Laos Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
country in Southeast Asia
About Laos
The people call themselves Lao and the language is Lao, so where did that "s" come from? The answer seems to be a mistranslation from French: somebody readroyaume des Laos("kingdom of the Lao people") asroyaume de Laos("kingdom of Laos"), and the name stuck. The official name, however, isLao PDRand, should you have any incoming mail, using it will increase the odds of it passing the censors. TheLao People's Democratic Republic(ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ) (Lao PDR) is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and the most sparsely populated. Unlike most countries in Asia, the country has not undergone a major industrialisation and modernisation period; as a result, its lifestyle remains mostly rural and there are no large cities. An adjective often applied to Laos is "forgotten"
Top Attractions in Laos
Explore the best things to see and do in Laos:
- ★Herbal Sauna
- ★Hiking
- ★Kayaking
- ★Rock Climbing
- ★Tubing
Laos Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 18 sections including: