The Kiwis are coming in left, right and centre. Welcome to the forum, Rolf.

Every foreigner needs a visa of some sort to enter Laos. You can apply for one at the Lao Embassy in your country, or at a port of entry such as Vientiane airport.

You seem like a professional person. There are many Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in Laos, so you could get in touch with them to see what positions they have on offer.

Chinese citizens holding diplomatic passport, service passport or passport for public affairs are exempt from Lao visa. Others will need to obtain a visa to enter Laos because China isn't a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Chinese citizens may get a visa-free stay for a short period of time in some parts of northern Laos, if they hold a Sino-Laos Border Permit. To be safe than sorry, I advise to check with a Lao Consulate or Embassy for the latest information about visa.

The table below shows the countries and the current tourist visa fees to enter Laos, however, that may change in the future.

Tanks, excellent information.  apparently you just show up at the border and pay a fee. Sounds simple.

Thanks, it is just that I live in Chongqing, and to get to a place where a Laos visa can be issued is a matter of two to three days on the train in either direction. Laos is a small country, but China is certainly not.

I am reading a lot about other people's experiences from Laos, and though most people seems to love the Lao people, many people seems to feel Laos as a country, when it comes to visiting, is hostile towards visitors. Most people who are genuinely interested in learning Laos would like to stay at least three months, better six months, which is the international norm for visitors, but Laos only allow 30 days.

Do you know if the Lao government has any way or channel to provide feedback and suggestions for improvements?

Another thing I noticed, there is hardly any good promotional information on Laos. Vietnam has a lot, but not Laos.

Another question. When I travel I usually try to seek out film or video production companies or photo studios and go and meet with them. It is always very interesting to sit and compare experiences, equipment and production and editing techniques, and it is very beneficial to all parties. Do you know of any such companies in Laos?

Sorry, my fault, I created a misunderstanding. I never heard that mainstream Lao people are hostile. To the very contrary, very, very hospitable and friendly people as described. It is the government rules that have been criticised, and the best we can do is to make suggestions to the government to make a change.

When I was in my early career, many people helped me, now it is my turn. Laos is a developing country and will need a lot of knowledge from outside, and knowledge can only come through people. I always like to leave more behind than I take with me.

We often say that if you give a man a fish he can eat for a day, but if you teach him to fish he can eat for a lifetime. (Remeber New Zealand is an island and people live off the sea.)

One party system, government and politics is the problem. They don't like suggestion, but after 30 year Laos education system, health care, jobs opportunity is still not the best.

admin, you are so knowledgeable about almost everything. Just wondering you must have high education.......really appreciated your responses to almost every topics lol