Laos
Last update 07 April 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Lao People's Democratic Republic
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have an embassy in the capital city of Vientiane. The Bulgarian Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, is accredited to Laos.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Hanoi
Address: №5 Nui Truc str., Van Phuc Hanoi, P.O.Box 10
Tel.: +844 3845 2908
Fax: +844 3846 0856
Official hours of the Consular Office: Mon - Fri, 9 -12 h
Е-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/vietnam
The Embassy of Laos in Vienna is accredited to Bulgaria.
Embassy of Lao People's Democratic Republic in Vienna
Address: 1030 Wien, Neulinggasse 29 /Top 6
Tel.: +43 1 890 2319 11; +43 1 890 2319 13
Fax: +43 1 890 2319 15; +43 1 890 2319 18
Office hours: 09:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 16:00 h
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
General Information
Security:
Laos is generally a secure country for travellers but there are risks of thefts and assaults. Vigilance should be exercised with regard to personal safety and personal belongings. Local law enforcement and security instructions are to be followed.
Health:
Medical care and facilities are basic and do not meet the standards in Europe. Full medical insurance is required. Before travel, it is necessary to check whether the insurance also covers medical emergencies. It is important to read and check all the details of the health and travel insurance. Uncovered treatment can be very expensive and is at the expense of the person affected.
There are sporadic cases of infectious and sexually transmitted diseases. More information on the necessary vaccinations and other health risks may be found on the World Health Organization website HERE https://www.who.int/ and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control website HERE https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/home/
Local Laws:
Illegal drug and opium use, possession, distribution and sale, even in the smallest quantities, as well as sexual offenses, lead to extremely severe sentences, incl. death penalty. Cohabitation and sexual relations between foreigner and a local woman is illegal under local law and is punishable by high fines and/or imprisonment. It is strongly recommended not to accept packages or other goods from unknown persons. Luggage must be packed in person and not left unattended. Conditions in detention facilities and prisons are harsh.
Practical Advice:
Bulgarian citizens must take good care of their passports. It is strongly recommended that citizens always have a photocopy of their passport, visa and stamps.
Citizens should pay close attention when choosing a tour operator, as well as to the safety conditions when considering excursions and trips. The citizens should strictly adhere to all the requirements of the local authorities, and comply with any restrictions.
Citizens should wash their hands frequently, be careful when eating raw foods and drink only bottled water.
Travelers are advised to keep up to date with the current weather forecast. Heavy rainfall occurs during the rainy season between May and October, which may cause floods and landslides and pose health risks. The forecast for strong tropical storms is available at: www.tropicalstormrisk.com
Local currency:
The local currency is Kip. Credit and debit cards are accepted in larger hotels. ATMs are increasingly available.
Climate:
There are no distinct seasons in Laos. The only changes in weather are alternating rainy and dry periods. The hot and humid monsoon period lasts from May to November. From December to February the weather is dry andmoderately hot. It is particularly hot during March and April.
Travel papers and visas
You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel. Bulgarian citizens can be issued with a tourist visa at border crossing points.
On entry, there are no special vaccine requirements, unless you are planning a visit an area affected by yellow fever. You are advised to have basic vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and B, and typhus.
Competitive service
Bulgarian Personal Documents:
Documents for issuing passports, temporary passports, driving licenses and ID cards may be submitted in person by the citizens. According to the Bulgarian law, exceptions from personal application at the embassy are not allowed. Regarding the possibilities and conditions for submitting an application through the Automated Information System for Electronic Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the citizens should consult here: https://e-usluga_bds.mfa.bg/ . We would like to draw attention to the fact that in order to receive the documents requested through AISEU, it is necessary to come in person at the Bulgarian Embassy indicated during the submission process.
In case of damaged, lost, stolen or expired passport, Bulgarian citizens may apply for a European Emergency Travel Document (ETD) at the embassy of an EU Member State in the capital Vientiane. ETD is issued only for the purposes of a single trip to Bulgaria or the country of permanent residence.
Legalisations:
In order to be used in Bulgaria, documents issued by the Lao authorities should be legalised at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos, whose stamp is certified by the Bulgarian Embassy in Hanoi. The documents should be translated in Bulgarian language by a sworn translator in Bulgaria.
All fees for consular services are collected in euro via bank transfer.