Hello,

I am filling out the Laos visa application form, and there is a space on there for a "reference in the Lao PDR".  I don't know anyone there, how should I fill this out?

If you're a tourist then I don't think they expect you to know anyone. I would just leave the space blank. Or if you know where you will be staying then you could write down the name of the place, e.g. Lao Plaza Hotel, so at least you have provided them with something.

Maybe their question needs to be clearer by including "if applicable".

I called them and was told I could just put the address and phone number of the guest house I was staying at.  Thanks for the response.

It's ridiculous really. What if you don't know where you will be staying either? You will still be stuck on the same question.

Sometimes people plan to visit Laos and look for accommodation when they arrive. These days it's not necessary to book accommodation in advance because they are nearly everywhere. If one guesthouse is full, there's another guesthouse just 5 minutes away.

Also tourists never stay at one place and they move around a lot. They could stay in a guesthouse in Vientiane one day, and then another guesthouse in Luang Prabang the next day.

What I'm trying to say here is that if they are going to ask a question, they need to cover all bases and take everything into consideration. Everything should be written in black and write, giving clear instructions on what visa applicants must provide, and not having people calling in because they don't understand.

It's very odd.  Admin, what are some things to do in the Vientiane area?  How does one get a ESL job in Laos, if any?

I don't know about English as a Second Language jobs because I don't work in the education sector.

About things to do in Vientiane, I guess first of all you should focus on the must see places.

That Luang, Patuxay Monument and Buddha Park are the main attractions. If a tourist visiting Vientiane haven't seen them then they haven't visited Vientiane.