Safety


The population of Laos is gentle-natured and helpful. It is advisable to engage with the population and relationships with the local authorities only strictly necessary.


The population of Laos is gentle-natured and helpful. It is advisable to engage with the population and relationships with the local authorities only strictly necessary.
Note that the tourism in Laos is subject to strict controls. To travel in some provinces should equip themselves with special permits for which one can turn to travel agencies. You should therefore avoid individual trips.

Risk zones
At risk are many remote areas where ethnic groups live there little controlled by central authorities. In the past, have been reported incidents of insurgency in the provinces of the north-east of the country. In the town of Vangviang (at 120km from Vientiane) indicates that you have been killed in 2002 some Europeans who were traveling by bicycle. According to the local police this would be an act of banditry.
It is highly recommended to make travel beyond the permitted areas.

Areas of caution
The whole country is allowed to visit areas where it should still take special care, especially outside the towns.

Caution should be paid if you cross the National Road No 13 from the north through Phou Vangviang Khouna up to Luang Prabang south, n. 7 from Phou Khouna to Phonsavan, and No 6.
In February 2007 it is been a gun battle between government officials and armed bands of Vang Vien.

The mined areas are often not reported. It is recommended, therefore, not to depart from the main roads to rural areas.

Safe areas.
In principle, the three main cities Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pahhé are safe, while maintaining the correct behavior and normal caution.
Recently in the capital, in fact, there have been cases of muggings at night and aggression.
Last year there have been some terrorist attacks.

Warnings.

Are growing crimes such as robbery, rape el `habit of putting drugs into the drinks of tourists, then robbing them or abuse them in other ways.
The risk of attacks by armed gangs is also present in areas where it has been allowed to go.
It is recommended to travel only during daylight hours and not to make individual travel. There are, however, reports on special tours, which usually are limited to the capital itself and in Luang Prabang.

It is preferable not to make air travel with equipment of the local airline (Lao Airlines) because lack of reliability in terms of maintenance. Currently used only one airplane-enabled navigation aids, while others fly only when conditions permit. Guidance on the flight safety and reliability of the airlines (with reference to the punctuality of scheduled flights) are made available by ENAC (the Italian Civil Aviation Authority) on-site www.enac italia.it under " Air Transport Security - Information on Air ", and through the Toll ENAC 800,898,121.

The roads are kept in terrible conditions, so it is not recommended to travel at night and must also pay attention to possible routes that provide for navigation or to cross the river during the rainy season (November to April).

Statement
The local law prohibits intimate relationships between foreigners and Lao citizens, only allowing in the presence of a marital bond valid for the Lao law, for offenders risk fines of 500 to 5,000 U.S. $ and in some cases, even arrest. There were incidents of breaking into hotel rooms by local authorities, in cases of suspected violation of this prohibition.

Regulations for use and / or sale of drugs
Severe penalties are provided in case of possession and use of drugs was introduced in 2001, for certain cases, even the death penalty.

In case of problems with local police (state detention or arrest) you should inform the Embassy.

Health situation



The health situation is also defective in the capital and it is impossible to undergo hospital treatment rooms, however not recommended in case of emergency.
Are difficult for the time emergency medical repatriation. It is therefore recommended to specify, before undertaking the journey, including health insurance, in addition to covering medical expenses, including any air ambulance repatriation or transfer to another country of the patient.

Malaria is endemic in the countryside.
During 2007, have been reported outbreaks of avian influenza virus (H5N1) with two human cases of death from H5N1 virus. The local health authorities, supported by those from Thailand, have adopted measures and controls necessary against the spread of the epidemic, particularly in the areas concerned. Nationals wishing to travel to the country as a precautionary measure is recommended to consume poultry meat and eggs only if well cooked and to avoid any direct contact with poultry and poultry.

Warnings
We recommend:
-take information about the existence of any epidemic, before departure;
-not visit the country if you do not enjoy good health;
-to pay close attention to food anyway and drinks to avoid risks of hepatitis, typhoid, bilharzia, etc.;
- Do not drink tap water and avoid drinks with ice in places that do not provide adequate standards of hygiene.


Viability




Driving
International (mod. 1949 Geneva Convention or Vienna 1968).

They are often rented cars and motorcycles that have limited security guarantees. In addition, the movement disorder can cause accidents. It is therefore advisable to carefully evaluate whether or not to hire a means of transport. It is recommended in any case out of insurance with appropriate liability ceiling.