Student Accommodation in Laos: Options, Costs and How to Choose

On-campus dormitories

The National University of Laos runs dormitories at its main Dong Dok campus outside Vientiane, managed through the university's student housing office. In February 2025, NUOL signed an agreement with a private developer to expand dormitory capacity at Dong Dok, reported by Tourism Laos , adding beds beyond the current stock. Exact room rates are not published online, so contact the housing office directly once you accept your offer, and apply early since demand for on-campus beds outpaces supply at most public universities.

Dorms are the cheapest housing option for most students and put you closest to lecture halls, libraries and cafeterias. Rooms are usually shared between 2 to 4 students, with basic furniture provided and shared bathrooms down the hall.

Private rentals near campus

Once you outgrow the dorm system, or if your university does not offer one, the private rental market in Vientiane runs from studios to multi-bedroom houses.

These figures, from Vientiane housing market data , reflect the general rental market rather than student-only listings. Splitting a 1 or 2-bedroom unit with roommates is the standard way students bring their personal cost down to a fraction of the full listed rent, often close to what a private room in a shared house costs.

Boarding houses and homestays

Students attending universities outside the capital, such as Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang, more often rely on boarding houses or homestays arranged through the university's local network or a landlord known to the family. This route tends to cost less than the capital's apartment market and often includes some meals, though terms vary house to house and are rarely written up formally online. Ask your faculty office or upperclassmen from your home province for trusted contacts before you travel to arrange a room in person.

Deposits, contracts and what to check

Landlords in Laos typically ask for a deposit of 1 to 2 months' rent plus the first month up front. Get the agreement in writing, even if it is a simple one-page document, and confirm in it whether electricity, water and internet are included or billed separately.

• Check the distance and safety of the route to campus, especially for evening classes

• Ask current tenants or students about noise, water pressure and internet reliability before you commit

• Photograph the unit's condition on move-in day so you have a record for your deposit return

• Confirm whether the landlord requires a Lao guarantor or ID copy, common for both local and international tenants

Costs beyond rent

Electricity and water usually run separately from rent and rise with air-conditioning use during the hot season from March to May. Home internet and mobile data are inexpensive relative to Western prices, and many students rely on a mobile SIM data plan rather than a fixed home connection. Factor in a one-time furniture or kitchenware cost if you rent an unfurnished unit, since not all landlords provide appliances.

How to choose

Choose a dorm for your first year if one is available. It costs the least, keeps you close to classes, and puts you among other new students. Move to a private rental once you have a friend group to share costs with and want more privacy or a kitchen. If your university sits outside Vientiane, ask about boarding options before you assume you need to search the open rental market alone.