Laos
Lao People's Democratic Republic
South-Eastern Asia · LAO
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Laos
Laos is a slower, more river-oriented Southeast Asia trip for travelers who want temples, karst scenery, and a calm pace. It works best as Luang Prabang plus one or two river or nature legs rather than a country-wide rush.
Popular For
Things To See
- Luang Prabang
- Vientiane
- Vang Vieng
- Plain of Jars
- Mekong River
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- Dry-season months are the easiest for movement and sightseeing.
- Luang Prabang is the clearest first-trip anchor.
- The country rewards a slower route instead of trying to cram in too many stops.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
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Open hotel and accommodation options for Laos.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Laos Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Laos.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Vientiane
- Population
- 7,647,000
- Area
- 236,800 km²
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
Languages
- Lao
Currency
Lao kip (₭)
LAK
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
21.7
Price level index (US = 100)
Safety & Peace
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Vientiane (17.97°N, 102.60°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
33/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 20/100
- Lived safety
- 56/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal✅
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.617
Medium human development
- 5-year change
- +0.004
- 10-year change
- +0.030
- Trend
- stable
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.911
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.475
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.570
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (4)
- 🏛️
Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang – Plain of Jars
Inscribed 2019
- 🌿
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park
Inscribed 2003
- 🏛️
Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape
Inscribed 2001
- 🏛️
Town of Luang Prabang
Inscribed 1995
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 18.8%
- Forest cover
- 71.5%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 49
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 30
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
41/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
76/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
Reissued after periodic review with minor changes. Exercise increased caution to Laos due to civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Reconsider travel to: Xaisomboun Province due to civil unrest. Exercise increased caution in: Remote areas along the border with Burma due to crime. Areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, as well as along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Saravane) due to unexploded bombs. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Laos. If you decide to travel to Laos: Do not touch unknown metal objects and avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths due to risk of unexploded ordnance. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter. Review the Country Security Report for Laos. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. Xaisomboun Province – Level 3: Reconsider Travel There is a continued threat of violence in Xaisomboun Province. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Xiasomboun Province as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel there. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. Areas on the Border with Burma – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Bandits, drug traffickers, and other people pursuing illegal activities operate in these areas, as do armed groups opposed to the Burmese government. Areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, as well as along Route 7 – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution There are large numbers of unexploded bombs in these areas left over from the Indochina War.
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data