Types , , , and sockets at 230 V, UTC+7 with no daylight saving, banks and offices closing at 15:30, and night markets running 17:00 to 22:00.
- Cover shoulders and knees to enter a temple, and always remove your shoes before inner sanctuaries and private homes.
- Any drone over 200 g needs an official permit, and flying over Luang Prabang's historic centre, near airports or over government facilities means confiscation and fines.
- Drug penalties are very severe - possession or use of any illegal narcotic brings long prison sentences and heavy fines.
- Never touch a local person's head, and do not point your feet at Buddha images or at other people.
- Sockets are types , and plus A and B at 230 V, and banks and government offices close at 15:30 while night markets run 17:00 to 22:00.
Local rules and cultural differences
- Dress code at temples - cover shoulders and knees to enter a Buddhist temple (wat), and always remove your shoes before inner sanctuaries and private homes.
- Drones need a permit - flights require approval from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, and any drone over 200 g needs an official permit. Flying over the historic centre of Luang Prabang (a UNESCO zone), within 5 km of airports, or over military and government facilities is prohibited, with confiscation and fines.
- Alcohol and quiet hours - sales are regulated, and most restaurants and bars must observe closing and quiet hours between 23:30 and midnight.
- Drug penalties are very severe - possession, use or distribution of any illegal narcotic brings long prison sentences and heavy fines.
- Heads and feet - the head is the most sacred part of the body, so never touch a local person's head. Feet are the lowest: do not point them at Buddha images or at other people.
Everyday practicalities
- Power sockets - types , , and , , at 230 V, 50 Hz. Most accommodation has combined sockets that take the standard European two-pin plug (type ).
- Drinking water - bottled or from filtration stations only.
- Time zone - UTC+7, Indochina Time (ICT).
- Opening hours - government offices and banks Monday to Friday 08:30–15:30; shops and markets daily 08:00–20:00; night markets 17:00–22:00.
- Wi-Fi - common in hotels, cafés and restaurants, with frequent temporary outages during storms.
Comments
No comments yet. Share the first one.
Share a tip
Sign in to continue.