Your Best Laos Information
-- Get Interesting Laos Facts

"The Land of Hope"

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Laos Information

In this article you`ll find:



Welcome to Laos! ;-)

Here's some interesting laos information for you:

  • Laos shares it borders with Thailand, Cambodia, China, Burma and Vietnam, and is one of the few remaining communist states in the world

  • Laos is sadly one of the largest producers of opium and cannabis…

    The price of opium per kilo in Laos was 1,227 dollars in 2008, and it's still rising! But Afghanistan is still number one producer of opium in the world.

    Click here to share a tip, review or story about Laos!

  • Did you know that the Americans trained and recruited the indigenous people of Hmong during the Vietnam war?

    -- This is one of the reasons as to why many Hmong people are continuing to flee as refugees to Thailand.

  • The "Plain of Jars" in the north are estimated to be 2000 years old, and the heaviest jar weighs 6 tons!

  • Poverty

    27 % of the Lao population is living under poverty line (A survey by Lao National Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction conducted in 2007-2008) while 25 % of India's population is living under the poverty line (2007-CIA Factbook) -- in other words:

    Laos is considered to be one of East Asia's poorest countries and is dependent on donations from abroad.

Practical Laos facts:

The capital of Laos: Vientiane

Currency: Kip

I felt like a millionaire when I took out 1.600.000 Kip from the ATM, but it only equals about 200 US dollars. Haha.

Official language: Lao

Largest religion: Buddhism

Why should you visit Laos?

  • Laos is still unexplored in the eyes of a backpacker!

    The last couple of years, more and more backpackers have laid their eyes on Laos. There are tourists visiting the country, but not as much as Thailand for example. This is your golden opportunity to go off the beaten track!

  • Backpacking in Laos is cheap!

    You can get meals as low as 1000 Kip (= less than a dollar), and cheap accommodation as well!

  • The people of Laos are so humble and kind in approach!

    Meeting the locals is definitely a highlight when backpacking to Laos. As with the Cambodians, the Lao people have gone through a lot -- war is just one of the things!

  • The beautiful nature in the north will blow you away!

  • Go tubing in Vang Vieng and float on Nam Song River!

  • Go and look for the rare Irrawaddy dolphins in one of world's largest rivers -- the Mekong! Maybe you even catch a glimpse of the giant catfish or the freshwater stingrays!

  • Visit the 4000 Islands in the south and witness the beauty of the waterfalls!

  • Explore the Bolaven Plateau in Southern Laos and meet the exciting ethnic groups of Mon-Khmer and Alak!



laos information ethnic groups hmong children facts refugees

Laos Culture

Get to know the social customs for Laos before you leave!

Here you will get tips on how to behave when meeting the locals, eating etiquette and much much more!

Here's everything you need to know about the Laos Culture -- Your Best Laotian Information



hmong people hmong culture laos information ethnic groups hmong man facts refugees

Hmong People

Heard about the Hmong people?

Here's a understandable guide to who they are, their most important customs, religious beliefs, how they celebrate New Year, and most importantly -- why they're still at war!

Come here and get to know the Hmong People! ;-)

Share Your Tips, Reviews and Stories
about Laos

Laos Recommendations and Stories

Did you enjoy your travels in Laos? Got any recommendations for which places to visit? Tips on where to sleep? A good Laotian restaurant you liked?

Or maybe you own a guesthouse in Laos and want to promote it?

Share your story, tip or review right here! We'd love to hear about it!

PS: I reserve the right to delete a submission if it's not original, or if it's too short.

By original I mean the content is NOT copied from another website.

Any submission below 10 sentences will be deleted.

Enter Your Title

See Other Stories and Recommendations

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

A Day in Huay Xai, Northern Laos  Not rated yet
While I staying for the night in Huay Xai, I found out there was nothing much to do in Huay Xai. Most travelers use this place as a pit-stop for the 2-...

Traveling from Pai Thailand to Huay Xai in Laos by minivan  Not rated yet
Most backpackers choose packages to get from Pai/Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang in north Laos. The package price differs from company to company. When I traveled ...

Jumbo Guesthouse, Hongsa, Sayaboury Laos  Not rated yet
Jumbo guesthouse is located in Hongsa, Sayaboury Province in north Laos. Get off the beaten track in Hongsa where you can meet the elephants and take tours ...

You're done with Laos Information, where do you want to go next?

Visiting the capital of Laos -- Vientiane?

Luang Prabang Laos -- the loveliest town in Laos

Heard about Don Det and the 4000 islands?

Click here to read about Pakse and the Bolaven Plateau.

Go tubing and caving in Vang Vieng

Leave Laos Information and Return to Backpacking Tips Asia Homepage.

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