Cheap car rental Laos - Crime

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Crime

CRIME: While Laos generally has a low rate of violent crime, it is not immune to crime. While in Laos, Americans should remain aware of their surro undings and exercise appropriate security precautions. There has been a recent increase in thefts and assaults in Vientiane, including bag-snatching and sexual assault. Residential burglary is commonplace. Expatriates attempting to report burglaries in progress to the police often find that police telephones are not answered, or they are informed that the police are not authorized to respond to criminal activity at night or that the police have no transportation. U.S. citizens who move to Vientiane are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for security advice.

U.S. citizens traveling to Vang Vieng should be aware that there have been robberies and assaults of tourists walking alone to the caves on the far side of the Nam Song River. Several people have drowned during the rainy season while inner-tubing or swimming in the Nam Song River. Camping at night anywhere except authorized campgrounds in national parks is considered dangerous.

Any criminal incidents, including the theft or loss abroad of a U.S. passport, should be reported immediately to the local police and the U.S. Embassy. Useful information on safeguarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad, available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ or from the Bureau of Consular Affairs' web site, http://travel.state.gov, or from the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane.