FOOD & DRINK

Laos has a wide range of food, ranging from European to Asian cuisine. But whenever you visit Laos please do not forget to try 'khao neo' (sticky rice). Khao neo is a symbol of Laos and it is taken together with all sort of food (like Europeans eat bread). Khao neo can also be used to make desert. So don't forget to try Lao khao neo. Laap (meat salad), tam maak houng (papaya salad) and ping kai (bbq chicken) are typical Lao food and eaten with khao neo.


Please bare in mind that some of Lao food are quite hot and spicy, so it is a good idea to ask people to make it less spicy if you cannot take hot food. There are a lot of restaurants scattered over the town. You can find Japanese, French, Italian, Chinese, Indian and other kinds of food in those restaurants with their own unique environment. If you like something quick and simple, fer (noodle soup) is the best choice, especially for those who are always up and running.


When visiting Laos, don't forget to drink Beer Lao. Many people suggest that Beer Lao has a very good taste and can compete with foreign beers. Besides, if you come to Laos during March to May, you can try sugar cane juice (or what we call 'nam oy'). Fresh nam oy can make you up and running quickly in a hot day.

ABOUT LAOS

Geography
Laos is a landlocked country in the center of Indochina. It shares borders with China and Burma to the north, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west and Vietname to the east.

Approximately 70% of its total area (236,800 square kilometers) comprises of mountain and plateaux areas.

Mekong river (one of the longest rivers in the world) forms a natural border with Thailand. It flows through almost 1,900 kilometers of the territory of Laos.


Population
It was estimated that, in 1999, the population of Laos was 4.8 million. Around 85% of the population are farmers and live in rural areas. There are 3 main ethnic categories: Lao Loum (low landers), Lao Thueng (lower mountain dwellers), and Lao Soong (high landers). The great majority of Lao are Buddhist.


Climate
Laos has a warm and tropical climate with two seasons: the rainy season from the beginning of May to the end of September and the dry season from October to April. The average temperature 29 degree centigrade. Maximum temperature can reach up to 40 degree centigrade. Temperatures can drop to as low as 15 degrees or even lower in mountains. Generally, tourists are recommended to visit Laos during the months of November to March because these are cool months and rainfall is lower than other periods.


Language
The official language used in Laos is Lao language. However, the usage of the language can differ from north and south. English, French and Russian are spoken in business or by some senior government officials. Many shopkeepers can understand basic English and French.


Electricity & Water
Laos uses 220 volt (50 Hz) electricity for use with either two-pronged round or flat plugs. It is not recommended to drink directly from taps since it is not very clean. However, purified water is available throughout the country.


Currency
Lao national currency is Kip. There has been some devaluation of Lao Kip in the past few years. There are exchange booths available throughout town. Major credit cards are also accepted in large shops. You can also withdraw cash by using your credit cards, but it has to be done at a bank, since there is no automatic teller machine in Laos just yet.


Communication Facilities
Public phones are available in Vientiane and other major cities. You can also go to Lao Telecom office to call and fax overseas. Phone cards are widely available in most convenient stores. There are a number of Internet cafes in Vientiane and major cities. So you can be sure that you can always keep in touch with your family and friends.


Macro-Economic policies and economic system
Economic structure
The economic structure of the Lao PDR consists of many sectors under different forms of ownership and economic organizational system, but these sectors are equal before law and operate under the management of the state with the view to freely cooperate and compete in their business activities.


Legal system
As we have seen the Government wish to encourage competitiveness in the market. This is in line with improving economic relations with other countries; the National Assembly has promulgated a number of laws and regulations with the view of ensuring trade and investment in Laos. At present we have more than 40 laws including investment and business law.


Monetary and banking system
The policy of foreign exchange management is moved to a floating exchange rate system since 1995. In the field of broadening the economic relation with foreign countries, the Government extended business licenses to local and foreign banks with purely conducted commercial banking activities. Up to now the banking system in Lao PDR is comprised of the Central Bank, Lao state owned commercial banks, seven branches of foreign banks and Lao private commercial bank.


Customs regulations
Under the custom law of the Lao PDR the totally of tariff lines is 3552 with tariff rate ranging from 5%-40%. More than 50% covered the major part with 5% tariff rate and others with 10% and 20% tariff rates. The goods imported to Laos and exported from Laos are required to obtain the licenses and must be declared at the custom office. The import duties, which have only a mild protective component, are collected at regional customs posts, based on the valuation method of the GATT (General Agreement on Trade and Tariff).


Trade expansion policy
Since 1986 Lao PDR has implemented a new economic mechanism. Thus plans were set in motion to transform the centrally planned economy to a market economy under the direct management of the state. All economic development and to compete and freely cooperate in their business activities. Therefore since this time Lao PDR has been steadily progressing towards a market economy.

More information on economic issues please visit www.moc.gov.la

Attractions

Although Laos is a small country, each part of part the country can provide tourists with a variety of different unique kinds of feeling and unspoiled the sense of the real Lao culture. When travelling with in Laos from the north to the south you will never find two places that have the same environment and style.

We will highlight some of the well-known places in each part of Laos and let you uncover the mystic the other parts at your own time when you come to Laos. We ensure that Laos will be very different from other places that you have been.



Champasak



This is one of the main political and economic centers of Lao PDR and situated in the southern part of Laos. People of Champasack province settle along the bank of Kong Se Done river. In this province you will find ancient temples which were influenced from the Angkor in Cambodia.

Wat Phou - one of the most fascinating ancient sites in Indochina. Wat Pou was built along the slope of Pou Kao mountain and dated from the 6th century to the Angkor period of the 9th to 13th centuries.


Xieng Khuang


Xieng Khouang is located in the north of Laos. Most of its landscape consist of mountains and hills.

The most famous attraction in Xieng Khouang is the Plain of Jars, the largest standing over 3 meters tall, are scattered over a grassy plateau. There are more than 300 stone jars aged 2,500 to 3000 years old in this area.

Some suggested that they were used as wine containers, or burial urns.


Vientiane




Vientiane is the National Capital City of Lao PDR. It is the political and economic center of the country with the population of 500,000. Vientiane is located on the curve of the Mekong river which is a natural border with Thailand.

Thaat Luang Stupa - the national symbol of Laos. It was built in by King Xaysetthathirath in 1566. Thaat Luang was once destroyed by war and was restored in 1935. It has been said that if you do not visit Thaat Luang you do not arrive Laos yet. This is a must place to visit.



Patuxai - also known as Anousavali which means the gate of victory. Its architecture is inspired by the Arc de Triumph in Paris incorporated with traditional Lao design and sculpture. You can climb up to the top to get a panoramic view of the city of Vientiane.



Morning Market (Talat Sao) - this is the main shopping place in Vientiane. There are a variety of goods and local products with reasonable prices. You can buy Lao designed and handmade souvenirs such as textiles, Lao skirts (sinh), handicraft, jewelry and antiques. Get another shopping experience by go to Talat Sao and shop till you drop.

National Ethnic Cultural Park - also known as Suan Vatthanatham in Lao, is located 20 kilometers from Vientiane. In this one place you can see the lifestyle of all the ethnic groups in Laos, their homes, a small zoo and a good view of the Friendship bridge linking Laos and Thailand. There are a number of riverside bars and restaurant so sit back, relax and enjoy the day at Suan Vatthanatham.

Vang Vieng - about 152 kilometer from the city of Vientiane. The temperature there is a bit cooler than in Vientiane with a magnificent natural environment. You can climb up to Tham Jung (a beautiful cave with limestone). If you want some adventure you can float on a tube along the Nam Song river to feel the unspoiled nature around the river. Catching the sun set is a must when you visit Vang Vieng. There are daily buses taking tourists from Vientiane to Vang Vieng and vice versa.



Luang Prabang





Luang Prabang was the ancient capital city of the Lane Xang Kingdom (the ancient name of Laos). It was declared as one of the world heritage city by UNESCO. Luang Prabang has a lot of historical and cultural landmarks that are indescribably beautiful and unspoiled by the modern world.

Phra Thaat Phou Si - was built in 1804 and situated on top of Phou Si mountain in the center of Luang Prabang city. If you want to go up from the base to the top of Phou Si, you have to climb up the 328 zig-zag stairs up the hill slope. From the top you will be able to see the view of the city, from there you can also see the National Museum (used to be the King's Place). It has been told that you are still not in Luang Prabang unless you visit Phra Thaat Phou Si.

The National Museum - the former Royal Palace. In here you will find the richness of the Lao throne, gifts presented to Kings of Lane Xang from foreign leaders at that time and other invaluable antique. Just outside of the museum you will see the statue of King Sisavangvong made by former Soviet Union. Right in front of the King's statue is the Phra Bang Chapel which houses the Phra Bang (the holy Buddha statue that represents the city of Luang Phrabang).

Wat Xieng Thong - This is the most beautiful wat (temple) in Luang Prabang. It represents the truely Lao architecture and reflecting the lifestyle of the people of Luang Prabang. Wat Xieng Thong was built in 1560, it houses the royal urns used during a royal funeral ceremony.

Tham Ting - this is one of the most amazing caves in Luang Prabang. It is located at Pak Ou about 40 kilometers from Luang Prabang city. There are lots and lots of small buddha images inside the cave. No one knows how long ago that people took those buddha images and kept them there. Buddha images are made of wood, all sorts of metal and other materials. This place represents how much Lao people especially Luang Prabang people believe in Buddhism. You can go there by using speed boats or slow boats which give different kind of feeling.
Taat Kuang Si - this is the biggest and most famous waterfall in Luang Prabang. It is located 30 kilometer down south from the city of Luang Prabang. This is a perfect place for relaxation because of its fresh air and fantastic view. Around the area you can see how rural people live. In there you can also see many different ways that people use hydropower in their basic lifestyle.