Laos
The GLBT Community is growing in Laos. Gays in Laos are not oppressed by the government but homosexuality is technically illegal in Laos. The Laos government is adamant about suppressing a sex industry, be it straight or gay. There are very strict laws about underage sex, don’t get caught! In many hotels it is impossible or difficult to bring back a guest to your room that has not registered in advance. The younger generation seems to be very open about their sexuality, and the expat community is somewhat out and supportive of the gay community. There are several bars, pubs, discos, nightclubs, restaurants, guesthouses and resorts that are gay owned or managed, but they tend not to advertise the fact. The discos and nightclubs are mixed but the gays know where to gather. Prostitution is illegal in Laos as is the payment for sex, so be careful. There are young men cruising along the river at night, just be careful of picking up someone, you may get ripped off or threatened.
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Laos Travel Tips
An Introduction
The Peoples’ Democratic Republic of Laos is located in the center of Indochina, sharing borders with China to the North 416 kilometers, Myanmar to Northwest 236 kilometers, Thailand to the West 1,835 kilometers, Cambodia to the South 492 kilometers and Vietnam to the East 1,957 kilometers. The Mekong River is the main geographical feature in the west and, in fact, forms a natural border with Thailand in some areas. The Mekong flows through nearly 1,900 kilometers of Lao territory and shapes much of the lifestyle of the people of Laos. In the South the Mekong reaches a breadth of 20 kilometers, creating an area with thousands of islands.
The Gay Scene
Homosexuality is technically illegal in Laos, but he gay scene in Laos is growing, but it is still very small, nothing compared to Thailand or Cambodia. There are several gay owned and managed hotels, guesthouses, bars, pubs, spas, saunas and tour companies. However the Lao government seems determined not to allow a “sex” industry. There are no laws against homosexuality in Laos. Same sex marriages are not permitted. Overseas same sex marriages are not recognized. In practice gay people are not prosecuted and gay venues are permitted to operate freely without too much interference. Coming out to one’s own family or work colleagues as being gay is still a difficult thing for many Asian gay men,
Climate
Most of the year is hot and humid. Laos enjoys a tropical climate with two distinct seasons. The rainy season is from the beginning of May to the end of September, and the dry season is from October through April. The yearly average temperature is about 28 degrees Celsius, rising to a maximum of 38 degrees Celsius during April and May.
Shopping
Most shops in the tourist areas are open from about 8 am until midnight, 7 days a week. Not many associate Laos with shopping, but both Luang Prabang and Vientiane are teeming with gorgeous boutiques showcasing high quality hand-woven textiles. Choose from silk or cotton and the beautiful patterns have unique meanings and histories. Markets are also an important part of Laos landscape and a must-see itinerary for any traveller. Walking around them and browsing the colorful wares is a great way to understand a slice of the local life. From woodcarving, pottery and lamps and books made of mulberry papers to gold and silver jewellery, ethnic handicrafts and local herbs, spices and delicacies, Laos has a multitude of products to offer so make sure there’s room in your luggage.
Banking
There are banks in all provincial capitals in the country. Banks offer the usual banking services – cash advances on credits cards (most accept Visa card,) international currency exchange, telegraphic transfers, cash travelers checks and most offer ATMs with international access. Most banks are open from 8:00 to 16:00, Monday through Friday. Some are open Saturday mornings until 11:30. ATMs are available 24 hours. A growing number of hotels, up market 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 two towns, credit cards are virtually useless.
Immigration
All nationalities must have a valid passport and need to apply for a travel visa, except for ASEAN nationals. Visa on arrival is available at the International checkpoints; there is also an e-visa program. The cost varies upon which country you are from, the range seems to be $20 – $42.
Traveling To Laos
Most travelers enter into Laos via Thailand, either by airplane, bus, train or car. International airports in Vientiane, Paces, Savannakhet and Luang Prabang have regular service to major cities in the region. From Wattay in Vientiane you can reach Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Kunming. Direct flights are available to Luang Prabang from Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hanoi.
Getting About
Getting around Laos is getting more and more convenient each year following major road and airport upgrades. There is daily bus service from Vientiane to all major provincial Capitals and local buses and songtaeow available to more remote districts and villages with road access. Lao Airlines has flights to many domestic destinations and a number of regional capitals. The international airports in Vientiane, Pakse, Savannakhet and Luang Prabang have regular service to major cities in the region. From Wattay in Vientiane you can reach Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Kunming. Direct flights are available to Luang Prabang from Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hanoi.
Another way to travel around Laos is on the Mekong River or one of its many tributaries. Luang Prabang is commonly access by riverboat from Houi Xay, and if you are heading north to Luang Namtha a two-day journey on the Namtha River is a memorable adventure that takes you through lush forest and requires an overnight stay in your boatmen’s home. There is regular boat service on the Mekong from Pakse to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Vat Phou and throughout the Four Thousand Islands in the far south.
Electrical Appliances
Laos uses type A, B, C, E and F electrical plugs with a voltage of 220 V at 50 Hz. Some outlets offer a combination of type A and C. Type F outlets are most often found in hotels.
Tipping
Most upscale restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge but an additional 5 to 10 per cent may be given, where deserved. When a service charge is not automatic, 10 per cent is acceptable. Small tips may also be given to taxi drivers, bellboys, doormen and washroom attendants.
Laos Tourist Attractions
LUANG PRABANG One of the most charming cities in south-east Asia, Luang Prabang is the most popular tourist attraction in Laos. Until 1975, when the communist took over the country, it was the royal capital of Laos. The main part of Luang Prabang is located on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. A collection of golden-roofed temples, wooden houses and crumbling French provincial buildings fill the main roads. At dawn, monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms of rice. Be sure to visit The Royal Palace. The Pak Ou Caves are located north of Luang Prabang on the Mekong River and can be reached by road or river boat. The caves are famous for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of very small and mostly damaged wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the wall shelves. They take many different arrangements, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining (nirvana).
THE MEKONG RIVER is Southeast Asia’s greatest river with an estimated length of 4,350 km (2,703 miles). Laos actually has the greatest share of the Mekong River. With few good roads and mountainous terrain, the river is Laos’ principal transportation. The Upper Mekong in Laos is considered one of the most stunning journeys of the entire river. A great way to enjoy the scenery is a boat trip from Huay Xai at the border with northern Thailand to Luang Prabang, or vice versa.
VANG VIENG is a riverside town, located in central Laos about a 4 hour bus ride north of the capital. The main street is full of guest houses, bars, restaurants, internet cafes, tour agencies, and tourists. The area’s main attraction is the dramatic karst hill landscape surrounding Vang Vieng. The Limestone Mountains are popular with rock climbers while the many unexplored tunnels and caverns are a spelunker’s heaven. Vang Vieng’s most popular activity however is simply floating along the Nam Song River in an inner tube.
SI PHAN DON (meaning 4,000 islands) is a beautiful set of islands, set against a scenic section of the Mekong River in Southern Laos. The Mekong is impassable to river traffic here due to the Khone Falls, a series of rapids that stretch 9.7 km (6.0 miles) of the river’s length. The Mekong below the falls has a small population of the highly endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins. The three principal islands that cater to tourists are Don Det, Don Khon and Done Kong. Most of the lodging available on Don Det and Don Khon consists of simple, family run bungalows. Bikes and kayaks can also be rented here.
THE PLAIN OF JARS is a large area extending around the town of Phonsavan, where huge jars of unknown origin are scattered around the landscape. The stone jars appear in clusters, ranging from a single or a few to several hundred jars. The jars vary in height and diameter between 1 and 3 meters and are all hewn out of rock. The stone jars are undecorated with the exception of a single jar that has a human bas-relief carved on the exterior. Research of the Plain of Jars suggests that the stone jars are associated with prehistoric burial practices. More bombs were dropped on the Plain of Jars during the Vietnam Conflict then during World War II.
WAT XIENG THON is located near the northern tip of the peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers, Wat Xieng Thong is Luang Prabang’s most magnificent temple. It was built in 1560 by King Setthathirath and was under royal patronage during the Kingdom of Laos. Wat Xieng Thong contains a rare reclining Buddha statue that dates from the construction of the temple. In 1931, the image was taken to Paris and displayed at the Paris Exhibition, only to return to Luang Prabang more than 30 years later.
VIENTIANE The Lao Capital, be sure to walk along the Mekong River, as it has had extensive landscaping done to it, watch the locals running and working out. There are several museums to visit and don’t miss the Market. Located in Vientiane, Pha That Luang (“Great Stupa in Lao”) is one of the most significant monuments in Laos. The stupa has several terraces with each level representing a different stage of Buddhist enlightenment. The lowest level represents the material world; the highest level represents the world of nothingness. Pha That Luang was built in the 16th century on the ruins of an earlier Khmer temple. Pha That Luang was smashed by a Siamese invasion in 1828, and then later reconstructed by the French in 1931.
WAT PHU (or Vat Phou) is a ruined Khmer temple complex located at the base of mount Phu Kao, in the Champasak province. The Hindu temple structures date from the 11th to 13th centuries. Wat Phu is small compared with the monumental Angkor-era sites in Cambodia but the tumbledown pavilions, enigmatic crocodile stone and tall trees that shroud much of the site give Wat Phu a mystical atmosphere. The temple is still in use as a Buddhist site today.
