The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane does not permit personnel to travel overland in the Vang Vieng-Kasi region because of sporadic violent attacks on vehicles in the area over the last several months. Many of these attacks have occurred on Route 13 between Vang Vieng and Luang Phrabang, but others have happened on Route 7 from the Route 13 junction to Phonsavan town. The U.S. Embassy recommends Americans avoid travel in these areas. The Lao government calls these attacks banditry, but they are more likely the work of insurgents trying to strike at the government by terrorizing the region.