Laos: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Extreme
Overall verdict for Laos: Extreme. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.
Laos: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Sex & dating, Driving
The 23 topics at a glance
Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed
💊Drugs🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💉MedicinesAllowed, with limits
🛡️Theft & scamsAllowed, with limits
🐾AnimalsRelaxed
🚬SmokingAllowed, with limits
🍺AlcoholAllowed, with limits
❤️Sex & dating🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
👕Dress codeAllowed, with limits
🕌ReligionRelaxed
🚗Driving🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
📷Photo & videoAllowed, with limits
🔪WeaponsBanned or serious risk
💶FinesBanned or serious risk
🛂Visa & customsRelaxed
🤝BehaviorAllowed, with limits
⛓️Jail riskBanned or serious risk
⚖️ExtraditionAllowed, with limits
📡Internet & VPNAllowed, with limits
🚁DronesBanned or serious risk
💵Cash & currencyRelaxed
🩺Vaccines & healthRelaxed
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestBanned or serious risk
Get the exact rules for your trip
This page gives you the level. The app gives you the rule, the numbers and the penalties for Laos, offline, in 23 languages.
Laos: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
How Laos compares
With 8 of 23 topics flagged red, Laos is stricter than 7 of the 9 other countries in South-East Asia (regional average: 7.1). Worldwide, Laos ranks #28 of 148 for strictness (tied with 8 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Fines: flagged red here, while only 22 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Politics & protest: flagged red here, while only 28 of 148 countries are this strict.
What to watch most in Laos
- Littering, spitting and cigarette butts — small acts, disproportionate fines in strict cities.
- Jaywalking is enforced with cameras in some countries and ignored in others.
- Eating or drinking on public transport is fined in a growing list of cities.
- The age of consent is the first thing to check, and it varies from 13 to 21 depending on the country and sometimes the region.
- Some countries criminalise sex outside marriage, which can affect an unmarried couple sharing a hotel room.
- Same-sex relations remain a criminal offence in around 60 countries, with sentences up to life in a handful.
Laos at a glance
CapitalVientiane
CurrencyLaotian Kip (LAK)
LanguageLao
Emergency number191 police / 195 secours
Driving sideRight
Mains voltage230 V
Calling code+856
Time zoneUTC+07:00
Plug typesA · B · C · E · F
Frequently asked questions
Is Laos strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Extreme. 8 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Sex & dating, Driving, Weapons, Fines, Jail risk, Drones, Politics & protest), 10 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Laos?
The strictest topics for travellers in Laos are: Drugs, Sex & dating, Driving, Weapons, Fines, Jail risk, Drones, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Laos?
In LawsTravels: open Laos, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.
What is the emergency number in Laos?
In Laos, dial 191 police / 195 secours. Capital: Vientiane. Currency: Laotian Kip (LAK). Main language: Lao.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Laos?
In Laos, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +856. Time zone: UTC+07:00. Plug types: A · B · C · E · F.
Countries with the closest profile
Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.
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