Money & Payments in Vientiane (2026)

Laos is still pretty much a cash-based society.
It's highly recommended that you withdraw from ATMs connected to a bank branch on working days. This way, should your card be swallowed, it's easy to retrieve the card.
It can be helpful to ask for smaller bills when you withdraw cash or exchange money. Many local vendors often don't have change for larger denominations.
Tipping in Laos is optional and should only be given if you are truly satisfied with the service and want to show your appreciation to the staff. If you want to tip a specific person, it's best to hand it directly to them rather than putting it in a communal tip box. In some places, the owners do not always distribute tips to the employees.
Use BCEL bank ATMs when possible — they often offer better rates and higher withdrawal limits than other banks.

Taxis: Taxi fares are typically pre-negotiated, so no tip is required.
Hotels: In hotels, staff generally do not expect tips, though small amounts for outstanding assistance—such as carrying luggage or arranging special requests—are always welcome.
Restaurants: In luxury restaurants in Vientiane or Luang Prabang, leaving around 10% is customary. At mid-range local restaurants, tipping is not the norm.
General Culture: Tipping is not customary in Laos, but it is highly recommended especially at the tourist sites. There are no hard and fast rules about tipping in Laos, and travelers who decide not to will not be frowned upon.
Currency Preference: You can tip in either currency in most cases. Lao Kip is preferred since it avoids money exchange confusion.
Tour Guides Drivers: For guides, a gratuity of US$2–4 per day is appropriate, while drivers usually do not receive tips unless they provide exceptional service.

Tips: At some ATMs, you may be asked to Accept or Decline Conversion. If you 'Accept', the ATM converts at its set exchange rate and charges an extra percentage. If you 'Decline', the ATM converts at the rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.). To avoid extra fees, select 'Decline' or 'Charge in KIP'.
Availability: ATMs are available in cities and tourist areas; most accept international cards (Visa, MasterCard).
Withdrawal Limits: Daily withdrawal limits typically range from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 LAK.

Fee Structure: The Laos ATM withdrawal fee ranges from 10,000 Kip to 30,000 Kip per million Kip withdrawn.
ATM Operator Fee: Transaction fees for foreign cards are usually 20,000–40,000 LAK per withdrawal.

USD As Backup: The US dollar is the best foreign currency to carry to Laos. Tours and jungle treks are often advertised in US dollars, and payment in such is expected, although not strictly mandatory.
Where Cash Required: Cards are accepted at high-end international hotels and some souvenir shops in big cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Expect to be charged a 2-3% card payment fee, too. Everywhere else in Laos, you will need cash.
Local Currency Essential: Transactions are typically made in the local currency, Lao Kip (LAK). While some places in tourist areas may accept USD, it's generally better to use LAK. Officially it's illegal to trade in currencies other than Kip. Many small shops, markets, and restaurants prefer cash, so having some LAK on hand is essential.
USD Note Requirements: Only new crisp notes are accepted in Laos. US$100 notes receiving a better exchange rate; US$ notes of the series number before 1996, as well as US$100 notes with the series number CB, dirty and/or damaged notes, or notes with any writing on them are not accepted in Laos.

Overview: Laos remains primarily a cash-based economy, with credit cards accepted at upscale hotels, some restaurants, and larger tour operators in major cities. Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are accepted in some hotels, restaurants, and shops in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
Accepted Cards: Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted cards, primarily at higher-end establishments in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. American Express has limited acceptance.
Card Surcharge: Even where cards are accepted, a surcharge of 2-3% may be applied.
Digital Wallets: Mobile payments (e.g., Alipay, WeChat Pay) are accepted in select locations, mainly serving Chinese tourists. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not widely supported.

Summary: BCEL (Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao) is the primary bank with widespread ATM and branch network.
Card Acceptance: Credit cards accepted only in high-end hotels, shops, and restaurants in major cities; QR code payments increasingly common
Setup Note: Specific current procedures for foreigners opening accounts were not found in the sources we checked; consult embassy resources or expat communities for latest requirements

ATMs offer interbank exchange rates minus transaction fees
Foreign exchange fees vary by home-country card; Mastercard often offers better rates than Visa at BCEL
No restrictions on foreign currency exchange in banks; major world currencies accepted at good rates

Provider: BCEL Bank
Ubiquity: ATMs available throughout Vientiane and marked on Google Maps
Fee Structure: Per-transaction fee structure (fees changed March 2026; current rates available at branch)
Daily Withdrawal Limit Via ATM: Variable by card issuer and BCEL; inside branch can withdraw up to 5 million kip with same fee

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Vientiane

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.