life is made of constraints, the unexpected, work and challenges. Living in Laos also means learning to adapt to another pace and another way of life.
“Just like Thai food”
There are similarities, but Lao food has its own identity. Sticky rice (khao niao), laap, tam mak hoong (papaya salad) and fresh herbs play an important part in meals. Read before you taste: 10 Lao dishes to try in Luang Prabang and how to eat sticky rice like a Lao.
“Still unspoilt by tourism”
Laos welcomes more and more travellers. But some regions and villages are still off the main tourist routes, and that is what lets you discover lesser-known sides of the country.
“With its incredible landscapes, its cultural diversity, its traditions and its food, Laos is a far richer and more complex country than you might imagine.”
Do
- Take out travel insurance
- Stay on paths in the countryside
- Keep kip in cash
Avoid
- Riding a scooter on mountain roads without experience
- Picking up a metal object in a field
- Judging the country on its reputation
Travel with us
Our tours · Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang temples and Mount Phousi
A day in the old town with your guide, in French, English, Chinese or Thai: the day market, the Royal Palace, Wat Xieng Thong and Wat May, then Mount Phousi, by private tuk-tuk.
From 65 € / person
See the tour
Our tours · Luang Prabang
Mekong cruise and Pak Ou caves
The town in the morning, then about two hours by private boat on the Mekong to the Pak Ou cave and a village where rice spirit is distilled.
From 78 € / person
See the tour
Our tours · Luang Prabang
Kuang Si waterfall and Hmong village
About an hour's drive to the Kuang Si waterfall, a stop in a Hmong village and at the buffalo farm, then the Ock Pop Tok textile workshop before returning to your hotel.
From 72 € / person
See the tour
Our tours · Luang Prabang
Street food at the night market
A street food evening guided by our students in training: they learn French with NK Seeds and introduce you to Lao food among the stalls of Luang Prabang.
From 30 € / person
See the tour
Our tours · Luang Prabang
Sindad evening, the Lao barbecue
An evening around the sindad, the Lao barbecue you share, with our students in training: they learn French with NK Seeds and introduce you to the meal Lao people love to share with friends.
From 30 € / person
See the tour
Frequently asked questions
Is Laos dangerous for tourists?
No, it is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia. Just take care on the road and with your belongings.
Can women travel alone in Laos?
Yes, many women do. The usual precautions are enough.
Is English spoken in Laos?
In tourism and among many young people, yes. Elsewhere, a few words of Lao help a lot.
Is unexploded ordnance a risk?
Not at tourist sites. In the countryside, stay on paths and never touch a metal object.
A question before you go?
Write to us: we answer you ourselves, from Luang Prabang. Please book at least one week in advance.
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