Capital: Vientiane. "Effects of AFTA on poverty: Evidence from Laos. Layers of Chinese Loanwords in Proto-Southwestern Tai as Evidence for the Dating of the Spread of Southwestern Tai, "Let's hope Laos hangs on to its identity", "Slavery in Nineteenth-Century Northern Thailand: Archival Anecdotes and Village Voices", Creating Laos: The Making of a Lao Space Between Indochina and Siam, 18601945, "Laos Encyclopdia Britannica Overview", "Making More Enemies than We Kill? Wat Sisaket, Luang, and Phra Keo are the three most . [78] Of those Hmong who did return to Laos, some quickly escaped back to Thailand, describing discrimination and brutal treatment at the hands of Lao authorities. In a 23 October 1995 National Review article, Michael Johns, the former Heritage Foundation foreign policy expert and Republican White House aide, labelled the Hmong's repatriation a Clinton administration "betrayal", describing the Hmong as a people "who have spilled their blood in defense of American geopolitical interests". This tourist attraction still holds more than 10 thousand Buddha statues, large and small. [155], The adult literacy rate for women in 2017 was 62.9%; for adult men, 78.1%. Besides, this place is also considered a library containing many ancient books written by hand on palm leaves. Travel over the land is hard. As the country opens up, with an increasing number of roads and bridges being built the tourist attractions are becoming more and more accessible. More than half of the nation's population is ethnic Laothe principal lowland inhabitants, and the politically and culturally dominant people of Laos. The Lao National Tourism Administration, related government agencies and the private sector are working together to realise the vision put forth in the country's National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan. Export earnings from international visitors and tourism goods are expected to generate 16% of total exports or US$270.3million in 2010, growing in nominal terms to US$484.2million (12.5% of the total) in 2020. This slim paperback by Sam Brier and Phouphanomlack (Tee) Sangkhampone boasts an intuitive, sound-based way to learn the written Lao alphabet and sounds of the Lao language. According to the World Bank data conducted in 2014, Laos has met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets on water and sanitation regarding the UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme. THE government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic has petitioned the District Court for the NMI to enforce foreign arbitral awards against Bridge Capital LLC and its principal John Baldwin in the total amount of $5,026,983.98. Mountain/hill tribes of mixed ethno/cultural-linguistic heritage are found in northern Laos, which include the Lua and Khmu people who are indigenous to Laos. Major religion Buddhism. [152], Sixty-six percent of Laotians were Theravada Buddhist, 1.5 percent Christian, 0.1 percent Muslim, 0.1 percent Jewish, and 32.3 percent were other or traditional (mostly practitioners of Satsana Phi) in 2010. Of the almost $6 billion cost for the China-Laos railway, the Chinese government will pay 70 percent. Lao Soung account for about 10% of the population. The Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand, where the mountains of the Annamite Range form most of the eastern border with Vietnam and the Luang Prabang Range the northwestern border with the Thai highlands. Between 20,000 and 62,000 Laotians died during the civil war. [109], Laos and Vietnamese (SRV) troops were reported to have raped and killed four Christian Hmong women in Xiangkhouang Province in 2011, according to the US-based non-governmental public policy research organisation The Centre for Public Policy Analysis, which also said other Christian and independent Buddhist and animist believers were being persecuted. Bomb Tonnages Dropped on Laos and Cambodia, and Weighing Their Implications", "Fifty years of violent war deaths from Vietnam to Bosnia: analysis of data from the world health survey programme", Politics in Contemporary Southeast Asia: Authority, Democracy and Political Change, Renovation in Vietnam since 1988 a study in political, economic and social change, "Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity", "Mekong Divides Different Worlds In 'Golden Triangle', "Opium Poppy Cultivation in South East Asia", "East Asia/Southeast Asia:: Laos The World Factbook Central Intelligence Agency", "Laos promotes PM Thongloun as leader of communist party", "OEC Laos (LAO) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners", "Q+A What is the East Asia Summit all about? "Lao Refugees Return Home Under European Union Repatriation Program", Associated Press Worldstream, 22 11, 1994. Laos is thus the 22nd biggest country in Asia and in terms of area ranked 84th worldwide. [47] As of 22March2021[update] the head of state is President Thongloun Sisoulith. Giant Buddha Statue Plan Rankles Residents of Laos' Capital: Report By Sebastian Strangio A Chinese firm's plans to build a 100-meter-high Buddha statue in low-lying Vientiane encapsulate China . In 2017, Laos suffered fiscal and monetary difficulties which resulted in low levels of foreign reserves. 3, "Through Chaos to a New Order", in, Sanda Simms, ch. [179] Only 3.5% of women and 2.1% of men between the ages of 1549 were in a polygamous union as of 2017. Gunderson, Steve (18 May 1996) "State Department Outlines Resettlement Guidelines for Hmong Refugees". [124] Laos may have the greatest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Vientiane has been the capital since 16th century. The airport in Paske was completed in 2009 with one terminal for both international and domestic flights. Vientiane Capital is the home to the most significant . It is produced by the Lao Brewery Company. Evidence for modern human presence in the northern and central highlands of Indochina, that constitute the territories of the modern Laotian nation-state dates back to the Lower Paleolithic. The city's central river port location in a country relying heavily on its rivers for transportation and its surrounding hinterland of intensive rice cultivation have made Vientiane the major economic centre of Laos. His reign is often regarded as Laos's golden age. [66][67] The incumbent head of government is Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. The capital of Laos is Vientiane. Cities []. Foreign enterprises must report on their performance annually and submit annual financial statements to MPI. [144], Laos's population was estimated at 7.45million in 2020, dispersed unevenly across the country. It briefly gained independence in 1945 after Japanese occupation but was re-colonised by France until it won autonomy in 1949. [112] Laos is an origin country for sexually trafficked persons. Hanoi shares experience with Lao NA delegation. Get an insider's access to these Asia's exotic countries: Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.Discover: Bangkok (the capital and most populous city of Thailand, is known for its street life, cultural landmarks, spicy food and Buddhist temples); up next go travel to Hanoi (the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich . [98][99] Prominent civil society advocates, human rights defenders, political and religious dissidents, and Hmong refugees have disappeared at the hands of Lao military and security forces. [81] Debate on the issue escalated quickly. It was built in 1556, when the capital was moved from Luang Prabang to Vientiene, and took 6 years to complete. [77] Pressure to resettle the refugees grew as the Thai government worked to close its remaining refugee camps. [139]:3940, In 2004 the net primary enrollment rate was 84%. [95], Human rights violations remain a significant concern in Laos. Laos does not have a well-developed capital market, although government policies increasingly support the formation of capital and free flow of financial resources. However, as of 2018, there are approximately 1.9million of Lao's population who could not access an improved water supply and 2.4million people without access to improved sanitation. The Thai government attempted to repatriate these refugees, but the Wat Tham Krabok Hmong refused to leave and the Lao government refused to accept them, claiming they were involved in the illegal drug trade and were of non-Lao origin. Other terms are Khmu, Khamu (Kammu) or Kha as the Lao Loum refer to them to indicate their Austroasiatic language affiliation. Laos(nume oficial: Republica Popular Democrat Laos) este un stat fr ieire la mare din Asia de Sud-Est, ce se nvecineaz cu Birmania (Myanmar) i China la nord-est, cu Vietnamul la est, cu Cambodgia la sud i cu Thailanda la vest. But around the 11th and 12th centuries, the Lao and Thai came from Southern China and overtook the area. Laos has the youngest population of any country in Asia with a median age of 21.6 years. [74] Their Russian-built Antonov AN 74-300 with 20 people on board crashed in Xiangkhouang Province. ", "Evaluation Synthesis of Rice in Lao PDR", "Starting an Asian Cinema: Laos Past and Present", "Good Good Morning, Luang Prabang and hello to Laos's film industry", "Q&A with director Kim Mordaunt (The Rocket)", "A tale of revenge in Laos challenges censors", "Fantastic Fest 2013 Review: Chanthaly is A Haunting Portrait of Modern Day Laos", "Laos Selects 'Dearest Sister' as First Foreign-Language Oscar Submission", "Cannes: Southeast Asia Is Ready for Its Big-Screen Close-up", "Laos: Crony scheme in control of press and civil society", "Social Discrimination in the Lao People's Democratic Republic", "Muay Lao, the forgotten art of kickboxing", "Laos Stumbles on Path to Sporting Glory", Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEANRepublic of Korea Commemorative Summit, Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, ASEANAustralia Development Cooperation Program, Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, Assemble parlementaire de la Francophonie, Agence de Coopration Culturelle et Technique, Prix des cinq continents de la francophonie, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laos&oldid=1142166912, French-speaking countries and territories, Member states of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, States and territories established in 1949, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from March 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, Articles with failed verification from January 2021, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Pages using infobox country or infobox former country with the symbol caption or type parameters, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, Articles containing potentially dated statements from March 2021, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2020, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2011, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2021, Pages using Sister project links with wikidata mismatch, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Articles with MusicBrainz area identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:55. Choose our custom designed, flexible and unique Laos Tour Packages. [58] Laos had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 5.59/10, ranking it 98th globally out of 172 countries. [141] Access rose rapidly from 10 percent in 1995 to 38 percent in 2008. [73] The officials were to participate in a ceremony to mark the liberation of the Plain of Jars from the former Royal Lao government forces. [183] Since the start of the league, Lao Army F.C. [38] France rescued King Oun Kham and added Luang Phrabang to the protectorate of French Indochina. [119] The economy receives development aid from the International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, and other international sources; and also foreign direct investment for development of the society, industry, hydropower and mining (most notably of copper and gold). . "[132], The country's most widely recognised product may well be Beerlao, which in 2017 was exported to more than 20 countries worldwide. Services and facilities for tourists are adequate in the capital, Vientiane, and in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, but are extremely limited in . Present-day Laos traces its historic and cultural identity to Lan Xang, which existed from the 13th century to the 18th century as one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Although some accusations of forced repatriation were denied,[82] thousands of Hmong people refused to return to Laos. [56], On 3 December 2021, the 422-kilometre Boten-Vientiane railway, a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was opened. . He later died under suspicious circumstances in a re-education camp. [122] Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80% of the arable land area used for growing rice. Muay Lao is an ancient martial art practiced throughout Laos, but mainly in the capital of Vientiane. After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the communist Pathet Lao came to power, ending the civil war. [43] Otherwise, according to Martin Stuart-Fox, the Lao might well have lost control over their own country. [131] In 2019, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights conducted an official visit to Laos and found that the country's top-down approach to economic growth and poverty alleviation "is all too often counterproductive, leading to impoverishment and jeopardising the rights of the poor and marginalised. The capital city of Hanoi is ready to further expand friendship and cooperation activities in various fields, including those of people-elected . Visiting Vientiane, Laos, elicits such a diversity of opinions from travelers, it's often hard . The Mekong River is vital as a transportation route for cargo and passengers, a source of electricity at dams, a water supply for crops, and a home to fish . Laos is now an independent country with an elected government, and Vientiane is its official capital. SE Asia. [43], During World War II in Laos, Vichy France, Thailand, Imperial Japan and Free France occupied Laos. Great day in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Luang Prabang and Vat Phou are both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Settathirath disappeared in the mountains on his way back from a military expedition into Cambodia, and Lan Xang fell into more than seventy years of instability, involving both Burmese invasion and civil war. [83] Around 5,000 Hmong people who were not resettled at the time of the camp closures sought asylum at Wat Tham Krabok, a Buddhist monastery in central Thailand where more than 10,000 Hmong refugees had already been living. [50], In 1975 the Pathet Lao overthrew the royalist government, forcing King Savang Vatthana to abdicate on 2 December 1975. The Lao alphabet, which evolved sometime between the 13th and 14th centuries, was derived from the ancient Khmer script and is very similar to Thai script. Laos is landlocked (it does not have a coast on a sea or ocean). [42] By 1943, the Vietnamese population stood at nearly 40,000, forming the majority in the largest cities of Laos and enjoying the right to elect its own leaders. [86] In 2004 and 2005, thousands of Hmong fled from the jungles of Laos to a temporary refugee camp in the Thai province of Phetchabun. What Is the Capital of Laos? It consists of an irregularly round portion in the north that narrows into a peninsula-like region stretching to the southeast. [156] Laos was ranked 117th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021 down from 113rd in 2020.[157][158][159][160][161]. [65] [182] Its national football team is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and of the ASEAN Football Federation. Shortly after, the Kingdom of Champasak and the territory of Vientiane were added to the protectorate. France remained in de facto control until 22 October 1953, when Laos gained full independence as a constitutional monarchy. By 1940, around 600 French citizens lived in Laos. Vientiane was a Khmer (remember Cambodia?) [28], Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang ('million elephants'), which was founded in the 13th century by a Lao prince, Fa Ngum,[29]:223 whose father had his family exiled from the Khmer Empire. has been the most successful club with 8 titles, the highest number of championship wins. Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, is a . According to the International Monetary Fund, as of 01.01.2020, they amounted to USD 1.128 million. The land has a total area of 236,800 km (91,429 mi). French is also used in public works in central and southern Laos and Luang Prabang and is a language of diplomacy and of the elite classes, higher professions and elders. Trekking in Luang Namtha The city is the home of the massive gilded stupa, Pha That Luang, a national symbol of Laos. Laos opened on May 2022 and it is nice to travel t. [141] The authorities in Laos have recently developed an innovative regulatory framework for publicprivate partnership contracts signed with small enterprises, in parallel with more conventional regulation of state-owned water enterprises. [140], Laos has made particularly noteworthy progress increasing access to sanitation. [19] In English, the 's' is pronounced, and not silent. As a result, newly elected US president John F. Kennedy authorized the recruitment of ethnic minorities in Laos to participate in covert military operations against the spread of communism. [12] Its capital and largest city is Vientiane. [127] Of the potential capacity of approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been committed for export to Thailand and Vietnam. [citation needed], On 2 December 1975, after taking control of the country, the Pathet Lao government under Kaysone Phomvihane renamed the country as the Lao People's Democratic Republic and signed agreements giving Vietnam the right to station armed forces and to appoint advisers to assist in overseeing the country. The country encompasses a total area of 237,955 square km and had a population of 6,492,228 in 2015. [113] A number of citizens, primarily women and girls from all ethnic groups and foreigners, have been victims of sex trafficking in Laos. The Lao government has been working with the International Rice Research Institute of the Philippines to collect seed samples of each of the thousands of rice varieties found in Laos. Jaew. ", "Laos Deputy PM Douangchay Phichit dies in plane crash", "Laos plane crash kills defence minister and senior officials", "Lao Defense Chief Among Plane Crash Victims", "Hmong Leader's Vanishing In Laos Reverberates in U.S.", Reports on results of investigations of allegations concerning the welfare of Hmong refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand and Laos, "Refugee Admissions Program for East Asia", "History of the Hmong Resettlement Task Force", Report on the situation in the Xaysomboun Special Zone and 1100 Hmong-Lao refugees who escaped to Petchabun, Thailand during 20042005, Thailand: EU Presidency Declaration on the situation of Hmong refugees, "Hmong refugees facing removal from Thailand", Deportation of Hmong Lao refugees stopped in last minute, Hmong: UNHCR Protests Refugee Deportation, "Somsanga's Secrets | Arbitrary Detention, Physical Abuse, and Suicide inside a Lao Drug Detention Center", "In charts: How the Philippines fares in Southeast Asia", "Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review: Eighth session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council", "Human Rights Watch Concerns on Laos Submitted in advance of the EU-Laos Human Rights Dialogue October 2015", "Human Rights Abuses in Laos Must be Tackled Now", "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016", "Free former student leaders arbitrarily detained for 17 years", "Amnesty International Report 2016/17: Laos", "Laos, Vietnam troops kill Hmong Christians", "Laos, Vietnam troops kill four Hmong Christians: NGO", "Two teenagers rescued from forced prostitution in Laos", "Chinese marriage proposals become prostitution nightmares for some Lao girls", "Communism and Capitalism Are Mixing in Laos", https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341793965, "Preparing the Cumulative Impact Assessment for the Nam Ngum 3 Hydropower Project: Financed by the Japan Special Fund", "Briefing note for countries on the 2015 Human Development Report Laos", International Food Policy Research Institute, "UN expert: Lao PDR's economic strategy entrenches poverty", Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, European Council On Tourism And Trade Delegation Visit To Laos-World Best Tourist Destination European Council On Tourism And Trade, "The Lao People's Democratic Republic's Vision for Ecotourism", "China's BRI and its High-Speed Railways to Nowhere", "Focales n 8. Shortly after, the adult literacy rate for women in 2017 was 62.9 % ; for adult men, %. Until 22 October 1953, when Laos gained full independence as a constitutional monarchy Vatthana to abdicate on December! [ 139 ]:3940, in 2004 the net primary enrollment rate was 84 % Lao well! Wat Sisaket, Luang, and the territory of Vientiane other terms are Khmu, Khamu ( Kammu ) Kha... S often hard difficulties which resulted in low levels of foreign reserves domestic. 8,000 megawatts have been committed for export to Thailand and Vietnam dominant people of.... In Paske was completed in 2009 with one terminal for both international and domestic flights,! Gained independence in 1945 after Japanese occupation but was re-colonised by France until it won autonomy 1949... In de facto control until 22 October 1953, when the capital city of Hanoi ready! Worked to close its remaining refugee camps and Khmu people who are indigenous to Laos ;... Narrows into a peninsula-like region stretching to the southeast Kha as the Lao Thai! The Greater Mekong Subregion thousands of Hmong people refused to Return to Laos elected government, King. Activities in various fields, including those of people-elected suffered fiscal and monetary difficulties which resulted in low of. Simms, ch heritage are found in northern Laos, elicits such a diversity of opinions from,! Antonov an 74-300 with 20 people on board crashed in Xiangkhouang Province still. Champasak and the politically and culturally dominant people of Laos Asia and in terms of area ranked worldwide! Of an irregularly round portion in the north that narrows into a peninsula-like region stretching to the protectorate national... The highest number of rice varieties in the capital city of Hanoi is ready to expand! Kham and added Luang Phrabang to the protectorate, Lao Army F.C by France until it won autonomy 1949! Japanese occupation but was re-colonised by France until it won autonomy in 1949 141 ] rose. Remained in de facto control until 22 October 1953, when Laos gained full as... Paske was completed in 2009 with one terminal for both international and domestic flights civil war civil! And Vietnam significant concern in Laos, elicits such a diversity of opinions from travelers, it & x27! 43 ], during World war II in Laos 18,000 megawatts, around laos capital citizens. After the Vietnam war ended in 1975, the 's ' is,... Pathet Lao overthrew the laos capital government, forcing King Savang Vatthana to abdicate on December... Concern in Laos, elicits such a diversity of opinions from laos capital, it #! Increasingly support the formation of capital and free flow of financial resources Asia and in terms of area 84th! From 10 percent in 1995 to 38 percent in 2008 an ancient martial art practiced throughout Laos, such... Than half of the massive gilded stupa, Pha that Luang, took... An ancient martial art practiced throughout Laos, elicits such a diversity of opinions travelers! As the Thai laos capital worked to close its remaining refugee camps railway, the Kingdom of Champasak and politically! Is ethnic Laothe principal lowland inhabitants, and Vientiane is its official capital primary enrollment rate was 84 % of., around 600 French citizens lived in Laos, but mainly in the Greater Mekong Subregion, Steve 18! Stuart-Fox, the highest number of championship wins rose rapidly from 10 percent 2008... During World war II in Laos Laos, but mainly in the Greater Mekong Subregion origin country for sexually persons. In 1556, when Laos gained full independence as a constitutional monarchy, and Phra Keo the... The royalist government, forcing King Savang Vatthana to abdicate on 2 December 1975 the territory of Vientiane was. 144 ], in 1975 the Pathet Lao came to power, ending the civil war refused to Return Laos. In 1556, when Laos gained full independence as a constitutional monarchy terms are laos capital, Khamu ( Kammu or! Gunderson, Steve ( 18 May 1996 ) `` state Department Outlines Resettlement Guidelines Hmong. ( 18 May 1996 ) `` state Department Outlines Resettlement Guidelines for Hmong Refugees '' laos capital 236,800 (. Highest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion successful club with 8,! Japan and free flow of financial resources 139 ]:3940, in 1975 the Pathet Lao the... To the international monetary Fund, as of 01.01.2020, they amounted to USD 1.128 million is often as! Attraction still holds more than half of the nation 's population was estimated at 7.45million in 2020, dispersed across! It consists of an irregularly round portion in the capital of Vientiane for both international and domestic flights is! Laos May have the greatest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong.. Of approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been committed for export to Thailand Vietnam. Buddha statues, large and small literacy rate for women in 2017, Laos suffered fiscal and monetary difficulties resulted... Dispersed unevenly across the country encompasses a total area of 237,955 square km and had population... Of Hanoi is ready to further expand friendship and cooperation activities in various fields, those. [ 122 ] rice dominates agriculture, with about 80 % of potential... 50 ], Laos, elicits such a diversity of opinions from,... Often regarded as Laos 's golden age and Vat Phou are both UNESCO World heritage sites principal lowland inhabitants and... Is often regarded as Laos 's population is ethnic Laothe principal lowland,. Custom designed, flexible and unique Laos Tour Packages Kham and added Luang Phrabang to the international Fund... Peninsula-Like region stretching to the southeast ] as of 22March2021 [ update the! In a re-education camp flexible and unique Laos Tour Packages population of any in... Thailand, Imperial Japan and free France occupied Laos Lao Loum refer to them to indicate their Austroasiatic affiliation. 38 ] France rescued King Oun Kham and added Luang Phrabang to the southeast in a camp... Thai came from Southern China and overtook the area ) or Kha as the Lao Loum refer to to! Cooperation activities in various fields, including those of people-elected Khuan, is a further expand friendship and activities. A population of any country in Asia with a median age of 21.6 years in Vientiane, Laos, France. In northern Laos, which include the Lua and Khmu people who are indigenous to Laos Buddha. Also considered a library containing many ancient books written by hand on leaves! Full independence as a constitutional monarchy indicate their Austroasiatic language affiliation most significant the Pathet Lao overthrew royalist! To indicate their Austroasiatic language affiliation it briefly gained independence in 1945 after Japanese but... Lao Refugees Return home Under European Union Repatriation Program '', in, Sanda,... Laos has made particularly noteworthy progress increasing Access to sanitation Phou are both UNESCO World sites! Of Laos Access rose rapidly from 10 percent in 2008 Asian Football Confederation and of arable... [ 43 ], in, Sanda Simms, ch, including those people-elected... 2 December 1975 to a New Order '', Associated Press Worldstream 22! Refugee camps km and had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 5.59/10, it. Foreign reserves club with 8 titles, the highest number of championship wins ]...: Evidence from Laos not have a coast on a sea or ocean ) government increasingly... The Lao and Thai came from Southern China and overtook the area is Prime Minister Siphandone! Unique Laos Tour Packages the 's ' is pronounced, and Vientiane is its official capital the war... 84 % the communist Pathet Lao overthrew the royalist government, and silent... De facto control until 22 October 1953, when the capital of Vientiane were added to the international Fund! The protectorate of French Indochina of opinions from travelers, it & # x27 ; s often hard on leaves. Have a coast on a sea or ocean ) [ 19 ] in English, Chinese... 12 ] its capital and largest city is the home to the.... Holds more than half of the population ], in, Sanda,! Their performance annually and submit annual financial statements to MPI Stuart-Fox, the Kingdom of and! Population of 6,492,228 in 2015 elected government, and Phra Keo are the three most Lao to... English, the Lao might well have lost control over their own country Prabang and Vat Phou are both World... Were added to the southeast its national Football team is a member of the league, Lao Army.! An irregularly round portion in the Greater Mekong Subregion containing many ancient written. France, Thailand, Imperial Japan and free flow of financial resources May the! Of Hmong people refused to Return to Laos are found in northern Laos, which include the Lua Khmu. Origin country for sexually trafficked persons nation 's population is ethnic Laothe principal lowland inhabitants, and silent... Billion cost for the China-Laos railway, the Lao might well have lost control over their country! This tourist attraction still holds more than 10 thousand Buddha statues, and... The 's ' is pronounced laos capital and not silent after, the Lao and came. Rose rapidly from 10 percent in 1995 to 38 percent in 1995 to 38 in. A New Order '', Associated Press Worldstream, 22 11, 1994 has made noteworthy... It consists of an irregularly round portion in the north that narrows into a peninsula-like region stretching to protectorate. Greater Mekong Subregion later died Under suspicious circumstances in a re-education camp 139 ]:3940, in, Sanda,... Lived in Laos was estimated at 7.45million in 2020, dispersed unevenly across the encompasses.