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Moving to Laos March 09

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BanyanInLaos
  1/23/2009 16:31 EST

Hi all - We are moving to Vientiane next month and we will bring our pet dog with us. Can anyone tell me if it is common for expats or Laotians to have pet dogs? Is it acceptable to allow dogs to run in public parks? Do most rental houses allow you to have a pet dog?
And on another note - what is the preferred means of transportation. Should I buy a motorbike, or are falangs allowed to drive cars also? In Vietnam, it is very uncommon and restricted for expats to drive cars, so we all had a motorbike instead. How about Laos?

Looking forward to getting out there!!

retireasia
  1/28/2009 02:55 EST

Virtually everyone in Laos has dogs. Lao people may not treat them as pets quite the same way falang do, but they love them nevertheless. They are usually left free to roam the streets and other people's gardens day and night.

Motor bikes are common, even push bikes, but they are dangerous until you learn how the Lao ride and drive.

No problem for driving cars. You can use an International Permit, your original licence or eventually get a local one.

Falang cannot own private vehicles; they have to be registered to a Lao.

Learn more about living in Vientiane at: http://www.retire-asia.com

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Elise
  1/28/2009 05:49 EST

Hi There,,

I've been living in Vientiane since 4 months now and also brought our dog (from the netherlands). It's very common for Falang to have a dog here and they are allowed nearly everywhere (also rental houses). But don't expect a lot of nice places to walk the dog though, unfortunately. Now the sand bank in the Mekong is accessible so this is quite a good walk and you can walk a little around the wetland next to the waterpark. I'm a dog trainer, so if you are interested in lessons, let me know.

Driving a car is no problem for Falang and motor bikes are also very common.

BanyanInLaos
  1/28/2009 10:05 EST

Thanks! It is interesting that you are from the Netherlands, because we are arranging our travel through Schipol Airport. I hear that KLM is very good transporting animals, but there is difficulty once we transfer through Bangkok to Vientiane. It is difficult because our dog will have to transfer from KLM to Thai Air, and it looks like we must obtain a "transit permit" and other complicated documentation. We are looking into using a pet relocation company here in the States and then another pet relocation company based in Bangkok. But this may be more complicated than necessary. Can you tell me how you transferred your dog to Vietntiane from the Netherlands? Any advice you can provide would be most helpful to us!

Looking forward to the sandbank on the Mekong. Sounds like something our dog, Banyan, will enjoy!

Elise
  2/13/2009 23:58 EST

Hi,
I used a Dutch pet relocation agent (http://www.dierentransport.com/index-engels.html). I was told that an animal cannot change airline, so that's why I had to travel with Thai Airways all the way. To shorten the trip I left from Frankfurt, but Amsterdam is also possible. The dog has a longer trip and one more stop but the animal hotel in Frankfurt is perfect; the same goes for the one in Amsterdam. In Bangkok I'm not so sure. My dog had to wait for 5 hours in Bangkok, but he survived so I think they took good care of him. A friend just imported a dog from the UK and she was ok as well. She doubted though if the dog had been out of the kennel at all.

I don't know the size of your dog, but make sure the kennel is not higher than 80 cm because it will not fit in the plane flying from BKK to VTE. I had to have a kennel tailor made because my dog is too tall for the 76 cm high E Vari kennel.

Elise
  2/14/2009 00:01 EST

Just a remark on the retire asia reply: we do own a car ourselves so I think it is possible. You don't need a Lao person for that.

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Elise
  2/14/2009 00:04 EST

Before leaving I also had a rabies blood test done because the Dutch government requests that this test is done before returning to the Netherlands. If the test is ok and you vaccinate your dog yearly, then you can just take him like that. Don't know for the US though. The vets here don't seem to be very good at blood taking...

ngoonoi
  3/10/2009 19:13 EST

This might be too late! If you were bringing your dog to Laos, please be careful! There are some people eat dog meat. Make friends with you neighbors, they help keep an eye on your dog.

BanyanInLaos
  4/2/2009 10:41 EST

Elise - my wife and I have settled in nicely here (house, car, motorbike) and our dog just arrived safely today! Would be most interested to learn of your dog care/training services and possibly let our dogs have a good run together out on the sandbanks. It looks like a great area for canine excercise! By the way, I think I saw your ad at PhimPhone minimarket. Hope to hear from you soon,
adam

lubs
  4/15/2009 03:22 EST

Hi all,

My wife and I are relocating to Laos from Thailand in May 09 and are planning to bring our pet cat.

I see that several of you have already imported dogs into Laos and I was wondering what the regulations were for doing this. I have read elsewhere that the animal requires updated vaccinations (especialy rabies) as well as a certificate of health from the vet.

I'll be arriving in Laos via Nong Khai. How do I get my cat in? Is it simply a matter of turning up at Laos customs with the paperwork and sorting it out there and then?

The cat is my only major concern about coming to Laos.

Any input from people who have done it would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

BanyanInLaos
  4/21/2009 21:22 EST

Hi - I know how you feel - we were very excited to move here, but only worried about the logistics of getting the dog here. I think your transit from Thailand will be much easier, but since I didn't make the overland border crossing, I can't really provide much information for you. Yes, you need to have all vaccinations documented within 21 days (i think) of transport. This includes rabies, and some others, that I can't remember, but ask your vet and they'll know what you need. I think you also will need a certificate of export from the appropriate government ministry (typically the Agriculture department/ministry). Since I only tranitted our dog through Thailand, I am not familiar with their export regulations. If you want to do it through a pet freight forwarder, try TransLink. They have an office in Bangkok i think as well as Vientiane, and they are IPATA approved (if you decide to fly). A freight forwarder will handle all import paperwork necessary. Good luck with the move!

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CharlieinLaos
  11/25/2013 08:50 EST

Hi guys,
I'll be moving to Loas next month with my family and dog. I wonder if you are still there and how do you find VTE after few years? Do you find the city suitable for your dogs?

Cheers,

Charlie

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