if you going to stay in the guest house..I don't think you need to bring it..unless you plan to go in the unknown to the tourist. that you will be needing it. do bring some pest repelling with you. take some small bill of American Dollars. they are many ATM now in the city. enjoy you stay in Laos and please be gentle with my people...

Actually my father wanted me to buy him a small tent, one or two man that he could back pack around with minimal weight for those trips that were out of the city and where you might need to spend a night between destinations during your travel. I never had to use a tent or mosquito net or any sprays personally and I stayed at some houses and temples. Maybe it was the season I went, November which might not be so bad for bugs cause it was supposedly the cold season. I also went wandering into the waterfall areas and parks and didn't see any bugs, maybe it's different in the hot months.

So yeah, let us know how your trip went afterwards. I always hear people telling me they are going to go but never hear their stories after they've gone.