Laos Travel Information

Laos Culture and Traditions

Laos is a predominantly a Buddhist country and the etiquette familiar perhaps from Thailand and Cambodia is also seen in Laos.

Always avoid pointing your feet at people when sitting or sat down and do not extend your legs so that people have to step over them. No-one should not be patted or touched on the head as the head is much revered as the seat of a person’s spirit. Respect should be shown to all images of the Buddha and again here the feet should not be pointed towards any Buddha image.

As ever in Asia dress should be modest in cities, towns and villages with knee length shorts for both sexes and for women T.shirts rather than bare shoulders and strappy tops. Shoes are always removed when entering homes. The above dress code is essential when visiting temples.

The generally accepted form of greeting among Lao people is the nop. It is performed by placing one’s palms together in a position of praying at chest level, but not touching the body. The higher the hands, the greater the sign of respect, nonetheless, the hands should not be held above the level of the nose. The nop is accompanied by a slight bow to show respect to persons of higher status and age. It is also used as an expression of thanks, regret or saying good-bye. But with Western people it is acceptable to shake hands.