The Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Laos held a meeting on the topic “A Nationwide Informational Workshop on Lao Green Travel Zone and the Operational Process and the Requirements” on 18 Jan 2022 at 08:30 am Bangkok.
Summary of the last meeting:
• E-visa and Visa on Arrival are not available yet.
• The LaoStaySafe app is not available yet.
• Tourists entering Laos must strictly follow the rules to travel according to the tour itinerary only, places not on the itinerary are not allowed to travel.
• Tourists must travel through a tour operator and follow the tour program only. Wherever tourists go, they must have a guide with them.
• Tourists can travel by train if included in the tour program.
• Tour operator staff, guides, and drivers must be fully vaccinated.
• Tourists who come to Laos, whether on vacation or visiting family or friends, will not be able to travel with family or friends. Tourists must abide by the rules and follow the tour program only.
• Tourists can purchase insurance from their own country. But the insurance must have a minimum coverage of 50,000 USD or you can purchase insurance in Laos after arrival.
• Insurance can be life insurance or covid insurance.
• Tourists cannot travel on their own.
• Tourists can travel to Laos with an unlimited number of people.
• After arriving in Laos, if tourists want to change the tour program, the tour operators must submit new tour programs to covid taskforce for re-approval.
• For phase 1, tourists will be able to enter Laos by air via Wattay International Airport and by land across the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane Capital.
Summary of Laos Tourism Green Zone
From January 1, 2022, Laos has reopened its borders to welcome fully vaccinated travelers from 17 countries and 14 nations (listed below) after 18 months of shutdown. It will be rolled out in 3 phases in total and tourists are granted to Laos under the reopening scheme under two zones, namely “Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails”.
After arriving, tourists must be in quarantine for 48 hours at the hotel to await the result of a PCR test. If the PCR test is negative, they may begin their experience of exploring the 'Green Zones' of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng before being able to explore 'Green Trails' such as Oudomxay, Saraburi, Xieng Khouang, Khammouan, and Champasak.
The list of 14 nations that are authorized to visit Laos includes: Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, and Switzerland.
There are 17 eligible countries that allowed tourists to enter from Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, the US, the UK, Thailand, and Vietnam.
3 Phases of Lao Reopening
Phase 1 (1 January – 31 March 2022):
During phase 1, travelers may enter Laos by air via Wattay International Airport and by land across the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane Capital.
Phase 2 (1 April – 30 June 2022):
Phase 2 will include Luang Prabang International Airport, Boten-Bohan border with China in Luang Namtha Province, the Third Friendship Bridge in Thakhek, the Second Friendship Bridge in Savannakhet, the Chongmek border in Pakse, the Lao Bao border with Vietnam in Savannakhet Province, and Nam Phao border (Luk Xao) with Vietnam in Bolikhamxay Province.
Four provinces will be authorized for Green Travel Trails during Phase 2, including Houay Xay District in Bokeo Province, Luang Namtha Province, Sekong Province, and Salavanh Province.
Phase 3 (1 July 2022 – Onwards):
Details are still forthcoming, but it is expected that, at this time, the entire country will be open for travel with minimal restrictions in place.
Procedures for Tour Companies
• Tour companies and relevant businesses who aspire to participate in the Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails must register with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
• Tour companies in Laos must prepare the following documentation in order to request permission for tourists to enter: a proposal from the company, a tour itinerary with the list of tourists, guides and drivers, hotel reservations, and copies of tourists’ passports, vaccination certificates, tourists’ insurance policies and the copy of the valid business license.
• These documents must be presented to the Tourism Management Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism. After approval, the documents are sent to the Immigration Police Department to process entry authorization.
• Tour operators must send all relevant documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Laos granting Visa for tourists.
• Tour companies must use the services from the companies that have been registered in the LaoSafe, whether hotels, restaurants, tour guides, or drivers.
• Itinerary must be in the Green Zones designated areas
• All tour operators and related businesses participating in the Travel Green Zone program must have a valid business license.
Documentation requirements for tourists
• Travellers are required to have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 no less than 14 days prior to arrival.
• Travelers must also show proof of a negative PCR Covid test result taken no later than 72 hours prior to departure to Laos and take another PCR test after arriving at the airport.
• Insurance policy with coverage no less than USD 50,000
• Upon arrival travelers are required to be tested for Covid-19 and placed in a 48-hour quarantine in their hotel while waiting for the results.
• All visitors to Laos must pre-book a tour that is allowed to operate in one of the designated green travel zones. The tourist agency must also hold a Lao Travel Green Zone Plan license
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