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Laos - Vientiane, Buddha Park

Victory	Victory	Vientiane	Vientiane	Wat Hai Sok
Wat Hai Sok	Wat Hai Sok	Wat Hai Sok	Wat Hai Sok	Wat Hai Sok
Wat Inpeng	Wat Inpeng	Wat Ong Teu	Wat Ong Teu	Wat Ong Teu
Wat Prakeo	Wat Prakeo	Wat Prakeo	Wat Prakeo	Wat Prakeo
Wat Prakeo	Wat Sisaket	Wat Sisaket	Buddha Park	Buddha Park

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Click to enlarge detail map of Laos in PDF ready to print.

Laos History

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Laos' early history was dominated by the wider Nanzhao kingdom, which was succeded in the 14th century by the local kingdom of Lan Xang that lasted until its decline in the 18th century, after which Thailand assumed control of the separate principalities that remained. These then came under French influence during the 19th century and were incorporated into French Indochina in 1893. Following a Japanese occupation during World War II, the country became independent in 1949 as the Kingdom of Laos under the leadership of King Sisavang Vong.

Political unrest in neighbouring Vietnam dragged Laos into the greater Second Indochina War (see also Secret War) which was a destabilising factor that contributed to civil war and several coups d'état. In 1975 the communist Pathet Lao movement overthrew the royal government of King Savang Vatthana and took control of the country, which they promptly renamed the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialisation were replaced by a relaxation of economic restrictions in the late 1980s and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.

Climate

Laos has three distinct seasons. The hot season from March to May, when temperatures can soar as high as 38°C. The slightly cooler wet season is from May to October, when temperatures are around 30°C, tropical downpours occur frequently and the Mekong floods. The best time to visit is hence the dry season from November to March, when rainfall is low and temperatures can cool down to as low as 15°C (or even to zero in the mountains at night).

Hotels in Laos

Visas

On-arrival visas are available at the international airports in Vientiane and Luang Prabang , as well as at the Friendship Bridge crossing from Thailand . One passport photo and, in theory, proof of onward travel are required. The cost is generally US$30 for a 15-day visa although small semi-random administrative fees, including a US$1 weekend surcharge and an additional 10-baht entry fee can be added on.

Advance visas can be obtained at any Lao embassy at slightly lower prices (around US$20, although this varies by nationality) and you can typically obtain a 30-day visa this way. The Lao Embassy in Bangkok has an informative website ( http://www.bkklaoembassy.com/ ) . Processing time is usually two days, and advance visas are required for border crossings where on-arrival visas are not issued (eg. Vietnam , China , Myanmar and all land crossings with Thailand except the Friendship Bridge).

Visa extensions are only possible at the Immigration Department in Vientiane or from an embassy before you arrive.

Book Hostel in Vientiane

Hostels in Vientiane (Laos)
Phet Phim Guest House Th Fa Ngum Tel. 252-757 phetphim@hotmail.com Vientiane	Mixac Guest House Th Setthathirat Tel. 251-606 Vientiane
Lao Sakonh Guest House Th Francoise Nginn Tel. 216-571 Vientiane	Auberge du Temple Luang Prabang Road (next to Wat Khunta) Tel. 214-844 Vientiane

Central International of Hostel Reservation

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