Laos - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 765

ATMs are now proliferating in the main cities, with many spread around Vientiane, Luang
Prabang, Pakse, Vang Vieng, Luang Namtha, Phonsavan, Udomxai, Huay Xai and Savan-
nakhet. For a list of all the BCEL ATMs, try www.bcellaos.com/atmlocator.php .
Bargaining
With the exception of túk-túk drivers in Vientiane (who are a law unto themselves), most
Lao are not looking to rip you off. Take your time when haggling: start lower and gradu-
ally meet in the middle.
Cash
Kip notes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000K;
the 50,000K note looks deceptively like the 20,000K note.
Credit Cards
A number of hotels, upmarket restaurants and gift shops in Vientiane and Luang Prabang
accept Visa and MasterCard, and to a much lesser extent Amex and JCB. Visa is most
widely accepted. Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao (BCEL) branches in Vientiane,
Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Savannakhet and Pakse offer cash advances/withdrawals on
Visa credit/debit cards for a 3% transaction fee.
Moneychangers
US dollars and Thai baht can be exchanged all over Laos. Banks in Vientiane and Luang
Prabang - and in some provinces - change euro, Thai baht, UK pounds, Japanese yen, and
Canadian, US and Australian dollars. US-dollar travellers cheques can be exchanged in
most provincial capitals and usually attract a much better rate than cash.
Generally, the best overall exchange rate is usually offered by BCEL. In rural areas ex-
change rates can be significantly lower. For the latest rates check www.bcellaos.com .
Travellers Cheques
Banks in most provincial capitals will exchange US-dollar travellers cheques. If you are
changing cheques into kip, there is usually no commission, but changing into dollars at-
tracts a minimum 2% charge.
OPENING HOURS
Banks 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday
Bars to the officially mandated closing time of 11.30pm or sometimes later
Government offices 8am to 11.30am or noon, and 1pm to 4pm or 5pm, Monday to Friday