Everything from Laos

Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, traversed by the Mekong River and known for its mountainous terrain and dense forests. It has a population of approximately 7.5 million. The capital, Vientiane, lies on the Mekong River border with Thailand. Laos was the centre of the powerful kingdom of Lan Xang from the 14th to the 18th century. It was a French protectorate and endured a civil war that led to the establishment of a communist government in 1975.

Today, it remains a one-party socialist republic. The economy is growing rapidly, driven by hydropower, mining, and tourism attracted to its natural landscapes and historic Buddhist temples. Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s least developed and most rural nations.

Laos is a country in the region Sandalsand has defined as South and Southeast Asia. There are introductions to this region and other regions in the Destinations menu.