Several bombings in the past year in Vientiane and other cities and armed attacks on routes 13 and 7 earlier this year have made travel in Laos potentially dangerous. Bombings are unpredictable, and as much as possible travelers should remain alert in public places. Travel by road between Vang Vieng and Luang Phrabang and on Route 7 from the Route 13 junction to Phonsavan town should be avoided. Further, in the past the government has shut down telecommunications and all travel on main roads for several days after such attacks, making travel around the country difficult.
