Laos

Laos (25 December, 2005)

Laos provides you with useful information to get to know and plan your visit to Laos, a small country in mainland Southeast Asia. Laos (ສປປລາວ), or in full, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ), is a landlocked nation in mainland Southeast Asia. Covering 236,800 sq km (91,428 sq mi), Laos is sparsely populated compared to its neighbours. The population of Laos is 6.8 million (2011 estimate). The capital and biggest city is Vientiane.

Laos is bordered by Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west, Myanmar to the northwest and China to the north. The country is seven hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+7). Traffic is driven on the right here, just as in the United States. The phone IDD code is +856. The electricity is 220V/50Hz. The official language of Laos is called Lao, the same name given to its people. The majority of the population are Theravada Buddhist, similar with Thailand and Myanmar.

Major Towns in Laos

Minor Towns in Laos

Travel Tips of Major Tourist Attractions of Laos

Sights near Vientiane

Sights in Northeastern Laos

Sights in Northwestern Laos

Sights on the Mekong Valley

Sights in Southern Laos

The economy of Laos was traditionally based on subsistence agriculture. Some 80% of the population live in rural areas and are involved in farming. Laos is attempting to diversify into tourism and manufacturing. It is dependent investment from neighbouring countries. The country is rich in minerals such as coal, gold, bauxite, tin and copper, but has to import petroleum and gas. In 2010, Laos had an estimated nominal GDP of $6.341 billion, equivalent to a per capita nominal GDP of $984. Its per capita GDP at purchasing power parity stood at $2,435. It is the second poorest country (in terms of nominal per capita GDP) in Southeast Asia after Myanmar.

Modern Laos traces its history to the Kingdom of Lan Xang or Land of A Million Elephants, which existed from the 14th to the 18th century, and has much in common with the Kingdom of Lanna, which today forms modern Chiang Mai. The flag of the Kingdom of Laos features the Erawan, or mythical white three headed elephant. The current Laos flag was first used by the Lao nationalist government of 1945, and was adopted by the Lao communist government in 1975.

Haw Pha Bang, Luang Prabang (30 December, 2005)

Tim and wife Chooi Yoke at the Plain of Jars, Laos (27 December, 2005)

Brewing Lao whisky, in a village near Luang Prabang, Laos (28 December, 2005)

Laos is known as 'Muang Lao' in the Laos language. It got to be known as Laos in English because the French, who colonized it since 1893, spelled Laos with an s at the end. This as resulted in Laos spelled with s in English as well. Nevertheless, adjectives pertaining to Laos is always spelled without the s, ie Lao beer, Lao economy, etc. The people of Laos is called Laotian in English. This is the collective term for Laos people, inclusive of the minorities living in Laos, to avoid confusion with the Lao ethnic group, which is also called Lao.

Basic Information

Time Zone: 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Currency: kip
Language: Lao
International Dialing Code: 856
Population: 5.2 million
Religion: Theravada Buddhism
Electricity: 220V 50Hz
Electrical Outlet: two-prong flat or round sockets
Driving: On the right side of the road.

Laos Geography

As mentioned above, Laos is a landlocked country. It consists mostly of thickly forested mountains. The highest mountain in Laos is Phou Bia at 9,242 feet (2,817 m). The Mekong River forms a natural boundary between Laos and Thailand, while on the eastern side, the Annamite mountain chain form the with Vietnam. The capital and largest city in Laos is Vientiane. Other major townships include Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Pakse.

Entering Laos By Air

The two international airports in Laos are Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, and Luang Prabang International Airport, in Luang Prabang.

Wattay Airport is served by Bangkok Airways (Bangkok), China Eastern Airlines (Kunming), Lao Airlines (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Houei Sai, Kunming, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Pakse, Phongsaly, Sam Neua, Sayaboury, Siem Reap, Xieng Khuang), Thai Airways International (Bangkok) and Vietnam Airlines (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh). Luang Prabang International Airport is served by Bangkok Airways (Bangkok), Lao Airlines (Chiang Mai), Siem Reap Airways (Siem Reap) and Vietnam Airlines (Hanoi).

Patuxai Monument in Vientiane (1 January, 2006)

Laos Airport Tax:

International departures: US$10
Domestic departure: 5,000 kip

Entering Laos By Road

Most overland visitors enter Laos from Thailand, where the Mekong River forms a natural boundary. Border crossings are at Chiang Khong in Thailand and Huay Xai in Laos, Nakhon Phanom / Tha Kaek, Mukdahan / Savannakhet (by river ferry), Chong Mek / Champasak, and by the Mittaphep (Friendship) Bridge at Nong Kai / Vientiane. From Vietnam, you can enter Laos from Vinh in Vietnam, to Kaew Neua in Laos, and at Dansavanh / Lao Bao.

Store in Luang Prabang (28 December, 2005)

Laos Entry Requirements

Laos Visa
Apart from some Asean nationalities, everyone else require a tourist visa to enter Laos. 30-day entry permit is available if you apply for your visa in advance. Visa fee is around US$20, and processing time is around 2-3 days. You can also apply for your visa upon arrival, in which case, you are given only a 15-day entry permit. These visa-on-arrival are available at the airports in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and some border crossings, but not all of them. The visa fee is US$30 for those applying upon arrival.

Laos Customs There is no restriction or limit on the amount of Lao and foreign currency that you can bring into Laos. Duty-free allowance includes 1 litre of spirits and 500 cigarettes.

Tourists awaiting the sunset on Mount Phousi, Luang Prabang (28 December, 2005)