Laos is Southeast Asia's hidden gem, offering ancient Buddhist temples, pristine waterfalls, and serene riverside towns. From the UNESCO-listed streets of Luang Prabang to the adventure hub of Vang Vieng and the mysterious Plain of Jars, Laos rewards travelers seeking authenticity and natural beauty.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
The traditional Lao greeting is the nop — press palms together at chest height and bow slightly; use it when meeting elders or monks
Remove shoes before entering any temple, home, or traditional building; look for shoe racks outside as your cue
Dress modestly at Buddhist temples — cover shoulders and knees; a lightweight sarong is useful to carry
The head is considered sacred and the feet unclean; never touch anyone's head or point your feet toward people or Buddha images
Public displays of affection are frowned upon, particularly near temples and in rural communities
Women must not hand objects directly to monks or touch them; place items on a cloth offered by the monk instead
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Do remove shoes before entering temples, homes, and traditional guesthouses
- Do dress modestly covering shoulders and knees when visiting temples or rural villages
- Do greet Lao people with a nop (palms pressed together) — it is warmly appreciated
- Do ask permission before photographing local people, especially monks, women, and children
- Do accept food and drink offered by hosts — refusing can be considered impolite
- Do learn a few words of Lao — even sabaidee (hello) and khob jai (thank you) earn enormous goodwill
Don't
- Don't touch monks or hand objects directly to them — place items on a cloth they offer
- Don't point your feet at people, Buddha images, or shrines — considered deeply disrespectful
- Don't touch anyone on the head, even children — the head is spiritually sacred
- Don't raise your voice or show public anger — losing face is culturally significant; disputes must be resolved calmly
- Don't photograph the alms giving (tak bat) ceremony using flash or at close range — it is a sacred religious act not a tourist performance
- Don't wear revealing clothing outside beach or pool areas — even shorts above the knee are considered informal in rural settings
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Baci Ceremony (Sou Khuan)
Sacred blessing ceremony performed for important life events — weddings, new births, departures, and arrivals of important guests. White threads are tied around the wrists by elders while blessings are spoken. Lao people may invite foreign visitors to participate — it is a profound honour.
Tak Bat (Alms Giving)
Each morning before dawn in Luang Prabang and other towns, saffron-robed monks walk in silent procession collecting sticky rice offerings from kneeling devotees. Tourists should observe respectfully from a distance and never use flash photography or approach closely.
Boun (Festival Offerings)
Laos follows a Buddhist lunar calendar with frequent boun (merit-making festivals). Locals bring offerings to temples, release lanterns on the river, and participate in processions. Visitors who respectfully observe or join temple activities gain deep cultural insight.
Lao New Year (Pi Mai)
Celebrated April 14-16, Pi Mai is the most important festival of the year. Streets become festive water-throwing celebrations. Traditionally people pour water on elders' hands as a blessing; the water fight evolved from this ritual. Buddha images are ceremonially bathed.
Sticky Rice Culture
Sticky rice (khao niao) is the sacred staple of Lao daily life, eaten at every meal. It is served in woven bamboo containers (katib), formed by hand into balls, and used to scoop other dishes. Sharing sticky rice from the same container is a gesture of friendship and community.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- The nop (palms pressed together, slight bow) is the traditional greeting. Use it for elders, monks, and formal meetings. Handshakes are also acceptable with Western visitors and in business settings. Always greet elders before younger people.
- Dining
- Wait for the eldest person or host to begin eating. Sticky rice is shared communally from a central container. Accept all food offered — refusing suggests you find it unworthy. Overeating is a compliment to the cook. Licking fingers while eating sticky rice is perfectly normal.
- Dress
- Smart casual for cities and tourist areas. Covering shoulders and knees is mandatory at temples. In rural areas, modest clothing is always appreciated. Remove shoes when entering homes — a shoe rack outside is the signal.
- Gifts
- Bring a small gift when invited to a Lao home — fruit, sweets, or a bottle of Beerlao is appropriate. Do not bring knives or sharp objects. Gifts are generally not opened in front of the giver.
- Business
- Business cards are exchanged with both hands and a slight bow. Lao business culture values relationships over transactions — expect time for tea and conversation before business topics. Punctuality is appreciated but flexibility expected.
- Tipping
- Tipping is not traditional in Lao culture but appreciated in tourist areas. 5-10% at restaurants is generous. Round up taxi fares. Leave 20,000-50,000 LAK for housekeeping per day at hotels.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Sabaidee
Hello / How are you?
sah-BAI-dee
Khob jai
Thank you
khob-JAI
Khob jai lai lai
Thank you very much
khob-JAI-lai-lai
Mèn
Yes
men
Bò mèn
No
boh-MEN
Khò thòt
Sorry / Excuse me
khoh-TOT
An nii tao dai?
How much does this cost?
an-NEE-tao-DAI
Phaeng laai
Too expensive
PHENG-lai
Saep lai
Delicious
sep-LAI
Hòng nám yuu sai?
Where is the toilet?
hong-NAM-yoo-SAI
Khòi bò khao jai
I don't understand
khoy-boh-KAO-jai
Jao vao phasa angkid dai bò?
Do you speak English?
jao-VAO-phasa-ANG-kit-dai-BOH
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Laos.
Main: Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion, practised by approximately 65% of the population. Buddhism permeates every aspect of Lao daily life, from the morning alms giving ceremony to the lunar festival calendar and the role of monks as community leaders.
Sites: Luang Prabang alone has over 30 active wats (temples). Pha That Luang in Vientiane is the holiest site in Laos. Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Visounalat are among the most historically significant. Monks in saffron robes are a constant presence in every town.
Holy Days: Major Buddhist holy days include Boun Pha Vet (January/February), Boun Pi Mai/Lao New Year (April 14-16), Boun Bang Fai Rocket Festival (May), Boun Khao Phansa beginning of Buddhist Lent (July), Boun Ok Phansa end of Lent with boat races (October), and That Luang Festival (November).
Conversations: Lao people are generally open about discussing Buddhism and religious practices. Avoid comparisons that imply religious superiority. Do not photograph worshippers at prayer without permission. Discussions about the communist government's relationship with religion are sensitive topics better avoided.