merry christmas~

merry christmas~

Lao Airlines New Route 寮国航空新航线

Vientiane - Singapore
永珍 - 新加坡

www.laoairlines.com

Map of Laos 寮国（老挝）地图

Click on image for larger view
欲放大请点击图像

Location of Laos 寮国（老挝）位置图

Visa on arrival

A visa on arrival is also available to most people entering at the airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse, as well as the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge between Nong Khai in Thailand and Vientiane and on the Lao/vietnam-Border. It is also available when entering via Stung Treng (Cambodia), although guesthouses in Cambodia and the Lao embassy in Phnom Phen will tell it is not to make money with visa services. When applying for a tourist visa or to obtain a visa on arrival, one (maybe two at Lao embassies) passport photo is required (although you may be able to pay a US$1 "fee" to have this requirement waived).

Prices range from US$30 to US$42 depending on nationality - Americans pay US$35, Australians US$30, Canadians US$42, Chileans US$30, Belgians US$30, British, Dutch, Swiss US$35, Swedes US$31, Germans $30-$35.

Visas can be obtained in advance from Lao embassies/consulates. The fee varies by nationality/embassy; US$20 is common, although can be as high as US$63 (in Kuala Lumpur). Processing times also vary; 2-3 days is typical, though you may be able to pay an extra small amount (around US$5) to receive the visa in as little as one hour. In Phnom Penh the travel agencies can arrange the visa the same day (but may charge as much as US$58) while getting it from the embassy takes a few days. Getting a visa from the embassy in Bangkok costs around 1400B for most nationalities, plus 200B more for "same day" processing. It's cheaper and quicker to get one at the border.

Visas are also available at the Lao PDR consulate in Khon Kaen, Thailand. A single entry tourist visa (for Americans) costs 1,200 baht (about $40 USD). Paying in US Dollars is slightly cheaper ($35 USD). Visas can be issued in as little as 10 minutes. Requirements: Passport, visa application (available at consulate), and one passport photo OR photocopy of passport page. Hours: M-F 8AM-12PM, 1PM-4PM.

There are Visa-on-Arrival facilities at the international airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse, and at all border crossings (see below), including now overland from Cambodia (visa on arrival facilities opened at Voen Kham -north of Stung Treng, Cambodia- in February 2010). The cost varies between US$30 and US$42 (if paid with US$ notes; paying with Thai baht will cost considerably more and border officials will not accept Lao kip at all). A US$1 "out of office hours/overtime" surcharge, and a small (possibly 10 baht to US$1) entry stamp fee, might also be charged.

Entry permit extensions (sometimes referred to as "visa extensions") are available from the Immigration Department in Vientiane (US$2 per day) and via agencies elsewhere in Laos (who will courier your passport to Vientiane and back again, around US$3 per day minimum of 7 days).

~Info courtesy of Wikitravel~

Climate

Climate

Laos has three distinct seasons. The hot season is from March to May, when temperatures can soar as high as 40°C. The slightly cooler wet season is from May to October, when temperatures are around 30°C, tropical downpours are frequent (especially July-August), and some years the Mekong floods.

The dry season from November to March, which has low rainfall and temperatures as low as 15°C (or even to zero in the mountains at night), is "high season" (when the most tourists are in the country). However, towards the end of the dry season, the northern parts of Laos — basically everything north of Luang Prabang — can become very hazy due to farmers burning fields and fires in the forests.

~Info courtesy of wikitravel~

Lao or Laos?

Lao or Laos?

The people call themselves Lao and the language is Lao, so where did that "s" come from? The answer seems to be a mistranslation from French: somebody read royaume des Laos ("kingdom of the Lao people") as royaume de Laos ("kingdom of Laos"), and the name stuck. The correct form of the name, however, is Lao PDR and, should you have any incoming mail, using it will increase the odds of it passing the censors.

~Info courtesy of wikipedia~

Visa free nationalities 免签证国籍

Russians, Japanese and ASEAN nationals including Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines can enter Laos "visa free"; all other tourists need a visa in the form of a tourist visa (for one or possibly two months) issued by a Lao embassy or consulate.

免签证国籍 - 俄罗斯、日本、东南亚。

Lao Embassy Abroad

Lao Embassy Abroad 老挝（寮国）驻外使馆

Below are the list of Laos Embassies abroad. You can find its contacting address and number as listed below:

Australia
1 Dalman Crescent, O’ Malley
Canberra, A.C.T. 2606
Tel: (+661 6) 2864595, 06-2866933
Fax: (+661 6) 2901910

Belgium
19, Avenue Brabançonne
1000 Brussels
Tel: +32-(0)2-740.09.50
Fax: +32-(0)2-734.16.16
Website

Brunei
DarussalamLot No. 19824, House No. 11Simfang 480
Jalang Kebang Saan Lama 3786 Off Jalang Muara
Bander Seri Begawan 3786
Tel: (637) 02 – 345 666 Fax: (673) 02 – 456 888

Cambodia
1517 Thanon Keomani
P.O. Box 19, Phnom Penh
Tel: (+855 23) 26441, 24781
Fax: (+855 23) 27454

Cuba
7 Ave. Calle 36 A
505 Miramar, La Havana
Tel: (+53 7) 33105-57, 331058
Telex: 511500

France
74 Avenue Raymond-Poincare
75116 Paris
Tel: (+33 1) 4553 0298, 4554 7047
Fax: (+33 1) 4727 5789

Germany
Am Lessing 6
53639 Konigswinter 1
Bonn, Tel: 02223-23925

India
E53 Panchsheet Park
New Dehli 17
Tel: (+91 11) 642 7447
Fax: (+91 11) 642 8588

Indonesia
Jalan Kintamani Raya C15 No33
Kuningan Timur, Jarkata 12950
Tel: (+62 22) 5202673, 5229602
Fax: (+62 22) 5229601

Japan
3322 Nishi Azabu, Minato-Ku
Tokyo 106
Tel: (+81 3) 5411 2291, 5411 2292
Fax: (+81 3) 5411 2293

Malaysia
108 Jalan Damai, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (+60 3) 2248 3895, 2242 0344
Fax: (+60 3) 2242 0344

Mongolia
Ikh Toiruu
P.O. Box: 1030
Ulan Bator, Tel: (+976 1) 326440, 329898

Myanmar
NA 1 Diplomatic quarters
Franser Road, Yangon
Tel: (+95 1) 22482, 27445
Fax: (+95 1) 27446

Philippines
34 Lapu – Lapu StreetMagallaness VillageMakati City
Manila
Tel and Fax: 833-5759

Poland
U1. Rejtana 15/26
02516 Warsaw
Tel: (+48 22) 484786, 488949
Fax: (+48 22) 497122
Telex: 813593 BTXCB PL

PR China 中国北京
11 San Litun Dongsi Jie
Beijing 100600
Tel: (+86 1) 5321224
Fax: (+86 1) 5326748

PR China (General Consulate) 中国昆明
Room 3226 Canellia Hotel
154 East Dong Feng Road
650041 Kunming
Tel: (+86 871) 3176623-24
Fax: (+86 871) 3178556

Russia
U1. Karchalova 18
121069 Moscow
Tel: (+7 095) 2031454, 2916966
Fax: (+7 095) 2904246
Telex: 413101 AMLAO SU

Singapore
179-B Gold Hill Centre, Thomson Road, Singapore
Tel: (65) 6250 6044, 6250 6741, 6250 6014

Sweden
Hornsgata 82 B1 TR 11721
Stockholm
Tel: (+46) 8 6685122
Fax: (+46) 8 6692176

Thailand
520, 502/13 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39
Bangkapi, Bangkok 10300
Tel: (+66 2) 5396667-69
Fax: (+66 2) 5396678

Consulate General in Khonkean
19/1-3 Phothisarn Road, Khonkaen
Khonkaen, Thailand
Tel: (+043) 223473, 223698

United Kingdom
Victoria Road 12-14
London W8-5rd
Tel: 93 71 912
Fax: 93 76 108
Code: 00-44-171

United States
2222 S Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (+1 202) 3326416-17
Fax: (+1 202) 3324923

Permanent Mission United States
317 East 51 Street
New York, 10022
Tel: (+1 212) 8322734
Fax: (+1 212) 7500039

Vietnam
22 Rue Tran Binh Trong, Hanoi
Tel: (84 4) 254576, 296746
Fax: (84 4) 228414

Laos General Consulate in Ho Chi Minh
181 Hai Ba Trung, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: (+84) 8 299275, 297667
Fax: (+84) 8 299272

Laos General Consulate in Danang
12 Tran Quy Cap
Tel: (+84 51) 21208, 24101
Fax: (+84 51) 22628

Vientiane to Khon Kaen transport

08:15, 14:45 (GMT+7)
Price: 50,000 kip

International Bus Service

Nongkhai(Thailand) - Vientiane

55 Baht from Nongkhai
15,000 Kip from Vientiane

07:30, 09:30, 12:40, 14:30, 15:30, 18:00 (GMT+7)

Travel 101 ... Vientiane

Travel 101 ... Vientiane

YOU can take Vientiane out of being a small town and make it the capital of the country, but you can't take the small town out of it. Pronounced "Wieng Chan" by the locals, life in Laos' largest city is as idyllic as the Mekong river which runs through it. You'll find yourself slowing down, influenced by provincial air and the sweet easy-going nature of the Lao people. Whether you're in the comfort of a lovely French colonial bungalow or a scruffy riverside bar, it's easy to let endless tropical days melt into gentle nights here.

Breakfast at Le Banneton Cafe: S$6.60

You could almost make believe you're in France - a road is called a "rue" and the breads are crusty, especially at Le Banneton (568 Ban Mixay, Rue Nokeokaummane). Order the Gourmand breakfast set (43,000 kips) where there's latte, juice, eggs with bacon or ham, baguette and vienosserie of croissants or brioche. Now that's a real breakfast to get you started.

City tour of Vientiane: S$60.28

Choose to see the city in an air-conditioned car or the more eco-friendly bicycle with a tour with Exotissimo Travel (http://laos.exotissimo.com). Prices start from US$34 (S$41.90) and the tour brings you to the temples of Wat Sisaket, Wat Phra Keo and the Black Stupa. Lunch is an additional US$15 at the highly-rated Makphet Restaurant, which doubles up as a vocational institution training street children for the hospitality industry.

Visit to COPE Visitor Centre: S$18.45

This sleepy little nation of soft-spoken people is sadly the most bombed country in the world. Unexploded ordinance remains a problem today and the good people behind non-profit organisation Cooperative Orthotic And Prosthetic Enterprise or COPE (www.copelaos.org) provide prosthetics and mobility devices for those in need. Visiting the exhibitions at COPE is free, but please leave a donation or buy gifts from the shop. According to the website, a donation of US$15 would provide food for a week.

Dinner at Kong View Restaurant: S$15.38

To end the day with cheap, good grub with a riverside view to boot, head for Kong View Restaurant (www.view-goodview.com). Order the Deep Fried Keung Fish topped with Lemongrass (60,000 kips), the Luang Prabang Sausages (31,000 kips) and an ice-cold glass of Beer Laos (9,000 kips) to make it a good night out.

Total: S$100.68

Prices and conversion rate accurate as of press time

~Courtesy of Today~
http://www.todayonline.com/Travel/EDC110616-0000002/Travel-101-,,,-Vientiane

Vientiane Roadsign 永珍路牌

Khon Kaen to Vientiane Transport

Bus from Khon Kaen to Vientiane
泰国孔敬往寮国永珍巴士（公车）
745am and 315pm daily 每天
180 THB

Nongkhai Thai Customs 廊开泰国关卡

泰寮友谊1桥 - 廊开泰国关卡
Thai Lao Friendship Bridge 1 - Nongkhai Thai Customs

Border Fee 入境费

泰寮友谊1桥 - 寮国关卡入境费
Thai Lao Friendship Bridge 1 - Border Fee
9000 kip / 40 Baht

Tuk tuk 三轮出租车

Talat Sao Bus Station 永珍巴士总站

Vientiane 永珍【万象】

Vientiane Museum 永珍博物馆

Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge 2

泰寮第二友谊桥
Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge 2

Lao Currency 寮国货币

Kip

Lao script 寮国文字

Temple 寺庙

Traditional Laotian Buddhist Temple

传统寮式佛庙

Vientiane Streets 永珍街景

Talat Sao Mall

Talat Sao Mall - Vientiane

永珍（万象）购物中心

Lao Billboard 寮国广告板

Cross Border Bus 国际巴士

泰寮友谊1桥过桥巴士（公车）
Thai-Lao 1st Friendship Bridge - Cross border bus
车资 Fare - 20THB

Basic Lao Phrases 基本寮语

Hello. 你好。
(Sa-bai-Dee.)
What's Up? 什么事？
(Pen Jung Dai?)
How are you? 你号码？
(Sa-bai-Dee Baw?)
Fine, thank you. 很好。
(Sa-bai-Dee.)
What is your name? 请问你的名字是？
(Seuh Jâo Maen/Bpen Nyung?)
My name is ______ . 我的名叫＿＿＿。
(Seuh Khàwy Maen/Bpen _____.)
Please. 请。
(Kalunaa)
Thank you. 谢谢。
(Khawp Jai)
It's nothing. 没事。
(Baw Pen Nyung.)
Yes. 是。
(Maen Laeow/Doi/Eur/Jao)
No. 不。
(Baw)
Excuse me/I'm Sorry. (Begging Pardon) 对不起。
(Khǎw Thôht)
Goodbye and Take Care 再见。
(Sôhk Dee Der)
Do you speak English? 你会说英语吗？
(Jâo Wâo Pháa-Sǎa Ung-Kit Dai Baw?)
I can't speak English very well. 我的英语不太好。
(Khàwy Baw Wâo Pháa-Sǎa Ung-Kit Dai Dee)
I can't speak ____. 我不会讲＿＿。
(Khàwy Wâo Pháa-Sǎa ____ Baw Dai.)
Please speak slowly. 请慢慢讲。
(Kalunaa, Wâo Sah-Saah)
Do you understand? 你知道吗？
(Jâo Khào Jai Baw?)
--Yes. I understand. 是，我知道。
(Maen Laeow. Khàwy Khào Jai)
--No. I don't understand. 不，我不知道。
(Baw. Khàwy Baw Khào Jai)
Go to sleep 去睡觉。
(Bpai Náwn)
Where is the bathroom? 厕所在哪里？
(Hàwng Nâm Yuu Sǎi?)
(Ethnicity)I am ____. 我是＿＿国的人。
(Khoy Pen Khon ____.)

~Info courtesy of Wikitravel~

Laotian Language

Lao (ພາສາລາວ pháa-sǎa láo) is the main language of Laos. Thai is also closely related to Lao, and the Isaan dialect spoken in the northeast is, with minor differences in vocabulary aside, virtually identical to Lao.

Lao is a tonal language with six tones in the Vientiane dialect: low, mid, high, rising, high falling, and low falling. Meanings are dependent on the tone, so try not to inflect your sentences; in particular, questions should be pronounced as flat statements, without the rising intonation ("...yes?") typical to English questions.

The script used to write Lao has the same Brahmic base as Thai and Khmer, and Thai readers will be able to figure out most of it. The Lao written language is essentially alphabetic and, thanks to extensive post-revolutionary meddling, now considerably more phonetic than Thai or Khmer. Still, there are 30 consonants, 15 vowel symbols plus 4 tone marks to learn, and the Lao also share the Thai aversion to spaces between words. Lao remains a bit of challenge to pick up, even though it is usually considered easier to learn than Thai.

Lao romanization is bedeviled by the incompatibility between French and English pronunciation. Most older transliterations are French-based, while newer ones are English-based. The French-style "Vientiane", for example, is more accurately spelled "Wiang Chan" in English. Wikitravel uses a modern English-based orthography modeled on the Thai system, but the French transliterations have been noted below when appropriate.

~Info courtesy of Wikitravel~

Streetsigns 路牌

Vientiane shops 永珍商店

永珍商店 - Vientiane Shops

Wat Si Meung

Wat Si Meung Buddhist Temple － Vientiane
佛教寺庙 － 永珍（万象）

明信片postcards

寮国（老挝）明信片 Laotian postcards

Cities

Cities

* Vientiane — the still sleepy capital on the banks of the Mekong River

* Huay Xai — in the north, on the Mekong and the border with Thailand

* Luang Namtha — capital of the north, known for its trekking

* Luang Prabang — a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its numerous temples, colonial era architecture, and vibrant night market

* Muang Xay — also known as Oudomxay, the capital of the multiethnic province of Oudomxay

* Pakbeng — halfway point on the overnight slow boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang

* Pakse — gateway to the Wat Phu ruins and the "four thousand islands" (Si Phan Don)

* Savannakhet — in the south on the Mekong, connected by bridge to Mukdahan in Thailand

* Tha Khaek — a popular base for exploring the Phou Hin Boun National Park including the famous Konglor Cave

~Info courtesy of Wikitravel~

Culture

Culture

Despite its small population, Laos has 49 ethnic groups, or tribes, from which Lao, Khmou and Hmong constitute approximately three quarters of the population. Most tribes are small, with some having just a few hundred members. The ethnic groups are divided into four linguistic branches: Lao-Tai language represented by 8 tribes, Mone-Khmer language with 32 tribes, Hmoung-Loumien language with 2 tribes and Tibeto-Chinese language represented by 7 tribes.

Laos is officially Buddhist, and the national symbol, the gilded stupa of Pha That Luang, has replaced the hammer and sickle even on the state seal. Still, there is a good deal of animism mixed in, particularly in the baci (also baasi) ceremony conducted to bind the 32 guardian spirits to the participant's body before a long journey, after serious illness, the birth of a baby or other significant events.

Lao custom dictates that women must wear the distinctive phaa sin, a long sarong available in many regional patterns; however, many ethnic minorities have their own clothing styles. The conical Vietnamese-style hat is also a common sight. These days men dress Western style and only don the phaa biang sash on ceremonial occasions. Nowadays women often wear western-style clothing, though the "phaa sin" is still the mandatory attire in government offices (not only for those who work there, but also for Lao women just visiting).

~Info courtesy of Wikitravel~

Laotian flowers 寮国花朵

Laotian flowers
寮国花朵

Duty Free Shop 免税商店

Friendship Bridge 1【Vientiane - Nongkhai Thailand】
泰寮第1友谊桥 【永珍 - 泰国廊开】

Rice Noodles 河粉 【Pho】

pho【越南文发音 Vietnamese pronounciation】
Laotian delicacies - Rice noodles soup
寮国【老挝】美食 - 河粉

寮野风光 Lao Countryside

Buddhism 佛教

Monks walking along the streets of Vientiane
在永珍（万象）的街道上散步的和尚

Talat Sao Mall 购物商场

Vientiane Talat Sao Shopping Mall
永珍(万象)Talat Sao购物商场

Understand

Understand

Thailand promotes itself as amazing, Vietnam can well be described as bustling, Cambodia's Khmer temples are awe-inspiring, Myanmar's junta is barbaric... but the adjective most often applied to Laos is forgotten. Although there are a few grand (but relatively unheard of) attractions, those visitors who are drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong will simply explain the attraction by revealing that the true meaning of "Lao PDR" is Lao - Please Don't Rush.

~Info courtesy of Wikitravel~

Laos

Laos, officially known as the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is one of the poorest nations in South-East Asia. A mountainous and landlocked country, Laos shares borders with Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west (separated by Mekong River), and Myanmar (separated by Mekong River as well) and China (云南省 Yunnan province) to the north.

~Info courtesy of Wikitravel~

Border crossing 陆路关卡

First friendship bridge - Vientiane/Nongkhai (Thailand)
第一友谊桥 - 永珍/廊开（泰国）

National drink 国饮

Vientiane Street 永珍街景

Language Book 语文书籍

~Info courtesy of Lonely Planet~

Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge 泰寮友谊桥

Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge 1 (Vientiane - Nongkhai)
泰寮第一友谊桥（永珍 - 廊开）

Grilled banana 烤香蕉

Grilled banana 烤香蕉 - Guay bing

寮国（老挝）基本概况

货币 - 寮国的法定货币是kip(LAK)，其实应该念gip。只有钞票，没有硬币。钞票的面额是：

500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10 000（一万）, 20 000（两万）, 50 000（五万）, 100,000(十万)

500很少用，因为上厕所都要1000。除了kip，寮国境内可以用美金USD还有泰铢THB，但是他们找回钱通常都是kip。

广播电台 - 永珍的FM广播电台除了本地台，还有CRI中国国际广播电台FM93（讲华语）跟Radio Australia 澳州电台FM96（讲英语）。

手机网络 - 由于地理位置的关系，在永珍靠近湄公河的部分还是可以接受到泰国的手机网络覆盖(AIS, DTAC etc.)。 寮国主要的电讯公司是ETL Mobile, Lao Tel , Tigo, Unitel。

时间 - GMT+7 (与泰国一样)

Pathat Luang - 塔銮寺

Laos national icon - Pathat Luang (Vientiane)
寮国国家地标 - 塔銮寺（永珍）

Lao alphabets - 寮文字母

Lao alphabets - 寮文字母