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Luggage And Clothing

Luggage and Clothing

For domestic flights, you are only allowed 20 kg of checked baggage. Try to stay within this limit. The principle is to keep your luggage light. A suitcase and a backpack will be more than sufficient for your trip to Laos. It is recommended to carry essential items in your cabin baggage to cover the risk of delay in your checked baggage. The dimensions of your hand luggage should not exceed 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm and 5 kg.

Laos is a hot country almost all year round with high humidity. Prioritize bringing lightweight cotton clothing to withstand the intense heat. Bring warm clothing only if you are heading to the northern mountains of Laos, where it gets cold in the evening and during winter (November to February). You will also need clothing that covers your arms and legs for visiting pagodas and to protect against mosquitoes.

From June to October, it's the rainy season in Laos. Prepare some plastic bags to pack your belongings to ensure they stay dry, a raincoat, and a light waterproof jacket.

Airport security checks are strict: avoid putting items such as knives, scissors, spare batteries, liquids, explosives, etc., in your cabin baggage. Be aware that all your baggage will be systematically X-rayed (if you arrive by plane) at both entry and exit.

It is recommended to pack the following in your luggage:

• Lightweight cotton clothing
• Clothing that covers arms and legs for visiting religious sites
• Warm clothing for excursions in the northern mountains

For accessories:

• A flashlight for lighting during frequent power outages
• A swimsuit for diving into the Mekong and swimming in the waterfalls
• Shoes/sandals that are easy to remove (it is not uncommon to have to remove them to enter certain pagodas or homes) and a few pairs of socks
• Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
• Tropical mosquito repellent or anti-mosquito lotion (e.g., Cinq sur Cinq Tropic)
• Hand sanitizing lotion
• A raincoat or a light waterproof jacket
• If you plan to trek, don't forget your appropriate gear: walking shoes
• If you are sensitive to noise, consider earplugs for a peaceful sleep
• A travel pillow for long vehicle journeys

A travel toiletry kit:

• If you are staying with locals, bring a toiletry kit with essentials: towels, soap, shower gel and shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, disposable razor, and shaving foam.
• In all hotels, towels and toilet paper are provided. However, if the products provided in hotels do not suit you, it will be very easy for you to find quality products at low prices on site. The same goes for shampoo and soaps.

A travel medical kit:

• It is advisable to bring a small first aid kit containing products for minor ailments like headaches, diarrhea, pain, etc. Also, bring disinfectant, which can be useful.
• For those on regular medication, ensure you have enough of your usual treatments for the entire duration of your stay. If you are carrying syringes and/or needles for medical reasons, ask your doctor for a medical certificate (in English); without it, customs can be tricky.
• Consider bringing a prescription in INN (International Nonproprietary Name) which refers to molecules and can be read and understood by doctors in all countries. Don't forget anything as it would be complicated to find a similar quality medicine.

Travel Documents

Most importantly, don't forget the essentials: your passport and visa, your plane tickets, and your travel insurance. Make sure to check the validity dates of your passport (valid for at least six months beyond the expiration date of the requested visa) and visa. You can enter later and leave earlier than the entry date indicated on the invitation letter or your visa, but you cannot enter earlier and leave later than the date indicated on your visa.

Note that the electronic visa for Laos is valid for 60 days from the date of approval; the online application cannot be made more than two months before the return date. The authorized stay duration is a maximum of 30 days.

Also, ensure you have photocopies and/or scanned files (stored in your email, for example) of your passport, visa, and plane tickets. This will facilitate administrative procedures in case of loss or theft.