Travel tips · Luang Prabang · Laos
Luang Prabang travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Luang Prabang is a deeply Buddhist town, and life still follows the monasteries: monks walk the alms round each dawn, novices study in the temples and festivals follow the lunar calendar. People are gentle and soft-spoken, and the relaxed attitude summed up by the phrase 'bo pen nyang' (no problem) shapes daily life.
Key facts
- Language
- Lao
- Currency
- LAK
- Plugs
- Type A, B, C, E and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water is cheap and many guesthouses offer…
- Emergency
- 1191 police, 1190 fire, 1195 ambulance
Things to know
- Greet with the nop: palms pressed together at chest height and a slight bow, with 'sabaidee'.
- Watch the alms giving silently from across the street; do not block the monks, touch them or use flash.
- Cover shoulders and knees in temples and the Royal Palace, and remove shoes before entering halls.
- Women should not touch monks or hand objects directly to them.
- Do not touch anyone's head or point your feet at people or Buddha images.
- Keep voices down and avoid public displays of affection or anger.
- Book Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre ahead: Classes have limited places; reserve a day or more ahead in high season.
- The kip loses value quickly; withdraw or exchange modest amounts and pay in kip where prices are listed in kip.
Tipping
Tipping is not traditional in Laos, but rounding up the bill or leaving a little extra in restaurants is appreciated. Guides and drivers on day trips are usually tipped modestly.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sabaidee | Hello |
| Khop jai | Thank you |
| Khop jai lai lai | Thank you very much |
| Bo pen nyang | No problem / you're welcome |
| Tao dai? | How much? |
| Saep lai | Very delicious |
What to wear
Wear loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees, especially for temples and the palace. Lao women often wear the sinh, a woven tube skirt, which is sold widely. Bring a warm layer for cool mornings between December and February.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A, B, C, E and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water is cheap and many guesthouses offer refill stations.
- Emergency number
- 1191 police, 1190 fire, 1195 ambulance
- Phone and internet
- Prepaid SIMs from Unitel, Lao Telecom and other providers are inexpensive; most guesthouses and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
- Time zone
- Asia/Vientiane
Luang Prabang is calm and petty crime is uncommon, though occasional bag snatching from motorbikes is reported. Take care on slippery paths at Kuang Si and Tad Sae, and in rural areas stay on marked trails because unexploded ordnance remains in parts of the countryside.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Laos's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Luang Prabang?
Tipping is not traditional in Laos, but rounding up the bill or leaving a little extra in restaurants is appreciated. Guides and drivers on day trips are usually tipped modestly.
+Can you drink the tap water in Luang Prabang?
Do not drink tap water; bottled water is cheap and many guesthouses offer refill stations.
+What plugs are used in Luang Prabang?
Type A, B, C, E and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Luang Prabang?
Lao.