Hey guys, just wanted to know what the price of land was like in Laos right now. I know in Vientiane it's getting to be pretty expensive. How much is rent there at an average place. How much is it to stay at some of the guest houses? I am thinking of buying land now before it gets to be overpriced so maybe I can build a house there once I retire. I know you have to be a lao national to buy land, that's not going to be a problem for me. Are there new areas being developed in Laos?

The price of land in Vientiane depends where it is located. You will be looking at an average of about $200 US per square metre, just to give you a general idea but there are many factors involved.

$6 or $7 US is the cost for a typical guest house room. It will cost extra with TV and air conditioning.

Foreigners are allowed to buy land, you just can't own it. You have to be a Lao national to own land.

There is an exception. If you plan to pay alot of money (I think the minimum is $300,000 US), they may let the foreigner own it.

I was born in Laos,but have live in the west for over 30 year. I would like to go back to retired there in my home town(Seno,Savannaketh) Could I own land there? If I could! How and where to get this kind of information?

Firstly, we welcome you as a new member of our forum.

As a foreigner, you can't own land anywhere in Laos but there is a way around it. If you have a trustworthy relative living in Laos then you can use their name as the owner of the land, but the land technically still belongs to you.

There's lots of poo sao in Seno and Savannakhet.

Maybe I should just reclaim my Laos citizenship. How can I do that! as I have told you I was born in Seno and would be nice to live there on my retirement. I would try to help the local to set-up some kind of business to help the local get they local produce to the market. it's something to and keep my mind active while I am in my retirement.

I do appreciate for the PooSao in Seno. I would be with my wife for my duration of my stay in Laos.    

Being a Lao citizen means you can own land in your name. You need to apply to the Ministry of Justice but it takes time.

Individuals who are not Lao (example: westerner) are required to live in Laos as a permanent resident for a long ten years before they are eligible to apply for Lao citizenship. Given that you were born in Laos and I assume you are of Lao race, the time limit is reduced to five years. You will be required to renounce your current citizenship because Lao law doesn't accept dual citizenship.

I hope you enjoy your retirement in Laos in the near future. Keep your wife happy, and I'm glad you won't follow in the footsteps of Tiger Woods.

Do you have a name of the office or direct phone number to enquiry about this.Do they have a Retirement visa just like Thailand and Vietnam.  

The Lao Embassy in your country have all the information you need.

Trust me! I have try that! by email them,  call them. They do not return your call. when they replied your email they would just sent a Visa applicant to me. that is no help! I guest you have no Answer for me too. Thank for nothing!  

You need to understand that I am not a Lao immigration officer so my help is limited.

If they are unable to assist you with your enquiry then that is a problem. Contacting the office in Laos by phone would probably be useless too. What I suggest is that you visit Laos on a normal tourist visa, then you can go to visit the office directly to apply for another visa that will suit your situation.

Thank you for your suggestion! How ever travel over 12 hours just to ask if they is a possibility to get a business visa. that is a very risky business for me. The technology is there to use. If you don't mind help me to get that phone number  I would be appreciated! Thank in advance.  

In your case, doesn't matter if takes 100 hours to travel because you are retiring in Laos so you will be here anyway.

I don't see any problem with a tourist visa to begin with, because you don't have a business yet.

I'll see what I can do for you later.

Thank you, I always check how deep is the water is,before jump in the river. I hope you understand!

I didn't get their phone number but I've spoken to them. I've been told that in order to obtain a business visa, you need a relative in Laos to declare for you. When the Embassy receives details of your business from Laos and you've made your payment, they will issue the visa to you.

Thank you for your help! Have a nice day......

You're welcome, I'm happy to help.