Laos
At a Glance
From the laid-back streets of Luang Prabang and the temple-studded capital of Vientiane to the dramatic limestone karsts of Vang Vieng and the lush jungles of the south, Laos offers a slower, soul-stirring journey through Southeast Asia. Travelers should protect against mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria, particularly when exploring rural, jungle, and river areas. Tap water isn’t safe to drink, and food hygiene varies, so choosing freshly cooked meals from busy stalls is important. Motorbikes and boats are popular ways to travel in Laos but come with their own risks, especially in remote areas. Packing a well-stocked travel health kit, using reliable insect protection, making careful food and water choices, and preparing for rural healthcare limitations will help ensure your journey through Laos is not only unforgettable, but safe, relaxed, and rich with discovery.
Laid-back Laos flows at its own pace—lush, spiritual, and mosquito-prone. Bottled water and repellent are musts for off-grid wanderers.
Don't Leave Without These
Get access to curated, pharmacist-reviewed packing guides, tailored to destinations like Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand — including brand names, specific combinations, and practical tips you won’t find in a generic travel article.
[Join the Travel Health Hub community]
Go-to travel health essentials — practical, proven, and always packed.
🦟 Mosquito Protection
Include repellent with 30–50% DEET, anti-itch cream, long-sleeved clothing, and mosquito nets if staying in basic or rural accommodation. Malaria tablets are strongly recommended — speak to your doctor about options like doxycycline or atovaquone-proguanil.
💩 Tummy Troubles Toolkit
Bring loperamide, oral rehydration salts (ORS), an antacid, and a short course of azithromycin for traveller’s diarrhoea. “Bali Belly” is common — prepare early, not when it’s too late. Hand sanitiser and wet wipes are essential when eating on the go or using roadside facilities.
☀️ Sun & Skin Care
Pack high-SPF sunscreen (50+), SPF lip balm, and hand sanitiser with 60–70% alcohol. Choose quick-dry, fragrance-free products to suit the heat and humidity.
🩹 First Aid & Docs
Include antiseptic solution, gauze, adhesive dressings, blister pads, gloves, and a thermometer. Bring a printed medical summary, prescriptions with generic names, and your travel insurance documents — including emergency evacuation coverage.
💊 Comfort & Care
Pack paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, fever, and post-flight aches. Include an antihistamine for bites or allergies, and a basic cold & flu remedy. Consider Berocca, Hydralyte, or Hairy Lemon for hangover recovery or general energy support — they’re handy in the heat, especially after long beach days or Bali nights.
🔥 Extra Tip
If you're heading into remote villages or trekking in northern Laos, stock up on basic medications like antidiarrhoeals and electrolyte powders in Vientiane. Medical supplies can be very limited outside major towns.
Prep Well. Travel Well. Know the Risks.
Travelling through Laos offers breathtaking landscapes and rich culture, but it comes with important health considerations. Healthcare standards are limited outside Vientiane, and serious medical issues often require evacuation to Thailand. Comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
Mosquito-borne illnesses are a major concern. Dengue fever is endemic year-round, peaking during the rainy season (May–October). Rural areas also carry a low risk of malaria (Plasmodium vivax), and Japanese encephalitis is a risk for travellers spending extended time outdoors. Protective clothing, insect repellent, and mosquito nets are essential.
Rabies is endemic, with dogs, monkeys, and other mammals posing a risk. Avoid contact with animals, and consider pre-travel rabies vaccination for longer stays or rural travel. Post-exposure treatment may not be readily available outside major centres.
Altitude sickness is uncommon in Laos, but travellers trekking in the northern highlands, particularly in Phongsali Province, may experience mild symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or fatigue. Trekking routes in remote villages can reach elevations over 2,000 metres, where rapid ascent without acclimatisation can increase risk. Travellers should ascend gradually where possible, stay well hydrated, and rest if symptoms appear. Those with cardiac ar chrnoic respiratory conditions should seek medical advice before visiting highland areas. Serious altitude illness is rare, but awareness and early management are important for a safe trip.
Heat-related illnesses like sunburn, dehydration, and heat exhaustion are easily overlooked. Good sun protection, hydration, and pacing activities during peak heat hours help travellers stay well, especially when trekking or sightseeing in remote areas.
With good preparation and practical precautions, Laos remains a rewarding and unforgettable destination for health-aware travellers.
Eat Adventurously, Not Regretfully
Laos’ cuisine is simple, fresh, and deeply rooted in local traditions — from the fragrant plates of larb (minced meat salad) and sticky rice, to the rich coconut-based curries of Luang Prabang, and the grilled river fish found across the Mekong basin. You’ll find vibrant herb salads, fiery jeow (chilli dips), and slow-cooked stews, often shared family-style. Street food culture thrives in night markets, offering everything from noodle soups to barbecued meats on skewers.
While diving into Laotian food is a highlight for many travellers, it comes with some risks — particularly for first-time visitors or those adjusting to the heat and hygiene differences. Gastrointestinal illnesses are common, especially when eating undercooked dishes or consuming contaminated water.
Food Safety Tips:
Stick to hot, freshly cooked meals, particularly when eating at street stalls or small restaurants.
Avoid raw meat dishes such as traditional larb made with raw pork, beef, or fish — unless served in reputable, hygienic venues.
Be cautious with raw salads, unpeeled fruit, and anything left sitting unrefrigerated at buffets.
Choose bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth; avoid ice unless you know it comes from purified sources.
What About Street Food?
Laos' night markets are famous and can be a delicious, authentic experience. Choose stalls where food is cooked to order, where locals are lining up, and where the prep areas look clean. Be cautious with pre-cooked foods sitting out in the heat for long periods.
Hidden Risks:
Fresh fruit juices may be diluted with tap water — check before ordering.
Some traditional sauces (like fish sauce-based jeow) may be left unrefrigerated all day.
In rural areas, fermented fish products (padek) can carry extra risks if not properly handled.
Summary for Travellers:
Taste boldly but eat wisely. Look for busy stalls, freshly prepared dishes, and steaming hot food. Avoid raw meats, untreated water, and unwashed produce. With a little caution, Laos’ vibrant, herb-rich cuisine can be one of the most memorable parts of your journey.
Beyond the Basics: Unique Health Risks
Every destination has its own surprises. Here are the health risks that don’t always make it into standard travel advice—but are important to know before you go.
While exploring Laos’ vibrant cities and rural landscapes, travellers should be aware of the serious, and sometimes fatal, risk of methanol poisoning from contaminated alcoholic drinks. In recent years, multiple deaths—including those of young Australian travellers—have been linked to methanol-contaminated spirits sold in local bars and small shops.
Methanol is a toxic form of alcohol sometimes found in illegally produced rice wine, home-brewed spirits, or poorly regulated bottled liquor. Even small amounts can cause devastating effects, including nausea, vomiting, vision loss, coma, and death.
Unlike ethanol (the alcohol found in beer, wine, and spirits), methanol is highly toxic even at low doses and cannot be detected by taste or smell.
Methanol poisoning is most often linked to cheap spirits, homemade alcohol, or cocktails made with unknown brands in low-cost venues, particularly in rural areas and tourist hotspots.
To minimise risk:
Avoid very cheap or home-brewed spirits.
Buy alcohol only from reputable bars, restaurants, or well-known hotels.
Stick to sealed, recognised brands when purchasing bottled alcohol.
Be cautious with cocktail buckets and mixed drinks in backpacker areas.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning can appear 12–24 hours after ingestion.
Immediate medical attention is critical if symptoms like blurred vision, severe headache, or confusion develop after drinking.
Travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation can be lifesaving if advanced care is needed.
Photo for editorial purposes only. Not affiliated with any specific provider.
When it doesn't go to plan
Healthcare standards in Laos are generally basic and vary greatly across the country. According to SmartTraveller and the CDC, public hospitals and rural clinics often lack modern equipment, essential medicines, and trained healthcare personnel. Even in Vientiane, services may be limited compared to international standards.
A small number of private and internationally linked clinics in Vientiane can provide basic care and emergency stabilisation, including:
Mahosot Hospital (Vientiane)
Alliance International Medical Centre (Vientiane)
French Medical Centre (Vientiane)
For serious illness, injury, or surgical procedures, travellers are strongly advised to seek care in neighbouring Thailand, where healthcare facilities are more advanced. Bangkok and Udon Thani are common evacuation destinations.
Travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is essential, as medical transfers can be costly.
Pharmacies are widespread in cities and larger towns, but the quality, authenticity, and storage of medications can be unreliable. Counterfeit and substandard drugs are a known issue, especially outside of Vientiane. Travellers should bring a full supply of any prescription medicines, ideally carrying both the original packaging and a copy of the prescription with the generic drug names listed.
Refer to SmartTraveller.gov.au or the Australian Embassy in Vientiane for updated health and safety advice before travelling.
Before you go
Before travelling to Laos, it’s important to check that your vaccinations are up to date. Some are required for entry, while others are strongly recommended for your safety—especially if you plan to visit rural areas, trek, or stay for an extended period.
Essential Routine Vaccines
All travellers should be up to date with the following before departure:
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (Tdap)
Polio
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Influenza (seasonal flu)
COVID-19 (including booster doses if eligible)
Infants aged 6–11 months may be advised to receive an early dose of MMR or Hepatitis A before travel. This extra dose provides short-term protection and does not replace the normal vaccination schedule.
Recommended Travel Vaccines
These vaccines are strongly recommended for most travellers to Laos, especially if you plan to eat street food, visit small villages, or spend time in nature:
Hepatitis A – Spread through contaminated food and water. One dose offers good protection.
Hepatitis B – Spread through blood, medical procedures, or sexual contact.
Typhoid – A risk from contaminated food and water, particularly in rural areas.
Rabies – Recommended for travellers spending time in rural areas, around animals, or visiting temples and parks with stray dogs or monkeys.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) – Consider vaccination if staying a month or longer in rural areas, especially during the wet season or if engaging in outdoor activities.
Chikungunya – A new vaccine may be considered for older travellers or those staying long-term in regions where outbreaks have occurred.
Malaria – No vaccine is available. Preventive medication may be recommended for travel to forested, border, or rural regions. Consult your travel doctor.
Yellow Fever – Entry Requirement
Laos does not have yellow fever. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present, including stopovers or transits.
.png)
🎒 Travel should be an adventure — not a health risk.
With the right advice, you can manage chronic conditions, complex medications, and health risks confidently on the road.
Book your Travel Health Consult and set yourself up for a healthier, safer journey.
Traffic Trouble: More Than Just a Travel Inconvenience
Road conditions in Laos are often poor, particularly outside major cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Many roads are narrow, poorly maintained, and lack proper lighting. During the rainy season (May–October), flooding and landslides can further damage roads and make travel hazardous.
Traffic rules are loosely enforced, and local driving habits can be unpredictable. Motorbikes are the most common form of transport, and accidents involving scooters and motorcycles are a leading cause of serious injury among travellers. Helmets are not always provided or worn.
Travelling at night is particularly risky due to unlit roads, stray animals, and the increased chance of encountering drunk drivers. Visitors should avoid riding motorbikes unless experienced, always wear a helmet, and arrange reputable transport where possible.
Travel insurance covering road accidents is strongly recommended, and travellers should plan journeys carefully, especially when venturing into rural or mountainous areas.
Weather
Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with two main seasons: wet (May–October) and dry (November–April). Temperatures stay hot and humid year-round, ranging from 23–35°C. The dry season brings more pleasant travel conditions, while the wet season features heavy afternoon storms, flooded rural roads, and increased mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and malaria.
Sun exposure is strong, especially in the dry season, and travellers may experience heat exhaustion and dehydration during long outdoor excursions.
In northern Laos, cooler evenings can occur between December and February, especially in mountainous areas like Luang Prabang and Phonsavan.
Exploring Without Limits: Travel and Chronic Conditions
)%20(1).png)
Join our members-only section for trusted, personalised advice on managing diabetes, heart health, arthritis, and more while travelling the world.
Access expert tips crafted for travellers living with chronic health conditions—because smart preparation leads to smoother, safer adventures.
Stay confident, travel protected, and make the most of every journey with tailored health strategies designed to go wherever you do.
Travel Well Extras
Amoebic Dysentery and Giardiasis
In Laos, contaminated food and water can cause intestinal infections like amoebic dysentery and giardiasis. Symptoms include persistent diarrhoea, cramps, fever, and dehydration—sometimes appearing days or even weeks after exposure.
Risk is highest with untreated drinking water, ice made from tap water, and unwashed salads.
Practical Advice:
Drink bottled or boiled water only.
Avoid raw vegetables unless you can peel them.
Carry a basic self-treatment kit for travellers’ diarrhoea.