Laos General Information

OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION
Business Hours Government offices are open from 08:30AM-12:00AM, 01:00PM-04:00PM on Monday through Friday. Banks open 08:30AM-03:30PM on Monday-Friday, Shops around 09:00AM-06:00 (holiday depends on each shop).		Currency The Kip is the official currency of the Lao PDR and the following bank notes are currently in circulation: 500; 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; 10,000; 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 Kip.....                                         <<Read more.....>>
Electricity 24 hours electricity is available in all major population centers and many district capitals.		Credit Cards Visa is the most common. Master Card and American Express are accepted in the big hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops in the large cities (such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Champasack).
Internet Internet access is available in many hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants in big cities. Although internet cafe is often available in provincial capitals, it  is difficult to connect internet in rural areas.		Language The national language is Lao, but English is commonly used in major tourist centers. Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai are widely understood. French, German, Russian and  a number of other European languages are also spoken by many educated Lao as many students received higher education in Europe during 1970’s-1990’s.
Phone  International Direct Dial is widely available. You can also purchase a local pre-paid SIM card for your mobile phone.		Post and Parcels There are post offices in all provincial capitals where you can send letters and parcels your home country. Both DHL and FedEx have offices in Vientiane Capital.
Time The time in Laos is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +7).		Travel with Children Laos is a safe, quiet country with a lot to explore for both adults and children. Lao people love kids. If you bring children, you will have good opportunities communicating with Lao people.
Weather Laos generally enjoy a mild tropical climate, but it can get quite chilly in the cool season. Temperatures range from 10-40 degrees Celsius in the Mekong Valley.