American Express -- Vientiane's Amex representative is Diethelm Travel, Namphu Square, Setthathirat Road (tel. 021/213-833; www.diethelmtravel.com).
Currency Exchange -- Banque Pour Le Commerce Extérieur Lao (BCEL) is on Pangkham Street down by the river, just west of the Lane Xang Hotel (tel. 021/213-200), or just a short distance from the river at Lao May Bank, 39 Pankham St. (tel. 021/330-001). At these and most other banks, you can exchange money in all major currencies, change traveler's checks to U.S. dollars, and get cash advances on Visa and MasterCard. You can also exchange money at Banque Setthathirat, near Wat Mixay. All banks are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Other banks line Lane Xang Avenue; exchange counters dot the city.
Emergencies -- For police, dial tel. 991; for fire, dial tel. 190; and for an ambulance, dial tel. 195. For medical evacuation, call Lao Westcoast Helicopter Company (tel. 021/512-023).
Internet Access -- There are numerous Internet cafes on riverside Fa Ngum or on parallel Setthathirat or Samsenthai (each 1 block further from the river). Connections are generally good. Expect to pay around 100 kip per minute (US60¢/£0.35 per hr.) at most Internet cafes. Planet Online, on Settathirat west of the fountain, was one of the first in town and has a fast connection. Joma Bakery Café charges 25,000 kip (US$2.50/£1.40) per hour. Hotel business centers charge at least three times this rate. Wireless service has arrived in Vientiane, but the connections are slow and finicky.
Mail -- The general post office is at the corner of Khou Vieng Road and Lane Xang Avenue, opposite the Morning Market. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to noon and 1 to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to noon. EMS and FedEx services are just next door.
Telephones -- The city code for Vientiane is 21. The central telephone office, where you can place local and international direct dial (IDD) calls, is located on Setthathirat Road just east of Nam Phu Circle (Nam Phu Fountain). It's open from 8am to 10pm daily. You can also send faxes.
