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Country Name |
Laos |
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Flag |
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Motto |
“Peace, independence, democracy, unity and prosperity” |
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Anthem |
Pheng Xat Lao |
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Capital |
Vientiane |
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Language |
Lao Language |
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Demonym |
Laotian |
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Government |
Marxist–Leninist single-party state |
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President: Choummaly Sayasone (2006)
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Prime Minister: Thongsing Thammavong (2010) |
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Area |
89,112 sq mi (230,800 sq km) |
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Population |
6,586,266 |
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GDP |
$17.44 billion (2011) |
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Currency |
Kip |
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Time zone |
UTC+7 |
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Calling code |
+856 |
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Religion |
Theravada Buddhists |
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Tradition |
The rich culture of Laos is rooted in immense spirituality, as the predominant religion of Theravada Buddhism has influences extending from lifestyle to art and architecture. This is encountered in ceremonies like the baci or Sou Khoun (a ceremony to enrich the spirit) and the common practice of alms giving every morning at sunrise. Lao architecture is mainly a mix of French colonial, Buddhist (in temples), traditional Lao and modern architecture, with some influences from Thailand and other countries. Lao people typically socialize as families, and most live in extended families with three or sometimes more generations sharing one house or compound. The family cooks and eats together sitting on the floor with sticky rice and dishes shared by all. Sometimes when someone pays a visit unexpectedly at meal time Lao people automatically invite them to join the meal without any hesitation. |
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Cloth |
In the past, these traditional dresses were hand woven and generally made of hemp. Presently these dresses are made with artificial material on advanced stitching machines. There is tremendous variety in the designs and patterns in the Laos clothing. The colors of Laos clothing range from common colors like black and white to vibrant and bright colors like pink and green and blue. Although in the recent years, the people of Laos are much affected with the western trends in dressings, however in the formal functions like the ceremonies of the national interest and festive occasions the people of Laos wear the traditional dress of Laos. |
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Food |
Lao food is similar to the food found in the northeastern part of Thailand in the area known as Isan. Most Lao dishes contain vegetables and herbs, rice or noodles and fish, chicken, pork or beef. The freshness of the ingredients is very important to Lao people who like to prepare everything from scratch, rather than use pre-prepared ingredients, as they believe this makes their food more delicious. Herbs such as galangal and lemongrass are favourites and padaek (Lao fish sauce) is found on every table. galangal and lemongrass
pradaek A traditional everyday Lao meal is simple and normally consists of sticky rice, some natural vegetables and at least one kind of spicy sauce to dip the sticky rice into, plus perhaps some fish or meat.
Another daily favourite is noodle soup (called feu also spelt pho)
Other Lao favourites include papaya salad
Every region of Laos has its own specialties, for example in Luang Prabang one treat is kaipen a fried snack made of fresh water weed eaten with jaew bong, a sweet and spicy Lao paste made with roasted chilies, pork skin, galangal and other ingredients. So make sure you ask what’s best to eat in each town.
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Travel |
Vientiane Capital is the home to the most significant national monument in Laos : That Luang (Great Stupa), which is the symbol of Lao sovereignty and an icon of Buddhism in Laos.
2.Luang Prabang Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment.
3.Vang Vieng The small town of Vang Vieng is located 150km north of the Vientiane Capital. This is a place of a dreamlike landscape of bizarre limestone mountain peaks and scenic cliffs with the Nam Song (Song River) bisecting the town.
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References:
ASEANOurCommunity 