{"id":102,"date":"2026-08-27T07:08:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T07:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/volunteerecl.org\/?page_id=102"},"modified":"2026-09-04T04:49:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T04:49:03","slug":"travel-trips","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/volunteerecl.org\/?page_id=102","title":{"rendered":"DO’S & DON’TS"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Tips for travelling in Laos<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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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. Compiled here are some tips I think might be useful. Some might be similar to those available elsewhere on the internet, and some are my own suggestions.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDO'S & DON'TS<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGeneral Tips\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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  • A formal greeting for most Lao people is the \u201cNop\u201d (joining one\u2019s hands together in a praying gesture at chin level). Handshakes are\u00a0 also commonly used among male friends and with foreign visitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • The Lao word for \u201chello\u201d is \u201csabai dee\u201d, say it with smile and you\u2019ll be well received.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • The head is considered high. It is not acceptable to touch Lao people\u2019s heads, so bear that in mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • A formal greeting for most Lao people is the \u201cNop\u201d (joining one\u2019s hands together in a praying gesture at chin level). Handshakes are also commonly used among male friends and with foreign visitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • The head is considered high. It is not acceptable to touch Lao people\u2019s heads, so bear that in mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • Feet are low. Placing them on furniture or pointing at things or people with your feet is not acceptable.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • In offices, never place your feet on a desk while sitting on a chair, that\u2019s very impolite. Some foreign specialists\/advisors have been thrown out doing this, so be especially careful if you come to work here.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • Personal cleanliness is valued highly in Laos. Anyone who has strong body odor tends to get disgusting looks.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • Before entering a Lao person\u2019s home, take your shoes off and leave them outside the house or on stairs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • In Lao homes, if the host (especially elderly person) sits on the floor you should sit there as well, don\u2019t sit anywhere higher if you want to be seen as a respectful person.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • It is polite to gently crouch down when walking past someone who is seated, especially older people <\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    • Stepping over someone on your path is very impolite, similarly stepping over food is disgusting and some Lao won\u2019t eat the food that has been stepped over.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • Lao people usually serve water to guests arriving at their home, it is polite to accept it even if you don\u2019t want to drink (you don\u2019t have to drink it).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • In a Lao gathering, keep a low profile and you\u2019ll maximize your chances of social success in Laos.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • Dress neatly when visiting religious shrines or temples\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • It is OK to wear shoes if you just walk around a temple compound, but don\u2019t forget to remove them before entering the chapel.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • Despite the heat, Lao\/Laotians dress conservatively. If you don\u2019t want to be a \u201cblack sheep\u201d dress neatly and moderately (don\u2019t show too much skin) or you\u2019ll get strange looks from the locals.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • You might find it hard to communicate with locals if you don\u2019t speak Lao especially in the countryside where not many people speak English. If things don\u2019t quite work the way you expect, remember to keep cool, don\u2019t lose your temper or raise your voice. It won\u2019t help, it will only make you look bad.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • Learn some basic Lao phases and practice them with the locals you meet, they will be impressed and you will be well received. These are just some basic tips, but they should be sufficient to help ease your stay in Laos. Whatever you do, observing the locals and following suit is the key to keeping yourself from troubles and\/or embarrassment.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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      \u2705 Key Do’s<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDress modestly: cover your shoulders and knees, especially at temples or rural villages.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRemove your shoes before entering a Buddhist temple or a local person's home.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUse the greeting gesture: practice the traditional nop, palms together at chest level with a slight bow.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStay calm and patient \u2014 raising your voice causes \"loss of face\" and is deeply frowned upon.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAsk permission before photographing local people or monks<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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        \ud83d\udeab Key Don’ts<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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        • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDress modestly: cover your shoulders and knees, especially at temples or rural villages.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRemove your shoes before entering a Buddhist temple or a local person's home.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUse the greeting gesture: practice the traditional nop, palms together at chest level with a slight bow.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStay calm and patient \u2014 raising your voice causes \"loss of face\" and is deeply frowned upon.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAsk permission before photographing local people or monks<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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          Tips for travelling in Laos Foreigners can sometimes find it difficult to navigate the cultural norms of Lao culture, especially […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-102","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/volunteerecl.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/volunteerecl.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/volunteerecl.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/volunteerecl.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/volunteerecl.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=102"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/volunteerecl.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1008,"href":"https:\/\/volunteerecl.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102\/revisions\/1008"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/volunteerecl.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}