Kathie

It has been announced by the Prime Ministers Office that Vientiane province will be closed for tourists from 22. of November to 1. of December (2004). Police will check hotels and guesthouses to make sure that everybody is out. Nothing has been said about how they are to prevent tourists from travelling to Vientiane from other provinces, but they are probably going to stop people at the bus stations. Lao Airlines will not be allowed to operate flights during this period.

This is due to security concerns about the ASEAN conference being held there.

MaryFeehly

Kathie, how accurate is the report? I heard the ASEAN summit is coming to town but not till Nov 29 and I can't find any info on the web regarding the closure. I did find new travel advisory of possible bomb attacks during the summit. I am due in Vientiane from Nov 21-23.

Kathie

I believe the report is accurate. It was issued by the Prime Minister's office. The announcement did say they were closing the province to visitors beginning a week before the conference. However, as you probably know, getting confirmation of anything in Laos isn't easy. There was some additional info about it on the Thorn Tree. If I were you, I'd reschedule. It would be no problem going to Luang Prabang, for instance, at that time.

Lyndie

Vietnam is also limiting travellers by isuing D category visae which do not allow travel whilst the ASEAN conference is on. Best check with the relevant embassy in one's home country!

LucyHo

This is very strange for tourism because both copuntries are trying to bring more tourists.

fufujuice

I've been hearing varied information about this. Will this only affect Vientiane or other parts of Laos during this time? Someone posted on Lonely Planet that he called the Laos Embassy in D.C. and was told that they weren't issuing any Laos visas during that time period. I'm wondering where to find accurate information because this could mean rather large changes to our itinerary.

MaryFeehly

Here is the offical report from the US embassy in Laos:

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Consular Department Number 2345/MFA.ConD 4



Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to express its regards for all Embassies and Foreign Consular Generals as well as International Organizations in the Lao PDR and has the honor to inform [you] all that: During the ASEAN Summit, starting from November 22 until December 01, 2004, concerned agencies of the Lao PDR shall temporary put on hold the issuance of tourist visas for foreigners who are willing to enter the Lao PDR for tourism purpose in Vientiane Capital due to the fact that during such period of time lodging facilities shall not to be able to accommodate them all in Vientiane Capital. For those who wish to enter the Lao PDR for touring other provinces shall continue to be served as usual.

Once again, on this occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to renew its regards towards Embassies and Foreign Consular Generals as well as well as International Organizations in the Lao PDR.



Vientiane Capital, dated October 20, 2004

[Seal & initial of the Consular Department]

Kathie

Here is the latest update on travel restrictions:
Latest advise from Ministry regarding travel restrictions during the ASEAN summit in Vientiane from Nov 22 to Dec 1 2004. In summary:
1) No visa on arrival at the Nong Khai crossing
2) No international flight arrivals from Wattay Airport are allowed
3) ALL accommodation reservations in Vientiane during said period have been reverted to the Lao government - ie if you thought you had a reservation, it's time to check with your hotel/agent
4) All tourist sites in Vientiane will be closed
5) If you have a flight into Vientiane in this period with either a domestic or international connection, you will be allowed to land at Wattay airport and make the connection, however you will NOT be allowed to leave the airport
6) IMPORTANT No overland transport into or out of Vientiane prefuncture will be allowed. This makes land travel from the north to the south (or vice versa) impossible.
7) entry into other parts of the country are fine, however your visa is deemed NOT VALID for entry to Vientiane prefuncture during this period.

elr

Many, many thanks for posting this message....

My ticket to Vientiane is not until 3 December, so called the embassy here in the U.S. to make sure that I can enter then, they said fine.

They confirmed everything posted. Thanks again for some timely and important info.

happy trails, Ellen

divediva

the information that Kathie posted was in the Bangkok post 2 times while we were in thailand. we also met a woman who had been in vientiane and the hotel staff were discussing how to "extract foreign travellers"
from lao by the deadline.

should be interesting