Laos Travel Guide

Often overlooked in favour of its better-known neighbours, landlocked Laos remains one of Southeast Asia’s most beguiling destinations. Caught in the middle of the two Indochina wars and long isolated from the rest of the world, the country retains a slow, rather old-fashioned charm, and its people – incredibly laidback and friendly, even by Asian standards – are undoubtedly one of the highlights of any visit.

Laos is a country as yet untouched by the modern demands, stress and peace of life. There are 2 following properties inscribed on cultural heritage list of the world recognized by UNESCO, and these 2 wonders much help Laos in attracting travellers worldwide.

Where To Go In Laos - Laos Highlights - Trips Ideas

Before leaving on your Laos tour, we suggest you to make two copies of your passport identification page. This will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives. Bring the other one with you with a passport-size photo, but keep it in a separate place from your passport. Leave a copy of your tour itinerary and contact information with family or friends at home so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

Laos grew its culture as the inland crossroads of trade and migration in Southeast Asia over millennia. As of 2012 Laos has a population of roughly 6.4 million spread over 236,800 km², yielding one of the lowest population densities in Asia. Yet the country of Laos has an official count of over forty-seven ethnicities divided into 149 sub-groups and 80 different languages. In Southeast Asia, traditional Laos culture is considered one of the Indic cultures along with Burma, Thailand and Cambodia.

Laos become a low middle income economy in 2011 and, in 2013, Laos’ GNI per capita reached $1,460. If the country continues growing at this pace, and if human development outcomes improve as well, Laos will likely graduate from ‘Least Developed Country’ status by 2020.