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LAOS OVERVIEW & HISTORY
LAOS OVERVIEW
Laos is now an independent state with a fairly progressive communist government which is tolerant of religion and has undertaken a programmed of urbanization and industrialization. The fall of the USSR may well have accelerated that policy. Despite being a one party communist state, there has been a fair degree of decentralization and economic growth is being sustained with support largely coming from China and Vietnam. In 2013 Laos became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The infrastructure still lags behind its neighbors with rural areas markedly so. At times of monsoon transport can be affected yet its tourist number are rising and Laos travel packages reveal an extremely interesting country with a great natural environment, friendly people and a host of religious and cultural attractions. Agriculture still makes up almost 75% of employment, and 25% of GDP. The fertile part of Laos is the Mekong Valley with the mountainous regions often only good for basic subsistence.
The infrastructure still lags behind its neighbors with rural areas markedly so. At times of monsoon transport can be affected yet its tourist number are rising and Laos travel packages reveal an extremely interesting country with a great natural environment, friendly people and a host of religious and cultural attractions. Agriculture still makes up almost 75% of employment, and 25% of GDP. The fertile part of Laos is the Mekong Valley with the mountainous regions often only good for basic subsistence.
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT LAOS
Laos is an adventurer’s dream
If you skip Laos as you think that this country is only a barrier between Thailand and Vietnam and it does not offer a must-see world-renowned landmark like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, then you’ve made a big mistake! Little do most know that from mysterious caves and magical waterfalls to stunning mountains, Laos has much to become a perfect getaway for any adventure-seeking travelers.
Laos has awesome cuisine
While a Vietnamese or Thai restaurant is likely to be found in your neighborhood, Lao cuisine is less popular. Distinct from other Southeast Asian cuisines, Lao cuisine, which is the almost complete absence of processed foods, might be the international cuisine you have been missing. Fresh, healthy and flavorsome are the adjectives to describe Lao cuisine, which has many regional variations, corresponding in part to the fresh foods local to each region. The staple food of the Lao is steamed sticky rice, which is enjoyed with fingers while lemongrass, galangal and Padaek (fermented fish sauce) are essential ingredients. A meal, shared by all at the table consists of sticky rice, spicy soup, mountains of fresh herbs, a range of meat-based side dishes, steamed fish, and crunchy salads. Lao food highlights must be larb, a spicy mixture of chopped meat, chicken or duck that is sometimes eaten raw with a variable combination of greens, herbs and spices; tam mak hoong – a spicy green papaya salad dish, Khao Poon (Rice Vermicelli Soup), Khao Jee Sandwich (Baguette Sandwich); etc.
Hospitable Laos
Laos is home to 68 different ethnic groups with the lowest population densities in Asia. No holiday in a country like Laos is complete without mingling with the locals, even if it is only in the market. Even though most Laotian people do not live in velvet and silk, they always welcome foreigners with a warm smile and are all naturally hospitable, tolerant and generous in their help.
Laos is not really expensive
$30-40 USD a day is a reasonable budget for you to get your own private room, sample stunning Lao food from local markets, drink, take the local bus between destinations and take part in some interesting activities you want. In the poor, landlocked and undeveloped like Laos, everything has to be imported and only few things are locally produced, which raises prices for all goods, services, and transportation. Laos Tours can be more expensive for than its neighbors but still much cheaper in the Western standard.
Laos has awesome cuisine
While a Vietnamese or Thai restaurant is likely to be found in your neighborhood, Lao cuisine is less popular. Distinct from other Southeast Asian cuisines, Lao cuisine, which is the almost complete absence of processed foods, might be the international cuisine you have been missing. Fresh, healthy and flavorsome are the adjectives to describe Lao cuisine, which has many regional variations, corresponding in part to the fresh foods local to each region. The staple food of the Lao is steamed sticky rice, which is enjoyed with fingers while lemongrass, galangal and Padaek (fermented fish sauce) are essential ingredients. A meal, shared by all at the table consists of sticky rice, spicy soup, mountains of fresh herbs, a range of meat-based side dishes, steamed fish, and crunchy salads. Lao food highlights must be larb, a spicy mixture of chopped meat, chicken or duck that is sometimes eaten raw with a variable combination of greens, herbs and spices; tam mak hoong – a spicy green papaya salad dish, Khao Poon (Rice Vermicelli Soup), Khao Jee Sandwich (Baguette Sandwich); etc.
Hospitable Laos
Laos is home to 68 different ethnic groups with the lowest population densities in Asia. No holiday in a country like Laos is complete without mingling with the locals, even if it is only in the market. Even though most Laotian people do not live in velvet and silk, they always welcome foreigners with a warm smile and are all naturally hospitable, tolerant and generous in their help.
Laos is not really expensive
$30-40 USD a day is a reasonable budget for you to get your own private room, sample stunning Lao food from local markets, drink, take the local bus between destinations and take part in some interesting activities you want. In the poor, landlocked and undeveloped like Laos, everything has to be imported and only few things are locally produced, which raises prices for all goods, services, and transportation. Laos Tours can be more expensive for than its neighbors but still much cheaper in the Western standard.
LAOS MINORITIES
Minority and indigenous communities: Khmou 708,412 (11.0 per cent), Hmong 595,028 (9.2 per cent), Phouthay 218,108 (3.4 per cent), Tai 201,576 (3.1 per cent), Makong 163,285 (2.5 per cent) Katang 144,255 (2.2 per cent), Lue 126,229 (2.0 per cent), Akha 112,979 (1.8 per cent), others 749,153 (11.6 per cent)
Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s most ethnically diverse countries: a somewhat surprising situation given the relatively small size and population of around 7 million, but probably due to its location, mountainous terrain and tropical climate. The numerous ethnic groups are officially distinguished into three categories by the government according to the geographic areas they occupy: the lowland ethnic groups known as Lao Loum, the midland groups known collectively as the Lao Theung, and the highland groups, Lao Sung. In reality, a more accurate classification would be to divide them according to the four different language families to which they belong: Tai-Kadia, Mon-Khmer, Hmong-Lu Mien and Sino-Tibetan.
Officially, the Laos government only recognizes 49 ethnic groups, with 160 ethnic sub-groups, but does not recognize them as indigenous peoples. The actual number of ethnic groups is thought to be much higher, as high as 237 according to one United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report, or even 240 on the basis of the distinct languages within these four language families. Ethnic Lao (estimated in the 2015 census at 53.2 per cent) make up just over half of the total population and tend to be concentrated in the flatlands and valleys. Most people from this group are Theravada Buddhists. The second major grouping, at around 25 per cent of the population, is the Lao Theung. They tend to inhabit mid-level slopes and speak numerous Mon-Khmer languages. Though some communities are Buddhists, most remain animists.
Lao Sung groups live mainly in the mountainous regions of Laos and mainly though not exclusively belong to the Sino-Tibetan and Hmong-Mien language families, and include the Hmong (Miao), Yao (Mien), Tai dumm, Dao, Shan, Lua and Khammu.
The Lao majority is mostly Buddhist, and Buddhism is the unofficial state religion, as many state officials are Buddhist and Buddhism is playing an increasingly prominent role in state functions. Decree 315, passed in 2016, extends state control over religious practice, defended as a means toward religious freedom. This law requires state approval to print religious literature, build religious facilities, travel abroad for religious meetings; religious organizations must be registered. In contrast with the preceding Decree 92 which did not pose such requirements on Buddhist organizations, the current Decree 315 appears to extend registration requirements also to Buddhist groups; whether this is a significant shift in state policy remains to be seen. While many religions are generally practiced freely under government control, practitioners of Protestant Christianity, the majority of whom are ethnic minorities, especially Khmou, Brou and Hmong, have been targeted: arrests, detentions, destruction of churches, forced renunciations and ‘re-education’ are common..
Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s most ethnically diverse countries: a somewhat surprising situation given the relatively small size and population of around 7 million, but probably due to its location, mountainous terrain and tropical climate. The numerous ethnic groups are officially distinguished into three categories by the government according to the geographic areas they occupy: the lowland ethnic groups known as Lao Loum, the midland groups known collectively as the Lao Theung, and the highland groups, Lao Sung. In reality, a more accurate classification would be to divide them according to the four different language families to which they belong: Tai-Kadia, Mon-Khmer, Hmong-Lu Mien and Sino-Tibetan.
Officially, the Laos government only recognizes 49 ethnic groups, with 160 ethnic sub-groups, but does not recognize them as indigenous peoples. The actual number of ethnic groups is thought to be much higher, as high as 237 according to one United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report, or even 240 on the basis of the distinct languages within these four language families. Ethnic Lao (estimated in the 2015 census at 53.2 per cent) make up just over half of the total population and tend to be concentrated in the flatlands and valleys. Most people from this group are Theravada Buddhists. The second major grouping, at around 25 per cent of the population, is the Lao Theung. They tend to inhabit mid-level slopes and speak numerous Mon-Khmer languages. Though some communities are Buddhists, most remain animists.
Lao Sung groups live mainly in the mountainous regions of Laos and mainly though not exclusively belong to the Sino-Tibetan and Hmong-Mien language families, and include the Hmong (Miao), Yao (Mien), Tai dumm, Dao, Shan, Lua and Khammu.
The Lao majority is mostly Buddhist, and Buddhism is the unofficial state religion, as many state officials are Buddhist and Buddhism is playing an increasingly prominent role in state functions. Decree 315, passed in 2016, extends state control over religious practice, defended as a means toward religious freedom. This law requires state approval to print religious literature, build religious facilities, travel abroad for religious meetings; religious organizations must be registered. In contrast with the preceding Decree 92 which did not pose such requirements on Buddhist organizations, the current Decree 315 appears to extend registration requirements also to Buddhist groups; whether this is a significant shift in state policy remains to be seen. While many religions are generally practiced freely under government control, practitioners of Protestant Christianity, the majority of whom are ethnic minorities, especially Khmou, Brou and Hmong, have been targeted: arrests, detentions, destruction of churches, forced renunciations and ‘re-education’ are common..
LAOS POPULATION
The current population of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is 7,305,662 as of Thursday, October 15, 2020, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data.
Laos 2020 population is estimated at 7,275,560 people at midyear according to UN data.
Laos population is equivalent to 0.09% of the total world population.
Laos ranks number 105 in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population.
The population density in Laos is 32 per Km2 (82 people per mi2).
The total land area is 230,800 Km2 (89,112 sq. miles)
35.7 % of the population is urban (2,600,131 people in 2020)
Laos 2020 population is estimated at 7,275,560 people at midyear according to UN data.
Laos population is equivalent to 0.09% of the total world population.
Laos ranks number 105 in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population.
The population density in Laos is 32 per Km2 (82 people per mi2).
The total land area is 230,800 Km2 (89,112 sq. miles)
35.7 % of the population is urban (2,600,131 people in 2020)
A BRIEF HISTORY OF LAOS
Ancient Laos
The earliest inhabitants of Laos were hunter-gatherers. Later they were farmers growing rice and pulses. The first farmers used stone tools but from about 2,000 BC bronze was used in Laos and from about 500 BC iron.
However unlike Vietnam the people of Laos were influenced by Indian rather than Chinese culture. From the 1st century AD Indian merchants introduced Theravada Buddhism into Laos.
From the 9th to the 13th century the Khmers from Cambodia ruled much of what is now Laos.
However in the 14th century the ancestors of today’s Laotians founded a kingdom called Lan Xang. The first king was the ambitious Chao Fa Ngum, who was succeeded by his son Phaya Samsenthai in 1373. He ruled until 1421 and under him Lan Xang became a prosperous kingdom. Unfortunately his successors were less skillful rulers.
In the 16th century Lan Xang was threatened by Burma but it managed to retain its independence.
In the 17th century greatness was restored to Lan Xang by Souriyavongsa (1637-1694). His long reign is seen as a golden age. During it Lan Xang was powerful and prosperous. However when Souriyavongsa died in 1694 he did not leave a heir.
In the early 18th century Lan Xang split into 3 regions centered on Luang Prang in the north, Vientiane in the middle and Champasak in the south. When it was divided in that way Laos was weakened and fell prey to Siam (Thailand). In 1779 Siamese forces occupied Vientiane. Afterwards the three Laotian states were dominated by Siam (Thailand).
In 1804 Anouvong became king of Vientiane. By 1825 Anouvong was determined to overthrow Siamese domination and restore the kingdom of Lan Xang. In 1827 he advanced into Siam but was defeated and forced to retreat. Anouvong fled to Vietnam. Several months later he returned to Vientiane but was captured by the Siamese (Thais) ending all hope of a restored Lan Xang.
The French in Laos
In 1867-68 a Frenchman called Francis Garnier traveled through Laos. However the French left Laos alone for two decades. Then in the late 1880s and early 1890s French influence in the area grew. Finally in 1893 the Siamese formally surrendered all territory east of the River Mekong to the French.
Laos became part of the French empire in Southeast Asia. However the French took little interest in Laos and few French people lived there.
In 1941 the French fought a war with the Thais for Laotian territory. The Japanese forced an armistice and parts of Laos were given to Thailand. Then in April 1945 the Japanese forced the pro-French king Sisavang Vong to declare independence from France. Following the Japanese surrender in September 1945 Prince Phetsarath was prime minister of Laos. He headed a government called Lao Issara (free Lao)
However Laotian independence did not last long. In March 1946 the French invaded Laos and by May 1946 they were in control of the country again.
Modern Laos
Then in 1950 the Pro-Communist Prince Souphanouvong formed an organization that became known as Paphet Lao (Land of the Lao). At first it was a relatively small organization backed by the Viet Minh.
Meanwhile the French were losing control of Southeast Asia and in 1953 they withdrew from Laos, which became an independent, constitutional monarchy.
However Laos in the 1950s was a divided country. Most was ruled by Royalist governments supported by the USA while parts were ruled by the Pro-Communist Paphet Lao assisted by their allies the Viet Minh.
All attempts to find a political solution failed and in the 1960s Laos became drawn into the wider Asian War. From 1964 to 1973 the USA bombed Paphet Lao territory but failed to defeat them. Then in 1975 South Vietnam and Cambodia fell to the Communists. Seeing the way things were going Royalists fled from Laos allowing the Paphet Lao to take over. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic was founded on 2 December 1975.
A full Communist regime was introduced. However in 1988 the government of Laos introduced market reforms. As a result the economy of Laos began to grow rapidly. Today Laos is still a poor country but it is developing rapidly and poverty is declining. Laos also has great potential for tourism.
Meanwhile Laos joined ASEAN in 1997. It joined the WTO in 2013. Today the population of Laos is 7 million.
The earliest inhabitants of Laos were hunter-gatherers. Later they were farmers growing rice and pulses. The first farmers used stone tools but from about 2,000 BC bronze was used in Laos and from about 500 BC iron.
However unlike Vietnam the people of Laos were influenced by Indian rather than Chinese culture. From the 1st century AD Indian merchants introduced Theravada Buddhism into Laos.
From the 9th to the 13th century the Khmers from Cambodia ruled much of what is now Laos.
However in the 14th century the ancestors of today’s Laotians founded a kingdom called Lan Xang. The first king was the ambitious Chao Fa Ngum, who was succeeded by his son Phaya Samsenthai in 1373. He ruled until 1421 and under him Lan Xang became a prosperous kingdom. Unfortunately his successors were less skillful rulers.
In the 16th century Lan Xang was threatened by Burma but it managed to retain its independence.
In the 17th century greatness was restored to Lan Xang by Souriyavongsa (1637-1694). His long reign is seen as a golden age. During it Lan Xang was powerful and prosperous. However when Souriyavongsa died in 1694 he did not leave a heir.
In the early 18th century Lan Xang split into 3 regions centered on Luang Prang in the north, Vientiane in the middle and Champasak in the south. When it was divided in that way Laos was weakened and fell prey to Siam (Thailand). In 1779 Siamese forces occupied Vientiane. Afterwards the three Laotian states were dominated by Siam (Thailand).
In 1804 Anouvong became king of Vientiane. By 1825 Anouvong was determined to overthrow Siamese domination and restore the kingdom of Lan Xang. In 1827 he advanced into Siam but was defeated and forced to retreat. Anouvong fled to Vietnam. Several months later he returned to Vientiane but was captured by the Siamese (Thais) ending all hope of a restored Lan Xang.
The French in Laos
In 1867-68 a Frenchman called Francis Garnier traveled through Laos. However the French left Laos alone for two decades. Then in the late 1880s and early 1890s French influence in the area grew. Finally in 1893 the Siamese formally surrendered all territory east of the River Mekong to the French.
Laos became part of the French empire in Southeast Asia. However the French took little interest in Laos and few French people lived there.
In 1941 the French fought a war with the Thais for Laotian territory. The Japanese forced an armistice and parts of Laos were given to Thailand. Then in April 1945 the Japanese forced the pro-French king Sisavang Vong to declare independence from France. Following the Japanese surrender in September 1945 Prince Phetsarath was prime minister of Laos. He headed a government called Lao Issara (free Lao)
However Laotian independence did not last long. In March 1946 the French invaded Laos and by May 1946 they were in control of the country again.
Modern Laos
Then in 1950 the Pro-Communist Prince Souphanouvong formed an organization that became known as Paphet Lao (Land of the Lao). At first it was a relatively small organization backed by the Viet Minh.
Meanwhile the French were losing control of Southeast Asia and in 1953 they withdrew from Laos, which became an independent, constitutional monarchy.
However Laos in the 1950s was a divided country. Most was ruled by Royalist governments supported by the USA while parts were ruled by the Pro-Communist Paphet Lao assisted by their allies the Viet Minh.
All attempts to find a political solution failed and in the 1960s Laos became drawn into the wider Asian War. From 1964 to 1973 the USA bombed Paphet Lao territory but failed to defeat them. Then in 1975 South Vietnam and Cambodia fell to the Communists. Seeing the way things were going Royalists fled from Laos allowing the Paphet Lao to take over. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic was founded on 2 December 1975.
A full Communist regime was introduced. However in 1988 the government of Laos introduced market reforms. As a result the economy of Laos began to grow rapidly. Today Laos is still a poor country but it is developing rapidly and poverty is declining. Laos also has great potential for tourism.
Meanwhile Laos joined ASEAN in 1997. It joined the WTO in 2013. Today the population of Laos is 7 million.