Southeast Asia
Can you drink tap water in Laos?
NoNo, drink bottled
Can you drink the tap water in Laos?
Don't drink the tap water. Drink bottled or filtered water; many guesthouses have refill dispensers. Ice in towns is usually factory-made.
Key facts
- Safely managed drinking water: 35% of people (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water by place in Laos
| Place | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Luang Prabang | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or filtered water; many cafés and guesthouses have refill dispensers. Ice in town is factory-made. |
| Vang Vieng | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or filtered water. Hostels offer refill stations; avoid ice from unknown sources. |
| Vientiane | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or filtered water. Refill stations are common at guesthouses and cafés. |
| 4000 Islands | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or filtered water. Guesthouses sell refills; ice may come from river water. |
| Pakse | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or filtered water. Guesthouses sell refills; ice is usually factory-made. |
| Nong Khiaw | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or filtered water; guesthouses offer refills. |
| Thakhek | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or filtered water; guesthouses sell refills. Ice in restaurants is usually commercial. |
| Phonsavan | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or filtered water; guesthouses sell refills. Restaurant ice is usually commercial. |
Tap water by place
Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water
- US State Department travel advisory
- Lao e-Visa (Department of Immigration)
- UK FCDO travel advice: Laos
- Speedtest Global Index: Laos
- Tourism Laos
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.