Laos

Country Laos
Capital Vientiane
Continent Asia
Currency Kip(LAK)
Languages Lao

Vientiane

Information

Introduction

Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1988. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997.

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References

Laos - Wikipedia
Laos - CIA World Fact Book
Laos - BBC
Laos - National Geographic
Laos - Timeline - BBC

Cities

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News Headlines

Google News
Mastercard Appoints Sharad Jain as Country Manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos - mastercard.comMastercard Appoints Sharad Jain as Country Manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos  mastercard.com

Laos Launches Historic Gold Festival as Nation Eyes Asian Precious Metals Dominance - Nation ThailandLaos Launches Historic Gold Festival as Nation Eyes Asian Precious Metals Dominance  Nation Thailand

Laos to Boost Digital Skills with USD 9.9 million Support from South Korea - Laotian TimesLaos to Boost Digital Skills with USD 9.9 million Support from South Korea  Laotian Times

ADB approves 41 mln USD financing package to boost Laos' health care - China.org.cnADB approves 41 mln USD financing package to boost Laos' health care  China.org.cn

ADB Boosts Resilient Primary Care in Lao PDR - India Education DiaryADB Boosts Resilient Primary Care in Lao PDR  India Education Diary

Beijing Drives New Rail Bridge Linking Thailand – Laos with China - The China-Global South ProjectBeijing Drives New Rail Bridge Linking Thailand – Laos with China  The China-Global South Project

China-Laos railway moves 150,000 tons of durian - FreshPlazaChina-Laos railway moves 150,000 tons of durian  FreshPlaza

Laos: New Initiatives To Address Flooding - Asia Media CentreLaos: New Initiatives To Address Flooding  Asia Media Centre

Digital 2025: Laos - DataReportal – Global Digital InsightsDigital 2025: Laos  DataReportal – Global Digital Insights

Household Welfare Monitoring in the Lao PDR - World BankHousehold Welfare Monitoring in the Lao PDR  World Bank

Laos travel - Lonely PlanetLaos travel  Lonely Planet

??Validation agreement with Laos takes effect? - epo.org??Validation agreement with Laos takes effect?  epo.org

Laos, UNDP launch climate, sustainable finance hub to drive LDC graduation - Asia News NetworkLaos, UNDP launch climate, sustainable finance hub to drive LDC graduation  Asia News Network

The temporally cumulative effects of hydropower development in northern Laos: Insights from the Nam Ou Basin - ScienceDirect.comThe temporally cumulative effects of hydropower development in northern Laos: Insights from the Nam Ou Basin  ScienceDirect.com

Wang Yi Meets with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane - fmprc.gov.cnWang Yi Meets with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane  fmprc.gov.cn

Laos is ‘on track to graduate from least developed country status’: UN Assistant Secretary-General - Nation ThailandLaos is ‘on track to graduate from least developed country status’: UN Assistant Secretary-General  Nation Thailand

One in Three Girls in Laos Married Before 18, UNICEF Reports - Laotian TimesOne in Three Girls in Laos Married Before 18, UNICEF Reports  Laotian Times

Laos Reaffirms Interest in Joining BRICS, Deepens Ties with Russia - Laotian TimesLaos Reaffirms Interest in Joining BRICS, Deepens Ties with Russia  Laotian Times

Laos Fuel Price Fluctuations Hit Commuters, Families, Delivery Workers - Laotian TimesLaos Fuel Price Fluctuations Hit Commuters, Families, Delivery Workers  Laotian Times

World Suicide Prevention Day: Lao Expert Urges Early Support as Challenges Remain - Laotian TimesWorld Suicide Prevention Day: Lao Expert Urges Early Support as Challenges Remain  Laotian Times

Laos Wind Farm Begins Power Exports to Vietnam in Regional First - CleanTechnicaLaos Wind Farm Begins Power Exports to Vietnam in Regional First  CleanTechnica

Thailand’s Meteoric Rise In Tourism Outshines Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia And Laos Reaching New Heights As One Of The Fastest-Growing International Destinations - Travel And Tour WorldThailand’s Meteoric Rise In Tourism Outshines Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia And Laos Reaching New Heights As One Of The Fastest-Growing International Destinations  Travel And Tour World

Heading to Laos? Here’s Why a Booming New Immigration Form Is Now Non-Negotiable And What Happens If You Skip It - Travel And Tour WorldHeading to Laos? Here’s Why a Booming New Immigration Form Is Now Non-Negotiable And What Happens If You Skip It  Travel And Tour World

Indian Embassy rescue 67 trafficked Indians from cyber-scam centres in Laos - The HinduIndian Embassy rescue 67 trafficked Indians from cyber-scam centres in Laos  The Hindu

Acting Foreign Minister holds phone talks with Lao Foreign Minister - vietnamnews.vnActing Foreign Minister holds phone talks with Lao Foreign Minister  vietnamnews.vn

Chinese FM meets Lao FM - English.gov.cnChinese FM meets Lao FM  English.gov.cn

Lao Government Honors Xayabouly Power with Medal - Laotian TimesLao Government Honors Xayabouly Power with Medal  Laotian Times

Lao PDR, Australia, and ESCAP Launch LIFT 4 Laos to Boost Investment and Economic Resilience - ESCAPLao PDR, Australia, and ESCAP Launch LIFT 4 Laos to Boost Investment and Economic Resilience  ESCAP

WFP Lao PDR Country Brief, August 2025 - ReliefWebWFP Lao PDR Country Brief, August 2025  ReliefWeb

Laos Grants Land to South Korea for Tourism Project in Phonhong - Laotian TimesLaos Grants Land to South Korea for Tourism Project in Phonhong  Laotian Times

US Orders Release of Lao Refugee Facing Deportation - Laotian TimesUS Orders Release of Lao Refugee Facing Deportation  Laotian Times

Laos Is The Latest Budget-Friendly Destination Indians Will Love - NDTVLaos Is The Latest Budget-Friendly Destination Indians Will Love  NDTV

Biometrics rise in policing as Laos launches digital IDs - CoinGeekBiometrics rise in policing as Laos launches digital IDs  CoinGeek

UN Rights Review of Laos Spotlights Lack of Progress - Human Rights WatchUN Rights Review of Laos Spotlights Lack of Progress  Human Rights Watch

An inside view of the Laos cybercrime hub - The HinduAn inside view of the Laos cybercrime hub  The Hindu

Can tourism help Laos escape poverty? - DWCan tourism help Laos escape poverty?  DW

Laos: destroying explosives, creating jobs - The HALO TrustLaos: destroying explosives, creating jobs  The HALO Trust

My night on the new sleeper train linking Thailand and Laos — for just £20 - The TimesMy night on the new sleeper train linking Thailand and Laos — for just £20  The Times

China Backs Malaysia’s BRICS Bid, Laos Reiterates Interest - The China-Global South ProjectChina Backs Malaysia’s BRICS Bid, Laos Reiterates Interest  The China-Global South Project

China-Laos Railway driving Laos' growth, transforming livelihoods - XinhuaChina-Laos Railway driving Laos' growth, transforming livelihoods  Xinhua

Impact of US funding cuts on HIV programmes in Lao PDR - UNAIDSImpact of US funding cuts on HIV programmes in Lao PDR  UNAIDS

Norwegian People’s Aid finds nearly 500 unexploded bombs in Laos coffee plantation - ScandasiaNorwegian People’s Aid finds nearly 500 unexploded bombs in Laos coffee plantation  Scandasia

Methanol poisoning: Man saw kaleidoscopic light before going blind - BBCMethanol poisoning: Man saw kaleidoscopic light before going blind  BBC

Thailand shuts scenic viewing spot after Laos clashes - Times of IndiaThailand shuts scenic viewing spot after Laos clashes  Times of India

Thailand, Laos and China advance Nong Khai–Vientiane rail bridge - Nation ThailandThailand, Laos and China advance Nong Khai–Vientiane rail bridge  Nation Thailand

Real-Time Air Monitoring Launches in Schools - UnicefReal-Time Air Monitoring Launches in Schools  Unicef

Japan-Laos Summit Meeting and Working Dinner - mofa.go.jpJapan-Laos Summit Meeting and Working Dinner  mofa.go.jp

Laos risks lost decade unless China provides debt relief - Lowy InstituteLaos risks lost decade unless China provides debt relief  Lowy Institute

Lao People's Democratic Republic - UNHCR - The UN Refugee AgencyLao People's Democratic Republic  UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency

'Good karma': Laos' new monk-led travel experiences - BBC'Good karma': Laos' new monk-led travel experiences  BBC

Laos signs nuclear cooperation roadmap - Nuclear Engineering InternationalLaos signs nuclear cooperation roadmap  Nuclear Engineering International

Wang Yi Holds Talks with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane - mfa.gov.cnWang Yi Holds Talks with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane  mfa.gov.cn

Abused, exploited: How two Africans became trapped in a cyber-scam in Laos - Al JazeeraAbused, exploited: How two Africans became trapped in a cyber-scam in Laos  Al Jazeera

Strengthening China-Laos Relations: Strategic Cooperation and Development Initiatives - China BriefingStrengthening China-Laos Relations: Strategic Cooperation and Development Initiatives  China Briefing

Acting FM holds phone talks with Lao FM - Nhan Dan OnlineActing FM holds phone talks with Lao FM  Nhan Dan Online

Laos: Seminar for armed forces reaffirms importance of humanitarian law - ICRC | International Committee of the Red CrossLaos: Seminar for armed forces reaffirms importance of humanitarian law  ICRC | International Committee of the Red Cross

In Laos, USAID Freeze Hampers Vital Bomb Removal Efforts - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineIn Laos, USAID Freeze Hampers Vital Bomb Removal Efforts  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

EU Deforestation Regulation – EU declares Laos “low risk” - EEASEU Deforestation Regulation – EU declares Laos “low risk”  EEAS

Trapped in debt: China’s role in Laos’ economic crisis - Lowy InstituteTrapped in debt: China’s role in Laos’ economic crisis  Lowy Institute

Putin says Russia-Laos trade rose by 66% in 2024 - Anadolu AjansiPutin says Russia-Laos trade rose by 66% in 2024  Anadolu Ajansi

Laos introduces digital immigration form for foreign travelers - ScandasiaLaos introduces digital immigration form for foreign travelers  Scandasia

Acting FM holds phone talks with Lao FM - Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)Acting FM holds phone talks with Lao FM  Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)

ASIA/LAOS - New minor Seminary in Vientiane named after Carlo Acutis - Agenzia FidesASIA/LAOS - New minor Seminary in Vientiane named after Carlo Acutis  Agenzia Fides

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos - European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid OperationsVietnam, Cambodia, and Laos  European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

Speaking the common language of media: Reflections from the Laos Digital Dialogue - Australian Broadcasting CorporationSpeaking the common language of media: Reflections from the Laos Digital Dialogue  Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Lao Economic Monitor, May 2025 - Weathering Risks: Key Findings - World BankLao Economic Monitor, May 2025 - Weathering Risks: Key Findings  World Bank

La Résidence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang - Hospitality NetLa Résidence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang  Hospitality Net

Lao President Thongloun Wraps Up China Visit with Focus on Friendship, Future Cooperation - Laotian TimesLao President Thongloun Wraps Up China Visit with Focus on Friendship, Future Cooperation  Laotian Times

Laos named Southeast Asia’s top budget travel destination - IntelliNewsLaos named Southeast Asia’s top budget travel destination  IntelliNews

Laos Expresses Interest To Join BRICS - CryptoRankLaos Expresses Interest To Join BRICS  CryptoRank

Now Russia Joins China, Malaysia, India, South Korea, Japan, UK, US, Taiwan, Laos Leading Thailand Tourism Despite Drop in Arrivals and Revenue in 2025 - Travel And Tour WorldNow Russia Joins China, Malaysia, India, South Korea, Japan, UK, US, Taiwan, Laos Leading Thailand Tourism Despite Drop in Arrivals and Revenue in 2025  Travel And Tour World

Laos hostel linked to methanol deaths set to reopen - BBCLaos hostel linked to methanol deaths set to reopen  BBC

European Union announces new €45 million new package of Global Gateway assistance for Lao PDR - EEASEuropean Union announces new €45 million new package of Global Gateway assistance for Lao PDR  EEAS

Can Laos become a potash powerhouse and realize its resource ambitions? - GIS ReportsCan Laos become a potash powerhouse and realize its resource ambitions?  GIS Reports

Why Are Lao Troops Heading to Russia? The Forgotten Cold War Alliance - UNITED24 MediaWhy Are Lao Troops Heading to Russia? The Forgotten Cold War Alliance  UNITED24 Media

PM Modi leaves for home after ‘productive’ two-day visit to Laos - The HinduPM Modi leaves for home after ‘productive’ two-day visit to Laos  The Hindu

Laos Marks World Breastfeeding Week 2025 with Renewed Commitment to Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers - UnicefLaos Marks World Breastfeeding Week 2025 with Renewed Commitment to Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers  Unicef

Large-scale illegal wildlife shops in Laos found scamming Chinese tourists - MongabayLarge-scale illegal wildlife shops in Laos found scamming Chinese tourists  Mongabay

PM Modi arrives in Laos to attend India-ASEAN, East Asia summits - The HinduPM Modi arrives in Laos to attend India-ASEAN, East Asia summits  The Hindu

Multi-hazard early warning systems in Lao PDR - UNDRRMulti-hazard early warning systems in Lao PDR  UNDRR

Laos set to join North Korea in supporting Russia’s invasion, says Ukraine - NK NewsLaos set to join North Korea in supporting Russia’s invasion, says Ukraine  NK News

VNA marking 80 years as regional reliable strategic new source: Lao counterpart - Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)VNA marking 80 years as regional reliable strategic new source: Lao counterpart  Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)

Review: Evita. LAOS. Loughborough Town Hall. - East Midlands Theatre.Review: Evita. LAOS. Loughborough Town Hall.  East Midlands Theatre.

Ambassadors promote Vietnamese language in Laos - VOVAmbassadors promote Vietnamese language in Laos  VOV

US Aid Cuts and Travel Ban Will Impact Laos - fulcrum.sgUS Aid Cuts and Travel Ban Will Impact Laos  fulcrum.sg

LAK40 Bolaven Coffee and Paksong Tea produced in Laos - World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)LAK40 Bolaven Coffee and Paksong Tea produced in Laos  World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Japan-Laos Summit Meeting - mofa.go.jpJapan-Laos Summit Meeting  mofa.go.jp

Sanakham Dam Sparks Fear and Anguish Along the Thai-Lao Border - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineSanakham Dam Sparks Fear and Anguish Along the Thai-Lao Border  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

Laos Grows Up, but US Aid Cuts Are Hurting Its De-Mining Work - PassBlueLaos Grows Up, but US Aid Cuts Are Hurting Its De-Mining Work  PassBlue

Laos' challenging development path - East Asia ForumLaos' challenging development path  East Asia Forum

The rise and fall of Vang Vieng, Laos' notorious party town - BBCThe rise and fall of Vang Vieng, Laos' notorious party town  BBC

Fourth UK-Laos Political Dialogue: FCDO statement - GOV.UKFourth UK-Laos Political Dialogue: FCDO statement  GOV.UK

Laos: Life expectancy at birth from 2013 to 2023, by gender - StatistaLaos: Life expectancy at birth from 2013 to 2023, by gender  Statista

India Emerges as ASEAN’s Hedging Bet Against China at Laos Summit - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineIndia Emerges as ASEAN’s Hedging Bet Against China at Laos Summit  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

Lao PDR: Growth Recovery Gains Ground; Reforms Key to Sustaining Stability - ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research OfficeLao PDR: Growth Recovery Gains Ground; Reforms Key to Sustaining Stability  ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office

Did Laos intend to send troops to Ukraine to back Russia? - South China Morning PostDid Laos intend to send troops to Ukraine to back Russia?  South China Morning Post

Laos denies reports on border clash with Cambodian forces - XinhuaLaos denies reports on border clash with Cambodian forces  Xinhua

No sea, no sweat: Dry ports turn landlocked Laos into land corridor, eye trade to Middle East, Europe - The Business TimesNo sea, no sweat: Dry ports turn landlocked Laos into land corridor, eye trade to Middle East, Europe  The Business Times

Xi meets Lao president - Global TimesXi meets Lao president  Global Times

Lao Social Indicator Survey III (LSIS III) - UnicefLao Social Indicator Survey III (LSIS III)  Unicef