The government of Laos has begun preparations for reopening the country to vaccinated tourists under its new Lao Travel Green Zone plan.
The new plan for reopening will see Vientiane Capital, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang designated as “green zones” to ensure the safety of travelers and service providers, according toVientiane Times.
Authorities and tourism sector stakeholders discussed the plan at the Public and Private Sector Consultation Meeting on Country Reopening Plan Preparation held on Tuesday, led by the country’s new Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Mrs. Suanesavanh Vingaket.
Under the plan, areas designated as green zones must have a population of 70-80 percent vaccinated, with 90-95 percent of service providers immunized, according to the Lao Travel Green Zone strategy.
Conditions for vaccinated arrivals are to include a valid certificate of entry, a vaccination certificate valid at least two weeks prior to arrival, and a negative PCR test completed 72 hours prior to departing for Laos.
Tourists at Kuang Si Waterfall in Luang Prabang.
Vientiane Times reports that tourists would be transported to hotels via vehicles approved under the LaoSafe certification program while they await the result of a PCR test which would be available within 24 hours.
A positive test result would result in three days of isolation before another test would be undertaken.
Meanwhile, a new Contact Tracing Application is to be available to tourists called LaoStaySafe, which would provide information updates and for tourists in English while monitoring their movements.
Travel in green zone approved areas would see tourists staying at hotels approved under the LaoSafe program, while tourists traveling outside green zones to other provinces would be required to use transportation and book hotels that have been certified under the LaoSafe program.
The LaoSafe program is a health and hygiene program for the tourism and hospitality sector approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT), and that will be piloted in Vientiane Capital before expanding to other provinces.
It comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including accommodation providers, food and beverage outlets, airlines, tourist attractions, tour guides, and drivers.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Tourism-in-Laos.jpeg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2021-12-29 10:36:462021-12-29 10:40:30Laos to Reopen Under Green Zone Travel Plan
Laos has confirmed 1 January 2022 as its official reopening date, according to a notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The notice was issued late last night, signed off by Head of the Office of the Prime Minister’s Office, Khamchen Vongphosy.
According to the notice, the government has approved the Lao Travel Green Zone Plan that would allow tourists to visit provinces and cities designated as “green zones” once the country reopens.
The government has set out seven major tasks and 34 other items it must complete before the reopening can commence.
The notice states that an official announcement will be made on 17 December outlining the official reopening plan, and has set 1 January 2022 as the date the country will reopen to tourism.
The decision comes after a number of lengthy meetings held between tourism stakeholders and a special taskforce set up specifically to assist with reopening.
Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune.
A meeting held yesterday Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, who heads the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control as well as the reopening committee, discussed the steps that will be taken to safely restart tourism in the country.
Health and safety in relation to Covid-19 were a chief concern at the meeting, as well as the preparedness of communities in tourist hotspots.
Decisions on the procedures for applying for a visa, accessing information, length of quarantine, and other measures are to be made prior to an official announcement this week.
Laos has officially announced it will reopen for tourism on 1 January 2022, providing more information on travel conditions during a press conference held at the Lao National Convention Center today.
According to the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the reopening will be implemented in three phases.
The first phase will be from 1 January to 30 March 2022, the second phase from 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022, and the third phase from 1 July 2022 onward.
According to the ministry, tourists from an initial list of countries will be allowed to travel to the country during the first phase.
The list of countries includes China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, United States, Canada, and Australia.
Tourism will be restricted to group tours at first, with tours arranged by authorized tour operators under the Lao Travel Green Zone Plan.
LaoSafe Certified Tour Guide under Lao Travel Green Zone Plan
Tourists will be required to have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 no less than 14 days prior to arrival. Other conditions include a health insurance policy with coverage no less than USD 50,000 and a negative RT-PCR test taken within the last 72 hours.
Arrivals will be tested for Covid-19 and placed in a 24-hour quarantine in their hotel until a negative result is found.
Tourists will be required to download and register via the LaoKYC and the LaoStaySafe mobile applications prior to arriving in the country, as well as uploading their relevant vaccination certification and Covid-19 test results.
Travel Zones & Travel Trails
Under the reopening scheme, tourists will be authorized to travel within two zones, namely Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails.
Green Travel Zones include provinces that have at least a 70% vaccination rate among the eligible adult population, while Green Travel Trails have not yet achieved this level of vaccine coverage.
During Phase 1, tourists may visit Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang Province, and Vang Vieng District in Vientiane Province.
Meanwhile, five provinces will be authorized for Green Travel Trails, including Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, and Champasack.
During Phase 2, the Green Travel Zones will consist of 9 provinces: Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, Savannakhet, and Champasack.
Four provinces will be authorized for Green Travel Trails during Phase 2, including Houay Xay District in Bokeo Province, Luang Namtha Province, Sekong Province, and Salavanh Province.
According to the Ministry of Health, tourism-related establishments such as tourism sites, hotels, and restaurants in the zones must ensure that at least 95% of their staff are fully vaccinated. All tour guides and drivers must be completely vaccinated. At least 95% of the population within the travel zones must be fully vaccinated.
The Ministry of Health has stated that it will improve the quality of quarantine centers, treatment centers, and field hospitals in the event of hospitalization or seriously symptomatic cases for tourists. Asymptomatic and mild cases will be allowed to be quarantined and treated at their designated hotel.
International Borders
During Phase 1, tourists will be able to enter Laos by air via Wattay International Airport and by land across the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane Capital.
More borders will reopen in Phase 2, including Luang Prabang International Airport, Boten-Bohan border with China in Luang Namtha Province, the Third Friendship Bridge in Thakhek, the Second Friendship Bridge in Savannakhet, the Chongmek border in Pakse, the Lao Bao border with Vietnam in Savannakhet Province, and Nam Phao border (Luk Xao) with Vietnam in Bolikhamxay Province.
The LaoSafe program comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including accommodation providers, food and beverage outlets, airlines, tourist attractions, tour guides, and drivers.
Procedures for Tour Companies
Tour companies and relevant businesses who wish to participate in the Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails must register with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI).
Tour companies in Laos must prepare the following documentation in order to request permission for tourists to enter: a proposal from the company, a tour itinerary, hotel reservations, and copies of tourists’ passports, vaccination certificates, and tourists’ insurance policies.
These documents must be presented to the Tourism Management Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. After approval, the documents are sent to the Immigration Police Department to process entry authorization.
Returnees and Foreign Nationals in Laos
The Ministry has not yet provided information on requirements for Lao nationals or foreign residents returning to Laos, or if the issuance of visitor visas would resume.
Laos to Reopen Under Green Zone Travel Plan
The government of Laos has begun preparations for reopening the country to vaccinated tourists under its new Lao Travel Green Zone plan.
The new plan for reopening will see Vientiane Capital, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang designated as “green zones” to ensure the safety of travelers and service providers, according to Vientiane Times.
Authorities and tourism sector stakeholders discussed the plan at the Public and Private Sector Consultation Meeting on Country Reopening Plan Preparation held on Tuesday, led by the country’s new Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Mrs. Suanesavanh Vingaket.
Under the plan, areas designated as green zones must have a population of 70-80 percent vaccinated, with 90-95 percent of service providers immunized, according to the Lao Travel Green Zone strategy.
Conditions for vaccinated arrivals are to include a valid certificate of entry, a vaccination certificate valid at least two weeks prior to arrival, and a negative PCR test completed 72 hours prior to departing for Laos.
Vientiane Times reports that tourists would be transported to hotels via vehicles approved under the LaoSafe certification program while they await the result of a PCR test which would be available within 24 hours.
A positive test result would result in three days of isolation before another test would be undertaken.
Meanwhile, a new Contact Tracing Application is to be available to tourists called LaoStaySafe, which would provide information updates and for tourists in English while monitoring their movements.
Travel in green zone approved areas would see tourists staying at hotels approved under the LaoSafe program, while tourists traveling outside green zones to other provinces would be required to use transportation and book hotels that have been certified under the LaoSafe program.
The LaoSafe program is a health and hygiene program for the tourism and hospitality sector approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT), and that will be piloted in Vientiane Capital before expanding to other provinces.
It comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including accommodation providers, food and beverage outlets, airlines, tourist attractions, tour guides, and drivers.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2021/11/18/laos-to-reopen-under-travel-green-zone-plan/
Laos Confirms 1 January Reopening for Tourists
Laos has confirmed 1 January 2022 as its official reopening date, according to a notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The notice was issued late last night, signed off by Head of the Office of the Prime Minister’s Office, Khamchen Vongphosy.
According to the notice, the government has approved the Lao Travel Green Zone Plan that would allow tourists to visit provinces and cities designated as “green zones” once the country reopens.
The government has set out seven major tasks and 34 other items it must complete before the reopening can commence.
The notice states that an official announcement will be made on 17 December outlining the official reopening plan, and has set 1 January 2022 as the date the country will reopen to tourism.
The decision comes after a number of lengthy meetings held between tourism stakeholders and a special taskforce set up specifically to assist with reopening.
A meeting held yesterday Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, who heads the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control as well as the reopening committee, discussed the steps that will be taken to safely restart tourism in the country.
Health and safety in relation to Covid-19 were a chief concern at the meeting, as well as the preparedness of communities in tourist hotspots.
Populations in five provinces along the Laos-China Railway are to receive booster shots against Covid-19 in advance of the reopening to tourism.
Decisions on the procedures for applying for a visa, accessing information, length of quarantine, and other measures are to be made prior to an official announcement this week.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2021/12/16/laos-confirms-1-january-reopening-for-tourists/
Laos Announces Travel Conditions for 2022 Reopening
Laos has officially announced it will reopen for tourism on 1 January 2022, providing more information on travel conditions during a press conference held at the Lao National Convention Center today.
According to the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the reopening will be implemented in three phases.
The first phase will be from 1 January to 30 March 2022, the second phase from 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022, and the third phase from 1 July 2022 onward.
According to the ministry, tourists from an initial list of countries will be allowed to travel to the country during the first phase.
The list of countries includes China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, United States, Canada, and Australia.
Tourism will be restricted to group tours at first, with tours arranged by authorized tour operators under the Lao Travel Green Zone Plan.
Tourists will be required to have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 no less than 14 days prior to arrival. Other conditions include a health insurance policy with coverage no less than USD 50,000 and a negative RT-PCR test taken within the last 72 hours.
Arrivals will be tested for Covid-19 and placed in a 24-hour quarantine in their hotel until a negative result is found.
Tourists will be required to download and register via the LaoKYC and the LaoStaySafe mobile applications prior to arriving in the country, as well as uploading their relevant vaccination certification and Covid-19 test results.
Travel Zones & Travel Trails
Under the reopening scheme, tourists will be authorized to travel within two zones, namely Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails.
Green Travel Zones include provinces that have at least a 70% vaccination rate among the eligible adult population, while Green Travel Trails have not yet achieved this level of vaccine coverage.
During Phase 1, tourists may visit Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang Province, and Vang Vieng District in Vientiane Province.
Meanwhile, five provinces will be authorized for Green Travel Trails, including Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, and Champasack.
During Phase 2, the Green Travel Zones will consist of 9 provinces: Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, Savannakhet, and Champasack.
Four provinces will be authorized for Green Travel Trails during Phase 2, including Houay Xay District in Bokeo Province, Luang Namtha Province, Sekong Province, and Salavanh Province.
According to the Ministry of Health, tourism-related establishments such as tourism sites, hotels, and restaurants in the zones must ensure that at least 95% of their staff are fully vaccinated. All tour guides and drivers must be completely vaccinated. At least 95% of the population within the travel zones must be fully vaccinated.
The Ministry of Health has stated that it will improve the quality of quarantine centers, treatment centers, and field hospitals in the event of hospitalization or seriously symptomatic cases for tourists. Asymptomatic and mild cases will be allowed to be quarantined and treated at their designated hotel.
International Borders
During Phase 1, tourists will be able to enter Laos by air via Wattay International Airport and by land across the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane Capital.
More borders will reopen in Phase 2, including Luang Prabang International Airport, Boten-Bohan border with China in Luang Namtha Province, the Third Friendship Bridge in Thakhek, the Second Friendship Bridge in Savannakhet, the Chongmek border in Pakse, the Lao Bao border with Vietnam in Savannakhet Province, and Nam Phao border (Luk Xao) with Vietnam in Bolikhamxay Province.
Safe and Clean
It is recommended that all tourism establishments in the zones be certified with the LaoSafe certification.
LaoSafe, a health and hygiene program for the tourism and hospitality sector, has received official approval from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT).
The LaoSafe program comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including accommodation providers, food and beverage outlets, airlines, tourist attractions, tour guides, and drivers.
Procedures for Tour Companies
Tour companies and relevant businesses who wish to participate in the Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails must register with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI).
Tour companies in Laos must prepare the following documentation in order to request permission for tourists to enter: a proposal from the company, a tour itinerary, hotel reservations, and copies of tourists’ passports, vaccination certificates, and tourists’ insurance policies.
These documents must be presented to the Tourism Management Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. After approval, the documents are sent to the Immigration Police Department to process entry authorization.
Returnees and Foreign Nationals in Laos
The Ministry has not yet provided information on requirements for Lao nationals or foreign residents returning to Laos, or if the issuance of visitor visas would resume.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2021/12/17/laos-announces-travel-conditions-for-2022-reopening/