Laos
UK Foreign Office travel advice · 13 August 2026
Current safety guidance for Laos from UK Foreign Office travel advice. We cover 1 city in Laos, with reported scams for each.
Source: Laos travel advice — UK Foreign Office travel advice
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Do not leave your passport as a deposit or guarantee when hiring motorcycles. There have been reports of rental companies arranging for their motorcycles to be deliberately stolen or damaged, then keeping passports and demanding high fees. Make sure your travel insurance covers medical and other costs that arise from motorcycle accidents.
Call the Tourist Police in Vientiane on 021 251 128.
Local law enforcement responses to crimes, even violent crimes, are often limited. Foreigners attempting to report crimes have reported finding police stations closed, emergency telephone numbers unanswered, or police with no transport or authorisation to investigate crimes at night. If the police do attend, they may ask you to pay fuel and telephone costs. Ask the staff at your accommodation for help with reporting a crime.
Both male and female tourists have reported having their drink or food spiked with drugs and in some cases been assaulted. Never leave food or drink unattended. Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers at bars, clubs, restaurants and parties.
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Laos, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Specific events or political disputes may trigger violent protests. You should avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people. Keep yourself informed of local developments.
Petty crime can occur in tourist areas and around ATMs. Try to have someone with you and do not carry your bank cards and cash in the same bag. Keep a copy of your passport somewhere safe.
Travellers regularly report random bag snatches, often by people on motorcycles. Hold your bags on the side away from the road, and do not have valuables on display.
People have reported incidents where they are approached and followed when alone. Be alert to your surroundings, trust your instincts and if you think you’re being followed move to an area where there are other people. Consider sharing your planned route in advance and avoid quiet or less-travelled areas.
Safes in hotels and guesthouses are not necessarily secure. Use your own lock where possible. Take care of your possessions if you’re travelling overnight on public transport.
Be particularly careful travelling at night by bicycle or motorcycle. Stick to well-used, well-lit roads and carry a personal alarm if possible, especially if you’re alone.
There is a risk of harassment when travelling alone. We recommend you use a known taxi service; one booked by your accommodation or one of the local taxi apps. You should:
confirm the driver’s identity and license plate matches when the vehicle arrives
share your journey details with a friend or use the apps sharing feature if available
be wary of drivers claiming to be registered with app companies and trying to pick up passengers on the street
There have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in Laos.
Methanol poisoning cases have resulted from drinks purchased in licensed bars, shops and hotels in tourist areas. Laos authorities have issued an order prohibiting the sale and consumption of Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky due to concerns about them being a risk to health.
Even small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Spiking and methanol poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.
Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.
The Lao legal system operates differently from the UK, and the standard of prisons is very poor.
If you are under criminal investigation, you can be detained for long periods without evidence or official charges. There can be long delays before you can contact lawyers, British Embassy officials or family. Legal representation is far below UK standards.
Possession, trafficking and manufacture of any illegal drugs are serious offences in Laos. This includes cannabis. British nationals have been caught carrying cannabis while transiting through Laos.
The Laos authorities have a zero-tolerance policy to drug offences. Possessing drugs, even in very small quantities, carries severe penalties, including:
Legal processes before court hearings can be long and expensive. It can take many months for a case to go to trial.
Criminal gangs in the UK and elsewhere are known to coerce people into carrying drugs across borders. Do not allow yourself to be persuaded.
Airports in Laos have security equipment and procedures in place for scanning and detecting illegal substances, including cannabis. This is also used to scan the carry-on and checked-in baggage of transiting passengers.
It is important to be aware of your rights if you are detained by the police. See our guidance for those detained or imprisoned in Laos.
Police often raid venues known to be frequented by foreigners. You may have to take a urine or blood test if there is a suspicion you have used drugs. You will be arrested if the test is positive.
Photographing or entering any military site without an official invitation is prohibited and you may be arrested or detained. Avoid photographing bridges or airfields.
You should get permission from the local district authorities for any travel seen as out of the ordinary, such as extensive photography, or scientific research of any kind.
The Lao government prohibits sexual relationships between foreign and Lao nationals, except when the parties have been married in accordance with Lao family law. You must ask permission for marriage or engagement to a Lao national in a formal application to the Lao authorities.
Penalties for failing to register such a relationship can be up to 5,000 US dollars fine and possible imprisonment. It is not unknown for Lao authorities to demand entry into hotel rooms or guesthouses where they suspect this regulation is being broken.
While cigarettes are common, the use of e-cigarettes (vapes), heated tobacco and shisha (water-pipe tobacco) are illegal. You could be fined or imprisoned for possessing, using them, importing, selling, purchasing or exporting them.
When you visit any temples and religious sites, your shoulders and knees should be covered, whether you are male or female.
It is not culturally appropriate to walk around in public wearing swimming costumes after leaving waterfalls, rivers or swimming pools.
There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations in Laos. Proud To Be Us Laos raises awareness about LGBT+ rights and HIV/AIDS among the LGBT+ community. More information can be found on the Proud To Be Us Laos Facebook page.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Safety and maintenance may not meet the standards you find in the UK. Risks include:
Activities such as white-water rafting, kayaking, tubing and swimming, particularly in the Mekong River, can carry significant risks, including strong currents and hidden obstacles. There have been incidents of drowning and serious injuries involving tourists.
Safety standards vary widely. Operators may not provide adequate safety advice, and there may not be warning signs for dangerous currents or other hazards. Stay alert and check that lifejackets are provided.
See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
Be aware equipment may not meet UK safety and insurance standards.
Make sure:
If you are planning to drive in Laos, see information on driving abroad.
You’ll need to have both the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
Police may stop your car at any time, particularly in the evening, and ask for ID. You should stop at checkpoints and roadblocks unless you are waved on.
Roads in Laos are often in poor condition and vehicles may not be maintained to UK standards. Travel after dark significantly increases the risk of an accident, as vehicles often do not have lights. Livestock, including water buffalo, also stray onto roads, creating hazards for motorists.
If you’re involved in a road accident, you will have to pay compensation for third-party property damage and injury, even if you’re not at fault. Generally, the Lao authorities will find in favour of Lao citizens, regardless of the situation. Lao insurers typically only cover a small proportion of accident costs and do not provide broader compensation.
Motorbike rentals may not supply helmets, so you may need to bring your own or purchase one locally. Take extra care when using public transport or shared vehicles, as they can be overcrowded and unsafe. You can report road accidents to a dedicated police number +856 20 5666 9090.
The Vientiane to Vang Vieng section of the China-Laos Expressway is the first contained high-speed road in Laos, with posted speed limits between 80 and 120km/h. Take care when using this road, as some local users will be unfamiliar with this type of carriageway.
Travel on the Mekong River can be dangerous due to changing water levels, strong currents, and hidden obstacles. There have been incidents of boating and ferry accidents. Vessel safety standards vary widely and operators may not provide adequate safety advice. Stay alert, ensure boats are equipped with life jackets and avoid boarding overcrowded vessels.
Landmines and other unexploded weapons are a hazard throughout Laos and kill a number of people each year. Keep to main routes in rural areas, and do not pick up metal objects. This risk is higher after flash floods or landslides during the monsoon season.
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
The rainy season in Laos normally runs from May to October, at the same time as the typhoon season in south-east Asia. During this period river levels can can increase dramatically within hours and heavy rainstorms may cause unexpected and serious flooding. Be aware of local advice, social media coverage and follow the advice of the local authorities.
Travel to some provinces can be seriously disrupted during this time. Mountain areas are vulnerable to landslides in the rainy season and the Mekong’s river basins and surrounding areas are likely to be flooded. Meteorologists predict that tropical storms could be more forceful and more frequent in the future, this can amplify monsoon storms and rainfall. Away from river basins there is a high risk of flash flooding causing falling trees, damage to buildings and transport infrastructure; be aware landslides may expose undiscovered UXO.
During the monsoon season local road transport is often disrupted due to conditions. Cross country journeys can often take substantially longer than posted schedules and have limited mobile phone coverage. Travel with extra water and food supplies.
The Mekong River Commission posts official updates on the Mekong River. Travel to some provinces can be seriously disrupted during this time. Monitor local news and check World Meteorological Organization weather reports.
This section has safety advice for regions of Laos. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province. There were reports in 2021 of attacks on infrastructure and armed clashes with anti-government groups in the province. There could be more skirmishes.
There have been small-scale clashes between anti-government groups and government troops in isolated areas along the Laos-Thailand border. The local law enforcement agencies have limited capability to counter these threats.
Be extremely cautious in Bokeo Province, particularly near the borders with Myanmar and Thailand, and around the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone. Armed groups carry out employment scams and drug trafficking in this area.
Recent clashes in this area between the Lao army and unidentified armed groups has led to increased security levels with associated military checkpoints. Make yourself aware of local official guidance and be prepared to reconsider travel plans to this area.
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