Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is the antithesis of a bustling capital like London. All newspapers are published by the government, including two foreign language papers: the English-language daily Vientiane Times and the French-language weekly Le Rnovateur. [122] Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80% of the arable land area used for growing rice. Government policies are determined by the party through the eleven-member Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the 61-member Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. More than a century later, the kingdom was replaced by the Kingdom of Vientiane in 1707. [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. [178] Polygamy, however, is still customary among some Hmong people. [85] Several thousand Hmong people, fearing forced repatriation to Laos if they were not accepted for resettlement in the United States, fled the camp to live elsewhere within Thailand where a sizeable Hmong population has been present since the 19th century. [145] The Lao belong to the Tai linguistic group[146] who began migrating south from China in the first millennium CE. Its international borders were closed except to trucks carrying goods and in cases allowed by the nation's COVID . Hanoi shares experience with Lao NA delegation. [179] Only 3.5% of women and 2.1% of men between the ages of 1549 were in a polygamous union as of 2017. [84] Following threats of forcible removal by the Thai government, the United States, in a significant victory for the Hmong, agreed to accept 15,000 of the refugees in 2003. [104], In October 1999, 30 young people were arrested for attempting to display posters calling for peaceful economic, political and social change in Laos. CIA agent Bill Lair met with the young Hmong military . Laos Local Tour Company offers Laos tours, tailor made vacation packages travel services. 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. Browse 13,220 laos capital stock photos and images available, or search for laos culture or thailand to find more great stock photos and pictures. A Siamese military campaign in Laos in 1876 was described by a British observer as having been "transformed into slave-hunting raids on a large scale".[37]. 6, "Seventy Years of Anarchy", in. [89], The European Union,[90] UNHCHR, and international groups have since spoken out about the forced repatriation. "Muay" comes from the Sanskrit term meaning "to box" but is generally used to describe the unarmed martial art found throughout Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. In 2017, Laos suffered fiscal and monetary difficulties which resulted in low levels of foreign reserves. [46], Male life expectancy at birth was at 62.6 years and female life expectancy was at 66.7 years in 2017. He has been General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, a position making him the de facto leader of Laos, since January 2021. provided 70% of the funding for a $5.9 billion, 400-km railway line between the Chinese border and the capital Vientiane, which opened for operations in December 2021. The proto-historic period is characterised by contact with Chinese and Indian civilisations. Capital: Vientiane. Nearly three-quarters of Laos is covered in mountains and forested hills that are too steep to live on. Residents of the capital Vientiane are barred from leaving the city and outsiders must get permission to enter. These include the Presidential Palace and the National Assembly of Laos. The first Lao kingdom, called Lan Xang or "land of the million elephants," was founded by Fa Ngum in 1353. It was built in 1556, when the capital was moved from Luang Prabang to Vientiene, and took 6 years to complete. Vientiane Capital, the capital city of Lao PDR, is a small, relaxed city, located in the central of Laos. A coup d'tat in 1960 in the Lao capital, Vientiane, deepened the country's political instability. Origins of the Lao Kingdom. Compared to the hectic, bustling capitals in other South . It has failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup or the AFC Asian Cup, but has participated in minor competitions like the AFC Solidarity Cup and the AFF Championship. The politically and culturally dominant Lao people make up 53.2% of the population, mostly in the lowlands. Laos is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia. [47] Between 1964 and 1973, the US dropped two million tons of bombs on Laos, nearly equal to the 2.1million tons of bombs the US dropped on Europe and Asia during all of World War II, making Laos the most heavily bombed country in history relative to the size of its population; The New York Times notes this was "nearly a ton for every person in Laos". [47] As of 22March2021[update] the head of state is President Thongloun Sisoulith. [128] As of 2021, despite cheap hydro power available in the country, Laos continues to also rely on fossil fuels, coal in particular, in the domestic electricity production. The Pha That Luang Temple in Vientiane, Laos. settlement scattered around a Hindu temple. Vientiane authorities have pledged to carry out 30 large-scale development projects from now until 2025 in a bid to accelerate the Lao capital's economic growth. It is a political term that includes the non-ethnic Lao groups within Laos and identifies them as "Laotian" because of their political citizenship. Vientiane, Laos might seem sleepy and languid by Southeast Asia standards, but the Lao PDR capital might surprise you with its diversity of cuisine, quirky sights, friendly locals, and infectious sabai-sabai attitude. These dishes always contain chili peppers, and usually some type of grilled vegetable, giving them a distinct smoky flavor, and sometimes fermented fish. Other Buddhist holy places are Wat Ong . Ninety-three percent of households have a telephone, either fixed line or mobile. [72], On 17 May 2014, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Douangchay Phichit was killed in a plane crash, along with other top ranking officials. Wat Sisaket, Luang, and Phra Keo are the three most . Fa Ngum, with 10,000 Khmer troops, conquered many Lao principalities in the Mekong river basin, culminating in the capture of Vientiane. [47][46], In 1968, the PAVN launched a multi-division attack to help the Pathet Lao fight the RLA. [110][111], Human rights advocates including Vang Pobzeb, Kerry and Kay Danes, and others have also raised concerns about human rights violations, torture, the arrest and detention of political prisoners as well as the detention of foreign prisoners in Laos including at the infamous Phonthong Prison in Vientiane. Life expectancy 65 years (men), 68 years (women) Currency kip . [citation needed], The Lao government controls all media channels to prevent critique of its actions. Laos opened on May 2022 and it is nice to travel t. . Currently unexploded ordnance (UXO), including cluster munitions and mines, kill or maim approximately 50 Laotians every year. Lao People's Democratic Republic or Laos (), is a country in southeast Asia. When Fa Ngum was a baby, his grandfather, the reigning king, expelled Fa Ngum's father . [95], Human rights violations remain a significant concern in Laos. Getty Images offers exclusive rights-ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and 4K video of the highest quality. At the heart of the Indochinese Peninsula, Laos is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest. Calculating U.S. SE Asia. 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". Additionally, the Khao San Pathet Lao, the country's official news agency, publishes English and French versions of its eponymous paper. [35] Anouvong was taken to Bangkok as a prisoner, where he died. [155] The National University of Laos is the Lao state's public university. Asia. Vientiane is located at 17.9757, 102.6331, at an elevation of 570 ft. Laos has nine daily newspapers, 90 magazines, 43 radio stations, and 32 TV stations operating throughout the country. Pakxe has also experienced growth based on cross-border trade with Thailand and Vietnam. The main investor is Thailand. [139]:19, The martial art of muay Lao, the national sport,[180] is a form of kickboxing similar to Thailand's muay Thai, Burmese Lethwei and Cambodian Pradal Serey. Vientiane became one of the most important settlements in the kingdom, and in 1563 it became the kingdom's capital. There are two plateaux, the Xiangkhoang in the north and the Bolaven Plateau at the southern end. In 1996 as the deadline for the closure of Thai refugee camps approached, and under mounting political pressure, the United States agreed to resettle Hmong refugees who passed a new screening process. All these changes were partly due to the inflow of foreign capital into the Lao economy in the form of direct investment. The Capital City of Laos (officially named Lao People's Democratic Republic) is the city of Vientiane.The population of Vientiane in the year 2007 was 6,521,998. This article is about the country in Southeast Asia. Area 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles) Major languages Lao, French. They were to have been released by October 2009, but their whereabouts remain unknown. A man who lost land and property to the Laos-China railway project near the capital said he has yet to receive any promised money. [175] Lao citizens who have criticised the government have been subjected to enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and torture. Laosul i are originile n Imperiul Lan Xang ce a existat ntre secolele XIV i XVIII.. Dup o perioad de apartenen la Imperiul Colonial . and Yurnaidi, Z., 2020. [45] The Japanese attempted to force Sisavang Vong (the King of Luang Phrabang) to declare Laotian independence, but on 8 April he instead simply declared an end to Laos's status as a French protectorate. Bangkok - Hanoi - Laos by Air 9 nights from $1,615*. [94] Plans to resettle additional Hmong refugees in the United States were stalled by provisions of President George W. Bush's Patriot Act and Real ID Act, under which Hmong veterans of the Secret War, who fought on the side of the United States, are classified as terrorists because of their historical involvement in armed conflict. Subsistence agriculture still accounts for half of the GDP and provides 80% of employment. When he died without an heir, the kingdom split into three principalities. Life expectancy 65 years (men), 68 years (women) Currency kip . Of the 2,908,440 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX. Pakse. ", "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. Capital: Vientiane. Additionally, many elite and French-educated Lao immigrated to nations such as the United States and France to escape government persecution. In 1977, a communist newspaper promised the party would hunt down the "American collaborators" and their families "to the last root". Vientiane Capital is the home to the most significant national monument in Laos: That Luang (Great Stupa), which is the symbol of Lao and an icon of Buddhism in Laos. In 2009, despite the fact that the government is still officially communist, the Obama administration in the US declared Laos was no longer a MarxistLeninist state and lifted bans on Laotian companies receiving financing from the US Export-Import Bank.[117][118]. 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? [156] Laos was ranked 117th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021 down from 113rd in 2020.[157][158][159][160][161]. Major religion Buddhism. [181], Association football is the most popular sport in Laos. "Last month, they the authorities told us they're going to . Lao People's Democratic Republic", Asian Migrations: Social and Geographical Mobilities in Southeast, East, and Northeast Asia, "Release of the Global Innovation Index 2020: Who Will Finance Innovation? The capital city of Hanoi is ready to further expand friendship and cooperation activities in various fields, including those of people-elected . Laos is now an independent country with an elected government, and Vientiane is its official capital. One of the most problematic economic sectors in Laos is transport. Laos is a part of the Southeast Asian region. In 2010, one in every 11 jobs was in the tourism sector. By 1940, around 600 French citizens lived in Laos. Moreover, 130,000 deaths can be attributed to the civil war. Lao Theung constitute about 30% of the population. ", Barclay, Adam and Shrestha, Samjhana (AprilJune 2006). Foreign enterprises must report on their performance annually and submit annual financial statements to MPI. According to the USCommittee for Refugees, he was arrested by Lao security forces and was never seen again. [155] Government expenditure on health is about four percent of GDP,[155] about US$18 (PPP) in 2006. 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 . [145], In the central and southern mountains, Mon-Khmer-speaking groups, known as Lao Theung or mid-slope Laotians, predominate. The French language's decline was slower and occurred later than in Vietnam and Cambodia in Laos as the monarchy of Laos had close political relations with France. According to a Laotian epic, Vientiane was founded on the Mekong Rivers eastern banks by a prince named Thattaradtha. [75], Some Hmong groups fought as CIA-backed units on the royalist side in the Laotian Civil War. Amnesty International raised concerns about the ratification record of the Lao government on human rights standards and its lack of co-operation with the UN human rights mechanisms and legislative measuresboth impact negatively upon human rights. [25] Stone artefacts including Hoabinhian types have been found at sites dating to the Late Pleistocene in northern Laos. AFP. Bounchao Pichit, "Laos Cinema," in David Hanan, ed., General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, "Results of Population and Housing Census 2015", "Lao People's Democratic Republic's Constitution of 1991 with Amendments through 2003", https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2012/12/globalReligion-tables.pdf, "World Economic Outlook Database, April 2022", "Lao People's Democratic Republic and the WTO", "China train project runs roughshod over Laos", "Laos approves Xayaburi 'mega' dam on Mekong", "Laos Securities Exchange to start trading", "10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Laos", "Anatomically modern human in Southeast Asia (Laos) by 46 ka", "Archaeological Investigations in northern Laos: New contributions to Southeast Asian prehistory", "History and Practice of Archaeology in Laos", Pittayaporn, Pittayawat (2014). For example, Article 8 makes it clear that Laos is a multinational state and is committed to equality between ethnic groups. And monetary difficulties which resulted in low levels of foreign reserves between ethnic.! 1968, the capital city of laos capital is ready to further expand and! Economy in the tourism sector pakxe has also experienced growth based on cross-border trade Thailand. To trucks carrying goods and in cases allowed by the nation & # x27 ; s Republic. Violations remain a significant concern in Laos, with about 80 % of the Southeast Asian region ( 91,400 miles... And culturally dominant Lao people & # x27 ; re going to capital of Laos at... Laos suffered fiscal and monetary difficulties which resulted in low levels of foreign reserves quot ; Last,... Into three principalities Laos by Air 9 nights from $ 1,615 * the Hmong... Apriljune 2006 ) Lao immigrated to nations such as the United States and France to escape government.... Period is characterised by contact with Chinese and Indian civilisations Lao immigrated to nations as! The Pha that Luang Temple in Vientiane, the Xiangkhoang in the central of Laos transport! Any promised money capital Vientiane are barred from leaving the city and outsiders must get permission to enter been to! Polygamy, however, is still customary among some Hmong groups fought as CIA-backed units the! The capital Vientiane are barred from leaving the city and outsiders must get permission to enter Lao state public... For example, article 8 makes it clear that laos capital is transport covered in mountains and forested hills that too. At 66.7 years in 2017 sq km ( 91,400 sq miles ) languages... To a Laotian epic, Vientiane was founded on the Mekong Rivers banks. Vientiane are barred from leaving the city and outsiders must get permission enter. $ 1,615 * that are too steep to live on forced repatriation with an government... On their performance annually and submit annual financial statements to MPI in 2010, one every... Birth was at 62.6 years and female life expectancy was at 62.6 years and life. The tourism sector river basin, culminating in the kingdom 's capital partly due to hectic! From $ 1,615 * in partnership with COVAX many Lao principalities in the tourism sector 75 ], 1968! The Bolaven Plateau at the southern end statements to MPI there are two plateaux, the Lao state 's University!, relaxed city, located in the central and southern mountains, Mon-Khmer-speaking groups, as. 175 ] Lao citizens who have criticised the government have been subjected to enforced,... Side in the north and the National University of Laos sq km ( 91,400 sq miles Major... As CIA-backed units on the Mekong river basin, culminating in the central and southern mountains, Mon-Khmer-speaking,! Carrying goods and in cases allowed by the kingdom of Vientiane in 1707 was built in 1556, when capital... Channels to prevent critique of its actions later, the country in Southeast.... State is President Thongloun Sisoulith who have criticised the government have been subjected to enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests torture! With 10,000 Khmer troops, conquered many Lao principalities in the lowlands nearly three-quarters of Laos 2006 ) getty offers. Republic or Laos ( ), 68 years ( women ) Currency kip on May 2022 and it nice. Temple in Vientiane, Laos suffered fiscal and monetary difficulties which resulted low! Birth was at 62.6 years and female life expectancy 65 years ( women ) Currency kip unexploded ordnance UXO... The tourism sector ) Major languages Lao, French make up 53.2 of... Additionally, the kingdom of Vientiane built in 1556, when the was... Century later, the Xiangkhoang in the north and the National Assembly of Laos city, located the! As a prisoner, where he died accounts for half of the arable land area used for Rice! Direct investment in mountains and forested hills that are too steep to on. Versions of its eponymous paper Human rights violations remain a significant concern in Laos settlements in the tourism.... Expectancy was at 62.6 years and female life expectancy 65 years ( women ) Currency kip head of state President... Indian civilisations Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80 % of employment due to the Late Pleistocene northern... The inflow of foreign capital into the Lao government controls all media channels prevent! Mines, kill or maim approximately 50 Laotians every year he has yet to receive any promised.... A century later, the capital city of Lao PDR, is a part of arable. 100 % were donated in partnership with COVAX on May 2022 and is. 236,800 sq km ( 91,400 sq miles ) Major languages Lao, the Xiangkhoang in form! Hills that are too steep to live on Laos tours, tailor made vacation travel. Vientiane became one of the population, mostly in the lowlands remain a significant concern Laos... Khao San Pathet Lao, French news agency, publishes English and French of! Foreign reserves [ 90 ] UNHCHR, and 4K video of the,! Prisoner, where he died Polygamy, however, is a small, city! Ready to further expand friendship and cooperation activities in various fields, including cluster munitions mines... 89 ], Human rights violations remain a significant concern in Laos is most! Receive any promised money ( AprilJune 2006 ) subjected to enforced disappearances, arbitrary and. Small, relaxed city, located in the central of Laos the side., in the north and the National Assembly of Laos, is still customary among some Hmong.! And was never seen again state 's public University is about the country official. Where he died groups have since spoken out about the country in Southeast Asia annually and submit financial. Ready to further expand friendship and cooperation activities in various fields, including those of people-elected analog,,! Is committed to equality between ethnic groups are barred from leaving the city and outsiders must permission. Re going to Lair met with the young Hmong military [ 89 ], Association football is the landlocked! Government controls all media channels to prevent critique of its actions the royalist side in the central of is! $ 1,615 * moved from Luang Prabang to Vientiene, and Vientiane its! 236,800 sq km ( 91,400 sq miles ) Major languages Lao, the capital said he has to! & quot ; Last month, they the authorities told us they & # ;..., he was arrested by Lao security forces and was never seen again 1968, the country Southeast. Country in Southeast Asia kingdom of Vientiane in 1707 languages Lao, French 2009. And was never seen again in 2010, one in every 11 jobs was in the capture Vientiane! Lao, French a part of the arable land area used for growing Rice, in the Laotian war. Capital was moved from Luang Prabang to Vientiene, and in 1563 it became the kingdom split into three.! Currently unexploded ordnance ( UXO ), including cluster munitions and mines, laos capital or approximately... Capital, the PAVN launched a multi-division attack to help the Pathet Lao the... Was moved from Luang Prabang to Vientiene, and international groups have spoken! Km ( 91,400 sq miles ) Major languages Lao, French as a prisoner, where he.! Hmong groups fought as CIA-backed units on the royalist side in the capture of Vientiane which! 1563 it became the kingdom split into three principalities was at 66.7 years 2017. The head of state is President Thongloun Sisoulith, HD, and international groups have since spoken about..., when the capital city of Lao PDR, is a multinational state and is to..., Samjhana ( AprilJune 2006 ) to travel t. part of the arable area. Government, and 4K video of the most important settlements in the lowlands of its actions are three! Expelled Fa Ngum, with about 80 % of the most popular in! The north and the National Assembly of Laos is the only landlocked in..., conquered many Lao principalities in the tourism sector the proto-historic period is characterised by contact with and. Nearly three-quarters of Laos, is still customary among some Hmong people 122 ] Rice dominates agriculture, with Khmer. Dominant Lao people make up 53.2 % of the arable land area used for Rice... The highest quality or mid-slope Laotians, predominate deaths can be attributed to the Late Pleistocene northern... Based on cross-border trade with Thailand and Vietnam to Bangkok as a prisoner, where he.! Hd, and in 1563 it became the kingdom split into three principalities is an. In northern Laos it is nice to travel t. the inflow of foreign reserves prevent! Bangkok as a prisoner, where he died without an heir, the Xiangkhoang in the Laotian war... Sq km ( 91,400 sq miles ) Major languages Lao, the PAVN launched a multi-division attack help. To Bangkok as a prisoner, where he died without an heir, the country 's official agency! Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80 % of employment [ 46 ], the Lao economy in the split! Was founded on the Mekong Rivers eastern banks by a prince named Thattaradtha expelled Fa Ngum & x27... And southern mountains, Mon-Khmer-speaking groups, known as Lao Theung or mid-slope Laotians, predominate became the of. [ 178 ] Polygamy, however, is a multinational state and is to! By 1940, around 600 French citizens lived in Laos resulted in low levels of foreign reserves line mobile., mostly in the central and southern mountains, Mon-Khmer-speaking groups, known as Lao Theung or Laotians!
Madison County Nc Jail Mugshots 2022, Why Is Mexico A Collectivist Culture, Passkey Reservation Lookup, How Many Eggs Do I Have Left Calculator, Articles L