TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(LAK)
Kip |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 856, City Code, Vientiane 21+6D, Pakse 31+6D, Thakhek
51+6D |
Climate
and Clothing
Light-weight
washable cotton or cotton-blent clothes are suitable. A sweater
or coat is needed for the winter and in upland areas.
Telecommunications:
International telephone, fax, telegraph and telex services are
available at post offices, hotels and business centers. Mobile
phones are widely used.
Several radio stations broadcast in Lao. The Lao National Radio
carries news in English, French and Thai. There are daily TV
broadcasts, with two local channels, Thai television and satellite
reception.
Transportation
Public transportation is by bus, taxi and samlo (rickshaw).
There are both metered and unmetered taxi. No railroad is available
in Laos. Lao Aviation, Thai Airways International, Cambodia and
Vietnam Airlines connect Wattay Airport of Vientiane to Bangkok,
Yangon, Hanoi, Hochiminh City, Phnompenh and Kunming of China.
Domestic flights shuttle daily between Lao cities. Mittaphab
Bridge across the Mekong to Thailand opened in early 1994.
Currency
Local currency is called Kip. One USD is worth approximately
2,450 kip (1998). Money can be exchanged at banks, authorized
shops, or hotels. Exchange rates fluctuate everyday, though fluctuation
is tiny.
Electricity
220 volts at 50 HZ
