The south-east Asian nation has also reinstated its visa-on-arrival and e-visa schemes and removed all restrictions on travel zones throughout the country. 

Fully vaccinated visitors are not required to take pre-departure or on-arrival tests, while unvaccinated individuals must take an antigen test 48 hours before departure.

The reopening was welcomed by Asia specialist operator Inside Travel Group, whose spokesperson James Mundy called the update “not only great news for Laos, but for travel and south-east Asia as a whole”. 

“Laos is often overlooked for its neighbours Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, but this move is significant for the region as most testing and Covid-19 travel restrictions are now removed meaning south-east Asia is back on the map for adventurous holiday makers,” he said.

Inside Travel Group’s InsideAsia Tours has launched its first digital-only brochure for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos as the region opens up and demand for travel increases.

The brochure features “sustainable, cultural adventures” through Laos, including a ’Laos by rail’ trip, designed around the country’s first passenger train, which launched in December last year.

“The new train makes Laos a completely different prospect these days and puts it more firmly on the map with its neighbours. InsideAsia cannot wait to help people discover this underrated country and its incredible neighbours again soon and recent changes make them all so much more appealing,” added Mundy.