As a traveler, it’s natural to consider your safety and well-being – particularly when it comes to visiting a country like Laos, which remains unfamiliar to many. We felt the same before our first trip, but after experiencing the country firsthand we can say that, while there are some things to be aware of, Laos is a welcoming and generally safe country for visitors. In our thorough guide we’re going to tell you everything you’ve to be aware of regarding safety.
Safety in Laos varies by city
Like in every other country, there are cities and regions that are safer than others. That’s why we wrote about the safety in Vientiane, safety in Vang Vieng, and safety in Luang Prabang. In those three cities, that are also more touristic compared to most other parts of the country, the safety situation is pretty good. In general most areas of Laos are safe, even the more rural areas. However, there are some regions that are problematic. Especially near the borders there are several risks, including criminal activity and unexploded ordnance (UXO). One infamous region is the Bokeo Province near the border of Myanmar. While it has great eco-tourism attractions, it’s also known for its connection to drug trafficking routes and violence related to organized crime.
Potential dangers in Laos
To stay safe and have an unforgettable time in Laos, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers. That’s why we created the table below with all the information you need to know. In addition to that, we’re also going to explain each point in detail, to give you a better understanding.
Danger | Risk Factors | Chance of Occurrence | Locations | How to Avoid |
Accidents | poor road conditions, reckless driving | moderate-high | all throughout Laos, but more on rural roads | avoid night-time travel, use reputable transportation services |
Animals | mosquitoes, stray dogs, snakes and others | low-moderate | especially in rural areas, forests and waterways | beware of stray dogs, use insect repellents, never approach wild animals |
Crime | drink spiking, pickpocketing, robberies | low-moderate | petty crime → touristic areas, violent crime → border regions | don't go to shady areas, stay alert and keep your valuables secure |
Drugs | contaminated substances, overdoses | low-high | border regions, popular tourist hotspots | keep away from any illegal substances |
Diseases | food- and waterborne diseases, dengue, malaria and others | moderate-high | throughout Laos, especially in rural areas | eat and drink at reputable places, use insect repellent |
Natural disasters | floods, landslides, storms | low | mountainous and low-lying regions | check weather reports and take potential warnings seriously |
UXO (unexploded ordnance) | landmines and unexploded bombs | low | near the Lao-Vietnamese border and other former conflict zones | stay on marked paths, use a guide for remote areas |
Scams | fake tours, overpriced products and services | moderate-high | primarly in tourist areas | be cautious, stick to reputable companies, negotiate prices upfront |
Accidents
Probably the biggest risk in Laos are accidents. It’s particularly dangerous if you drive here by yourself, since you most likely won’t be used to the bad road conditions here. To be honest, the roads are really bad and the only exception is the big main highway that was built with the help of the Chinese. Even if you book a private driver or tour, you should always be aware of the high risk of traffic accidents. We saw many accidents on the side of the road by ourselves and therefore can assure that the danger is real and should not be underestimated. The best way to stay safe: avoid any night travel – at least when covering long distances – stick to reputable transport companies. The latter is more important than you may think, since drunk driving is unfortunately quite common in Laos.
Animals
We’ve a very detailed article about the dangerous animals in Laos, where you can read everything you need to know, but to make it short – stray dogs and mosquitoes pose by far the biggest threat. Both are very common and can transmit dangerous diseases. Mosquitoes may carry dengue, malaria and similar viruses. Stray dogs are even worse, since they may carry rabies. The problem with rabies is, that the disease, once it develops symptoms, is a death sentence. If a stray dog bites you, get prophylaxis immediately. Additionally, there are some other animals to be aware of. One of them is venomous snakes. Many of the most dangerous snakes found in Laos. They usually can be avoided pretty easily, but you should always pay attention to your surroundings.
Crime
Violent crime towards tourists or even expats is extremely rare in Laos. Most Laotians are welcoming towards foreigners, as long as you respect their culture and traditions. That doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. Especially in tourist areas petty crimes like pickpocketing are quite common. Another concern is drink spiking. Not long ago there was a case in Vang Vieng where several tourists consumed methanol and died in the hospital. To avoid such incidents, it’s advisable to stick to bottled beverages and only order cocktails or similar drinks at reputable establishments.
Diseases
As a tropical country, Laos has some diseases that are more prevalent here. Coupled with the widespread poverty and limited access to healthcare, they can pose a significant risk. If you’re feeling unwell, it’s better not to take it too lightly, in case it’s something serious. At least consult a pharmacist to get some initial advice. It’s also important to be aware of food- and waterborne illnesses. Under no circumstances drink the tap water. The risk of contracting a serious illness is significant. Another precaution is to always use insect repellent diligently, especially around mosquitoes and other potent carriers of disease like sandflies. While diseases like malaria aren‘t as common as in the past, it’s still better to take precautions.
Drugs
It’s no secret that Laos has a drug problem. Especially drugs like opium, methamphetamine, and heroin play a very significant role in the shadow economy. How dangerous they’re, totally depends on your involvement. If you regularly consume drugs and don’t plan to avoid them while traveling in Laos, you’ve to be aware that the risk of contamination or an overdose is probably higher than in your country. If you don’t consume, there’s not much to worry about. Drug-related violence isn’t too common, unless you’re in border regions near the Golden Triangle.
Natural disasters
You don’t have to worry as much about natural disasters in Laos like you have in Indonesia, Japan, or the Philippines. Still, it’s a potential danger that should never be underestimated. If you ever receive an alert about flooding, landslides, or another natural hazard, take it seriously and (if possible) avoid that region completely. Especially during the rainy season from May to October, the risk of natural disasters increases significantly.
UXO
UXO stands for unexploded ordnance and describes all kinds of explosive military materials. Usually, it refers to landmines, but also other bombs like cluster bombs. One of the main reasons those are a problem in Laos was that Laos was the most bombed country per capita in the world during the Vietnam War. To flush out the Viet Cong forces hiding in the jungle, the US government decided to conduct extensive bombing campaigns. Until this day, they affect many rural communities across the country. If you want to learn more about their impact and the ongoing clearance efforts, we recommend visiting the COPE Visitor Centre in Vientiane. Luckily, the risk of UXO has declined in most tourist areas, but near the Lao-Vietnamese border it remains a serious concern. There are also some other affected areas like Xieng Khouang and parts of Savannakhet Province.
Scams
Even though scams are technically a crime, we decided to give them their own section. After all, scams can be as harmless as a small surcharge and as serious as an expensive fake tour, leaving you disappointed and costing you a lot of money. Scams are mostly concentrated in tourist areas. Outside of those areas, most Laotians are surprisingly honest and rarely try to take advantage of foreigners. The best way to avoid scams is a natural sense of caution and common sense. It‘s also better to negotiate prices upfront, to avoid any misunderstandings.
Frequently asked questions regarding the safety in Laos
If you checked our information thoroughly, you should already know how to safely travel in Laos. Anyway, you might still have some questions regarding your safety. That’s why we added a small extra section with frequently asked questions. If by chance there’s still something you’re unsure about, just ask your question in the comment section.
Is Laos safe for American tourists?
Despite the bombings during the Vietnam War, Lao people have no animosity towards Americans. Actually, they’re even more welcome than visitors from many other countries. Therefore, there’s absolutely no additional security concern. American tourists can enjoy the same level of safety and hospitality as any other travelers, as long as they’re culturally aware and show a certain level of respect.
Is Laos safe for female travelers?
With a few exceptions, most countries in Southeast Asia are safe for female travelers and Laos is one of the best examples of this. Even solo travelers without company usually don’t face major issues. There are very few reported incidents involving female tourists. However, like in every other country, women have to be more aware of their surroundings than men. After all, women are more vulnerable to harassment or theft.
Is Laos safe to travel?
As we already mentioned, Laos is a relatively safe country. Technically, at least in terms of crime, it’s even safer than many western countries like the United States. There are still some things that you have to be aware of as a traveler, but as long as you follow some precautions, there’s generally not much to worry about. Just enjoy the warmth of the people, peaceful atmosphere, and rich culture.
Is Laos safe to live?
Living in Laos is generally safe. There are many expats from all over the world living a happy and worry-free life here. After all, the crime rate is low, the local population is friendly and there are many other benefits. One of the main challenges is the access to healthcare. Especially in rural areas you‘ll barely find any medical facilities and if you’ve a serious issue, it’s better to get treatment in Thailand anyway.
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