Culture & Etiquette: Wat Phou and Temples

Temple dress code

• Cover shoulders and knees — both men and women. At Wat Phou (UNESCO World Heritage) wrap skirts (sinh) are usually available to borrow or rent at the entrance.
• Take off shoes and hats before entering an ordination hall or shrine.
• Dress the same way at Wat Phou Salao (the giant Buddha on the west-bank hill) and Wat Luang on the Sedone.

At Wat Phou

• It is a sacred site more than a thousand years old: don't climb or sit on carved stones, and never move any stone.
• The stone stairway up to the sanctuary is steep and slippery — wear shoes with good grip.
• During the Wat Phou Festival (February) tens of thousands of pilgrims come — respect ceremonial areas.

With monks

• Women should not touch monks or hand things to them directly.
• If you watch the morning alms round, keep a quiet distance, don't use flash, and only take part if you genuinely understand the ritual.

General courtesy

• Greet with a nop (palms together) and "sabaidee".
• Don't touch people's heads or point your feet at people or Buddha images.
• Ask before photographing people, especially in ethnic villages on the Bolaven Plateau.
• Public displays of affection are frowned upon.
• Bargain with a smile — raising your voice makes everyone "lose face".

In villages and on the islands

On Don Det and Don Khon families live right next to the guesthouses. Dress decently when walking through villages (no swimwear) and keep noise down after 10 pm.

General guidance — please follow the notices at each site.