Despite the fact that a friendly and relaxed Buddhist country, Laos has some risk that visitors should be aware of arrival. Violent crime against foreigners is rare, but the theft occurs as often as you leave anything unattended. Laos is a poor and desperate times create desperate people. Keep your valuables with you at all times, even in its rooms Guest House should not be considered safe. Later, snatchers bag have been achieved in Luang Prabang, and after very careful when you walk around nightfall.
Political tensions are very mild in Laos and even the major festivals and religious events is rare to see outbreaks of violence. Most visits are completely free of problems, but to buy travel insurance that covers unforeseen incidents of theft.
It is just like anywhere else in this world. There's no place that 100% crime free. If you ask me which I prefer? Walking down the streets of any major cities in U.S. or walking around in Laos. I would pick walking anywhere in Laos.
Another comment I want to add to this. Look at where the source of this topic came from? It came from some cheap travel blog site. Most likely it came from some backpackers roaming in Laos looking for cheap thrills and drugs.
Laos is the safest in the world? I don't agree on this, but why? because nowadays, more and more Vietnamese and Chinese are entering in our land, they take over and do business ,many Vietnamese worker in thakek, savanakhet and Pakse and other southern cities in Laos.some are legal worker and some are illegal ,so ,lots of Lao people don't have work to do and don't have money to earn, because of chinese and vietnamese. don't you guys ever thought that Laos has many fake stuff, fake money, fake medicine or other fake...? do you think those are made from Lao people? i heard that. the battery,Bicycle , motorbike, even animal such as dug,chicken, buffalo,cow and dog,pig have stolen from the house..very often