🇱🇦 Is Laos safe to visit?
Daily safety index from official government advisories, plus the consular map of Laos: 12 diplomatic missions from 10 countries, local emergency numbers and language essentials.
Updated Sep 13, 2026 · Composite index recalculated daily from official government advisories.
What official sources say
Levels are normalized to Telcomia's 1–4 scale. Always read the full official advisory at the source.
What to know before traveling to Laos
Drawn from the linked official advisories — always check the full text at the source.
Trip essentials
- Travel insurance may be void if you travel to areas where FCDO advises against travel
- Middle East escalation has caused airspace closures and flight cancellations that may affect your journey
- Monitor your permitted length of stay in Laos and extend your visa if needed via the Entry requirements page
- Check transit country travel advice and latest updates from your airline before departing
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the entry date into Laos
- Visa required: options include e-visa (30 days) via official website, or other methods
- E-visa only allows entry through specific border points, not all crossings
- Lost passport: report to local police, then visit Lao Immigration Office in Vientiane (up to 5 days)
Risk areas and situations
- Xaisomboun Province: FCDO advises against all but essential travel due to armed clashes and infrastructure attacks
- Land borders between Thailand and Cambodia remain suspended following rocket and artillery exchanges in 2025
- Khao Phra Wihan, Ta Kwai and Ta Muen Thom temple areas are closed due to the Thailand-Cambodia conflict
- Unexploded landmines are present in the Thailand-Cambodia border area
Health
- Travel with the broadest possible medical insurance coverage
Emergency numbers in Laos
Embassies and consulates in Laos
12 diplomatic missions from 10 countries, across 4 cities.
| Nationality | Missions | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | 3 | Luang Prabang, Phongsālī, Vientiane |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 1 | Vientiane |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 1 | Sisattanak District |
| 🇫🇷 France | 1 | Vientiane |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1 | Vientiane |
| 🇮🇳 India | 1 | Vientiane |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 1 | Vientiane |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | 1 | Vientiane |
| 🇹🇷 Türkiye | 1 | Vientiane |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 1 | Vientiane |
The full directory — addresses, phone numbers and locations on the map — is available in the Telcomia app.
Local language
The main local language in Laos is English. The Telcomia app includes 16 emergency phrases in English, with audio, ready to play when you need them.
See the 16 emergency phrases in EnglishTraveling to Laos?
Stay connected from the moment you land: prepaid eSIM data plans for Laos, delivered instantly, with the Telcomia safety layer included.
Frequently asked questions
Is Laos safe to visit right now?
The Telcomia Safety Index for Laos is 1.82/4 (Increased caution, level 2 of 4) as of Sep 13, 2026. It is a composite of official advisories from Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, recalculated daily.
What is the emergency number in Laos?
The general emergency number in Laos is 190. Save it before you travel — with a Telcomia eSIM you can call for help without hunting for Wi-Fi.
How many embassies are there in Laos?
Telcomia tracks 12 diplomatic missions from 10 countries in Laos, across 4 cities. The full directory with addresses and phone numbers is in the Telcomia app.
Informational only
This page is general information, not a substitute for official government travel advice. Conditions can change quickly — always check your own government's latest advisory before and during your trip.
Advisory levels summarize official sources: Spain's MAEC, the UK FCDO (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0) and the U.S. Department of State (public domain). Follow the links above for the full official text.