National flag and map

Overview of the Lao PDR
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic got independent in 1975, located in the center of Indochina, sharing borders with five countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, with the population of 6 millions and a total area of 236,800 square kilometres, around 70 percent of terrain is mountain.

A brief review of the history of Laos contributes to an understanding of the diversity of ethnicity and ethnic relations in the country. The Mon-Khmer have been present on the Southeast Asian mainland for at least 5,000 years. Lao-Tai groups began migrating in the north of Laos in the 9th century. The Lao prince Fa Ngum created the Kingdom of Lane Xang (Laos) in 1353.

The Mekong River is the main geographical feature in the west and, in fact, forms a natural border with Thailand in some areas. The Mekong flows through nearly 1,900 kilometres of Lao territory and shapes much of the lifestyle of the people of Laos. In the south, the Mekong reaches a breadth of 20 kilometres, creating an area with thousands of islands.

When to visit?
Most visitors come between the cool and the dry seasons from October to February. This time the weather is quite chilly on the mountains, especially at Xieng Khuang and Bolaven plateaus. From March to May, the temperature is generally high. The wet season starts from June to October that creates lush green landscapes.

Visa
Visitors can obtain a visa on arrival. Fifteen-day visas are now available for US$30.00 on arrival at all official immigration check points and at the international airports in Vientiane capital, Luang Prabang and Pakxe provinces.

Traveling with children
Laos is a safe, quiet country with a lot of explore. Lao people are very welcoming to children. Traveling with your family, you would quickly make friends around the country.

Full country name: The Lao People's Democratic Republic
Capital City:              Vientiane
Area:                          236,800 sq km
Population:               6 million
Language:                 Lao is official language. English is used in major tourist centers.  Chinese, 
                                     Vietnamese and Thai are widely understood.
Electricity:                220V, 50Hz

Money
The Lao currency is KIP, can only be exchanged inside Laos. Traveler cheques can be cashed at banks, and US dollars and Thai baht are easily exchanged. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and some shops and at ATMs in major towns.

Religion
Ninety percent of Lao people believe Buddhism. Some groups believe spirit and Christian.

Culture
One of the trademarks of Laos is the diversity of its people and cultures. There are a number of traditional arts and crafts that represent their way of life.

Laos has a rich cultural heritage with religion, art and architecture forming the cornerstone of artistic traditions.     

There exists across the country are a plethora of distinctive monuments and architectural styles. One of the most notable structures is That Luang, the great Sacred Stupa in Vientiane. Its dome-like stupa and four-cornered superstructure is the model for similar monuments across Laos. Stupas serve to commemorate the life of the Buddha and many stupas are said to house sacred Buddha relics (parts of Buddha’s body).

Lao sculpture, classical music, dance-dramas and cuisine have been influenced by the diversity of its people. Lao folk music is more indigenous, based around the khaen (a double row of bamboo reeds fitted into a hardwood sound box). Folk music is often accompanied by dancing or bawdy theatre. The Lao remain skilful carvers and weavers, but traditional silversmith and goldsmith are declining arts.