Vang Vieng, Laos – Following the recent tragic deaths of several tourists, including two Australian teenagers, due to methanol poisoning, Smartraveller, a branch of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has updated its travel advice for Laos. The advisory highlights significant health risks associated with consuming local alcohol brands, specifically Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky, which authorities in Laos have now banned after linking them to the fatalities.
The incidents occurred over the past month, casting a shadow over the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng, known for its vibrant nightlife and scenic riverside landscape. Among the victims were Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, from Melbourne, who succumbed to methanol poisoning after consuming local spirits. Their deaths prompted an urgent review of the safety of alcoholic drinks available to tourists in the region.
Additionally, four other foreign nationals, including Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from the UK, James Louis Hutson, a 57-year-old American, and Danish citizens Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, also lost their lives under similar circumstances in recent weeks. Their untimely deaths have significantly impacted the local tourism industry, as fears regarding safety have escalated.
Smartraveller has cautioned travelers, revising the travel warning status for Vang Vieng to “Reconsider your need to travel.” The alert specifically warns against consuming spirit-based drinks, including cocktails that may incorporate locally produced alcohols prone to contamination. The advisory notes the potential risk of drug-laced food and beverages, which have been associated with instances of assault and other serious health concerns for unsuspecting tourists.
Travelers are strongly advised to follow safety measures to avoid incidents of spiking or poisoning. Key recommendations include not accepting food or drinks from strangers, keeping consumables in sight at all times, sticking to well-known, licensed premises for eating and drinking, and avoiding homemade alcoholic beverages. The emphasis is also on social safety, advising tourists to stay close to friends and trusted individuals, especially when consuming alcohol.
In response to these incidents, authorities in Laos and local business owners are working to reinforce safety standards around the production and sale of alcoholic beverages. Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, demonstrated the potential dangers by displaying bottles of the now-banned vodka and whisky, emphasizing the importance of transparency and strict adherence to safety regulations in local alcohol production.
Methanol, a highly toxic chemical often used illicitly in unregulated alcohol production due to its lower cost compared to ethanol, is believed to be the cause behind these fatal incidents. Even small amounts can be deadly, with health experts warning that ingestion can lead to severe health issues or death.
These recent developments have sent ripples across the tourism sector in Laos, prompting local authorities to increase efforts to safeguard tourists and uphold the region’s reputation as a safe and attractive destination for international visitors.