COUNTRY INFORMATION:

Government & Economy | Geography | Weather & Climate | People & Ethnicity | Language | Religion | Traveling to Laos | Traveling in Laos | Nature & Animals | Things to Know | Festivals | Shopping | Communications | Medical Care | Food Specialties | Currency | Culture | Travel Alerts

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

The full country name is the Lao People's Democratic Republic.  Laos is a socialist republic.  The highest position in the Lao government is the President, who is elected every five years by the National Assembly.  This head of state also acts as the Commander in Chief of the country's armed forces.  The highest executive organ in the Lao government is the Council of Ministers, this is headed by a Chairman, who also acts as Prime Minister, with Vice Chairmen overseeing the work of government ministers.  The legal system based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice.  The country is divided into 16 provinces (Khouang, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapeu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champassack, Houaphan, Khammouane, Louang Namtha, Louang Prabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Vieng Chan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Sekong, Xiang Khouang.  See Map

GEOGRAPHY
Laos is located in Indochina, between latitude 14-23 degrees North and longitude 100-108 degrees East.  Laos is a landlocked country.  It shares a 505 km border with China to the north, 435 km of border with Cambodia to the south, 2,069 km of border with Vietnam to the east, 1,835 km of border with Thailand to the west, and a 236 km border with Myanmar to the northwest.  The country stretches for 1,700 km north to south, with an east-west width of over 500 km at its widest, only 140 km at the narrowest point.  The country is 236,800 square km - an area similar to that of the United Kingdom, the major part being mountainous and forested.  The Mekong river flows through 1,865 km of Laos territory and forms the major portion of the border with Thailand (1,835 km).  60% of the water entering this major river system originates in Laos.  The three highest "Phu" (mountains) are all located in Xieng Khouang province.  The highest is Phu Bia (2,820 km), then Phu Xao (2,690 km), and Phu Xamxum with 2,620 m.  The country is divided into three geographical areas: the North, the Central, and the South areas.  The North is dominated by mountains which average 1,500 meters above sea level.  The Phou Luang (Annamite Chain) stretches from the southeast of the Phouane Plateau down to the Cambodian border.  It has three large plateaus: Phouane Plateau in Xieng Khouang province, Nakai Plateau in Khammouane province, and Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos, 1,000 m above sea level. The plains region comprises large and small plains along the Mekong River.  The largest of these is the Vientiane Plain, on the lower reaches of the Nam Ngum River.  Also significant are the Savannakhet plain, on the lower reaches of the Se Bang Fai and Se Bang Hieng rivers, and the Champassack plain, which is on the Mekong River, stretching between the Thai and Cambodian borders.  Blessed with fertile soil, these plains represent one quarter of the total area and are the “granaries” of the country.    Laos is criss-crossed by many rivers and streams in addition to the Mekong River and this provides great potential for hydropower development.  Over half of the power potential in the lower Mekong Basin is contained within Laos. The major rivers are the Nam Ou that flows from Phongsali to Luang Prabang for 448 km; the Nam Ngum runs 354 km from Xieng Khouang to Vientiane province; the Se Bang Hieng of Savannakhet province is 338 km long; the Nam Tha runs from Luang Namtha to Bokeo for 325 km; the Nam Sekong runs 320 km from Saravan and Sekong to Attapeu province; the Se Bang Fai runs between Khammouane and Savannakhet for 239 km; the Nam Sedong flows for 192 km between Saravan and Champassack.  Almost all of the rivers and streams in Laos eventually end up feeding into the Mekong through one of its 15 tributaries, making a total of 2,400km of waterways and feeding the Mekong with more than half of its overall water flow.  Though averaging rainfalls of between 1,360mm, in Luang Prabang, to 3700mm on the Bolaven Plateau during the June to October monsoon season, Laos regularly suffers from water shortages in the low-lying Mekong Delta plains.  This can adversely effect the rice crops that account for almost 80% of the country's agricultural land. 

WEATHER & CLIMATE:

Laos has a monsoon climate of a dry and a wet season.  The dry season lasts from November to May with the cooler period in December and January.  At its coldest, the temperatures can fall to as low as 15 deg C.  The cold periods tend to be at night and early morning with colder temperatures at higher altitudes.  During the hot period of the dry season, between March and May, temperatures can reach the high 30s.  The rainy season is a lot cooler, and rainfall varies according to altitude.  Generally speaking, the monsoon season produces severe rain that lasts for short periods of time.  The wet months vary according to location, in Vientiane, they are from May to September, in Luang Prabang, August is far wetter than any other month.  The best time to visit is between November and February - during these months it rains least and isn't too hot.  If you're heading up into the mountains, May and July can also be pleasant.  Roads can be washed out during rainy season (July to October), but there's plenty of river travel.  Peak tourist months are December to February and during August, although there are relatively few visitors at any time.

PEOPLE AND ETHNICITY:

Laos has a population of about 5.5 million and is growing at an annual 2.4%.  The average population density is 21 per square kilometer, giving Laos the lowest population density in Asia.  The highest population density in Laos is in Vientiane municipality, with 149 per square kilometer, while the lowest population density is in Saysomboun Special Zone, at 8 per square kilometer. The life expectancy of 50.9 years, and the adult literacy rate is 50%. About 85% of the population are rural dwellers.  The population comprising over 47 different ethnic groups, such as H'mong, Khmer, Yao, Ahka, Ikoh, Lu etc.  Each tribe has its own distinctive customs, dialects and costumes.  These minorities can be classified into three groups: The Lao Loum (or Lowlanders) consists of about half of the population.  The Lao Loum or lowland Loa people live in the Mekong river valley and its tributaries.  The Lao Loum cultivate and eat wet, or sticky rice, and generally practice Theravada Buddhism.  Lao Loum are a subgroup of the Austro-Thai people and speak the Lao language.  The Lao Loum women wear the traditional sinh - the wraparound sarong.  Lao Tai are closely related to the Lao Loum and are officially classified in that group.  The Lao Tai are more tribal than the Lao Loum and cultivate both wet rice and dry mountain rice.  Lao Tai traditionally practice slash and burn agricultural methods.  The Lao Tai on the whole have not converted to either Christianity or Buddhism and retain their animist beliefs.  Lao Tai are further subdivided into sub groups by the color of their traditional clothing, i.e.  Black, White, Red Tai.  The Lao Theung (or Uplanders) are the largest hill tribe group, with 45 subgroups.  The Lao Theeung are semi nomadic and of Mon-Khmer origin.  They live on mountain slopes, between 300 and 900m altitude and practice slash and burn agriculture.  The Khamu subgroup is found in the north and grow mountain rice, cotton, coffee and tobacco.  The Tin subgroup is found in Sayabouri province - they are hunters and do not use metal tools, using only wood and bamboo.  The Akha and Alak subgroups live in the south in the Bolaven plateau.  The Lao Sung (or Hill Tribes) live in the high mountains of the north.  Main groups are the H'mong and the Mien.  H'mong are divided into Black, Red, White and Striped, according to their clothing.  The H'mong raise cattle, pigs and chickens and generally survive on a barter economy.  The Mien have a similar language to the H'mong and are known for their silver craftsmanship.  Smaller hill tribe groups include the Lisu, Lahu and Lolo. Ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese represent 1% of the population.  

LANGUAGE

The official language is Lao.  Other languages commonly spoken are Lao dialects (closely related to Thai), French and English.  The Lao language is a member of the Tai language group, sometimes known as Tai-Kadai or Kadai.  There are four main linguistic families.  The Lao-Tai family includes eight groups: Lao, Phou Hai, Tai, Lue, Gnouane, Young, Saek, and Thai Neua.  The Mone-Khmer family has 32 ethnic groups, which include Khmu, Pray, Singmou, Khom, Thene, Idou, Bid, Lamed, Samtao, Katang, Makong, Try, Trieng, Ta-oi, Yeh, Brao, Harak, Katou, Oi, Krieng, Yrou, Souai, Gnaheune, Lavy, Kabkae, Khmer, Toum, Ngouane, Meuang, and Kri.  The Tibeto-Burmese family includes seven ethnic groups: Ahka, Singsali, Lahou, Sila, Hayi, Lolo and Hor.  The Hmong-Ioumien category has two main tribes: H'mong and Ioumien (Yao).   These multi-ethnic people of Laos are generally scattered across the country, while each has its own unique traditions, culture and language.  Thai is well understood in Laos, since Lao people will watch Thai television and listen to Thai radio.  Many of the goods that you will see in Laos are imported from Thailand.  In fact there are more Lao speakers in Thailand's northeastern border lands of Isaan than there are in Laos.  Lao is a tonal language, with six tones - most people will find it quite hard to differentiate between the tones, but any attempt to speak just a few words will win you instant friends. 
 

RELIGION:

 First introduced by Mon Buddhist monks, Buddhism became widely popular in the fourteenth century when the Theravada form was promoted by Fa Ngoum with the arrival of the country's palladium - the golden Pra Bang Buddha image.  Today, Buddhism is the religion of 90% of the country's 5.4 million people, and its overall influence upon the daily lives of the Lao people has been little altered by the strictures of the Communist government.  In fact, the Lao government has never opposed observance of the religion and has used many of its teachings to support its political goals.  With the political and economic reforms of the mid-80s, Buddhism is once again flourishing.  Every Lao male is expected to don the saffron robe of the monk for some portion of his life.  Many women choose to become nuns as well, to reside in the temples, study dharma and meditate alongside the monks.  For many poor families, sending their children to the Wat as a novice is the only way they can afford an education.  The Vientiane-based That Luang festival - reduced to a three day religious observance during the first decade of Communist control - has expanded into a full week's celebration with a huge fair, concerts, and sound and light shows. 

TRAVELING TO LAOS:

By Air:  There are no intercontinental flights to Vientiane.  There are flights from to Vientiane's Wattay airport to Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam, Phnom Penh in Cambodia, Yangon (Rangoon) in Myanmar (Burma) and Kunming in China.  Due to the Asian financial crisis, flights by Silk Air, from Singapore and Malaysian Airlines from Kuala Lumpur have been temporarily suspended.  For your easy reference, we have complied a listing of Internet sites that offer special and discounted international airfares. Vientiane-Wattay International Airport is 4km from the city and taxis are available (approx. US$4).  By Land:  It is now legal for non-Thai foreigners to cross the Mekong into Laos at the following points: Nong Khai (near Vientiane), Chong Mek (near Pakse), Nakhon Phanom (opposite Tha Khaek), Chiang Khong (opposite Houy Xai) and Mukdahan (opposite Savannakhet).  Border crossings are open between 6am and 6pm.  Use of the Friendship Bridge spanning the Mekong at Nong Khai is hampered by controls on foreign-registered vehicles, but individual travelers should experience nothing more harassing than a slight delay.  It's possible to cross to or from Vietnam via Lao Boa or Kuen Neua if you have a valid visa.  It may also be possible to cross into Cambodia at the border town of Voen Kham, in Champassack Province.  Entry to Laos is also possible from China's Yunnan Province at Boten.   From Vietnam, Lao Boa, Khung Tri to Dan Savan, Savannakhet, Lak Sao, Vinh to Kaew Neua, Bolikhamxai.  From China, Mengla, Yunnan to Boten, Luang Nam Tha.  Custom Antiques items such as Buddha images and others old cultural artifacts are prohibited to be taken out of Laos.  If you have already traveled in neighboring countries, you are advised to declare your valuable items to the customs to prevent any inconvenience upon departure.  If you buy silver or copper items in Laos, you are also required to pay custom duty according to weight at the airport.  REMEMBER: when you leave Vientiane, there is a US$10.00 departure tax to be paid at the Airport.  Check in an hour before your flight and go through immigration at least half an hour before departure time. 

TRAVELING IN LAOS:

It is now possible to travel to every province in Laos by some form of public road transport.  Regular buses ply Rte 13 between Luang Prabang and Savannakhet.  Other routes in the South, e.g., Pakse to Sekong, typically use flat-bed trucks mounted with carriages and seats.  The alternative mode of getting around is river transport.  The main thoroughfares are the Mekong, Nam Ou, Nam Khan, Nam Tha, Nam Ngum and Se Don.  With the increase in road travel, river passenger services are declining year by year, but you can still catch long-distance ferries (called heua duan, express boats, not to be confused with the extremely fast heua wai, speed boats) between Houy Xai and Vientiane.  For shorter trips it's usually best to hire a river taxi or, in the upper Mekong, a speed boat.  There are a few taxis in the larger towns, plenty of three-wheeled motorcycles and, for shorter distances, pedicabs.  Bargaining skills will be required.  Small 100cc motorbikes can be rented in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Savannakhet.  Bicycles can be rented in Vientiane, Savannakhet, Don Khong and Luang Prabang.  Expect to travel around Laos in a beemo -- a small Japanese pickup with seats in the back and a canvas tarp overhead.  Car hire is available, but traffic still undisciplined.  Hiring a car with a knowledgeable driver is often a better and safer alternative.  Lao Aviation offers multiple flights from Vientiane to the following provincial capitals: Luang Prabang (daily), Savannakhet (daily), Luang Namtha (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), Xieng Khouang (daily), Pakse (daily), Oudomxai (Tu, Th, Sat, Sun), Xayyabuli (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), Houixay (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat), Thakhek (Fri), and Saravan (via Savannakhet, Sun.  only).  The Mekong River is the longest and most important water route, flowing through 2,030 km of Laos, providing a natural means of transportation.  However, its navigability is limited to 1,330 km, mainly because of rapids between Savannakhet and Pakse, the Khong Falls, and low water levels during the dry season.  Beside the Mekong River, the following rivers are also used for water transportation: Nam Ou, Nam Khan, Nam Tha, Nam Hgur, and Se Don.   Laos has 13,100 km of road network, excluding forest and mining roads, consisting of national, provincial and local roads.  The 3,390 km of national roads link major towns, provincial capitals and provide connections to neighboring countries.  1,620 km of them are paved.  The rest are mostly earth-surfaced, connecting towns and large villages within provinces.  The backbone of the road system is the National Road No.  13, 1,370 km long, linking Pak Mong in the North with Khong in the South, passing through major urban areas of Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Savannakhet and Champassack.  National Road leads to the Vietnamese border. 
 

Nature & Animals
Laos has rich vegetation, mainly monsoon forest.  Monsoon forest consists of a top canopy of hardwood trees like dipterocarps that can reach 30m high.  The middle canopy consists of smaller trees such as teak and Asian rosewood.  The undergrowth is bamboo, smaller trees, shrubs and grasses.  Tropical palms and orchids are common, as are a variety of tropical fruit trees.  Parts of the Annamite chain are covered with tropical evergreen forest, where rainfall is highest and in the south, tropical pine forests can be found.  Laos has a large number of animal species, including as many as 500 different birds.  Reptiles include many snakes, including king cobras.  There are a large number of lizards, from the small ghekos to 2m long monitor lizards.  Mammals include wild cats, bears, leopards and tigers.  There are up to 500 wild elephants in Laos, although more than twice that number are in captivity.  There are a number of rare species in Laos which include rhinos and wild cattle.  The forest regions are also rich in non-timber products such as shellac, benzoin, cardamom, pine resin, rattan and medicinal plants, and there is a wide range of fauna, including elephants, tigers, bears , deer and a newly-discovered species of deer called Saola. 

THINGS TO KNOW:

Attire:  Neat and respectful dress should be worn in all religious shrines.  It is not considered polite to visit religious monuments in shorts, miniskirts or hot pants.  Though shoes can be worn in temple compounds, they should be removed before entering the chapel of the principal Buddha image.  Indeed, all Buddha images are regarded as sacred, regardless of size, age or position, and should all be shown due respect.  Buddhist monks are not allowed to touch or be touched by a woman, or accept anything from a woman's hand. 
Social:  The Lao people greet each other with a prayer-like gesture called a Nop, placing one's palms together in a position of praying, at chest level, but not touching the body.  The higher the hand, the greater the sign of respect, although they should never be held above the level of the nose.  This is accompanied by a slight bow to show respect to persons of higher status or age.  The Nop is not only an expression of greeting, but also of thanks, of regret or saying goodbye.  A younger person or a person of lower status will nop their elder or better.  The western custom of shaking hands has become more common in recent years - though a smile and a slight bow of the head is still considered polite.  Backslapping, public displays of affection, shouting, and wild gesticulation are all considered impolite.  As in many Asian cultures, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body, and the soles of the feet are the lowliest.  One should not touch a person's head nor use one's foot to point at a person or any object.  Men and women rarely show affection in public.  It is forbidden for a women to touch a Buddhist monk. It is customary to remove one's shoes or sandals when entering a Buddhist temple or private home.  In Laos, homes are raised off the ground, shoes or sandals are left at the stairs.  In a traditional home, one sits on low seats or cushions on the floor.  Men may sits with legs crossed or folded to one side.  Women sits with legs gracefully folded to the side.  Guest maybe served tea or fruit, which should not be refused.  On should at least take a taste. 

Security and safety:  Tourist locations considered safe.  Observe all normal precautions. Check the various Governmental Travel Alerts
Tap water safety:  Not potable.  Purified, bottled water is available everywhere. 
 

FESTIVALS:

Shopping
Fabrics:  Laos is famous for its woven silk and cotton which are found in varying designs throughout the country.  Each area has its own specific design.  Most products eventually find their way to Vientiane and can be found in the Morning Market – a rainbow of colors of silks and cotton.  If you do not find what you like when traveling round the country, make sure that you visit the morning market in Vientiane before you leave.  Lao women wear the traditional phaa sin – a wraparound skirt, worn by all government and office workers and school and university students.  The sin is worn with a silver belt.  A huge choice of phaa sin, shawls, bags and wall hangings can be found in the morning market and around Vientiane.  As well as traditional Lao weavings, you will find hill tribe embroidery and quilts that can be used as wall hangings. The central markets in Vientiane and Luang Prabang both offer a wide range of souvenirs, as do many of the cities' shops.  However, while the majority of private shops have fixed prices, in the markets the art of bargaining still rules.  Weaving - The art of weaving is still very much a home industry in Laos, where some of the finest silk and cotton weavers in the world can be found in the smallest of communities.  Traditional designs and patterns vary from province to province, and the intricate work can be purchased much cheaper at the source than from many handicraft stores, markets and hotel shops.  Antique woven pieces are still available but are becoming increasingly rare, often fetching very high prices.  Carving - From the simple and mundane, to the aesthetic and highly spiritual, Lao craftsmen can carve a wide variety of attractive pieces from wood, bone and stone.  Jewelry - The crafting of gold and silver jewelry is another skill at which the Lao people excel.  Many of the best examples of silver jewelry to be found in the country are the work of several of the hill tribes.  However, it should be noted that some silver and copper items exported from Laos are subject to tax according to weight.  Gemstones, such as sapphires, can also be found at reasonable prices.   Artifacts - The export of antiques, such as Buddha images and other artifacts, is prohibited.  Any antique items that have been purchased in another country must be declared to customs on arrival in Laos.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Postal service:  The General Post Office (GPO) is beside the Morning Market in Vientiane.  Normal mail service is inexpensive and generally reliable, however for urgent or valuable mail (either to or from Laos) EMS or courier service is recommended. 
Telephone:  The GPO offers public telephones for local, national and international calls.  Phone card (available at appointed shops) booths available for domestic and overseas calls.  Most large hotels have IDD lines, but calls are expensive.  Country code: 856.  Outgoing international code: 00.  The central telephone office is located on Setthathilath Road near Nam Phu Circle (Nam Phu Fountain), and is opened from 08:00 to 22:00 daily.  Fax, and fax services are also available. International Direct Dialing is available in Vientiane.  When calling from overseas: the country code is 856, and the city code is 21. 
Newspapers:  English-language "Vientiane Times" and French-language "Le Renovateur"
Email/Internet:  PlaNet has cyber cafés in both Vientiane (Setthathirat Road) and Luang Prabang (near the museum)
Police: Emergency Tel: 41-2536 (Police of Prefecture)
 

Medical Care:
The International Medical Clinic is operated by Mahosot Hospital, situated at the Bank of Mekong River on the Fa Ngum road.  It is daily opened 24 hours.  Tel: 21-4018, 21-4022, 21-4025.   The Australian and Swedish Embassies each operate up-to-date medical clinics, primarily for Embassy staff.  However, consultation, and/or treatment of non-Embassy staff is undertaken, with payment as prescribed, and circumstances warranting, may be refused.  No vaccinations mandatory however, if traveling to remote or border areas, vaccination against typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis desirable.  Outside of Vientiane, there is malaria risk.  Adequate supplies of any prescription drugs should be carried as they may not be available locally.  As a general precautionary measure, we recommended that you take out health insurance before traveling overseas. You should consult with your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether your policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Note that some insurers will only authorize payment for medical evacuations performed by companies with whom they have pre-existing agreements.

Lao Food
Lao food is traditionally eaten with sticky rice, with the fingers.  In the countryside, people will all eat family style, sitting on the floor, sharing a few dishes.  Traditional Lao food is dry, spicy and very delicious.  The food eaten in Laos is influenced by its neighbors and the colonial French.   Laap, a traditional Lao food is made from chopped meat, chicken or duck is a favorite.  The finely chopped meat, spices and broth is mixed with uncooked rice grains that have been dry fried, and crushed.  Laap is eaten with a plate of raw vegetables and sticky rice.  Tam Mak Houng is a salad made from sliced raw papaya, garlic, chili, peanuts, sugar, fermented fish sauce and lime juice - it can be extremely spicy, so be careful!  Som moo is fermented pork sausage, found in many forms.  The sausage is made from raw pork - sometimes lean, sometimes pork skin.  Som moo may be eaten raw or cooked.  A mixture of som moo, tam mak koung and laap make a popular Lao lunchtime meal.  Barbequed som moo, served Vietnamese style is popular in Laos.  Known as Naem Nuang, it is served with transparent rice paper, thin noodles and lots of herbs, vegetables, lettuce and a sauce.  You take all the ingredients, and build your own spring roll - watch the locals to see how it is done.  Foe (pronounced like the British English 'fur') is the name for noodle soup, which can be found everywhere in Laos.  It is similar in style to the Chinese noodle soup found allover Asia.  French Baguettes are found in the larger towns, served for breakfast, filled as a sandwich with pate, moo yor (a pork lunchmeat), vegetables, and chili sauce.  Baguettes are also dunked into coffee for breakfast.  As well as French bread, you will find a lot of salad in Laos.  The traditional Lao diet includes a lot of raw vegetables - but the French left the tossed salad behind.  In Luang Prabang, they make a delicious salad made from watercress. 
 

Currency
The KIP is the official currency of the Lao PDR and bank notes are presently in denomination of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 Kip.  There are money exchange facility at the airports, and several licensed bureau in towns.  Although It is best to always use cash to ensure the best bargains, a few businesses and restaurants do accept travelers' checks.  Traveler's checks in other currency are best changed in Vientiane and the major provinces.  In general, US dollar traveler's checks can be cashed at most banks in Laos nationwide.  Major international credit cards, such as VISA, MasterCard, and American Express are now being accepted in foreign banks, restaurants, hotels and businesses shops. 

Culture:
Laos used to be called Lane Xang, "The Land of A Million Elephants".  It was the name given to the country by King Fa Ngum when he reunified the country in 1353 A.D.  Lao folk music features the khan, or Lao panpipe, a wind instrument that is devised of a double row of bamboo like reeds fitted into a hardwood sound box.  The khean is often accompanied by a bowed string instrument or saw.  The National Dance is a folks dance called the Lamvong, or Circle Dance, in which couples dance circles around one another until there are three circles in all: a circle prescribed by an individual, a circle danced by a couple, and one by the whole crowd.  The cultural history of Laos has been shaped by a blend of three religions.  The early Lao were animists, believers in spirits, and many of these traditions still prevail; then Brahmanism spread eastward from the Indian subcontinent, and finally Buddhism, the most obvious influence on Lao culture today, made its unique influence on Laos.  Many Lao males choose to be ordained as monks temporarily, normally spending anywhere from a few days to three months at a Wat or temple.  Lao art and architecture is often unique and expressive.  Most tourists will visit a Wat or temple during their visit to Laos, and see the traditional turned-up roofs of the Wat.  Wat is the compound where monks reside.  Sculptures usually depicting the image of Buddha are distinctively Lao: the "calling for rain" posture, which depicts the Buddha standing with his hand held rigidly at the side, fingers pointing to the ground.  The flat, elongated earlobes, arched eyebrows and cauline nose are typically Lao.  Another unique feature is that the bottom of the image's robe turns up on both sides in a perfectly symmetrical fashion. 

Travelers alerts, warnings and information from various governmental sources: