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U.S. State Department Maintains Laos Travel Advisory at Level 2, Updates Advisory Summary

🇺🇸 United StatesTravel Advisories1 recorded versionLast change 15 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

Laos remains Level 2, but the advisory now describes the principal risks as crime, unrest and unexploded ordnance. Travellers are advised to reconsider travel to Xaisomboun Province and exercise additional caution in specified provinces and along Routes 7, 9 and 20.

Overview

The U.S. State Department updated its Travel Advisory for Laos, maintaining the overall Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution status. The advisory summary was revised, specifically removing 'corruption' as a stated reason for increased caution, while continuing to highlight crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnances. The change applies to all travellers to Laos and is effective upon publication.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • U.S. citizens travelling to Laos
  • U.S. government employees travelling to Xaisomboun Province

What changed in the latest version

Before

Laos was already at 'Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution'. The old advisory also warned about civil unrest and higher risks in specific areas.

After

Laos remains at Level 2. The advisory now says the main risks are crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance. People should rethink travel to Xaisomboun Province. They should be extra careful in specific provinces and along Routes 7, 9, and 20.

This update mainly makes the summary clearer. The most important change is that an extra link for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been taken out. This link was for New Caledonia. The overall travel advisory level and the main risks for Laos are still the same. However, people travelling should note that the U.S. State Department still advises 'Exercise Increased Caution' for Laos in general. It advises 'Reconsider Travel' for Xaisomboun Province. The advisory still highlights that crime, civil unrest, and unexploded ordnances are ongoing and serious risks. This means that old warnings and advice for U.S. citizens still apply. It is important to stay alert and follow specific travel rules for some high-risk areas in Laos.

Explained simply

The U.S. government changed how it describes the dangers in Laos. It's still telling people to be extra careful (Level 2), mainly because of crime, protests, and old bombs. But it no longer specifically mentions 'corruption' as a reason to be careful in its main summary. So, the overall warning hasn't changed, but the list of specific reasons in the short description has been tweaked.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v42Effective 28 Jul 2026PublishedLow impact
    U.S. State Department Maintains Laos Travel Advisory at Level 2, Updates Advisory Summary

    The U.S. State Department has updated its Travel Advisory summary for Laos. The overall advice stays at 'Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution'. This is because of crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnances. The advisory still names specific 'Increased Risk Areas'. These include Xaisomboun Province and other regions. These areas have higher risks due to civil unrest, crime, and unexploded ordnances. The advisory also warns against Special Economic Zones. A small change was made. A link to health information for New Caledonia, which was not about Laos, has been removed.

Other routes in this country

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