Lao addresses can be terribly confusing, firstly because property is usually numbered twice - when numbered at all - to show which lot it stands in, and then to signify where it is on that lot. In addition, some cities have several conflicting address systems. To avoid any unnecessary confusion, numbers have been omitted from addresses given in the guide, and locations are described as far as possible using landmarks. Only five cities in Laos actually have street names, signs are rare, and many roads change names from block to block. When asking directions or telling a tuk-tuk driver where to go, refer to a landmark, monastery or prominent hotel.