THE NATIONAL CURRENCY: THE KIP (LAK)
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In the capital, you will realize that it is possible to change euros, to use your Visa or Master credit card in hotels and restaurants.
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However, outside of Vientiane, it will be easier for you to pay with the local currency or to have American dollars or Thai baht on you to exchange them.
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There are banknotes of 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 Kip. If you intend to go to more remote parts of the country, we advise you to prepare a good reserve of Kip.
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The current exchange rate is 1 USD = 8,323 Kip.
PHONE
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To call Laos from France, dial 00 856 + city code (without the 0) + number of the correspondent.
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To call France from Laos, dial 00 33 + number of the correspondent (without 0).
BANKS
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You will find many vending machines in the big cities but also in small towns and sites frequented by tourists.
THE WATER
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Be very careful about the water you drink. Never drink tap water, always drink bottled water and check that it is properly capped. It is necessary to be vigilant also with ice cubes, consume only cubic ice cubes or with a cylindrical hole shape in the middle.
TRANSPORT ON SITE
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Once there, you will have the choice to take different modes of transport:
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The car: all the vehicles used for our tours are modern and air-conditioned vehicles, which range from the classic car to the bus for 45 people.
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The boat: Local boats with 12 to 24 seats are used for cruises on the Mekong River.
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Airplanes: Lao Aviation is the national aviation company. It is quite common to face flight delays or cancellations due to heavy rains during the monsoon season.An airport tax is required for both domestic and international flights. It is 10 US dollars for international flights. Note that the maximum weight of checked baggage in economy class is 20kg for adults and children, with the company Lao Airlines.
A FEW USEFUL VOCABULARY WORDS
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Hello / Good evening: Sabai dii / None lap fan dii
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How are you ? : Sabaï dii bo ?
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Very well thank you and you ? : Sabaï dii, khop tchaï, lè tchao dè ?
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I do not understand: Khoï bo khao tchaï
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Pardon: Kho thot
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Goodbye: La kone
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Welcome: Nyinditonhab
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Thank you (a lot): Khop tchaï laï laï
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Excuse me / Please: Excuse khaphachao / Kalounaa
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Yes / No: Tchao / Bo
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No thanks: Bo khop tchaï
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How much is it ? : Laka tao dai?
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I would like to buy ... this, this one: Khaphachao yakcha su ... thini