Is It Safe to Travel to Laos?Advisories checked 9 November 2026. Check the official advisory on the day you travel: governments change them often, sometimes weekly.
The US rates Laos Level 2 (Exercise increased caution). The UK advises against all but essential travel to parts of Laos. Canada advises a high degree of caution, with stricter advisories for some regions.
All three governments give the same level. Some regions carry stricter warnings than the rest of the country.
The three advisories side by side
US Department of State
2Level 2“Exercise increased caution”
“Exercise increased caution in Laos due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnances. Some areas have increased risk.”
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
2Level 2“Advises against travel to parts of the country”
“FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province. There are intermittent attacks on infrastructure and armed clashes with anti-government groups.”
Government of Canada
2Level 2“Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)”
“Natural disasters and climate section – added information on El Niño”
Regions with stricter warnings
These are the governments’ own words. We do not add or change any region names.
Reconsider Travel to Xaisomboun Province due to civil unrest. Exercise Increased Caution in areas on the Border with Burma, Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Salavan, Khammouane, Sekong, Champasak, Houaphanh, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Salavan) due to crime. Exercise Increased Caution in areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Salavan, Khammouane, Sekong, Champasak, Houaphanh, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, as well as along Route 7 due to unexploded ordnances.
Source: US Department of State, updated 27 July 2026.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province.
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, updated 13 August 2026.
Canada also gives regional advisories for Laos on its official page (updated 15 October 2026). Read the Canadian advisory
What the levels mean
TravelDecl places each government’s advice on a common 1 to 4 scale so the three can be compared. The wording in each column is the government’s own.
| Level | Meaning | US | UK | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Level 1 | Normal precautions | Level 1: Exercise normal precautions | No advice against travel | Exercise normal security precautions |
| 2Level 2 | Increased caution | Level 2: Exercise increased caution | Advises against travel to parts of the country | Exercise a high degree of caution |
| 3Level 3 | Reconsider or avoid non-essential travel | Level 3: Reconsider travel | Advises against all but essential travel to the whole country | Avoid non-essential travel |
| 4Level 4 | Do not travel | Level 4: Do not travel | Advises against all travel to the whole country | Avoid all travel |
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Questions
What level is the Laos travel advisory?
The US rates Laos Level 2 (Exercise increased caution). US advisory updated 27 July 2026. The UK advises against all but essential travel to parts of Laos. UK advisory updated 13 August 2026. Canada advises a high degree of caution, with stricter advisories for some regions. Canadian advisory updated 15 October 2026.
Does the UK advise against travel to Laos?
Not for the whole country. The UK advises against all but essential travel to parts of Laos. UK advisory updated 13 August 2026. In its words: “FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province.”
Is Laos safe for tourists?
TravelDecl does not give its own verdict. Here is what the governments say: The US rates Laos Level 2 (Exercise increased caution). The UK advises against all but essential travel to parts of Laos. Canada advises a high degree of caution, with stricter advisories for some regions. Advisories checked 9 November 2026. Check the official advisory on the day you travel.
Check the official advisory on the day you travel. Each card above links to it.
Sources and methodology
- US Department of State: travel advice for Laos, updated 27 July 2026. US Department of State: public domain (US Government work).
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: travel advice for Laos, updated 13 August 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- Government of Canada: travel advice for Laos, updated 15 October 2026. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Levels on the common 1 to 4 scale are mapped from each government’s own rating: US levels 1 to 4 as published; UK: no advice against travel = 1, against travel to parts = 2, against all but essential travel to the whole country = 3, against all travel to the whole country = 4; Canada: its four risk levels in order. We do not combine them into a single score.
Advisories checked 9 November 2026. This page has not yet been checked by hand.