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Laos
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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
Cultural Attributes
Showing anger in public is inappropriate. The Lao are generally a courteous people. It is considered rude criticize a person in public as it results in a loss of face. Loyalty amongst friends and family is important.
Kingdom of a Million Elephants
Get More Customs and Culture
5 more cultural topics for members
Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation
Holidays
Republic Day
12/2Independence
Dates of Interest
- December 2nd
How do people greet each other in Laos?
The traditional greeting is the "Nop," made by placing your hands together in a prayer position at chest height without touching the body; it also expresses thanks and regard. It's fine to shake hands with Westerners.
Do
- Return the "Nop" with hands together at chest height
- Shake hands when greeting Westerners
- Address people by their first name
- Use a courtesy title (like Mr/Mrs, or Mr Uncle/Mrs Aunt) when a child addresses an adult
What are the dining customs in Laos?
Sticky (glutinous) rice is the staple, served with chili or spicy fermented-fish sauce alongside communal dishes of bite-size meat and vegetables; food is very spicy. In a traditional home, diners sit on a mat on the floor.
Do
- Eat with a fork in the left hand and a spoon in the right
- Eat glutinous rice with your fingers and clean them with a napkin
- Taste food or drink when it is offered to you
Don’t
- Don't refuse to taste offered food or drink, as this is considered rude
Good to know
- Beverages include coffee and tea
- As a sign of respect, hosts may serve food from a squat position to avoid raising their heads above a guest's
What etiquette should I know when visiting Laos?
The Lao are courteous and value not causing loss of face, so public criticism and displays of anger are inappropriate. Bringing a gift when visiting is not necessary.
Do
- Remove your shoes when entering a home or Buddhist temple, leaving them near the doorway
- Make any criticism in a general way to avoid blaming an individual
- Show loyalty to family and friends
Don’t
- Don't criticize someone publicly, as it causes loss of face
- Don't show anger or disappointment in public
Good to know
- "Bo pen nyang" (Never mind) reflects the relaxed Lao attitude toward problems
- Women frequently sit with their legs off to one side
How should I dress in Laos?
Women wear western-style blouses with colorful calf-length sarong-style skirts of hand-woven material fastened with a silver link belt, while men wear pants with casual open-neck, short-sleeve shirts. Both usually wear sandals.
Good to know
- Some ethnic groups wear distinct headdresses
Are there gestures or physical customs to be careful about in Laos?
The head is considered the most sacred part of the body, and public displays of affection are rare.
Don’t
- Don't touch a person's head
- Don't use your foot to point at a person or a sacred object
- Women should not touch a Buddhist monk
- Avoid showing affection in public
What is family life like in Laos?
The eldest man is the patriarch of the family, and the Lao have great respect for their parents and elders.
Good to know
- Among the Hmong, the household includes the extended family: parents, unmarried children, and married sons with their families
What do people do for recreation in Laos?
Popular traditional games include "kataw" (keeping a rattan ball in the air without hands) and its competitive version "sepak takraw" played over a net, as well as top spinning with large wooden tops.
Good to know
- Laotian sepak takraw teams compete in the King's Cup international competition
- A courtship ball game is popular among hill tribes, where dropping the ball means you must sing a song
- Hmong men in mountain areas enjoy cock fighting and fish fighting
- Students take part in track and field, and girls play volleyball, badminton and basketball at city schools
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Laos
Photos of Laos
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Currency
- kip (LAK)
- Time Difference
- UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- Laos has a monsoon climate with three overlapping seasons. The rainy season is about 5 months, June-September. In October, rains start to taper off, and the cool season begins in November, lasting through February. In March "mango rains" occur. March, April, and May are hot and humid. In April, the hottest month, temperatures in Vientiane range from 72°F to 93°F, and in January, the coolest month, 52°F to 83°F. Temperature extremes of 103°F (April) and 39°F (January) have been recorded.
- Airports
- 46
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Early Kingdoms
500 – 1353
Before the emergence of a unified Lao state, the middle Mekong Valley was shaped by a succession of overlapping polities including Zhenla, Khmer-dominated mandalas, and small confederative communities of valley and highland peoples. Cultural identity was forged through migrations, religious syncretism between Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism, and shifting vassalage to powers such as the Cham, Khmer, and Sukhothai. These centuries laid the ethnic and institutional foundations upon which Lan Xang would be built.
Lan Xang Kingdom
1353 – 1778
Founded in 1353 by Fa Ngum, the Kingdom of Lan Xang — 'Land of a Million Elephants' — became one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia and established Theravada Buddhism as the state religion. Under King Souligna Vongsa in the seventeenth century the kingdom reached its cultural and political zenith, but succession disputes after his death in 1694 fractured Lan Xang into the rival kingdoms of Louangphrabang, Vientiane, and Champasak. This fragmentation left the Lao states vulnerable to encroachment by Burma and Siam.
Siamese Dominance
1778 – 1893
From 1778, Siam extended its suzerainty over Champasak, Vientiane, and eventually Louangphrabang, reducing the Lao kingdoms to tributary states. A major Lao revolt led by Chao Anouvong of Vientiane was crushed by Siamese forces in 1828, after which Vientiane was razed and much of its population deported. The Lao principalities survived only as diminished vassals until French imperial expansion into the region fundamentally altered the political order.
French Protectorate
1893 – 1953
Following Auguste Pavie's diplomatic campaign, France established a protectorate over Laos in 1893, incorporating it into French Indochina and defining its modern borders via the Anglo-French Convention of 1896. French administration was light, preserving the royal house of Louangphrabang and relying on Vietnamese immigration to staff civil services, which sowed long-lasting ethnic tensions. Japanese occupation during World War II briefly eclipsed French power and galvanized the nascent Lao Issara independence movement, setting the stage for decolonization.
Independence & Civil War
1953 – 1975
Laos gained full independence from France in 1953, but the Royal Lao Government immediately faced an armed insurgency by the communist Pathet Lao, backed by North Vietnam and the Soviet Union. The country became a Cold War battleground; the United States conducted a covert 'secret war' including massive aerial bombardment of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and support for Hmong guerrillas. Coalition governments repeatedly failed to integrate the Pathet Lao, and the collapse of South Vietnam in 1975 sealed the Royal Government's fate.
Lao PDR
1975 – present
In December 1975 the Pathet Lao abolished the six-century-old monarchy and proclaimed the Lao People's Democratic Republic under single-party rule of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Early years brought collectivization, mass re-education camps, and close alignment with Vietnam, driving hundreds of thousands of Lao into exile. From the late 1980s the government gradually liberalized the economy through the New Economic Mechanism, opened to foreign investment, and joined ASEAN in 1997, transforming Laos into one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economies.
Overview
Detail from a door of Wat Ba Khe in Louangphrabang shows courtier
Timeline of Key Events
500
Mid-sixth century Zhenla established, centered on Champasak.
Mid-sixth century Zhenla established, centered on Champasak.
700
Eighth-twelfth centuries Mon mandala of central Mekong region fall under Khmer domination.
Eighth-twelfth centuries Mon mandala of central Mekong region fall under Khmer domination; Theravada Buddhism spread by Mon monks.
1100
Twelfth century Candapuri mandala in Vientiane region absorbed within Khmer Empire.
Twelfth century Candapuri mandala in Vientiane region absorbed within Khmer Empire.
1271 – 1272
Panya Lang rules Xieng Dong Xieng Thong.
Panya Lang rules Xieng Dong Xieng Thong.
1279
Tai mandala of Sukhotai founded by King Ramkhamhaeng.
Tai mandala of Sukhotai founded by King Ramkhamhaeng; Xieng Dong Xieng Thong and Muang Vieng Chan Vieng Kham (Vientiane) briefly incorporated into Sukhotai mandala.
1353 – 1373
Reign of Fa Ngum, king of Lan Xang; beginning of recorded Laotian history.
Reign of Fa Ngum, king of Lan Xang; beginning of recorded Laotian history.
1373 – 1547
Successors of Fa Ngum continue to organize Lan Xang
Successors of Fa Ngum continue to organize Lan Xang; Phetsarath (r. 1520-47) involves Lan Xang in battles against Burma and Siam lasting two centuries.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
Laos was once known as Lan Xang, meaning “the Kingdom of a Million Elephants.” It was given the name by King Fa Ngum in 1353. The country was renamed Laos during the French colonial period, because the dominant ethnic group is called Lao.
The Mekong River is known as “the Sea of Laos.” More than 1,000 indigenous species of fish live in the Mekong and its tributaries.
The Plain of Jars is a remarkable historic site in central Laos. It is a large plateau dotted with hundreds of ancient stone jars. Some are as high as three metres and weigh as much as one tonne. No one knows who made the jars or why.
In the past, Laotians used only their first names. They started using family names in 1943, when a law was passed making the use of surnames mandatory. However, Laotians may change their names to signify a new occupation or the move to a new place, to mark a stage in growing up, or to ward off evil spirits.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
- Climate
- Laos has a monsoon climate with three overlapping seasons. The rainy season is about 5 months, June-September. In October, rains start to taper off, and the cool season begins in November, lasting through February. In March "mango rains" occur. March, April, and May are hot and humid. In April, the hottest month, temperatures in Vientiane range from 72°F to 93°F, and in January, the coolest month, 52°F to 83°F. Temperature extremes of 103°F (April) and 39°F (January) have been recorded.
- Natural Hazards
- floods, droughts
- Current Environmental Issues
- unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
- French
- Lao
Population
- Population
- 7,791,498
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- VIENTIANE (capital) 810,000
- Nationality Noun
- Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
- Ethnic Groups
- Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
- Language Note
- <p>Some ethnic minority languages have never been codified in written form. A small percentage of older people and those who attended high school prior to 1975 speak French, which has been the language of international commerce in the past. Some English is spoken.</p><p> The official language is Lao, the native language of the lowland Lao which is used in all official communications and taught in schools. Other main languages include Thai, Hmong, and midland Lao.</P
Education
- Literacy Definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
Health Information
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in Laos has improved considerably over recent decades, reflecting advances in healthcare access, public health infrastructure, and reductions in child mortality. As of the most recent estimates, the average life expectancy at birth in Laos stands at approximately 68 to 69 years, with women generally outliving men by a few years. Women can expect to live to around 70 to 71 years, while men average closer to 66 to 67 years. This represents a remarkable transformation from the mid-20th century, when life expectancy hovered in the low 40s, severely impacted by war, poverty, and a near-absence of formal medical services across much of the country. Since the 1980s and 1990s, sustained improvements in maternal and child health programs, expanded vaccination coverage, better access to clean water and sanitation, and increased availability of basic healthcare facilities have driven steady gains in longevity. Despite this progress, Laos continues to face significant health challenges that keep life expectancy below regional and global averages. Malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases remain persistent concerns, particularly in rural and mountainous regions where healthcare infrastructure is limited. Malnutrition, especially among children under five, also contributes to higher rates of premature death and reduced overall population health outcomes. The country's geography plays an important role in healthcare delivery. Many communities are located in remote highlands with poor road connectivity, making it difficult for residents to reach clinics or hospitals and for health workers to provide outreach services. Urban centers such as Vientiane have considerably better access to medical care and correspondingly higher health outcomes than the rural provinces. The government of Laos, in partnership with international organizations and development agencies, has prioritized health sector improvements as part of broader national development goals. Maternal mortality has declined significantly, and more births are now attended by skilled health personnel than in previous generations. These efforts suggest that life expectancy in Laos will continue to rise incrementally in the coming years, though closing the gap with neighboring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam remains a longer-term objective.
- Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
- very high
Life Expectancy
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in Laos has improved considerably over recent decades, reflecting advances in healthcare access, public health infrastructure, and reductions in child mortality. As of the most recent estimates, the average life expectancy at birth in Laos stands at approximately 68 to 69 years, with women generally outliving men by a few years. Women can expect to live to around 70 to 71 years, while men average closer to 66 to 67 years. This represents a remarkable transformation from the mid-20th century, when life expectancy hovered in the low 40s, severely impacted by war, poverty, and a near-absence of formal medical services across much of the country. Since the 1980s and 1990s, sustained improvements in maternal and child health programs, expanded vaccination coverage, better access to clean water and sanitation, and increased availability of basic healthcare facilities have driven steady gains in longevity. Despite this progress, Laos continues to face significant health challenges that keep life expectancy below regional and global averages. Malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases remain persistent concerns, particularly in rural and mountainous regions where healthcare infrastructure is limited. Malnutrition, especially among children under five, also contributes to higher rates of premature death and reduced overall population health outcomes. The country's geography plays an important role in healthcare delivery. Many communities are located in remote highlands with poor road connectivity, making it difficult for residents to reach clinics or hospitals and for health workers to provide outreach services. Urban centers such as Vientiane have considerably better access to medical care and correspondingly higher health outcomes than the rural provinces. The government of Laos, in partnership with international organizations and development agencies, has prioritized health sector improvements as part of broader national development goals. Maternal mortality has declined significantly, and more births are now attended by skilled health personnel than in previous generations. These efforts suggest that life expectancy in Laos will continue to rise incrementally in the coming years, though closing the gap with neighboring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam remains a longer-term objective.
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Laos
- Full Country Name
- Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Local - Long
- Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
Government Structure
- Government Type
- Communist state
- Legal System
- based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021); Vice President PANY Yathotou (since 22 March 2021); Vice President BOUNTHONG Chitmany (since 22 March 2021) head of government: Prime Minister PHANKHAM Viphavanh (since 22 March 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers SONEXAY Siphandon, KIKEO Khaykhamphithoune, SALEUMXAY Kommasith, and VILAYVONG Bouddakham (all since 22 March 2021) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held on 22 March 2021 (next to be held in 2026); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term election results: THONGLOUN Sisoulith elected president; percent of National Assembly vote — NA
- Legislative Branch
- Unicameral National Assembly (175 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the total number of seats has expanded significantly over successive elections, reflecting population growth and redistricting, increasing from 109 seats to 132 seats for the 2011 election, then to 149 seats for the 2016 election, and further to 164 seats for the 2021 election, before reaching 175 seats for the 2026 election. Elections: last held 21 February 2021 (next to be held in 2026) Election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) or LPRP-approved candidates 164, with all candidates vetted and approved through the party's established selection process
- Judicial Branch
- People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal
- Constitution
- promulgated 14 August 1991
- Independence
- 19 July 1949 (from France)
- National Holiday
- Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Vientiane (Viangchan)
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 17 58 N, 102 36 E
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
the meaning in Pali, a Buddhist liturgical language, is "city of sandalwood"
Military
Branches: Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
U.S. Embassy Vientiane
Rue Bartholonie (near That Dam), Vientiane – for local mail
Unit 8165, Box V, APO AP 96546 – for mail from the United States
Telephone: (856-21) 267-000
Recorded emergency information for U.S. citizens: (856-21) 267-111
Duty officer emergency cellular telephone: (856-20) 5550-2016
Embassy-wide fax number: (856-21) 267-190.
E-mail the Embassy’s Consular Section.
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Laos, one of the few remaining single-party Communist states, began decentralizing economic control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986 through its New Economic Mechanism reforms.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- Kip (LAK)
- GDP — official exchange rate
- $2,523,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 4%
- Gini Index
- 37
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
Father of tourist killed in Laos calls police probe 'incompetent' - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation · 1d ago
Thailand make emphatic start with five-goal rout of Laos - ESPN
ESPN · 1d ago
This Is Southeast Asia’s Most Overlooked Destination—and Why You Should Visit, According to a Top Travel Advisor - Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure · 1d ago
Laos' famous beer brand Beerlao makes a splash in the Midwest - Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times · 2d ago
A giant stone jar in Laos holding 37 skeletons may finally solve a century-old mystery - The Times of India
The Times of India · 2d ago
ASEAN HYUNDAI CUP™ 2026 GROUP B: LAOS 0-5 THAILAND - ASEAN United FC
ASEAN United FC · 1d ago
Rescuers stop search for last two men lost in Laos cave - Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera · 51d ago
Laos, the most heavily bombed country in the world - Vatican News
Vatican News · 4d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
Laos has a monsoon climate with three overlapping seasons. The rainy season is about 5 months, June-September. In October, rains start to taper off, and the cool season begins in November, lasting through February. In March "mango rains" occur. March, April, and May are hot and humid. In April, the hottest month, temperatures in Vientiane range from 72°F to 93°F, and in January, the coolest month, 52°F to 83°F. Temperature extremes of 103°F (April) and 39°F (January) have been recorded.
Videos
Videos
1 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Laos?
How do people greet each other in Laos?
What are the dining customs in Laos?
What etiquette should I know when visiting Laos?
How should I dress in Laos?
Are there gestures or physical customs to be careful about in Laos?
What is family life like in Laos?
What do people do for recreation in Laos?
What is the capital of Laos?
Where is Laos located?
What countries border Laos?
What is the main religion in Laos?
What currency is used in Laos?
What language is spoken in Laos?
What is Laos known for?
What is the terrain of Laos like?
Last reviewed 2026