Laos – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions Advisory Issued September 16, 2019

Exercise normal precautions in Laos. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

The government of Laos has declared an emergency and requested international assistance in response to severe flooding in the south of Laos. The following provinces are affected: Khammouan, Savannakhet, Saravan, Champassak, Xekong and Attapeu. The flooding has displaced more than 100,000 people and has made many roads inaccessible impeding the government’s ability to deliver aid and medical support. We advise U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to the affected areas until further notice.

Reconsider travel to:

• Khammouan, Savannakhet, Saravan, Champassak, Xekong, and Attapeu due to severe flooding.
• Xaisomboun Province due to civil unrest.

Exercise increased caution in:

• Remote areas along the border with Burma due to crime.
• Areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, as well as along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Saravane) due to unexploded bombs.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Laos:

• Do not touch unknown metal objects and avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths due to risk of unexploded ordnance.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for Laos.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Xaisomboun Province

There is a continued threat of violence in Xaisomboun Province. 

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Xiasomboun Province as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel there.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Areas on the Border with Burma

Bandits, drug traffickers, and other people pursuing illegal activities operate in these areas, as do armed groups opposed to the Burmese government.

Areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, as well as along Route 7

There are large numbers of unexploded bombs in these areas left over from the Indochina War.

Last Update: Reissued for information on flooding in southern Laos. 

Source: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/laos-travel-advisory.html
Originally Published: September 16, 2019