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Laos flag

Laos

Capital:Vientiane (Viangchan)
Population:7.0M
Currency:Kip (LAK)
Language:Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Roadside food, Laos

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Laos.

Laos Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

The Lao are a frank, open and friendly people. They also have a strongly developed sense of courtesy and respect. It is considered very bad taste to publicly criticize a person since it results in a loss of face within the community. Necessary criticisms and suggestions should be made within a general context to avoid placing blame or shame upon any individual. Bo pen nyang (Never mind) is a common expression that characterizes Laotians’ feelings toward life. Life should be enjoyed at the moment; problems are not taken so seriously as to disrupt this enjoyment. Given the hardships people face in the country, with more than half living in poverty, this is an invaluable attitude. Loyalty to family and friends is important. Showing anger or disappointment in public is inappropriate.

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.

Roadside food, Laos

Kingdom of a Million Elephants

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

The generally accepted form of greeting among Lao people is the "Nop", which involves placing one's hands together in a prayer position, chest high and not touching the body.

The "Nop" is not only an expression of greeting but also of thanks or regard. It is appropriate to shake hands with Westerners. The Lao address each other by the first name. Children address adults by the first name, prefaced by the equivalent of Mr or Mrs or if well acquainted, Mr Uncle or Mrs Aunt, a courtesy title.

Women are not permitted to touch a Buddhist monk. The head is considered the most sacred part of the body. One should not touch a person's head, nor should one use the foot to point at a person or a sacred object. Men and women rarely show affection in public.

Bringing a gift when visiting is not necessary. Women frequently sit with legs off to one's side. It is customary to remove shoes when entering a house or Buddhist temple. Shoes are left near the doorway of the home. When food or drink is offered refusing to taste the them is considered rude.

Lao women wear western- style blouses with colorful calf-length, sarong-style skirts made of locally hand-woven materials in multicolor designs and fastened with a silver link belt. Men wear pants with casual, open-neck, short-sleeve shirts. Both men and women usually wear sandals. Some ethnic groups also wear distinct headdresses.

Diet

Sticky or glutinous rice is the staple of the Lao diet. Other foods include fish, eggs, chicken, pork, owl, and (rarely) beef. Rice is served with chili sauce or a spicy sauce make with fermented fish. Beverages include coffee and tea. The traditions of royal Thai cuisine combine the best features of Indian, Chinese and Thai elements.

The Lao eat with a fork in the left hand and a spoon in the right. However, glutinous rice is eaten with the fingers, which are cleaned with a napkin. Lao food, which is very spicy, is served in communal dishes with meat and vegetables cut into bite-size pieces. In a traditional home, the meal is served while diners sit on a mat on the floor. As a sign of respect to a guest, the host and his family will not raise their heads above the level of that of the guest’s. Therefore, they may bring the food in a squat position so as not to offend guests.

Sticky or glutinous rice is the staple of the Lao diet. Other foods include fish, eggs, chicken, pork, owl, and (rarely) beef. Rice is served with chili sauce or a spicy sauce make with fermented fish. Beverages include coffee and tea. The traditions of royal Thai cuisine combine the best features of Indian, Chinese and Thai elements.

Local children wave hello.

Family

The eldest man is the patriarch of the family. The Lao have great respect for their parents and elders. Among the Hmong, the household is composed of the extended family: parents, unmarried children, and married sons with their families.

Dating Customs

Young people can meet eligible partners at dances held during festivals, where they are free to sit and talk privately. Wealthier families may conduct a marriage ceremony. Marriage is traditionally done by living together or eloping. New couples frequently live with the wife's family, until her first child is born.

Recreation

One popular traditional game is called "kataw". It is played with a small ball woven out of rattan (modern balls may be made of plastic). The players stand in a circle and try to keep the ball in the air without using their hands, by kicking it or hitting it with their knees and elbows. A more competitive version is called "sepak takraw". Two teams of three players toss the ball back and forth over a volleyball net, using their legs, arms, shoulders and head. Laotian "sepak takraw" teams participate in the King's Cup international competition, which attracts competitors from throughout southeast Asia.

Another traditional game is top spinning, using large wooden tops. People compete to see how long they can keep the top in motion. Sometimes people play against each other, using their tops to knock out their opponents' tops.

A courtship ball game is popular among the hill tribes. Girls and boys line up facing each other. The two groups throw a ball back and forth. When someone drops it, he or she must sing a song. This is a way for boys and girls to get acquainted. Men from the Hmong tribe in the mountain areas of Laos enjoy cock fighting and even fish fighting. They place bets on the outcome of the fights and gather around to watch.

Children and young people often take part in track and field sports at school. Girls actively participate in a number of sports such as volleyball, badminton and basketball at city schools.

Holidays

  • Republic Day

    12/2

    Independence

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

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
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Laap (Good Fortune)

Main Dish

Browse all 4 recipes

History

Historical Eras

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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 blowing conch shell. HISTORICAL RESEARCH SHOWS that the rudimentary structures of a multiethnic state existed before the founding of the Kingdom of Lan Xang in the thirteenth century. These prethirteenth-century structures consisted of small confederative communities in river valleys and among the mountain peoples, who found security away from the well-traveled rivers and overland tracks where the institutions and customs of the Laotian people were gradually forged in contact with other peoples of the region. During these centuries, the stirring of migrations as well as religious conflict and syncretism went on more or less continuously. Laos’s shortlived vassalage to foreign empires such as the Cham, Khmer, and Sukhothai did nothing to discourage this process of cultural identification and, in fact, favored its shaping. In the thirteenth century--an historically important watershed- -the rulers of Louangphrabang (Luang Prabang) constituted a large indigenous kingdom with a hierarchical administration. Even then, migratory and religious crosscurrents never really ceased. The durability of the kingdom itself is attested to by the fact that it lasted within its original borders for almost four centuries. Today, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR, or Laos) covers only a small portion of the territory of that former kingdom. Internecine power struggles caused the splitting up of Lan Xang after 1690, and the Lao and the mountain peoples of the middle Mekong Valley came perilously close to absorption by powerful neighboring rivals, namely Vietnam and Siam (present-day Thailand); China never posed a territorial threat. Only the arrival of the French in the second half of the nineteenth century prevented Laos’s political disintegration. In a "conquest of the hearts" (in the words of the explorer and colonist Auguste Pavie)--a singular event in the annals of colonialism in that it did not entail the loss of a single Lao life--France ensured by its actions in 1893 that Laos’s separate identity would be preserved into modern times. During the colonial interlude, a few French officials administered what their early cartographers labeled, for want of a better name, "le pays des Laos" (the land of the Lao, hence the name Laos), preserving intact local administrations and the royal house of Louangphrabang. However, Laos’s incorporation into French Indochina beginning in 1893 brought with it Vietnamese immigration, which was officially encouraged by the French to staff the middle levels of the civil services and militia. During the few months in 1945 when France’s power was momentarily eclipsed, the consequences of this Vietnamese presence nearly proved fatal for the fledgling Lao Issara (Free Laos) government. The issue of Vietnamese dominance over Indochina remained alive into the postindependence period with the armed rebellion of the Pathet Lao (Lao Nation), who proclaimed themselves part of an Indochina-wide revolutionary movement. The Royal Lao Government grappled with this problem for ten years but never quite succeeded in integrating the Pathet Lao rebels peacefully into the national fabric. By the 1960s, outside powers had come to dominate events in Laos, further weakening the Vientiane government’s attempts to maintain neutrality in the Cold War. For one thing, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), the most powerful entity left in Indochina by the 1954 Geneva armistice and the exit of France, cast a large shadow over the mountains to the west. Also, the United States, which had exerted strong pressure on France on behalf of the independence of Laos, became involved in a new war against what it regarded as the proxies of the Soviet Union and China. Even then, however, high-level United States officials seemed unsure about Laos’s claim to national identity, and Laos became the country where the so-called "secret war" was fought. In late 1975, months after the fall of Cambodia and the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) to the communists, the Pathet Lao came to power in Laos, proclaiming that Laos’s territorial integrity as well as its independence, sovereignty, and solidarity with other new regimes of Indochina, would be defended (see laos/la00_07a.pdf"> fig. 1). In a demonstration of this determination, Laos fought a border war with Thailand in 1988, and protracted negotiations were necessary to demarcate the border between the two countries. Internally, the regime proved ruthless in stamping out political and armed opposition. Only since the introduction of the New Economic Mechanism in 1986

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 500

    Mid-sixth century Zhenla established, centered on Champasak.

    Mid-sixth century Zhenla established, centered on Champasak.

  2. 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.

  3. 1100

    Twelfth century Candapuri mandala in Vientiane region absorbed within Khmer Empire.

    Twelfth century Candapuri mandala in Vientiane region absorbed within Khmer Empire.

  4. 1271 – 1272

    Panya Lang rules Xieng Dong Xieng Thong.

    Panya Lang rules Xieng Dong Xieng Thong.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

View full timeline (35 events)
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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.

  • There are about 40 ethnic groups in Laos. The Lao include three main cultural groups: the Lao Sung (Lao of the mountains), the Lao Theung (Lao of the lower mountain areas), and the Lao Loum (Lao of the lowlands). Within these large groups are various ethnic cultures, such as the Hmong and the Mien (both part of the Lao Sung).

  • Laos is a member of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), an economic organization that includes Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.

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Geography and Environment

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, a landlocked nation, lies in the center of the Southeast Asian Peninsula and borders on five countries. Dense jungle and rugged mountains in the north and east cover 6% of the country’s surface. Mountainous topography is characteristic of all of Laos outside the Mekong River Basin. Phu Bia, in Xieng Khouang Province, the highest point in the country, rises 9,249 feet above sea level. The Mekong River, with its headwaters in Tibet, flows over 2,600 miles to its mouth in the south of Vietnam. One of the world's great rivers, it forms the country’s western boundary for the greater part of its length and is the cradle of Lao culture. Most major Lao towns are on its banks. The largest population center in Laos removed from the Mekong River is Phonsavanh in Xieng Khouang Province. Lately, the Lao Government has encouraged the establishment of new towns and villages in the country's interior.
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
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages

  • French
  • Lao

Population

Population
6,993,767
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

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
very high
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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 (109 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - total number of seats increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election elections: last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held in 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109
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.

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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. The results have been substantial: from a very low base, the economy grew at an average annual rate of roughly 7% from the early 1990s through the 2010s, briefly interrupted by the 1997 Asian financial crisis and again by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Growth has since slowed, averaging closer to 3–4% in recent years, weighed down by high public debt, persistent inflation, and a sharp depreciation of the kip.

Despite decades of expansion, Laos remains one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, though its infrastructure has improved markedly. The 2021 opening of the China–Laos Railway between Vientiane and the Chinese border transformed the country's long-standing status as a landlocked nation without rail service, and road networks, electrification, and telecommunications have expanded significantly. Electricity now reaches the large majority of the population, and the country has become a major regional power exporter through its extensive hydropower sector, earning it the informal label "the battery of Southeast Asia."

Agriculture, much of it still subsistence-based, employs a large share of the workforce but accounts for a declining share of GDP, as services and industry — particularly mining, hydropower, construction, and tourism — have grown in importance. The economy continues to depend heavily on foreign investment, with China as the dominant partner, as well as on support from the IMF, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank. Key challenges include managing external debt, stabilizing the currency, curbing inflation, and diversifying beyond resource-based growth.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Kip (LAK)
GDP — official exchange rate
$2,523,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
7.2%
Gini Index
37

Banknotes

Laos Money - Front
Laos Money - Front
Laos Money - Back
Laos Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
1 October - 30 September
Annual Budget
$434,600,000 (USD)
External Debt
$2,490,000,000 (USD)
Economic Aid
$243,000,000 (USD)
Current Account Balance
-$58,350,000 (USD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange
$217,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture 80%
Household Income — highest 10%
30.6%
Industries
tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism
Agriculture Products
sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice, water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Export Commodities
garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin
Export Partners
Thailand 21.5%, Vietnam 16.9%, France 8.6%, Germany 5.6%
Import Commodities
machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods
Import Partners
Thailand 60.7%, Vietnam 10.5%, China 8.2%, Singapore 4%

Energy

Oil Production
0 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
2,950 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: service to general public is improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas domestic: 4 service providers with mobile cellular usage growing very rapidly international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and a second to be developed by China
Internet Country Code
.la

News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

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

1 curated YouTube videos.

  • Source: YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Laos?
The population of Laos is approximately 7.0M.
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 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 "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. 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. 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. 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
What is the capital of Laos?
Vientiane (also spelled Viangchan) is the capital and largest city of Laos. Situated on a bend of the Mekong River along the border with Thailand, it serves as the country's political, economic, and cultural center. Vientiane is home to landmark Buddhist temples such as Pha That Luang, the national symbol, as well as government ministries and foreign embassies. Despite being a national capital, the city retains a relatively small, unhurried character compared to other Southeast Asian capitals.
Where is Laos located?
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, occupying the northwestern portion of the Indochina Peninsula. It is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia, a geographic fact that has significantly shaped its history, economy, and reliance on the Mekong River as a lifeline for trade and transportation. The country lies entirely within the tropics, giving it a monsoon climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
What countries border Laos?
Laos shares borders with five countries: China to the north, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west, and Myanmar (Burma) to the northwest. This position at the crossroads of mainland Southeast Asia has made Laos a historic buffer zone among regional powers. The Mekong River forms much of the western boundary with Thailand and serves as both a natural border and a vital corridor for commerce and daily life.
What is the main religion in Laos?
Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion in Laos, practiced by approximately 60 percent of the population. It is deeply woven into daily life, governance, and cultural identity, with monks and temple life playing a central role in communities across the country. The remaining population practices animism and various traditional ethnic religions, particularly among highland minority groups, while small Christian communities account for a minor share of the population.
What currency is used in Laos?
The official currency of Laos is the Kip (LAK). Introduced after the Pathet Lao took control of the government in 1975, the Kip replaced the previous Royal Kip. Although the Kip is the legal tender, Thai baht and US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas and border towns, reflecting the country's close economic ties with its neighbors and its growing integration into regional trade through ASEAN membership since 1997.
What language is spoken in Laos?
Lao is the official and most widely spoken language of Laos. It belongs to the Tai-Kadai language family and is closely related to Thai. French retains a presence as a legacy of the colonial era and is used in some government and educational contexts, while English has grown in use particularly in business and tourism. Laos is home to numerous ethnic minority groups — including the Hmong, Khmu, and others — each maintaining distinct indigenous languages.
What is Laos known for?
Laos is known for the Plain of Jars, a mysterious archaeological plateau in central Laos scattered with hundreds of massive ancient stone jars — some three metres tall and weighing up to a tonne — whose origin and purpose remain unknown. The country is also celebrated for its historic connection to the ancient kingdom of Lan Xang ("Kingdom of a Million Elephants"), the Mekong River's extraordinary biodiversity, and the slow-paced Buddhist culture symbolized by the daily alms-giving ceremony in the UNESCO-listed town of Luang Prabang. Sticky rice, a staple food, and the philosophical outlook summed up by the expression bo pen nyang ("never mind") are equally emblematic of Lao identity.
What is the terrain of Laos like?
Laos is a predominantly mountainous and forested country, with rugged highlands and thick jungle covering much of the north and east. The Annamite Range runs along the eastern border with Vietnam, while the narrow plains and river valleys of the Mekong corridor in the west contain the majority of the country's agricultural land and population. Dense tropical and subtropical forests cover large portions of the interior, and the Mekong River and its tributaries form the principal waterways, supporting both agriculture and fisheries throughout the country.

Last reviewed 2026

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