Vientiane - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
For me, the air quality is the worst part of this city. It would be one thing if you could close your doors and windows and feel protected from the smells of burning plastic and tires, but the houses are old and are not well constructed. During the entire dry season, people burn trash and vegetation, so depending on where you live, there could be many small fires at all hours. It is quite bad, worse than I have seen in other countries with very bad air pollution. The burning season (April-May) is the worst. It makes the quality of life so much lower and really puts a damper on the experience of living here. - Dec 2024
Air pollution during the burning season can be quite bad so we taped up our windows and doors. The farmers generally slash and burn their fields since agricultural equipment is too expensive for them. Also, many people burn their trash including diapers and plastics as they are unable to pay for trash pick-up service. - Mar 2024
The air quality is bad during the dry season (when the weather cools off and humidity is low) because of the slash and burn practices in Laos and neighboring countries. So, unfortunately being outdoors or opening your windows during the cooler months is difficult. I have developed a bad cough and have had to use an inhaler from time to time due to the poor air quality during the burning season. - Mar 2023
Air quality is quite good for 10-11 months of the year. In February/March, it can get very bad as fields (both in Laos and neighboring Thailand) are burned in preparation for planting. - Jun 2020
Unsure. I think its better than most major SE Asian cities, but there's not good data. The suspicion is that during the dry season, it will be worse because of the burning of trash. - Oct 2018
The air quality was between moderate and unhealthy, and can depend on where you live. We were in an area with more expats so we did not have as much garbage burning as some other parts did. Motorbikes are plenty. There is not a lot of heavy industry, so you do not have the smog you would expect from China. - Jan 2014
