Laos Reopens Borders to International Visitors

Laos has reopened its borders to international visitors and eliminated all vaccination requirements for properly vaccinated visitors.

The south-east Asian country has also resumed its visa-on-arrival and e-visa programs, as well as removed all travel restrictions across the country.

Pre-departure or on-arrival tests are not required for fully vaccinated travelers, however, unvaccinated visitors must perform an antigen test 48 hours before to departure.

Inside Travel Group, an Asia expert, praised the reopening, with spokesperson James Mundy describing it as “not only great news for Laos, but for travel and south-east Asia as a whole”.

“Laos is often overlooked for its neighbours Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, but this move is significant for the region as most testing and Covid-19 travel restrictions are now removed meaning south-east Asia is back on the map for adventurous holiday makers,” he said.

As the region opens up and demand travel grows, Inside Travel Group’s InsideAsia Tours has produced its first digital-only brochure for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

The brochure includes “sustainable, cultural activities” in Laos, such as a “Laos by rail” tour centered on the country’s first passenger railway, which began service in December of last year.

“The new train makes Laos a completely different prospect these days and puts it more firmly on the map with its neighbours. InsideAsia cannot wait to help people discover this underrated country and its incredible neighbours again soon and recent changes make them all so much more appealing,” added Mundy.