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COUNTRY INFORMATION - LAOS

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Location Of Laos
Laos is a landlocked country bordered to the north by China, to the east by Vietnam, to the south by Cambodia and to the west by Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). Apart from the Mekong River plains along the border of Thailand, the country is mountainous, particularly in the north, and in places is densely forested.

Airports
Vientiane airport is 2.5 miles from the city and the travel time is around 20 minutes.

Language
The official language is Lao, however many tribal languages are also spoken. French, Vietnamese and some English are also spoken.

Places To Go
The markets in Vientiane and Luang Prabang (about 40 minutes by air from Vientiane) are worth visiting. Silk, silver jewellery and handmade shirts are good buys. Although the majority of shops have fixed prices, bartering is still advisable for antiques and other art objects. There are several discotheques in Vientiane that tend to have live Lao bands. Most large hotels will have their own nightclubs. Travellers can head to the hills independently or take part in locally organised guided tours. The lack of cars makes cycling a good proposition. Terrain can be difficult, however, and there are not many roads. Visitors are advised to bring their own bicycles, although there are some for hire in the larger towns.

Lao National Tourism Authority (LNTA)
PO Box 3556
Lanexang Avenue
Vientiane
Laos
Tel: (21) 222 971.
Fax: (21) 212 769.
E-mail: info@etc-etcetera.com
Website: www.visit-laos.com

Mekong Tourism Service Centre
Tel/Fax: (21) 212 248.
E-mail: mtsc@mekongcenter.com
Website: www.mekongcenter.com

Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
74 Avenue Raymond Poincaré
75116 Paris
France
Tel: (1) 4553 0298.
Fax: (1) 4727 5789.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-12:00 (visa section); 14:00-17:00 (telephone enquiries).

British Embassy
PO Box 6626
Vientiane
Laos
Tel: (21) 413 606.
Fax: (21) 413 607.
British Embassy staffs are resident in Bangkok (see Thailand section). Trade Office staff are resident in Vientiane.

CIA World Factbook - Laos

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