Laos Country Facts At-a-Glance

Geography:
Laos is located northeast of Thailand and west of Vietnam in Southeast Asia. It is slightly larger than the state of Utah. The terrain is mostly green craggy mountains surrounded by plains and plateaus, speckled with stunning waterfalls. It is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia.

Capital City:
Vientiane

Population:
7.6 million (2023 est.)

Languages:
Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages

Religions:
Buddhist 67%, Christian 1.5%, other and unspecified 31.5% (2005 est.)

Ethnic Groups:
Lao 55%, Khamou 11%, Hmong 8%, other (over 100 ethnic groups) 26% (2005 est.)

Life Expectancy:
68 years (2023 est.)

Literacy Rate:
84.7% (2018 est.)

Source:
CIA World Factbook

Government:
Communist state

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal

Current Head of State:
President Thongloun Sisoulith (since March 2021) and Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh (since March 2021). The National Assembly elects the president and vice president for a five-year term. The prime minister is nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term.

Independence:
July 19, 1949 (from France)

Currency:
Laotian kip

GDP per Capita:
$7,400 USD (2022 est.)

Unemployment Rate:
0.7% (2022 est.)

GDP – Composition by Sector:

• Agriculture: 15.3% – sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice, cassava (manioc), water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry.
• Industry: 33.4% – mining (copper, tin, gold, and gypsum), timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism.
• Services: 51.3%

Source: CIA World Factbook

Laos Brief History

The ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang was established in the 14th century under King Fa Ngum. For hundreds of years, Lan Xang was regarded as the most influential kingdom in all of Southeast Asia.

During the 18th century, Laos fell under the rule of Siam (Thailand) until the French took control in the late 1800s. Laos became an official French protectorate in 1893 when French forces protected King Oun Kham from Chinese invaders. The French maintained control over the country until the end of World War II, when the Japanese briefly occupied the country.

In 1954, Laos established an independent constitutional monarchy, but soon civil war broke out between rival communist and royalist factions. During the Vietnam War, the United States focused on destroying the Viet Cong’s supply route, the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which ran mostly through Laos. The extensive bombing campaign resulted in more ordinance to be dropped on Laos than on Vietnam, and became known as the “Secret War.”

Fighting in Laos ended with a ceasefire agreement in 1973, and two years later, the communist party, Pathet Lao, took control of the government. The new government established a socialist regime and kept close ties with Vietnam.

Since the 1980s, the Lao government has instituted several liberal economic reforms. Laos joined the Alliance of Southeast Asian Nations (ASESAN) in 1997 and was approved for entrance into the World Trade Organization in February 2013.

Laos Hot Topics

• Laos became the 158th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on February 2, 2013. This marked a historic step in the country’s economic development after its initial bid to join the WTO fifteen years prior. To achieve membership status, the Lao government implemented several reforms, including establishing a stock market in 2011. Membership in the WTO is expected to increase the amount of foreign investment in the country.
• Although Laos is one of the world’s few remaining communist states, the Lao government began to liberalize the economy and encourage private enterprise in 1986. Since then, Laos has experienced significant economic growth annually. This growth has been driven by investments in hydropower, mining, and agriculture.
• A tendency to prioritize economic growth over conservation has sparked criticism from environmentalists in Laos. The government has focused on building dams across the country to sell hydropower to neighboring Thailand, Vietnam, and China, generating significant revenue. One of the most notable projects is the Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong River, approved in November 2012 and completed in 2019. However, these projects have raised concerns about their environmental impact, including the disruption of ecosystems and the displacement of local communities.
• Environmentalists also criticize the increase in deforestation efforts that fuel the commercial harvest of timber for export. The rapid rate of deforestation has significant implications for biodiversity and the livelihoods of indigenous communities. The Lao government has made commitments to address illegal logging and promote sustainable forestry practices, but challenges remain.

Did You Know?

• Sticky rice is a main staple in Laos and is thought to have originated here. Prepare to eat a lot of it!
• French colonial influence is still pervasive in two notable ways in Laos—architecture and food. Keep your eyes peeled for buildings with European influence, little cafés, and baguettes when in the country!
• In 1354, Lao prince Fa Ngum changed the name of the country to Lan Xang, which means “Kingdom of a Million Elephants.”
• Laos is home to Khone Papeng Falls, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia (located in southern Laos on the border with Cambodia).
• Because it’s such a mountainous terrain, trains are uncommon in Laos. Rivers act as a major source of transportation.
• A surprisingly large number of Westerners are not sure how to pronounce Laos! You will immediately notice upon arrival that Lao people refer to their country as Lao, and the formal country name is the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). The French are responsible for adding the “s” in 1893, pluralizing the name when they united three separate Lao kingdoms under one colony. Today, there is no right answer! You will hear both while you’re over there and you will likely say both too. The Lao people will welcome you regardless.

Cultural Expectations in Laos

While in Laos, you can expect…
to experience what life was like a generation (or longer!) ago. The people are very friendly, and generally move to a much slower pace of life. The topography is striking, and the jagged, steep limestone mountains are one of the main reasons Laos has been very slow to develop economically. You will notice French influences in the food and architecture as you travel through the country, and many older citizens speak French. You will quickly learn the power of a smile as you meet people, engage in the culture, and contribute to the villages you visit.

While in Laos, locals will expect you…
to take your shoes off when entering temples, be mindful of your surroundings, and greet others with the same warm smile they will share with you. Visitors to Laos should also always dress respectfully — girls, in particular, must remember to not wear low-cut shirts or “short shorts.” Women generally dress very conservatively throughout the country.

Cultural Icon:
Pha That Luang, or Great Stupa in English, is a gold covered Buddhist stupa in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. It was originally built in the mid 16th century when King Setthathirat relocated his capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Pha That Luang was repeatedly destroyed by Thai invasions and air raids. It was reconstructed a final time after World War II and is widely regarded as a national symbol of Laos and its resilience.

Food and Drink in Laos 

When in Laos, you will feast on…

• larb (chicken, pork, or beef salad)
• khao niaw (sticky rice)
• som tam (papaya salad)
• nem tadieu (crispy fried coconut rice and pork salad)
• oua si khai (chicken-stuffed lemongrass stems).

Since Laos was colonized as part of French Indochina, you will see French influences in even the most remote areas of the country, like fresh brewed coffee, fresh baked baguettes, and sandwiches.

Lao Language

Language is one of the most difficult barriers to overcome when traveling in a new place, but it is also one of the best ways to build relationships and show your interest in the local culture.

Greetings

• Hello: Sabaidee
• How are you?: Jao sa bai dee bor?
• I am fine: Khoi sa bai dee.
• Nice to meet you: Yin dee tee dai hoo juk.
• Goodbye: Sohk dee deuh

Conversational

• What is your name?: Jao sue yung?
• My name is ___: Khoi sue ___.
• Where are you from?: Jao mah jaak sai?
• I am from ___: Khoi ma jaak ___.
• How old are you?: Jao ah yoo juk pee leo?
• I am ___ years old: Khoi dai ___ pee leo.

Useful

• No problem: Bor mee yung/bor mee bun ha
• No worries: Bor torng pen houang
• Please feel free: Taam sa bai sa bai sa bai
• Easy, easy: Yoo sai ___?

Where is the ___?

• Bathroom: hong num
• Hotel: hong ham
• Hospital: hong mor
• Night market: tah lat mued
• Post office: pai sa nee
• Bank: thaa na khaan
• Airport: sa naam bin
• Restaurant: haan ah haan

Other Words

• Cold: Now
• Hot: Horn
• Warm: Oon
• Go: Pai
• Come: Mah
• Stop: Yoot
• Good: Dee
• Bad: Bor dee
• Eat: Kin
• Drink: Duem
• Food: Ah haan
• Delicious: Sap lai
• Spicy: Pet

Rustic in Laos

Photos from Rustic travelers

Rustic Programs in Laos

Eat

Laos Foods
12 of the best Laotian dishes you need to eat.

Arts and Culture

Muay Lao: the Kick Boxing Scene in Vientiane, Laos
Ask a European about Asian kick boxing, he for sure will answer: “yes, Thai boxing!”. Ask Thai people about kick boxing, you most likely get the answer: “Of course, it’s Muay Thai, we invented it, and we are the best!”. But Laos’s people will probably explain that “Muay is a Southeast Asian traditional martial arts with its roots in Cambodia, the Thai people call it Muay Thai, and here in Laos the name is Muay Lao.”

The Arts in Laos
The visual, dramatic, musical, and literary arts of Laos draw primarily from religious and local traditional sources with more modern day influences from neighboring countries

Guide: Lao Crafts
A creative resource guide for crafts and innovation in Cambodia and Laos.