Laos Country & Tourist Information

Location
South-East Asia.

Area
236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles).

Population
6.3 million (2006).

Population Density
26.6 per sq km.

Capital
Vientiane.
Population: 700,000 (2005 estimate).

Government
People’s Republic since 1975. Gained independence from France in 1953.

Language
The official language is Lao, however, many tribal languages are also spoken. French, Vietnamese and some English are spoken.

Religion
The majority of the Lao people are Buddhists. The Laos-Lum (Valley Laos) people follow the Hinayana (Theravada) form of Buddhism. The religions of the Laos-Theung (Laos of the mountain tops) range from traditional Confucianism to animism and Christianity.

Time
GMT + 7.

Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh since June 2006.

Head of State
Choummaly Sayasone since June 2006.

Telephone
Country code: 856. The General Post Office (GPO) offers public telephones for national and international calls. The are also card phone booths available.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Check with your service provider. Coverage is sporadic and mainly, though not exclusively, situated around Vientiane.

Internet
Internet cafes are located in the major towns and are becoming increasingly common in places frequented by backpackers.

Media
The Lao media is basically a tool of the government, which owns all of the country’s newspapers and broadcast media. Newspapers are not widely read.

Post
The General Post Office (GPO) is beside the Morning Market in Vientiane. Normal postal service is inexpensive and generally reliable although it can take around two weeks to and from Western countries. A courier service is recommended for urgent or valuable mail.

Press
• English-language newspapers include the Vientiane Times.
• Le Rénovateur is a French-language newspaper.
• The Lao-language daily is the Vientiane Mai.
• All are state run.

Radio
• Lao National Radio is the national radio station.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
 
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Pathet Lao Day.
20 Jan Army Day. 
26 Jan Chinese New Year.
8 Mar International Women's Day.
22 Mar Day of the People's Party.
13-15* Apr Lao New Year (Pi Mai).
1 May Labor Day. 
9 May Buddha Day (Vesak).
1 Jun Children's Day.
7 Jul Khao Pansa (Buddhist Fast begins).
13 Aug Lao Issara (Day of the Free Laos).
4 Oct Bouk Ok Pansa (Buddhist Fast ends).
12 Oct Day of Liberation.
2 Dec National Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Pathet Lao Day.
20 Jan Army Day. 
14 Feb Chinese New Year.
8 Mar International Women's Day.
22 Mar Day of the People's Party.
13-15* Apr Lao New Year (Pi Mai).
28 Apr Buddha Day (Vesak).
1 May Labor Day. 
1 Jun Children's Day.
Jun/Jul** Khao Pansa (Buddhist Fast begins).
13 Aug Lao Issara (Day of the Free Laos).
Sep/Oct** Bouk Ok Pansa (Buddhist Fast ends).
12 Oct Day of Liberation.
2 Dec National Day.

*Variations may occur.
** Dates to be confirmed.

Contact Information:

Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA)
PO Box 3556, Lane Xang Avenue, Hadsady, Chanthaboury, Vientiane, Laos
Tel: (21) 212 251/248.
Website: www.tourismlaos.gov.la or www.ecotourismlaos.com

Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in France
74 Avenue Raymond Poincaré, 75116 Paris, France
Tel: (01) 4553 0298.
Opening hours for visa enquires and applications: Mon-Fri 0900-1200.
Website: www.laoparis.com

Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in the USA
2222 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 332 6416.
Website: www.laoembassy.com


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