What to do and Who to call during an emergency in Laos

Emergency in Laos right now? Call 1191 for Police, 1190 for firefighters, or 1195 for an ambulance. In Vientiane, 1623 connects to Vientiane Rescue, a widely used emergency rescue and ambulance provider. Give your district, town or village, exact road or landmark, and describe what has happened. If someone is not breathing normally, seriously injured, trapped, threatened by violence or exposed to fire, call without waiting to read the remainder of this guide.

This guide covers Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Pakse, Savannakhet, Oudomxay, Champasak, the Mekong River, rural highlands and travel across Laos. It starts with essential contacts and the first seven actions, then explains the difference between government ambulance contacts and local rescue providers, limited medical capacity, road collisions, monsoon floods, unexploded ordnance (UXO), methanol poisoning and family safety. Contacts checked against Singapore MFA, current UK, Australian, Canadian and US official guidance on 11 November 2026.

Quick answer: emergency numbers and specialist help in Laos

1191 — Police: an active assault, robbery, serious threat, crime in progress or immediate need for Police protection.
1190 — Fire brigade: a spreading home, hotel, market, factory or vehicle fire, dangerous smoke, or relevant fire-related rescue.
1195 — Ambulance: the nationally published medical emergency short code. Availability and response may vary greatly between cities and rural areas.
1623 — Vientiane Rescue: community emergency and ambulance rescue in Vientiane; Australian and Singaporean government travel information both list this contact.
1624 — Additional rescue/ambulance option: published in Australia’s current Laos travel advice, but availability depends on location and provider.
+856 20 5666 8825 — Vientiane Rescue mobile: a useful alternative published by Singapore MFA for road accidents and medical emergencies in the capital.
021 251 128 — Vientiane Tourist Police: a tourist assistance contact for reporting problems, not the first medical ambulance route.
071 254 568 — Luang Prabang Tourist Police: a provincial Tourist Police number listed by Singapore MFA.
+856 21 561 314 — Mittaphab Hospital emergency department: an additional Vientiane hospital contact; ambulance transport and treatment options should be assessed with healthcare professionals.

Authoritative numbers: Singapore MFA — Laos local emergency contacts; UK Government — 1190, 1191 and 1195; Australia Smartraveller — 1623 and 1624; and Canadian Government — emergency services in Laos.

Seven actions to take during the first minute

Look for immediate dangers before approaching. Move away from smoke, flames, traffic, armed threats, moving river water, unstable slopes and suspicious old military objects where safe.
Call the appropriate working service. Police 1191, fire 1190, ambulance 1195, or Vientiane Rescue 1623 when in its service area.
Give the location first. State province, district, town or village, road, building or hotel, floor and the closest recognised landmark.
Explain the problem in one sentence. ‘One person is unconscious’, ‘a building is burning’, ‘people are trapped in water’ or ‘somebody is being attacked’.
Count people and mention severe symptoms. Tell responders about abnormal breathing, severe bleeding, unconsciousness, major injuries or inaccessible roads.
Follow the emergency call-taker. Answer questions honestly, give a callback number and use appropriate first aid within training or professional instruction.
Make rescue access possible without taking risks. If safe, ask somebody to guide crews from the correct hospital gate, main road, village, bridge or trailhead.

Example report: ‘Ambulance needed. One adult is unconscious at [hotel/building], [street], [district], Vientiane. The entrance is next to [landmark]. My telephone number is [number].’ In a village, give the nearest road, school, bridge or clinic. Do not invent GPS coordinates or cross unsafe terrain to obtain a better map pin.

Why some websites show 190 and 191 instead of 1190 and 1191

Current UK, Singaporean and Canadian government directories publish 1190 for firefighters and 1191 for Police. A September 2026 French government directory also lists 190 fire and 191 Police as shorter alternatives, while some older traveller resources show other codes. This is not a reason to assume all these routes operate identically from every mobile network or province.

For a person who needs immediate help, the 1190/1191/1195 numbers are corroborated by multiple current government sources and make a reliable primary list for this guide. Keep additional local hospital, rescue or Police contacts available because telephone service and response arrangements can vary. Official comparison: UK current short codes and French Foreign Ministry local directory.

1195 versus 1623: choosing ambulance assistance

1195 is the national ambulance contact published by the US, UK, Singaporean and Canadian governments. In Vientiane, independent rescue and ambulance providers including Vientiane Rescue 1623 can be important additional routes. Australia’s updated travel advice also lists 1624. The specific service responding depends on location, available teams, road access and circumstances.

If a critical patient needs an ambulance, try a working emergency medical contact promptly. In a place where ambulance dispatch is unavailable or unresponsive, an appropriate local hospital may help assess urgent care and transport. Do not assume a provider that rescues people in the capital also has an ambulance stationed in every remote province.

The US State Department warns that emergency medical resources in Laos are limited, especially outside Vientiane, and that severe cases may need treatment in Thailand. Such a transfer can be complex and may be slowed by border opening hours and immigration procedures. A critical patient should not wait for travel documents or an insurance approval before asking for immediate local help. Source: US State Department — healthcare and ambulances in Laos.

Medical emergencies: first response to collapse or severe injury

Unconsciousness, breathing trouble, stroke symptoms or major bleeding

Seek urgent medical assistance when a person is unresponsive, is not breathing normally, has serious chest pain, severe bleeding, major trauma, sudden one-sided weakness, a seizure or another potentially life-threatening condition. Call 1195 or a working local rescue provider such as 1623 in Vientiane. Describe symptoms as you see them rather than guessing a diagnosis.

If a patient is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow the emergency operator and suitable first-aid training regarding CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED), if one is available. A second safe helper can locate an AED or direct responders to the patient. Do not give water, food or tablets to somebody unconscious or unable to swallow.

After a major road collision or fall, avoid unnecessary movement if head, neck or spinal injury is possible unless the person remains in immediate danger from traffic, fire or rising water. Give qualified medical responders the details about access and any change in condition.

What happens when no ambulance is readily available?

In rural areas, the nearest clinic or hospital may be reachable only by a long road, river crossing or limited transport. The US Government notes that ambulance response may be unreliable and that serious cases sometimes require other transport. This is a situation-specific medical and safety decision; it is not safe to tell all severely injured people to be moved in a normal taxi without assessment.

Seek advice from a working emergency service and appropriate healthcare provider, then follow professional direction. If a person is critically ill and the local hospital is better positioned to arrange care or referral, give it the actual location and symptoms. Singapore MFA lists relevant Vientiane medical providers and Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital at its Laos contacts page.

Fire and smoke: 1190

For a spreading house, market, hotel, business or vehicle fire, call 1190 and leave by a safe exit. Warn others when safe, close doors behind you where possible and avoid ordinary lifts during a building fire. Do not re-enter smoke for documents, money, camera equipment or luggage.

If smoke blocks the stairwell, do not push into it blindly. Report your exact floor, room, staircase and nearest window, and follow firefighters’ instructions. A timber building, riverside property or shop with fuel cylinders may need specialist tactics. Report hazardous materials you already know about, but never approach the fire to identify them.

Police protection and Tourist Police

For an assault, robbery in progress, weapon-related threat or another immediate need for Police, dial 1191. Move to a safer place if possible, state the location and describe what you saw, including observed injuries or weapons. Do not chase an offender to take photographs.

For a past theft, lost documents or other concern without ongoing danger, a local Police station or Tourist Police office may assist. In Vientiane, the verified Tourist Police number is 021 251 128; in Luang Prabang, 071 254 568 is listed by Singapore MFA. They are not substitutes for emergency medical care or firefighting.

Monsoon floods and the Mekong: avoid moving water

Heavy rainfall in Laos can make the Mekong and tributaries rise, flood low roads and cut access to villages. The monsoon generally occurs from around May through October or November depending on region and year. Floodwater can conceal collapsed road surfaces, open drains, electrical hazards and strong current. Never drive, walk or ride a motorbike through unknown or fast-flowing floodwater.

If local authorities order evacuation, leave before water blocks the route. Take essential medicine, identification and a charged phone when doing so does not delay escape. Do not enter a flooded basement, riverbank shed or submerged electrical area to retrieve possessions. If people are trapped, tell the working rescue provider the village, river, bridge, number of people and safest access.

The Mekong River Commission provides basin information and monitoring. Government travel advice cautions that flood conditions can worsen rapidly even if heavy rain falls upstream. The Canadian Government’s current Laos safety advice identifies serious flooding and landslides as seasonal risks.

Mudslides, damaged roads and mountain villages

Hilly terrain and heavy rain may trigger landslides, falling rocks and damaged culverts. New ground cracks, shifting trees, visible rockfall or a road suddenly carrying mud are reasons to turn back. Do not walk onto fresh landslide debris to film an incident or remove large unstable rocks without training.

If somebody is injured or missing following a slope collapse, provide the village, valley, nearby road, last known location and whether debris is still moving. Rural roads may be closed for extended periods, and a navigation map may not show the latest conditions. Follow local authorities rather than attempt a dangerous shortcut.

Unexploded ordnance: a major local safety hazard

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains a serious hazard throughout parts of Laos. Old bombs and munitions from decades of conflict can be present in fields, forests, abandoned areas and near remote roads. The UK Government warns that monsoon floods and landslides may expose previously hidden explosive items.

Stay on well-used, maintained routes; avoid uncleared fields and unknown forest shortcuts. Never touch, pick up, move or attempt to dismantle unfamiliar metal objects, shells, cylinders or munitions. Children should be taught not to play with or collect suspicious objects, even when they look old or harmless.

If you see a suspected explosive item, stay at a safe distance, keep people away and notify Police 1191 or the appropriate local authority. Do not enter potential contaminated ground to obtain closer photographs, GPS coordinates or serial numbers. The UK Government’s Laos safety and security page explains the ongoing UXO risk and how floods can increase exposure.

Methanol poisoning: recognise a potentially fatal medical emergency

The Australian Government’s 2026 Laos advice warns of methanol poisoning from contaminated alcoholic drinks, including products that appear legitimate. Methanol poisoning can cause headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, visual changes, seizures and loss of consciousness, sometimes after a delay. This is a medical emergency, and a person should seek urgent hospital assessment rather than wait for symptoms to pass.

If a drink is suspected to contain methanol, stop consuming it and help the affected person reach emergency medical care. Call 1195 or a working local ambulance/rescue provider, and describe the possible exposure and symptoms. Do not induce vomiting or try an improvised antidote. Inform companions who may have consumed the same drink so they can seek prompt medical assessment.

Travel safety source: Australia Smartraveller — methanol risk and emergency contacts. A specific brand, venue or bottle cannot be declared safe merely because someone else consumed it without immediate symptoms.

Water rescue: rivers, waterfalls and caves

Laos has major rivers and waterfalls, and water conditions can change quickly after rain. River swimming, tubing, kayaking or boat trips can become dangerous in a strong current. Use suitable safety equipment and follow official restrictions. If somebody is missing in dangerous water, request rescue promptly and give the river, section of road, village, bridge and last known position.

Do not enter a strong current in an untrained rescue attempt. A safe helper can direct responders from a known landing or bridge and use appropriate reach-or-throw methods only when safe. A person recovered from water who is unconscious or breathing abnormally requires urgent medical care even after reaching shore.

Road crashes and remote travel

For a serious collision with injuries or a vehicle fire, call appropriate Police, ambulance and fire assistance and describe the road, travel direction, nearest village, junction or landmark. Do not step into active traffic to photograph an incident or stand near leaking fuel. Avoid moving a person with major injuries unnecessarily unless the scene is immediately dangerous.

Some roads are unpaved, flood-prone and difficult for rescue vehicles to reach. In remote provinces, save your accommodation or guide’s current local contact information before departure. A useful report includes the road access rather than a city name many kilometres away.

Heat, illness and long power outages

Extreme heat and humidity can lead to severe heat illness, particularly for children, older people and outdoor workers. Move a person with symptoms to a cooler safe place and begin appropriate cooling. Offer fluids only if they are fully awake and able to swallow safely. Severe confusion, collapse or seizures require urgent medical assessment.

A long outage may affect communications, refrigeration and medical equipment. Keep a charged power bank, needed medication, safe water, light and an alternative means of receiving local information. Never operate a charcoal grill or fuel generator indoors because carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.

Useful Lao phrases in an emergency

‘ຊ່ວຍແດ່!’ (Souay dae!) — Help!
‘ຕ້ອງການລົດໂຮງໝໍ.’ — I need an ambulance.
‘ໄຟໄໝ້!’ — Fire!
‘ເອີ້ນຕຳຫຼວດ.’ — Call Police.
‘ຄົນເຈັບໝົດສະຕິ.’ — The person is unconscious.
‘ທີ່ຢູ່ແມ່ນ…’ — The address is…
‘ທ່ານເວົ້າພາສາອັງກິດໄດ້ບໍ?’ — Do you speak English?

Lao is the main language of local emergency services. Foreign government advice says that many responders do not speak English; a safe local helper or hotel worker may need to relay an address. Keep the accommodation location in Lao and a reliable landmark written down. Do not postpone urgent help while searching for a perfect translation.

How to describe the location precisely

Province and district: give the Lao province, district and village (ban), not only a nearby tourist city.
City address: road, unit or building, entrance, floor and nearest landmark.
Village: temple, school, bridge, clinic, market, ferry landing or known road.
River: Mekong or specific tributary, boat landing, nearby village and the bank where people are located.
Road: route or highway, direction, nearest junction and accessible side.
Mountain: trail, named valley, nearest village or accurate GPS coordinates.
Callback: working mobile number and any blocked road or weak signal.

An emergency preparedness checklist for Laos

Save 1191 Police, 1190 Fire and 1195 Ambulance on your phone and on paper.
In Vientiane add 1623 Vientiane Rescue and its verified mobile alternative.
Write your full address in Lao and English, including village, district and nearest drivable road.
Identify a safe building exit, a meeting point and the nearest reliable hospital or health facility.
Before rural travel, review the weather, flood, road and landslide risk and share your route with somebody not travelling.
Stay on maintained or certified-safe routes and avoid suspicious military debris or UXO.
Store essentials such as medicine, clean water, light, food, phone power and relevant documents.
Have a plan for children, older adults, people with disabilities and anyone dependent on electrical medical equipment.
Check local warnings and evacuation notices by current date, not from an old forwarded screenshot.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming an ambulance short code guarantees equivalent response capacity throughout Laos.
Calling a routine tourism enquiry first while somebody has collapsed or cannot breathe normally.
Confusing different historical 190/191 listings with the currently corroborated 1190/1191 numbers.
Entering floodwater or an unfamiliar field that may contain unexploded ordnance.
Handling old shells, bomb fragments or unidentified metal objects after a landslide.
Assuming no immediate symptoms means a potentially methanol-contaminated drink is safe.
Giving only ‘Vientiane’ or ‘Luang Prabang’ instead of a village, street or safe access route.
Waiting to arrange an international hospital transfer before seeking immediate local care.

Frequently asked questions

What are the national Police, fire and ambulance numbers?

1191 Police, 1190 fire and 1195 ambulance, corroborated by Singapore’s, Canada’s and the UK’s current government travel directories.

What is Vientiane Rescue’s emergency number?

1623. Singapore MFA also lists +856 20 5666 8825 as a rescue contact, and Australia lists 1624 as another option.

Can an ambulance always be sent outside Vientiane?

No reliable nationwide guarantee can be made. Current US advice warns ambulance coverage and hospital capabilities may be limited, especially in rural areas. Identify a local hospital as a backup.

Are unexploded bombs still dangerous in Laos?

Yes. UXO remains a hazard, particularly in rural and uncleared areas. Floods or landslides may reveal devices previously buried. Never touch or approach suspicious objects.

What if somebody becomes ill after drinking alcohol?

Possible methanol exposure is an urgent medical issue. Seek emergency medical assessment promptly and explain what was consumed and the symptoms. Do not induce vomiting or wait for delayed symptoms.

What is the Tourist Police number in Vientiane?

021 251 128. It is for relevant Police or traveller concerns, not a substitute for an emergency ambulance.

Official Laos sources and other country guides

Safety and accuracy notice: This guide provides general public information, not live dispatch, medical diagnosis or guaranteed rescue capacity. Telephone, road and medical arrangements may change by province and season. Official emergency and travel contacts checked 11 November 2026. For immediate danger, call the appropriate working local emergency service.