Is Pakse safe?
Quiet and low-crime. Motorbike crashes on the Bolaven loop and unexploded ordnance off marked trails are the main risks.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-07-27.
- Road deaths in Laos: 17.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 1191 · Ambulance 1195 · Fire 1190.
Safety in Pakse at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Opportunistic theft from rooms, bikes or bags. Violent crime against tourists is uncommon. |
| At night | Quiet after 9 pm; the riverfront and a few bars stay open. Short tuk-tuk rides are fine at night. |
| Solo women | Easy for solo women. Dress modestly, avoid empty roads after dark and take care on rented motorbikes. |
| Other risks | Motorbike accidents on the loop; Unexploded ordnance; Dengue in the rainy season |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Inflated tuk-tuk and tour prices
- Bike rental damage claims
- Fake guides at waterfalls
Take care
- Dirt roads and river crossings on the Bolaven loop in rain
- Leaving marked paths: unexploded ordnance remains in the south
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Sex with a Lao national outside a registered marriage is illegal; fines up to US$5,000.
- Vapes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco are illegal to bring, buy or use.
- Drug offences carry long sentences, and trafficking can bring the death penalty.
How Pakse compares in Laos
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Luang Prabang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vientiane | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| 4000 Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pakse | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nong Khiaw | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Thakhek | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Phonsavan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vang Vieng | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Pakse safe for solo female travelers?
Easy for solo women. Dress modestly, avoid empty roads after dark and take care on rented motorbikes.
Is Pakse safe at night?
Quiet after 9 pm; the riverfront and a few bars stay open. Short tuk-tuk rides are fine at night.
What is the crime rate in Pakse?
Opportunistic theft from rooms, bikes or bags. Violent crime against tourists is uncommon.
What number do I call in an emergency in Pakse?
Police 1191 · Ambulance 1195 · Fire 1190.
More about Pakse
Going to Pakse solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Pakse meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Laos Tourism
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.