Language: Laos 
Currency: The Lao kip (₭ or LAK). Other currencies often accepted in tourist areas are Thai baht and US dollars.
Population: 7 million
Capital: Vientiane
 

Besides visa in advance which can be applied and obtained at Lao embassy/ consulate, the government issues a 30-day visa on arrival for most foreigners travelling Laos.

Visa on arrival is valid for 30 days and available at international airports and most land borders). Upon arrival, you should carry a valid passport (must-have), flight tickets, portrait photos and hotel vouchers (if any) to fill in the legal documents.
 

Landlocked Laos has a tropical climate with the year being divided into wet and dry seasons. The dry season is usually October through March and the wet (rainy) season is from May through to September. The hottest temperatures are in the south of the country and get up to 38c and can get as cold as 10c in the northern regions during winter.

The best time to visit Laos is from November to February. In this time, it is warm and dry, which is an ideal time to explore Laos. In the daytime, the temperatures are agreeably fresh and warm, evenings are a little bit cooler. January and February are suggested time to travel on the river.

These are the months for doing a bit of everything, from sightseeing, to river travel, to exploring the countryside. Dry conditions on land make it a perfect time for outdoor pursuits, such as rock-climbing, cycling and hiking in the north – and the scenic waterfalls of the southern highlands are not to be missed.

Other enjoyable activities during this period include meeting the genial giants at elephant camps, visiting coffee plantations, indigenous markets and ethnic villages, and enjoying the slow pace of life on the picturesque Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands) archipelago.

The dry season inevitably attracts greater visitor numbers though, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself when visiting well-known attractions.
 

DOs:

•   Keep your head lower than Buddha and monks.
•   Dress and behave modestly, especially in religious shrines or temples.
•   Take your shoes off and leave them outside when entering a Lao’s home.
•   Practice a formal greeting for Lao people such as the “Nop” and handshakes.

DON’Ts:

•   Expose the feet when sitting down, rest the feet on tables/ chairs and gesture feet.
•   Raise your voice to Lao people, especially in public.
•   Touch or turn your back on the Buddha.
•   Wear shoes in temple buildings.
•   Step over someone and food.
•   Kissing and hugging in public