Laos Cultural insights

Taking a cruise on the fascinating Mekong River offers a unique and memorable travel experience. The Mekong River, one of the longest rivers in Asia, flows through several countries, including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Each destination along the river offers its own distinct cultural, historical, and natural attractions. In this article, we will go over what you can expect when cruising the Mekong River. 

Despite being open to tourism for the past two decades, Laos remains a destination brimming with hidden treasures and unexplored gems, awaiting the arrival of curious adventurers.

Among these remarkable places is the Xe Champhone Loop, an enchanting location that captures the essence of Laos.

In early September 2022, we had the privilege of embarking on an Educational Tour organized by the esteemed Tetraktys Organization. Our objective was to delve into the wonders of this loop and promote its allure to international tourists.

During our expedition, we were awe-struck by the captivating sights and valuable insights we gained. The area boasts an abundance of captivating natural landscapes, rich traditional culture, and warm-hearted hosts.

We have compiled comprehensive information about this captivating region below.

Stay connected to discover more about this hidden gem!

The romance of train travel is alive and well in Laos. The recently-completed high-speed railway that stretches from Vientiane, through Laos, and into southern China is operating ‘full steam’ ahead. 

Luang Prabang will celebrate the boat racing festival (Boun Souang Heua) in Namkhan River during Buddhist Lent Period, on August 26th, 2022.

A notice issued by Luang Prabang provincial office says that Luang Prabang will arrange Boun Hor Khaopadapdin, an annual festival held to feed spirits with home-made parcels of food, and the boat racing activities along Namkhan River. 

The province intends to promote the traditional festival and practices in hopes of attracting more domestic and foreign tourists, generating revenue for locals.

Traditional racing boats are made of a single tree and can accommodate up to fifty rowers.

The boats are considered sacred, are cleaned, and are given offerings which are believed to bring victory to the team.

In the downtown heart of Luang Prabang, there will also be gatherings and markets.

The festival will be held on August 26th, 2022, the same day with Boun Khao Padapdine.

Covid-19 put a stop to traditional customs and festivals for almost three years, but now that the measurements have been relaxed, tourist destinations in Laos expect to recommence festivities and offer hope for travelers.

How long to spend in Laos may seem like a ridiculous question to address, but if you have plenty of time and aren’t sure how much to dedicate, this blog will definitely help you out. 

How long can you stay in Laos? 

Well, as long as you like! From 7 days to a month, there are various ways you can travel across Laos and uncover its secrets. Advising an ideal trip length for Laos is a bit of a complex challenge, as it depends on several factors such as the places you wish to visit, the activities you plan to join, or if you want to combine Laos with its neighbor countries. 

Stay tuned! We are going to sort all these things out including the step-by-step guide to create the best itinerary in Laos.

The Rocket Festival (Boun Bang Fai) is a merit-making ceremony traditionally practiced by ethnic Lao people near the beginning of the wet season in numerous villages and municipalities, in the regions of Northeastern Thailand and Laos. Celebrations typically include preliminary music and dance performances, competitive processions of floats, dancers and musicians on the second day, and culminating on the third day in competitive firings of home-made rockets. Local participants and sponsors use the occasion to enhance their social prestige, as is customary in traditional Buddhist folk festivals throughout Southeast Asia.

The festival in Thailand also includes special programs and specific local patterns like Bung Fai (Parade dance) and a Beautiful Bung Fai float such as Yasothon the third weekend of May, and continues Suwannaphum District, Roi Et on the first weekend of June, Phanom Phrai District Roi Et during the full moon of the seventh month in Lunar year's calendar each year. The Bung Fai festival is not only found in Isan or Northeasthern Thailand and North Thailand and Laos, but also in Amphoe Sukhirin, Narathiwat.

A report from Andy Jarosz from BBC Travel about his day trekking to the remote 100 waterfalls in Nong Khiaw 10 years ago (in 2012). The experience that you cannot miss when visiting the area. Check out the details as below so that you have some ideas of what to expect.

In the last four years, the rural village of Nong Khiaw has seen a steady stream of adventure travellers who want to experience the 10km trek before it disappears.

Strictly speaking, the name of the 100 Waterfalls Trek in northern Laos is misleading, since it is impossible to say how many waterfalls tumble through the thick jungle along the steady 10km ascent, with each one tumbling immediately into the next.

Laos has announced a full reopening to tourism today that allows vaccinated arrivals to enter the country without any testing requirements.

Government Spokesperson and Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Madame Thippakone Chanthavongsa, spoke during an announcement broadcast live across social media.

She said that as the number of Covid-19 cases had significantly decreased, and in order to ensure economic recovery, the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the government of Laos had coordinated with a number of sectors to determine new entry measures in line with the global situation.

After canvassing public opinion and consulting with experts, the Taskforce has set out the following measures for entry to Laos, effective from 9 May onward:

All international checkpoints will be open for entry and exit by Lao citizens, foreign residents, tourists, and other types of visitors.

Citizens of countries that have bilateral or unilateral visa waiver agreements with Laos may now enter Laos without the need for a visa.

Citizens of countries that do not have a visa waiver agreement with Laos may now apply for a visa at a Lao embassy or consulate abroad or via the e-Visa online system. Visa on arrivals will also be reinstated at certain international checkpoints.

Fully vaccinated foreigners or Lao citizens carrying a vaccination certificate may enter Laos without any screening or testing for Covid-19 when arriving by land, air, or water.

Non-vaccinated citizens of Laos, foreign citizens, or residents aged 12 years and over must take a Rapid Antigen Test (ATK) at least 48 hours prior to departure and present the results upon arrival.

Foreign arrivals in Laos that become infected with Covid-19 must bear responsibility for any and all medical costs involved in treatment.

Private vehicles may now enter and exit the territory of Laos via checkpoints as prior to the pandemic. Guidelines regarding this measure will be drafted and publicized by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Madame Thippakone said that ministries and tourism departments, as well as tourism businesses, must now be fully prepared to welcome foreign tourists.

At the same time, she announced the reopening of entertainment venues and karaoke bars, however, such venues must ensure they fully comply with Covid-19 prevention measures.

Laos is preparing to commence a new phase of reopening to tourism that will require Covid-19 tests prior to departure and on arrival.

Dr. Sisavath Soutthanilaxay said during an announcement by the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control yesterday that the country is now actively preparing for a full reopening.

Under new entry regulations, which will be officially announced at a future press conference, arrivals in Laos will be required to undergo two Covid-19 tests.

According to Dr. Sisavath, tourists will be required to take an RT-PCR test 72 hours before departure, as well as an RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test) on arrival.

“The wait time for results will depend upon the number of travelers arriving,” said Dr. Sisavath.

Those who have been infected with Covid-19 and recovered will not need to take an RT-PCR test, however, an official medical certificate will be required.

Arrivals with a negative RDT test result may enter the country freely, while those who test positive will need to quarantine at a designated quarantine hotel.

Those with serious symptoms will be hospitalized.

The news comes after Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh agreed to a full reopening of the country to tourism on Tuesday.

The PM said that he agreed “in principle” to the reopening and that relevant sectors should “draw upon lessons from neighboring countries” when drafting new regulations.

The Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism has sent a proposal for a full reopening of the country to the Prime Minister of Laos for consideration.

Check more detail below.

The government of Laos has officially set 13 April 2022 the first public holiday date of Lao New Year (Pi Mai).

A notice issued by Prime Minister’s Office confirms the holiday date and prohibits government offices and departments from holding Lao New Year parties in a bid to promote austerity and set an example for the wider population.

The notice states that the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and relevant provincial taskforces should issue coronavirus prevention measures related to celebrations in each locality. 

While the country’s biggest festival was canceled in 2020, scaled-back Lao New Year celebrations were held in 2021, allowing residents to participate in the celebration with their families, at their workplaces, and at temples in accordance with Lao traditions.

Local authorities in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will host the event, which is supported by the CLEAN Project (Creating Linkages for Expanded Agricultural Networks).

Vang Vieng District Governor, Mr. Bounchanh Malavong, said on Wednesday that the Cabbage Festival 2022 is aimed at promoting the cultivation of quality cabbages and generating income for local people.

“Our festival will be a good way for producers and vendors to meet,” he said.

The festival will see a range of activities and exhibitions, including a cabbage parade, local product exhibition, seminar, cabbage foods for sale, and an award for the biggest cabbage.

The festival is to be held in Vang Vieng from 26 to 27 March.

CLEAN is a United States Department of Agriculture program, which is being implemented by Winrock International.

The project works with Lao farmers and local authorities in Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, and in Champasak, Salavanh, and Sekong provinces.

Using a market-driven approach, the project seeks to develop market linkages and increase demand for Lao clean agriculture in domestic, regional, and global markets by improving quality compliance and certification systems.  

These efforts will increase production and reduce post-harvest losses.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an instruction easing restrictions on entry to Laos for those Lao nationals and foreigners holding diplomatic visas, or those holding labor visas (LA-B2), spouse visas (SP-3), or other types of multiple entry visas.

According to instruction, such visa holders will no longer be required to request permission for entry from Lao consulates or embassies abroad, or from the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Instead, eligible visa-holders will simply be required to access the Green Pass online visa portal and register for a QR Code, after which they may travel to Laos.

Upon arrival in Laos, a 48-hour quarantine period following an RT-PCR test for foreign residents arriving in Laos will remain in place, after which seven-day home isolation is authorized.

The Green Pass online portal went live on 2 March to more easily facilitate visitors to the country.

• Here is more detail about Lao Green Pass
• And here is more detail about traveling to Laos during covid

Source: laotiantimes.com

Tad Yuang Waterfall in Champasack Province has received an ASEAN sustainable tourism award this year.

Luang Prabang City has received an ASEAN Clean Tourism Award, while Kuang Si Waterfall received a Sustainable Tourism Award.

Authorities in Luang Prabang appear to have released a schedule of events for the upcoming Lao New Year festival.

After having previously handed over LaoSafe certificates to more than 40 professionals and businesses on 28 February, Mme Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Tourism Management Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), addressed the attending tour guides and drivers by congratulating them for passing the assessment and their commitment to providing a safe environment for both domestic and international tourists.

Foreign residents and overseas Lao PDR can now apply for a visa through a new online portal.

Laos Government spokesperson and Vice Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Madame Thippakone Chanthavongsa, announced the launch of the Lao Green Pass in a media release on March 2, 2022.

Certain visitors can now be issued visas under the Laos Green Pass. This page answers the most important questions about the new system.

Government Spokesperson and Vice Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Madame Thippakone Chanthavongsa, made an announcement this evening confirming the new quarantine measures.

She said that in 2022, with vaccination rates much higher in populations around the world, advances in medical technology, and faster testing systems, as well as high-quality medicines for the treatment of Covid-19, the public health system in Laos is no longer being overrun.

“This has meant that the world is now able to better cope with Covid-19, which has transitioned from a pandemic to endemic disease, or a seasonal disease much like flu,” said Madame Thippakone.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian countries has taken the cautious approach to inbound travel and has had some of the strictest border restrictions and closures. At the moment, the nations of the region are in the beginning stages of reopening their borders for tourism, with every country introducing its own regulations.

The “unlocking” statuses vary widely. Travelers entering Asian countries may be required to do everything from going into quarantine, submitting negative COVID-19 test results, presenting proof of health insurance, and proof of vaccination (known a vaccine passports).

There is an understandable uncertainty with how you should travel to the Asian region if you are planning to. This is why we present you the list of 19 Asian countries, along with details on the current travel situation. As each country applies precisely defined regulations, you should always check the official websites listed in the article below for the latest government announcements.