What every visitor should know about Laos:

Money
The currency is the Lao kip (LAK). 1000 LAK is worth about US$0.12, or €0.08.
Crime
CrimeSafe Travel Score™: 4.5 out of 5 (Very safe)

Areas of concern:

  • Pick-pocketing / bag-snatching
Capital
Vientiane
Tap water
Very dangerous. Water-borne disease is widespread and purification is unreliable. Drink boiled or bottled water only.

Laos facts and figures:

People

Population
6,834,942
Language
Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Ethnicity
Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%, other (over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26%

Economy

GDP
US$2,100 (per capita)
Income equality
High
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