Official Name: Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
Founding Day: 2 December 1975 (National Day)
President: H.E. Mr. Khamtay SIPHANDONE
Prime Minister: H.E. Mr. Bounyang VORACHIT
President of National Assembly: H.E. Mr. Samane VIYAKETH

The Lao People's Democratic Republic or Laos is located in the center of Indochina. It has an eastern border of 1,957 km with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a northern border of 416 with the People's Republic of China, a north-western border of 230 km with the Union of Myanmar, a western border of about 1,840 km with the Kingdom of Thailand and a southern border of about 492 km with the Kingdom of Cambodia.The country provides a potentially strategic land link for closer sub-regional cooperation in the Greater Mekong area.
With an area of 236,800 square Kilometres. Around 70% of its terrain is mountainous, reaching a maximum elevation of 2,820 m in Xieng Khouang province. The landscapes of northern Laos and the regions adjacent to Vietnam in particular are dominated by hills.
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 1,865 km of Lao territory and shapes much of the lifestyle of the people of Laos. In the south the Mekong reaches a breadth of 14 Km, creating an area with thousands of islands.

Time in Laos is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time ( GMT* 7).

Laos enjoys a tropical climate with two distinct seasons-the rainy season from the beginning of May to the end of September and the dry season from October through to April. The yearly average temperature is about 28 C, rising to a maximum of 38 C in April and May. In mountainous areas, however, temperatures drop to 14-15 C during the winter months, and in cold nights easily reach the freezing point.
The average precipitation is highest in southern Laos, where the Annamite mountains receive over 3000 mm annually. In Vientiane rainfall is about 1500-2000 mm, and in the northern provinces only 1000 -1500 mm.

Lao language is the national language. Other languages used are French, English. Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese.

Buddhistm first appeared in Laos during the eighth century AD. as shown by both the Buddha image and the stone inscription found at Ban Talat near Vientiane, now exhibited at the Museum of Ho Prakes. After the foundation of the unified Kingdom of Lane Xang, King FaNgum (14th century) declared. Buddhism as the state religion and urged the people to abandon animism or other beliefs such as the cult of spirits. His policy meant to develop the Lao culture based on a common faith: the Theravada Buddhism. Today Theravada Buddhism is the professed religion of about 90% of Lao people. Buddhism is an inherent feature of daily life and casts a strong influence on Lao society. Lao woman can be seen each morning giving alms to monks, earing merit to lessen the number of their rebirth. Lao men are expected to become a monk for at least a short time in their lives.
Traditionally they spent three months during the rainy season in Vat, a Buddhist temple. But nowadays most men curtail their stay to one or two weeks.

Laos has a total population of 5.2 million (1999), with an average annual growth rate of 2.4 percent. People share a rich ethnic diversity, comprising such groups as Hmong, Khmu, Yao, A'kha, Ikoh, Lu etc. Most of them have kept their own customs, dialects and traditional dress. In total 47 different groups are accounted for in Laos. These can be classified into three broad groups:

1. The Lao Lum (lowlanders) who make up 70% of the population and predominantly live along the Mekong river.
2. The Lao Theung (uplanders) who comprise 20% of the population and live on the lopes and hills with an elevation of less than 1,000 metres.
3. The Lao Soung (hill tribes) who constitute 10% of the population and live in the mountainous areas.

Lao people boast 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 throughout Laos. Stupas serve to commemorate the life of the Buddha and many stupas are said to house sacred relics (Parts of Buddha's boby).
Generally, Hinayana Buddhists cremate the dead body then collected the bone and put in the stupa which up around the temple. Different styles of architecture are evident in the numerous Buddhist vats. Three archtectural styles can be distinguished, corresponding to the geographical location of the temples and monasteries. Vats built in Vientiane are large rectangular structures constructed of brick and covered with stucco and highly-peaked roofs. In Luang Prabang the roofs sweep very low and, unlike in Vientiane, almost reach the ground. These two styles are different from the vats of Xieng Khouang where the temple roofs are not tiered.
Religious influences are also pervasive in classical Lao literature, especially in the pha Lak pha Lam, the Lao version of India's epic Ramayana. Projects are underway to preserve classic Lao religious scripts which were transcribed into palm leaf manuscripts hundreds of years ago and stored in vats.
Another excellent example for the richness of Lao culture is its folk music, which is extremely popular with the people throughout the whole country. The principal instrument is the khaen, a wind instrument which comprises a double row of Bamboo-like reeds fitted into a hardwood sound-box. The khaen is often accompanied by a bowed string instrument or saw. The national folk dance is the lamvong, a circle dance in which people dance circles around each other so that ultimately there are three circles: a circle danced by the individual, another one by the couple, and a third one danced by the whole party.

Lao people are frank, open and friendly, and they possess a strongly developed sense of courtesy and respect. Everyone who adheres to the latter will receive a warm welcome.
The generally accepted form of greeting among Lao people is the nop. It is performed by placing one's palm together in a position of praying at chest level, but not touching the body. The higher the hands, the greater the sign of respect. Nonetheless, the hands should not be held above the level of the nose. The nop is accompanied by a slight bow to show respect to persons of higher status and age. It is also used as an expression of thanks, regret or saying good-bye. But with western people it is acceptable to shake hands.
When entering a vat or a private home it is customary to remove one's shoes. In Lao homes raised off the ground, the shoes are left at the stairs. In traditional homes one sits on low seats or cushions on the floor. Men usually sit with their legs crossed or folded to one side, women prefer solely the latter. Upon entering guests may be served fruit or tea. These gestures of hospitality should not be refused.
Since the head is considered the most sacred part of the body and the soles of the feet the least, one should not touch a person's head nor use one's foot to point at a person or any object. Moreover men and women rarely show affection in public. It is also forbidden for a woman to touch a Buddhist monk.

The local currency is the Kip (3,420 kip = US$1). Exchange your currency at licensed money changers only. Travelers checks are only accepted at major banks. Credit cards are generally not accepted.

All visitors to Laos require valid Passports and need to obtain the Laos visa. Despite being a strongly regulated country, Laos has relaxed some of its rules about getting the visa.

Primarily, all foreign visitors need to book the tours through a travel agent, and need to have a pre-approval letter from an authorized Laos agency (few bureaucratic minority). The Laos Embassy will issue the visa only if the above mentioned letter was attached. Currently, the embassy/consulates in certain countries do not require this letter, but some may do.

Recently, Laos authority has intended to boost tourism and allow travelers to obtain visa stamp at their International Airport - Vientiane or at the overland border crossing points of Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge near Nongkai.

1. Holds return/onward ticket and all documents required for next destination,
2. Holds Certificate of Bank Statement (min. USD 400.-) or life insurance policy
3. Has a contact (individual person or organization) based in Laos
4. Holds confirmed hotel reservation in Laos.
5. Pay visa stamp fees of USD 30 to the Immigration.

Visitors who will enter Laos through Huayxai-Chiangkong Border (Northern Thailand) need to get the Laos visa stamp from the Laos Embassy before entry. Since last August 2000, the Laos Authority had terminated the visa stamp at this border.

Arrival by Air

The only port of arrival by air is Wattay Airport in Vientiane. You can travel by Lao Aviation, Thai Airways International, Vietnam Airline, The Southern China Airline, Silk Air, Malaysian Airline and Regular flights are available to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Kunming, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Arrival by Road

Road access is possible from neighboring countries. Between Thailand and Laos the border can be crossed at Houeixay in Bokeo province, at Mittaphab friendship bridge near Vientiane and at Dan Savannakhet in Savannakhet Province.
China can be reached by road at Boten in Luang Namtha province. Border crossings between Laos and Vietnam have been set up at Lak Sao on the road No.8. Borikhamsay province and at Dan Savanh in Savannakhet province on the road No.9.

Arrival by Train

Although there is currently no rail connection to Laos yet, an extension of the Bangkok-Nong Khai railway is planned and a line from Vientiane to Nong Khai is scheduled to start operating in near future.

Arrival by Boat

From Kunming or Xishuangbanna, China, it is possible to travel by boat through the Mekong river straight South into Bokeo province.