Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. After many years of war and isolation, this country with its most pristine environment, intact cultures is now fast developing. Vientiane- the capital, is still refreshingly simple, if not say a little languid. There is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia. Away from the cities, there is so much more to see- its thickly forested landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains, the highest of which is Phou Bia at 2,818 metres, with some plains and plateaus, the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand, whereas the mountains of the Annamite Range form most of the eastern border with Vietnam and the Luang Prabang Range the northwestern border with the Thai highlands. There are two plateau, the Xiangkhoang in the north and the Bolaven Plateau at the southern end.
LANGUAGE
Speaking languages
● Official language: Lao
● Foreign languages: Thai (Lao is a tonal language closely related to Thai), French (understood by some older people), English is now more popular.
● The most popular languages for tourist guides: English
Dialects
Being the primary language of the Lao people, Lao is also an important second language for the multitude of ethnic groups in Laos and in Isan. Lao, like many languages in Laos, is written in the Lao script, which is an abugida script. Although there is no official standard, the Vientiane dialect has become the standard. There are six regions of Lao dialects: Vientiane Lao, Northern Lao, Northeastern Lao/Tai Phuan, Central Lao, Southern Lao and Western Lao.
In addition to the dialects of Lao, numerous closely related languages (or dialects, depending on the classification) are spoken throughout the Lao-speaking realm in Laos and Thailand, such as the Nyaw, Phu Thai, Saek, Lao Wieng, Tai Dam, Tai Daeng, etc. These Tai peoples are classified by the Lao government as Lao Loum or lowland Lao. Lao and Thai are also very similar and share most of their basic vocabulary, but differences in many basic words limit inter-comprehension.
Common Phrases
Hello
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Sa-bai-Dee |
Goodbye
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Sôhk Dee Deuh |
Thank you
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Khawp Jai |
I don’t understand
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Khàwy Baw Khào Jai |
I understand
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Khàwy Khào Jai |
Please!
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Kawlunaa |
Yes
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Maen Laeow/Doi/Eur/Jao |
No
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Baw |
Do you speak English?
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Jâo Wâo Pháa-Sǎa Ung-Kit Dai Baw? |
Sorry
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Khǎw Thôht |
CURRENCY
- The official national currency in Laos is the Lao kip (LAK). The vast majority of transactions will be carried out in kip, so it’s always worth having a wad in your pocket. Kip notes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10, 000, 20, 000 and the recently printed 50, 000 kip. Small vendors, especially in rural areas, will struggle to change the 20, 000 kip and 50, 000 kip notes – some we met had never even seen a 50, 000 kip note. Also, both of these larger notes are red, so watch you don’t go handing out 50, 000 kip notes thinking they’re 20, 000 kip.
The Lao kip is not convertible to any currency outside of the Lao PDR. So please spend it all before you leave Laos.
- Other 2 popularly used currencies are: Thai baht (B) and US dollars (US$). In larger cities and towns, baht and US dollars are readily acceptable at most businesses, including hotels, restaurants and shops.
- In smaller towns and villages, kip is usually preferred. The rule of thumb is that for everyday small purchases, prices are quoted in kip. More expensive goods and services (eg long-distance boat hire) may be quoted in baht or dollars, while anything costing US$100 or more (eg tours, long-term car hire) is quoted in US dollars.
METHOD OF PAYMENT
ATMs
Travellers on their last kip have been giving thanks that ATMs have made a tentative landing in Laos. But before you get overexcited, the ATMs are only in Vientiane and dispense a maximum of 700,000 kip (about US$70) a time, with each withdrawal incurring a US$2 fee from BCEL. If, like most of us, you also have to pay extortionate charges to your home bank on each overseas withdrawal, that doesn’t work out so well. So taking your plastic into the bank itself might still work out cheaper; see right.
At the time of research ATMs dispensed cash – in Lao kip – to Visa and MasterCard accounts only, despite stickers promising access to Cirrus and Plus accounts. This might change, but don’t count on it. We met one traveller who had to go to Thailand to access his cash – an expensive diversion when you consider he needed to get a new visa to come back.
Credit cards
A growing number of hotels, upmarket restaurants and gift shops in Vientiane and Luang Prabang accept Visa and MasterCard, and to a much lesser extent Amex and JCB. Outside of these three towns, credit cards are virtually useless.
Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao (BCEL; thanáakháan kąan khâa taang páthêht láo in Lao) branches in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Savannakhet and Pakse offer cash advances/withdrawals on Visa credit/debit cards for a 3% transaction fee. Other banks may have slightly different charges, so if you’re in Vientiane (where there are options) it might be worth shopping around. Advances/withdrawals can be made in Lao kip only – it’s not possible to withdraw US dollars or Thai baht.
Travellers cheques
Travellers cheques can be cashed at most banks in Laos, but normally only in exchange for kip. Cheques in US dollars are the most readily acceptable, and in fact outside Vientiane they might be the only cheques accepted. Very few merchants accept travellers cheques.
TIME & WORKING HOURS
Banks
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08 AM -11:30 AM & 01PM -04PM / Mon.-Fri.
08 AM -11:30 AM – Sat.
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Bars
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05 PM/06 PM -Midnight
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Businesses & Shops
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07 AM/08 AM -05PM /06PM – Mon-Sat.; Most also open on Sun.
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International restaurants
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7:30 Am- 10 PM
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Local restaurants
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07/AM-13 PM or 10 Am- 10 PM (Big restaurants)
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Supermarkets
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09 AM-10 PM
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Temples & Pagodas
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05 AM-09 PM
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TIMEZONE GMT+7
TELEPHONE
Emergency telephone numbers and area codes of Cambodia as following:
All regular phone numbers have an area code followed by a seven or eight digit number.
Country code
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856
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Inter provinces
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0
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International access code
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007
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Mobile (020-2 ETL, 020-5 Lao Telecom, 020-7 Tigo, 020-9 Unitel)
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020
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Vientiane Prefecture
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021
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Vientiane
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023
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Attapeu
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031
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Salavan
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034
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Savannakhet
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041
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Khammouan
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051
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Bolikhamsai
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054
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Xiangkhoang
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061
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Houaphan
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064
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Luang Prabang
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071
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Sainyabuli
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074
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Oudomxai
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081
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Bokeo
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084
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Louang Namtha
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086
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Phongsali
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088
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INTERNET
Internet cafes can be found in larger towns, however access speeds are usually painfully slow and cafe staffs have less knowledge. The most reliable connections are in Vientiane, and usually cost around 100 kip/minute, with the cheapest offering 4,000 kip/hour. However, internet security is not guaranteed and computer virus issues are often ignored.
Wi-Fi with Mac/Linux laptop or iPad are recommended. Some cafes offer free Wi-Fi-access for customers (check first if it's really free). Many accommodations now offer free Wi-Fi. GPRS via mobile phone is also an option, especially if you have a local or Thai SIM, for those who intend to stay longer term and require mobile internet.
TRANSPORT
- Airlines flying to/from Laos
Bangkok Airways
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China Eastern Airlines
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Lao Airlines
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Thai Airways International
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Vietnam Airlines
|
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- Other means of transportation
● Boat service
● Car & Motorcycle
● Bus & Tram
● Hitching
● Jumbo (sometimes called tuk tuk as in Thailand)
● Bicycle
PUPLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1
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New Year
|
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January 6
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Pathet Lao Day
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celebrates the victory of the Pathet Lao against the royalist Western-backed government of the time
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January 20
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Army Day
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This celebrates the founding of the Lao People's Army in 1949 by Kaysone Phomvihane in the former revolutionary stronghold of Huaphan province.
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March 8
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International Women's Day
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Honors women in Lao society, with celebrations at homes and in offices.
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March 22
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Day of the People's Party
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Celebrates the ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party and all its works.
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May 1
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Labor Day
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August 13
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Day of the Free Laos
Lao Issara
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A celebration of the Issara, the freedom fighters who gained victory in Laos in the 1970s.
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October 12
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Day of Liberation
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End of war in Laos in 1975 and the Pathet Lao achieved victory.
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December 2
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Lao National Day
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The establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975. Parades and dancing at That Luang temple.
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EMBASSIES & GENERAL CONSULATE IN LAOS
Australian Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Australian Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
KM4, Thadeua Road
Watnak Village
Sisattanak District
Vientiane
Lao P.D.R.
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: +856 21 353800
● Fax: +856 21 353801
● Website: http://www.laos.embassy.gov.au/
● Email: [email protected]
● Office Hours: The Embassy is open for general and consular enquiries from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday except for public holidays. The Visa office is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.00am to 12.00 noon.
● Details: The Australian Embassy, located in the capital of Vientiane, offers a comprehensive range of services to Australian citizens, administers the Australian development assistance program to Laos, provides trade commission services to Australian businesses, manages the formal bilateral relationship between Australia and Laos and provides a visa service for people in Laos planning to travel to Australia.
Bruneian Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Brunei in Laos
No.30, Unit 12 - Ban Thongkang
Sisathanak District
Lanexang Avenue
Vientiane, Laos
P.O.Box 7843
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: 856 21 352294
● Fax: 856 20 352290
● Email: [email protected]
● Office Hours: 0800 - 1200 hrs 1330 - 1600 hrs Monday - Friday
Cambodian Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Cambodia in Laos (Vientiane)
Thadeua Road, KM2Vientiane,
B.P. 34, Lao P.D.R.
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: (8562) 131 4950, 131 4952
● Fax: (8562) 131 4951
● Email: [email protected]
Canadian Embassy in Laos
Laos People's Democratic Republic
The Government of Canada has no resident representation in Laos.
Services are offered through our Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
For consular services, please contact the Australian Embassy in Laos.
Chinese Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Chinese Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Wat Nak Road
Sisattanak
Vientiane, Laos
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: +856-21-315100
● Fax: +856-21-315104
● Email: [email protected]
Cuban Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Cuba in Vientiane, Laos
Bourichanne Road, No.422 Naxay Village
Saysetha District
Vientiane
Laos
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: (856) 21453813
● Fax: (856) 21453814
● Website: http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/laos
● Email: [email protected]
● Office Hours: Customer service (at the consulate): Monday-Friday 9:00 am-12:00 pm & 2.00 pm-4pm Closed on holidays in Cuba and holidays in Laos
● Details: Ambassador: Waldo Reyes Sardiñas
French Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
French Embassy in Laos
Avenue Sethathirat
Vientiane, BP 6
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: 856 21 21 52 53
● Fax: 856 21 21 52 50
● Website: http://www.ambafrance-laos.org/
● Email: [email protected]
German Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
German Embassy in Laos
Rue Sokpalouang 26
Vientiane
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: 856 21 31 21 10
● Fax: 856 21 31 43 22
● Website: http://--
● Email: [email protected]
● Details: ---
Indian Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of India in Laos
002, Ban Wat-Nak
Thadeua Road, KM 3
Sisattanak District
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: 00-856-21-352301-04
● Fax: 00-856-21-352300
● Email: [email protected]
Indonesian Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Indonesia in Vientiane, Laos
Kaysone Phom Vihane Avenue
PO Box 277
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: +856-21 413 909, +856-21 413 910
● Fax: (856-21) 214-828
● Website: http://www.kemlu.go.id/vientiane/Pages/default.aspx?l=id
● Email: [email protected]
Japanese Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Japan in Laos
Road Sisangvone, Vientiane
Lao People's Democratic Republic.
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: + 856 21 41 4400-3
● Fax: + 856 21 414 406
● Website: http://www.la.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/embassy.htm
● Office Hours: 08:30 - 12:00, 13:30 - 17:45
Malaysian Embassy in Ventianne, Laos
Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, Laos
23 Singha Road
Ban Phonxay, P.O Box 789
Vientiane, Laos PDR
● City: Ventianne
● Phone: 856-21-414205/06
● Fax: 856-21-414201
● Website: http://www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/vientiane
● Email: [email protected], [email protected]
● Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8.00 am - 4.30 pm Holiday : Saturday - Sunday
Myanmar Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar in Vientiane, Laos
Ban Thong Kang, P.O. Box No. 11
Sok Palaung
P.O. Box No. 11
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: (856) (21) 314910, 314911
● Fax: (856) (21) 314913
● Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Filipino Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Philippines in Vientiane, Laos
Ban Saphanthong Kang, Sisattanak District,
Vientiane, LAO PDR
P.O. Box 2415
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: (85621) 452-490/ 491
● Fax: (85621) 452-493
● Email: [email protected]
Russian Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Russia in Vientiane, Laos
Thaphalanxay quarter, km 4, Thadeua Str.,
Vientiane, B.P. 490, Laos
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: +856 21 312-219, 312-222
● Fax: +856 21 312-210
● Email: [email protected]
Singaporean Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Singapore in Vientiane, Laos
Thadeua Road, KM 3, Unit 4
Watnak Village, Sisattanak District
Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: +856 21 353939
● Fax: +856 21 353938
● Website: http://www.mfa.gov.sg/vientiane
● Email: [email protected]
● Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8.30 am to 12.00 pm 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm Sat & Sun - Closed
Swedish Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Sweden in Vientiane, Laos
Sokpaluang Road, Quartier Wat Nak
Vientiane
Laos/LAO PDR
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: +856 (21) 315003
● Fax: +856 (21) 315001
● Email: [email protected]
● Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 to 11.30 a.m.
Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Thailand in Laos
Royal Thai Embassy
Avenue Kaysone Phomvihane
Saysettha District, Vientiane .P.O. Box 128
Consular Section, Rue 23 Singha,
Saysettha District,Vientiand
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: (856-21) 214-581-2
● Fax: (856-21) 214-580
● Website: http://www.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/
● Email: [email protected]
Thai Consulate in Khanthabouly District, Laos
Consulate of Thailand in Laos
Savannakhet Province
● City: Khanthabouly District
● Phone: +856-41 212-373 / +856-41 212-445
● Fax: +856-41 212-370
● Email: [email protected]
American Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
U.S. Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
19 Rue Bartholonie,
That Dam Road
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: (856-21) 267000
● Fax: (856-21) 267190
● Website: http://usembassy.state.gov
Vietnamese Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Vietnam in Vientiane, Laos
No 85 23 Singha Road, Ban Phonxay,
Saysettha District, Laos
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: (856-21) 413400
● Fax: (856-21) 416720
● Email: [email protected]
Vietnamese Consulate in Vientiane, Laos
Embassy of Vietnam in Laos
No 85 23 Singha Road, Ban Phonxay, Saysettha District
● City: Vientiane
● Phone: (+856-31) 413400/413409; 451990
● Fax: (+856-31) 413379/416720
● Website: http://www.mofa.gov.vn/vnemb.la?set_language=en
● Email: [email protected]
Vietnamese Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos
Consulate General of the S.R. of Vietnam in Savannakhet, Laos
1 Thatluang Road, Vientiane
Savannakhet, Laos
● City: Savannakhet
● Phone: (856) 41 212418
● Fax: (856) 20 5541259
● Website: http://www.vietnamconsulate-savanakhet.org/en/
● Email: [email protected]