Questions about Laos money

by Ginger MacDonald
(China)

My name is Ginger MacDonald. I am traveling to Laos next week. I live in China and am a travel writer. Could you please answer a few questions for me?

Please confirm that an "on arrival" visa can be obtained at the airport. I am flying into Vientiane.
Please confirm that there are money exchange banks or bureaus at the airport.
Please confirm that there are banks in Vietniane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang.
Please confirm that there are ATMS in the above cities.
Please advise if alternate currency is accepted: USD, RMB, EURO
Your answers can help future visitors. I am a solo traveler and want to help others do so safely and confidentially. I am looking forward to the trip.
Ginger MacDonald
USA Citizen, China Resident

GingerTastyfaith.com

Comments for Questions about Laos money

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Feb 06, 2018
 Answers about Laos money
by: Duangpy

Hi Ginger,

Thanks for the questions and for having other visitors in mind.
I'll provide quick short answers to your questions as following.

Yes, Lao visa on arrival is available at the Lao international airports including Vientiane (Wattay International Airport). You, as an USA passport holder, are eligible for visa on arrival.

Yes, money exchange is available at the airport.

Yes, there are banks (see bank list below) and ATM machines in all the provinces in Laos.

Yes, USD, RMB, EURO are accepted at all the banks in Laos (USD is also accepted by big merchants)

Bank list (in alphabetical order)



  • ACLEDA Bank Lao Ltd – Cambodian

  • Agricultural Promotion Bank (Lao govt bank)

  • ANZ Bank Laos

  • Bank of the Lao PDR (Central Bank)

  • Bank of Ayudhya /Ayuttaya (Thai bank)

  • Bangkok Bank, Vientiane (Thai bank)

  • Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao BCEL

  • Booyoung Lao Bank Co Ltd (Korean)

  • Canadia Bank

  • Indochina Bank (Lao) Ltd (Malaysian bank )

  • Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited

  • ICBC (Chinese Bank)

  • International Commercial Bank (Malaysian bank)

  • Joint Development Bank JDB

  • Krungthai Bank Co Ltd (Thai bank)

  • Krungsri Ayudthaya Bank Co Ltd (Thai bank)

  • Lao Development Bank LDB

  • Lao-Viet Bank (Lao/Vietnamese govt bank)

  • Maybank Lao (Malayan Banking Berhad, Malaysian bank)

  • Phongsavanh Bank Ltd PSV (Lao private bank)

  • Public Bank Berhad (Malaysian bank)

  • RHB Bank Lao Limited (Malaysian/Thai)

  • Sacombank Laos (Vietnamese bank)

  • ST Bank Co. Ltd. STB (Lao private commercial bank)

  • Siam Commercial Bank Public Corporation (Thai bank)

  • Thai Farmers Bank Public Co. Ltd. (Thai bank)

  • TMB Bank Public Co Ltd (Thai bank)

  • Vietin Bank (Vietnamese bank)

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