30+ Useful Lao Travel Phrases To Try Out

Are you looking forward to visiting Laos or moving into the country? Well, we can’t blame you. Laos’s natural greens, tradition, and food can attract any person worldwide and make it the most desired tourist destination. However, before you plan your tour, we highly recommend you to learn some basic Lao travel phrases. Doing so will help you navigate through the places like a pro and connect with the locals through meaningful bonds.

Thus, in today’s post, you will learn some basic Lao phrases and words like ສະ​ບາຍ​ດີ​ບໍ (sa bai dee baw), ອາຫານແມ່ນແຊບ (ahan aemn aesb), etc., that will help you discover their affluent history and explore the country with a native experience. Want to learn Lao more? Continue reading!

Laos Travel Tips

One of the best things about Laos is that it is the cheapest country in Asia. Thus, bargaining is a standard part of Lao people, and you will be able to spend a fantastic vacation on a daily budget. One of the best ways to save money would be to eat at stalls, use public transport, and book basic homestays or hotels. Your highest expense will likely be on travel rather than food and accommodation.

Lao currency is the “kip.” While many shops and restaurants accept Thai baht or US dollars, smaller towns and cities still need to accept foreign currency. So, it is recommended that you carry Lao currency. However, it is only possible to convert kip to another current in Laos. So, for convenience and a beneficial exchange rate, you can also carry more extensive US notes than small amounts of money in kip.

Another essential thing to remember before traveling to Laos is your health. Healthcare in Laos is still in the primary stage, and emergency institutions are still negligible, with life expectancy only being 57 for a regular person. So, make sure you pack proper medicines and ointments to prevent diseases like Malaria. If you fall sick or face something major, the best option is to reach out to the neighboring country, Thailand.

Nevertheless, Laos is one of the safest countries to travel to, and early travelers have commented that they have felt safer walking in Laos than anywhere else. So to speak, you can enjoy your vacation in Laos with zero worries if you keep the above travel tips in mind.

Lao Travel Phrases

In this section, we will go through different phrases in the Lao language that will help you navigate your tour. Moreover, learning these will also allow you to you bond with the locals and natively explore their lifestyle. So, let’s begin.

Greetings And Conversation

Greetings will always be one of the most exalted parts of Asian traditions. If you have read the previous articles, you would know that Lao people follow a practice called the “nop.” It is a kind gesture made out of a body posture where you are somewhere between a bow and a prayer. Every Laotion person does the nop and utters Sa bai dee as a formal greeting in their culture.

So, here is a list of greeting phrases and words that will let you understand their lifestyle and also enable you to start conversations fluently.

Basic Lao Phrases For Directions

As a new member or visitor in the country, you will get lost once in a while. So, the best way to get out of such trouble is to communicate with the locals who know the country better than google maps. Here is a list of phrases for asking directions in Lao.

Lao Phrases For Transport

If you want to travel by public transport in Laos, you must enquire about the tickets, counters, and arrivals. So, the best way to do that is to use some native phrases related to transport to avoid any unnecessary confusion.

Phrases In Laos For Local Markets

As I mentioned before, shopping in Laos can be exciting because of the low prices and bargaining practices. However, to bargain and understand the shopping culture of the local markets, you must try out some Lao phrases.

Dining Phrases In Lao

Food is another fascinating part of Laos. From sticky rice to curries, you will find diverse types of food which will make you visit numerous restaurants and street stalls. So, you’ll definitely want to learn Lao phrases to fit in and navigate your concerns.

Hotel Phrases In Lao

Here is a list you can use with the locals once you reach your hotel. Accommodation can demand many questions which you must answer through communication.

Emergency Phrases In The Lao Language

You never know when you might fall sick or need urgent help. As I said, healthcare can be an issue in Laos. So, to receive immediate assistance, you must save some emergency phrases in the local language to communicate with the citizens. For detailed learning, you can check out Lao emergency phrases.

Have A Safe Trip!

Congratulations! You are now equipped with the essential travel tool that will guide you through every difficulty and let you engage with the local culture without any trouble. I know that is a lot of information, but with just a few practices, you will gain instant Lao fluency and start catching up with the locals.

If you think this Lao phrasebook was helpful, don’t forget to check out the Ling app. It has more language resources stored to enlighten you with various details. You can download the app from Appstore or Playstore and use it on your chosen device.

Learn Lao With Ling

Isn’t it exciting to speak a new language like one of the natives? To make your multilingual dream more tangible, the Ling app is here to provide the best services.

It is a language-learning app that regularly provides various content on topics such as food, culture, clothes, sports, etc. One of the app’s best features is the AI Chatbot system that lets you engage in conversational exercises. Doing so has helped many learners improve their communication skills and enhance their knowledge retention effortlessly.

You also get to play mini-games and puzzles and engage in dialogues, making learning fun. Moreover, if you want to speak Thai language or any other language besides Lao, Ling has 60+ languages saved for you. So, what are you waiting for? Download Ling today and prepare yourself for your next trip!