LAOS

LANGUAGE

* The official language spoken in Laos is Laotian or Lao. The four principle ethnic groups of the country speak varying dialects of this language, most of which are mutually intelligible.

* French, English, Russian and Chinese are spoken by some members of the population, although none can be considered widely understood. As a general rule, older Lao may speak some French and younger Lao may speak some English or Russian.

BUSINESS ATTIRE

* Like other countries in Indochina, Laos has a subequatorial/tropical-monsoonal climate. Temperatures are high all year round and the wet season lasts from May to October. It is therefore preferable for both men and women to wear lightweight tropical suits when conducting business in Laos.

* For informal occasions a smart, casual shirt or blouse with a collar may suffice.

* Laos is a particularly conservative country and it is best to dress that way when in public.

* In late 1994 the government banned mobile telephones, mini-skirts and earrings on men as "counter-revolutionary" activities. Although the current status of this prohibition remains unknown, discretion in terms of attire and appearance is advisable.

INTRODUCTIONS

* Always distribute and receive business cards with both hands as a sign of respect to the person you are dealing with.

* When receiving another person's card, always study the card for a few seconds in their presence and never place it immediately into your pocket or wallet.

* Lao names can be confusing for foreigners. Surnames come before given names, eg. Prime Minister Khamtay Siphandon would be referred to as Mr Khamtay or Prime Minister Khamtay.

* The traditional Lao gesture of greeting is the "phanom" or "wai," where the palms are placed together in a prayer-like gesture in front of the face or chest. Nowadays, however, the handshake is becoming increasingly common for both men and women, particularly during the conduct of business.

BUSINESS HOURS

* Government offices open at 8am, are closed for lunch between 11am and 2pm and generally close around 5pm. Private businesses and shops usually keep longer hours.

MONEY

* The official unit of currency is the kip, which is divided into 100 ath.

* It is advisable to also carry Thai baht and US dollars when conducting business in Laos, as both currencies are universally accepted in day-to-day commercial activities.

* Always carry cash if venturing outside the capital city of Vientiane, as it is difficult to change travellers' cheques in the countryside.

* Best rates are usually obtained by changing travellers' cheques at banks in Vientiane, rather than changing cash with a private money changer.

SAFETY

* On the whole, Laos is quite a safe country. If travelling outside Vientiane, always check with your hotel or embassy as anti-government rebels have been known to attack vehicles on rural roads in the past.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

* Domestic telephone services in Laos are quite inefficient and erratic at the best of times.

* International calls can only be made from Vientiane. IDD calls can be made from the International Telephone Office in Vientiane. The office is open 24 hours a day, but service can be unreliable during inclement weather.

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

* Vientiane's Wattay airport is located 10-15 minutes from the centre of town and it costs approximately $US4 to make the journey in one of the taxis waiting in front of the terminal.

GIFTS

* As in most Buddhist cultures, the foot is the least sacred part of the body. Shoes and socks make inappropriate gifts in Laos.

* Green and red are the most suitable colours for wrapping paper in Laos. Avoid the colour white, which is considered unlucky.

GENERAL

* Laos is a devoutly Buddhist country and it is important to respect the national religion when conducting business there.

* Never touch a person on the head, as this is considered the most precious part of the body. In the same way, the feet are considered the least sacred part of the body and it is considered offensive to point with the feet or even show the sole of the shoe or foot to another person.

* When entering a wat (pagoda), always remove hats and shoes.

* Never point at a person or image of Buddha with the index finger or feet, as this is considered disrespectful.

* Always treat monks with a high level of respect. Women should never touch a monk or his robe and when handing an object to a monk, should use an intermediary or place the object in a position where it is easily retrievable.

* Objects should not be accepted with the left hand, as this is considered disrespectful.

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