Advisory, October 2026: The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province, and the US advisory urges extra caution on Routes 7, 9 and 20 and near the Burma border and the Bokeo Golden Triangle and Boten economic zones. Unexploded ordnance remains in rural areas, so keep to main roads and marked paths. Motorbike crashes are common, and Mekong speedboats have hidden hazards. Methanol has poisoned visitors in bars.

Advisory, October 2026: Walk in towns, and take a local guide for anything rural. Unexploded ordnance from the 1964 to 1973 bombing remains in the Lao countryside, so leave marked paths only with someone who knows the ground, and never touch metal objects. The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province. Methanol has poisoned visitors in bars, so keep to sealed drinks after a long walk.

Advisory, October 2026: The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province, and unexploded ordnance from the 1964 to 1973 bombing remains in rural areas, so stay on marked paths. Visitors have been poisoned by methanol in bars, so a toast should come from a sealed bottle. Rivers and balloon flights have both caused accidents, and swimming in the Mekong is dangerous. Check FCDO advice and the US advisory before booking.

Advisory, October 2026: The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province. Unexploded ordnance from the bombing of 1964 to 1973 remains in rural areas, so walk only on cleared paths and never touch metal objects. Methanol has poisoned visitors in bars, and rivers have caused drownings. Route 7 to the Plain of Jars carries a US caution, so avoid driving it at night. Check the FCDO advice and the US advisory .

Advisory, October 2026: The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province, where attacks and armed clashes have been reported. Across rural Laos, ordnance dropped between 1964 and 1973 still lies in the ground, so walk only on marked paths and leave metal objects alone. Visitors have been poisoned by methanol in bars, so buy sealed bottles and cans. Tubing, kayaking and swimming have caused drownings. Read the FCDO guidance and the US travel advisory before you book.

Advisory, October 2026: Unexploded ordnance from the 1964 to 1973 bombing is still found in rural areas, so keep to main routes and marked paths and never touch metal objects. The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province, and the US advisory adds a caution for Route 7 towards Phonsavan, so do not drive it after dark. Visitors have been poisoned by methanol in bars, and rivers and waterfalls have caused drownings.

Advisory, October 2026: Several of the places below deal with the bombing of Laos, and the danger it left is current. Unexploded ordnance from 1964 to 1973 remains in the countryside, so stay on cleared paths and never pick up metal objects. The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province. Methanol has poisoned visitors in bars, and falls and rivers have drowned swimmers, so drink sealed bottles and swim only where signs allow.

Advisory, October 2026: Parents should know three things before booking. Bombs dropped from 1964 to 1973 left unexploded ordnance in the countryside, so children must stay on marked paths and never pick up metal objects. Rivers, tubing routes and waterfalls have caused drownings, so keep young children within reach near any water. Methanol has poisoned visitors in bars, so give children only sealed drinks. The UK government also advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province.