Do and Don’t in Laos

Foreigners can sometimes find it difficult to navigate the cultural norms of Lao culture, especially first time visitors. Knowing what might be considered offensive to the Lao people can help avoiding embarrassment and possible trouble.

Laotians are hospitable, friendly and soft people. They have a very relaxed attitude to life. You should have no troubles navigating Lao culture and interacting with locals as long as you use your head, eyes and your common sense.

To make your travel experience more enjoyable in Laos, There are some simple but important Do’s and Don’ts you should remember throughout
your stay.
By respecting Laos customs and culture you will get so much more from your experience in Laos, earning the respect from the local people makes for far more interesting and successful local interactions, and best of all, it will aid you getting those good prices in the local markets!
Take a look at the list below.

The Lao language is quite direct and does not encompass many polite phrases. While ‘thank you’, kop chai, is widely used in interactions, the word for ‘please’ is so rare, it’s only ever used in customer service recordings or when speaking to high-ranking government officials. The phrase ‘excuse me’, koh toht, is rarely uttered. People often bump into each other in crowded spaces like markets or tuk tuks, but usually don’t feel a need to excuse themselves and instead consider it a natural part of being in close proximity to others.

Possibly the most important phrase to remember is the standard Lao greeting of sabai dee, literally meaning ‘it goes well’. It can be hollered across the street at someone, but when being introduced it is accompanied by a formal gesture called the nop — press your hands together as if praying and bow your head slightly. This is somewhat the equivalent of shaking hands, so it’s not always necessary.

If you’re being introduced to someone new, do use the nop. A handshake is not traditional, but often also acceptable, especially in Vientiane. Kissing someone’s cheek or hand will certainly overstep a Lao person’s boundaries and especially make women very embarrassed.

The Lao word for “hello” is “Sabai Dee”, say it with smile and you’ll be well received. 

The head is considered high. It is not acceptable to touch Lao people’s heads, so bear that in mind.Feet are low. Placing them on furniture or pointing at things or people with your feet is not acceptable.

 Feet are low. Placing them on furniture or pointing at things or people with your feet is not acceptable.

In offices, never place your feet on a desk while sitting on a chair, that’s very impolite. Some foreign specialists/advisors have been thrown out doing this, so be especially careful if you come to work here.

Kissing in public is frowned upon, and holding hands is the most intimate level of romantic interest that is acceptable to express in public. Overt sexual behavior is not welcomed and neither is showing too much skin.

It’s not accepted when tourists wear their swimwear walking around the streets, although for a while it was fairly popular in places like Vang Vieng. If you walk into a shop or a restaurant in your swim trunks or a bikini, the staff probably won’t say anything, but they’ll consider this behavior to be vulgar; they’d much prefer that men kept their shirts on and women covered up their curvy bits.

Most Lao people swim in rivers or waterfalls with at least shorts and a T-shirt. It is more polite to do this rather than walk around in swimsuits or bikinis. Also if you are in the country and have to bathe in the river, women should wear a sarong.

Don’t argue with police

Should you be stopped by the police for any minor offence, it’s inadvisable to put up a fight or go to the police station. Often the underpaid police force is simply looking to extort money from tourists. Just pay the bribe and be on your way – however, be warned that it is a serious offence to pay bribe money in many countries, so don’t go boasting about it when you get back home. It’s no use making rational arguments about the dozens of Lao people you’ve seen doing the same thing that you allegedly got stopped for. The justice system is not the same in Laos as other countries, and the best thing for everyone is to comply, save face and move on.

Before entering a Lao person’s home, take your shoes off and leave them outside the house or on stairs.

In Lao homes, if the host (especially elderly person) sits on the floor you should sit there as well, don’t sit anywhere higher if you want to be seen as a respectful person.

It is polite to gently crouch down when walking past someone who is seated, especially older people

Stepping over someone on your path is very impolite, similarly stepping over food is disgusting and some Lao won’t eat the food that has been stepped over.

Lao people usually serve water to guests arriving at their home, it is polite to accept it even if you don’t want to drink (you don’t have to drink it).

In a Lao gathering, keep a low profile and you’ll maximize your chances of social success in Laos.

When you visit temples (call “Wat”) avoid wearing sleeveless shirts and short skirts/pants.

It is also forbidden for a woman to touch a Buddhist monk.

Some other carefully observed Buddhist customs relate to the belief that the head is the most sacred part of the body and the feet the most impure; touching the top of someone’s head is therefore a strong personal violation, as it is the crown of their spiritual body.

Dress neatly when visiting religious shrines or temples.

At some temples, women in shorts or short skirts are required to put on a Lao skirt as a top layer before entering the place. Lao skirts are available for rent or lend on spot.

Accept any water that Lao people serve you even if you don’t want to drink.

It is OK to wear shoes if you just walk around a temple compound, but don’t forget to remove them before entering the chapel.

Don’t use plastic bags and return rubbish to towns or villages.

Don’t shout, argue or rush

Lao people want to save face at all costs; they do not shout or argue loudly. There is not a strong bargaining culture in Laos, so if a price has already been lowered slightly, don’t argue the price down further; the salesperson might end up selling the item to you at a loss rather than losing face. Service is slow in shops and restaurant and the quality of service varies greatly. Practice patience, and don’t expect anyone to rush because you’re in a hurry. Take it easy, bite your tongue and enjoy the unhurried, unstressed Lao lifestyle.

Don’t buy antiques or wildlife products

Weak laws and lax enforcement of those that do exist has led to illegal poaching of the wild animals that were once prevalent in Laos. It’s illegal to take ivory, or animal pelts or products out of Laos. They will be confiscated and you will be fined. It’s also illegal to take antique Buddha sculptures out of the county, as many have been stolen from temples, which deplete cultural heritage.

Protect the environment and respect cultural resources. Be mindful of where you walk to avoid disturbing the natural ecosystem – stay on trekking paths or in designated areas. Help preserve Laos’ centuries-old architecture and archeological treasures by avoiding, climbing on or touching them. Purchase local handicrafts and products to support the local economy. Plus, they make unique souvenirs!

Do not engage in child sex exploitation, or exploitation of any kind.

A quirky difference in gestures is that it’s rude to point your fingers upward. While waving hello is fine, people will beckon you with their hand pointing down. The Lao only point their fingers upward when calling their pets or motioning to someone with the intention of insulting them.

You might find it hard to communicate with locals if you don’t speak Lao especially in the countryside where not many people speak English. If things don’t quite work the way you expect, remember to keep cool, don’t loose your temper or raise your voice. It won’t help, it will only make you look bad.

Always carry your passport if you’re a tourist or an ID card if you’re living here in Laos. Tourists are seldom checked, but you never know when the police will approach you. If you fail to provide your identification you risk running into troubles.

Carry your driving licence if you drive.

Always wear helmets when riding motorcycles or bikes, traffic sense is not that great in this country and there are a lot of accidents.

Avoid traveling on the roads during holiday periods such as Lao New Year.

The Lao concept of personal space is far more lax than in the West. Being intimately wedged against a stranger in public spaces is of little concern, and taking the liberty to pinch a child’s cheek or absent-mindedly stroke someone’s arm while talking to them is a common sight between people whether they’re old friends or it’s their first encounter. Some people may even pat a particularly rotund belly, as joking about weight is entirely acceptable. Yet commenting on someone’s dark skin will be considered an insult and girls will find it just as upsetting as if you called someone fat in the West.

The use of drugs is illegal in Laos. 

Don’t give gifts or money to children, or a poor novice in the temple as it encourages begging. Instead, it is wise to give to an established organization or village elders.

These are just some basic tips, but they should be sufficient to help ease your stay in Laos.