Laos

Introduction to Laos

The Lao People's Democratic Republic is a landlocked country in southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar (commonly known as Burma) and the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Thailand to the west. From the 14th to the 18th century, the country was called Lan Xang or Land of A Million Elephants.

Laos is a landlocked country in southeast Asia and the thickly forested landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains, the highest of which is Phou Bia at 2817 m, with some plains and plateaus. The Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand, whereas the mountains of the Annamite Chain form most of the eastern border with Vietnam.

The climate is tropical and characterised by monsoons. There is a distinct rainy season from May to November, followed by a dry season from December to April. The capital and largest city of Laos is Vientiane, and other major cities include Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Pakse.

In 1993, the government set aside 21% of the nation's land area as National Biodiversity Conservation Areas (NBCA), which may be developed into a national park system. If completed, it is expected to be the most comprehensive and one of the finest national park systems in southeast Asia.

A number of animal species have been discovered or re-discovered in Laos in recent years. These include the striped or Annamite rabbit, the saola, and most recently the Laotian rock rat or kha-nyou.

Cultural notes about Laos

Theravadan Buddhism has contributed greatly to the Lao culture. It is reflected throughout the country both in its language to the temple as well as art, literature, performing arts, etc. Laotian music is dominated by its national instrument, the khaen (a type of bamboo pipe). Bands typically include a singer/rapper (mor lam) and a khaen player (mor khaen) alongside fiddlers and other musicians. Lam saravane is the most popular genre of Laotian music, but ethnic Lao in Thailand have developed an internationally-best selling form called mor lam sing.

One significant archive of ancient Laotian culture is the Plain of Jars.

Official Canadian government advisories for travelling to, in and around Laos

You are advised against all travel to Sam Neua and Huaphan Province. Exercise extreme caution when travelling by road along Route 13 North between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, and Route 7 from Phoukhoun to Phongsavan. Military escorts should be used, whenever possible, when travelling to the Xaysomboune Special Zone and Xieng Khouang Province. You should be alert to ongoing security concerns related to ethnic conflicts, banditry, and unexploded munitions when travelling in Laos. There have been a series of civil disturbances, including bombings, over the past year in the capital, Vientiane, and in northern areas. Buses, bus stations, and markets have been the target of several attacks resulting in deaths and injuries. Landmines and unexploded munitions constitute a risk, particularly in Xieng Khouang Province (Plain of Jars) and at the Lao-Vietnamese border areas that were formerly traversed by the Ho Chi Minh Trail. You should avoid these areas and never travel off well-used roads.

There is a heightened threat of terrorism throughout Southeast Asia. You should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times as the security situation could deteriorate rapidly without notice. Exercise caution, particularly in commercial and public establishments (hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events) and tourist areas frequented by foreigners.

Crimes such as theft, bag snatching, break-ins, and sexual assault occur. Caution is advised along hiking trails. Armed robberies have been reported in Phou Khao Khouay National Park. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings are secure. Do not show signs of affluence. Do not travel late at night in Vientiane. Travellers are subject to search, detention, and the possibility of fines by authorities if suitable identification is not presented. Travellers should comply with requests to stop at checkpoints and roadblocks.

Security authorities may place foreigners under surveillance. Hotel rooms, telephones, fax machines, and e-mail messages may be monitored. Personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched.

There have been several fatal crashes involving Yuen-7 and Yuen-12 aircraft on domestic routes in Laos since June 2000.

Travel by boat on the Mekong River from Vientiane to Luang Prabang is unreliable. Safety standards are minimal. Speedboat travel is especially dangerous during the dry season. Canadians should not travel on or across the Mekong River after dark. In some areas, the Lao military has been known to shoot at boats after dark.