Things Not to Do in Laos: A Comic Guide to Respectful Travel

Traveling to Laos can trigger a genuine cultural shock. Gestures that may seem perfectly ordinary in Europe or elsewhere in the world can here be perceived as disrespectful, inappropriate, or simply confusing. Most of the time, it is neither bad intention nor arrogance, but simply a lack of familiarity with local cultural codes.

This comic guide, created by the ORLA Tours team, is Volume 1 of a series dedicated to what not to do in Laos, with a first focus on cultural behavior. Through deliberately explicit scenes, sometimes approached with humor, this illustrated guide highlights the most common mistakes made by travelers in order to better understand the fundamental values of Lao society: respect, modesty, discretion, and harmony.

The aim is not to judge, but to guide. To help every traveler avoid awkward situations, travel more consciously, and transform cultural shock into a respectful, smooth, and deeply enriching encounter.

#1 The Arrival… Enthusiasm and First Western Reflexes

Bob and Baloo arrive in Laos full of enthusiasm, curiosity… and deeply ingrained habits. Like many travelers, they discover the country spontaneously, not yet realizing how different cultural codes can be.

This first scene sets the tone: a journey often begins with good intentions, but also with Western reflexes that, in Laos, can quickly lead to misunderstandings. Through Bob and Baloo, this comic will gradually illustrate the most common mistakes the ones we make unintentionally in order to better recognize them… and, above all, avoid them.

#2 The Photo Too Many… When Curiosity Becomes Intrusive

Photographing someone without asking for their permission is one of the most common mistakes in Laos. In this scene, carried away by the excitement of travel, Bob and Baloo take photos of a mother and her child without consent, turning an intimate moment of daily life into simple tourist curiosity. For local communities, this gesture can be experienced as intrusive, even disrespectful especially when it involves children, families, or ethnic minorities.

What not to do: pull out your camera or phone without warning, photograph people as “subjects” or backdrops, insist when discomfort is clearly visible.

What to do instead: ask for permission, through a smile, a gesture, or a few simple words; you can start by taking a photo of a nearby object and showing it on your screen before going further… accept a refusal without insisting, and prioritize human connection before the image. A photo taken with respect then becomes a shared memory, not an act of appropriation.

#3 The Misguided Good Idea… Giving to Children Without Understanding

Giving gifts directly to children, even with good intentions, is a common mistake in Laos. In this scene, Bob and Baloo offer pens and sweets to children while touching their heads, without realizing the real impact of their actions. What they perceive as an act of generosity can, in reality, disrupt local dynamics, encourage begging, and create tensions within communities or schools. Imagine if a bus of foreign tourists stopped at your children’s school to hand out pens and candy, following the advice of an overseas association. How would you feel? Moreover, touching a child’s head is culturally inappropriate in Laos, as the head is considered the most sacred part of the body.

What not to do : give directly to children in the street or outside schools, distribute objects or food spontaneously, create expectations or competition among children. Many villages in Laos have sadly become places where children beg instead of attending school because of repeated tourist handouts.

What to do : go through teachers or supervised local structures that can redistribute support in a fair and respectful way. A local association asking you to hand gifts directly to children is not necessarily a responsible option. In this way, the help provided becomes truly useful, sustainable, and aligned with local values, without harming children’s education or dignity.

#4 The Temple Is Not a Backdrop… Respect the Sacred

Temples in Laos are sacred places, deeply connected to spirituality and to the daily lives of Lao people. In this scene, Bob and Baloo adopt a relaxed, even careless attitude: clothing that is too revealing, physical contact with statues, feet pointed toward the Buddha, and inappropriate posture. These gestures, even without any intention to disrespect, can be perceived as offensive by monks and worshippers.

What not to do : enter a temple wearing short shorts or a tank top, touch Buddha statues, sit in a casual or careless manner, point your feet toward a person, a monk, or a sacred representation. Stand physically too close to a monk.

What to do : wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, adopt a calm and quiet attitude, remove your shoes before entering, sit properly with your feet tucked to the side, and show respect and humility at all times. In this way, visiting a temple becomes a moment of observation and understanding, rather than a simple tourist attraction.

#5 Bargaining Is Not Crushing… Respect Before Price

Bargaining is part of daily life in Laos, but it is first and foremost based on respect and restraint. In this scene, Bob and Baloo negotiate aggressively, raise their voices, and devalue the artisan’s work to obtain a ridiculously low price. This behavior, sometimes perceived as normal elsewhere, is experienced here as a loss of face and a deep lack of consideration.

What not to do : raise your voice, get angry, bargain insistently over a few cents, compare in a contemptuous way, or pressure the seller.

What to do : negotiate with a smile, calmness, and common sense, accept that a fair price reflects time, craftsmanship, and local living conditions, and remember that a few thousand kips can represent a significant amount for an artisan. Respectful bargaining preserves everyone’s dignity and turns a simple purchase into a balanced human exchange.

#6 One Person’s Freedom… Another’s Discomfort

Smoking in a restaurant or in a public space is perceived in Laos as a lack of consideration for others, even if the gesture may seem ordinary to some travelers. In this scene, Bob and Baloo smoke at the table, in the middle of other customers, without taking into account the discomfort caused, especially to families and children. The smoke fills the space and turns a convivial moment into an uncomfortable situation for those around them.

What not to do : smoke at the table, in a restaurant, a covered market, or any frequented place, impose your smoke on others, or assume that “it doesn’t bother anyone.”

What to do : move away from others, ask if a designated smoking area exists, respect local rules, and act with discretion. In Laos, collective well-being comes first, and adopting these simple gestures helps preserve harmony and shared conviviality. Some Lao men do smoke, although they are few, but you will never see them doing so openly in front of others.

#7 Tak Bat Is Not a Show… Silence and Restraint

Tak Bat, the morning alms-giving ceremony performed by monks, is a sacred ritual deeply rooted in Lao spirituality. In this scene, Bob and Baloo turn this moment of contemplation into a tourist attraction: selfies at arm’s length, excessive proximity, physical contact with a young monk, and staging of the ceremony. This behavior disrupts the ritual, makes the monks uncomfortable, and shows a lack of respect toward the faithful who participate with sincerity.

What not to do : take selfies with monks, stand too close, touch a monk, block their path, or photograph in an intrusive way.

What to do : keep your distance, remain silent, observe discreetly or, if you wish to participate, do so in accordance with local rules (appropriate clothing, a respectful position slightly set back, calm gestures). Tak Bat is not a show: it is a moment of faith and humility, to be contemplated with respect and restraint.

#8 The Exposed Body… When Modesty Is Forgotten

In Laos, public space is not a place for exhibition or athletic performance. In this scene, Bob and Baloo run shirtless and in very light clothing, causing confusion and discomfort among local residents. This behavior, common in some countries, is perceived here as disrespectful, especially near temples and in residential areas, where modesty and discretion are essential values of Buddhist culture. For example, even in a Lao fitness center, removing your T-shirt is prohibited.

What not to do : run shirtless, wear overly short or tight clothing in villages, streets, and near sacred places, adopt a demonstrative or provocative attitude.

What to do : wear decent clothing, keep the upper body covered, choose light but respectful outfits. Respecting these codes allows you to travel in harmony with local communities and avoid unnecessary discomfort.

#8 Love in Public… An Intimacy That Disrupts

In Laos, public displays of affection are very poorly perceived. In this scene, Bob and Baloo kiss in the middle of a market, under the shocked gaze of local residents. What may seem natural or harmless in some Western countries is considered inappropriate, overly intimate, and out of place here, especially in shared living spaces such as markets, villages, or near families.

What not to do : kiss, caress, or engage in intimate gestures in public, draw attention to your private life, or ignore the visible discomfort of those around you.

What to do : show restraint and discretion, reserve affectionate gestures for private spaces, and respect local modesty. In Laos, modesty and reserve are signs of respect. Embracing them helps preserve social harmony and allows you to travel with elegance and consideration.

Traveling Differently… Understanding in Order to Respect

Traveling to Laos means accepting to adapt to a culture founded on respect, discretion, and harmony. Lao people are naturally courteous, patient, and kind; in return, it is up to each traveler to behave with the same consideration. By understanding what should be avoided, and above all what is appropriate to do, the journey becomes smoother, more human, and deeply enriching. A simple smile, a respectful gesture, or a few words in Lao are often enough to create genuine connections. Travel with openness, humility, and respect: Laos will give it back to you a hundredfold.

Would you like to discover Laos while fully respecting its culture?

At ORLA Tours, our mission is not only to offer you a unique and successful adventure, but also to ensure that the footprint you leave behind is as positive and beneficial as possible for local communities, leaving only good memories of your presence.

Understanding cultural codes is essential, but being accompanied by local experts makes all the difference. Our Franco-Lao team lives in Laos and designs each itinerary with full consideration for traditions, customs, and on-the-ground realities. By entrusting us with your project, you travel with peace of mind, avoid cultural missteps, and experience something more authentic, human, and respectful.

👉 Tell us about your tailor-made travel project here: https://www.offroadlaosaventures.fr/creer-son-circuit-sur-mesure-laos

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is it important to understand cultural codes in Laos? Because gestures that may seem harmless elsewhere can be perceived as disrespectful in Laos. Understanding these codes helps avoid misunderstandings and creates more sincere exchanges with local communities.

   
   

2. Does ORLA Tours guide me before departure? Yes. We prepare each traveler in advance with practical, cultural, and behavioral advice so that your arrival and stay unfold smoothly and confidently.

   
   

3. Do these guidelines apply everywhere in Laos? Yes, and even more so in villages, temples, and rural areas. Respect for traditions is fundamental throughout the country, including in tourist areas.

   
   

4. Can I fully personalize my trip? Absolutely. Each itinerary is designed entirely tailor-made, according to your wishes, pace, budget, and cultural sensitivity.

   
   

5. Why choose a local agency like ORLA Tours? Because we live here, understand the realities on the ground, and work directly with local communities. This guarantees a smoother, more respectful, and deeply authentic journey.