Southeast Asia's unhurried jewel — the UNESCO town of Luang Prabang where monks collect alms at dawn, the Mekong River carrying slow boats between villages, and the bomb-cratered Plain of Jars.
- Capital
- Vientiane
- Population
- 7,647,000
- Area
- 236,800 km²
- Languages
- Lao
- Currency
- Laos Kip (LAK)
- GDP
- $16,322M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Tum Mak Hoong (Som Tum, its Thai name)
Annual visitors
886,400 (2020)
Avg temp
24.2°C
Religion
Buddhism
Coast
Landlocked
Travel guide
Laos (ເມືອງລາວ mư̄ang lāo or ປະເທດລາວ pa thēt lāo) is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia. Laos is rich in both the diversity of its people and its landscapes. While the country lacks the mass tourism of neighbours like Thailand and Vietnam, the sector has been on the rise since the 1990s, and the country hosted five million tourists in 2024. In general, Laos' government has attempted to build Laos into a counterpoint to the tourist industries of Thailand and Vietnam, oriented around a slower pace and more wholesome vibe, although there is an increasing presence of Chinese capital and expansion of rail lines that connect Laos with Yunnan Province.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Laos
Best time to visit
November–March is the dry season — ideal for Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and the 4,000 Islands. April is very hot. May–October is monsoon season but lush and green. Vang Vieng is busiest December–February.
Visa
Citizens of most Western countries including US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia can obtain a 30-day Visa on Arrival at major entry points (USD 30–42) or apply for an e-Visa.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (4)
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Major cities
Luang Prabang
One of Southeast Asia's most magical towns — saffron-robed monks at dawn, French colonial cafes, and Mekong sunsets.
Vang Vieng
A karst limestone landscape on the Nam Song River, transformed from backpacker party town to adventure sports hub.
Vientiane
Laos's sleepy capital — perhaps the most relaxed capital city in Asia, with the Patuxai arch and That Luang temple.