The history of Laos and the Lao people has been wrapped up in the history of neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam for a long time. However, Laos and its people have a culture, cuisine and tradition that is all their own. Read on to find what makes Laos stand out from its more talked-about neighbors.
A closer look 說古論今
The history of the Lao people, the main ethnic group of Laos, can be traced back to a kingdom founded in the 1300's, called Lan Xang, or “Land of 1,000 Elephants.” But scholars believe certain parts of Lao culture, like its musical traditions, have existed for thousands of years. In fact, the khene, a traditional mouth organ made of pipes of bamboo, is thought to be as old as the area's Bronze Age. It's an important part of the history of music, and may have influenced musical traditions in China and other parts of the world.
Six hundred years after the foundation of Lan Xan, the kingdom was taken over by the kingdom of Siam, the area known today as Thailand. Siam then gave the area to the French, who were trying to increase their power in the area and the wealth of France. This is not the only time Western politics has affected Laotian history. During the Vietnam War, important battles were fought in Laos by armies funded by North Vietnam and the US. They were a secret, because officially Laos was supposed to be neutral in the fighting.
Today, Laos is one of the only surviving communist states; the people of Laos can vote, but there is only one political party. The country is very poor, but it is growing and improving slowly, partly because of tourism to places like the country's two World Heritage Sites, Luang Prabang and Wat Phou, as well as the Plain of Jars.
Location: Southeast Asia
Border countries: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vietnam
Language: Lao, French, English and other languages
Government: Communist State
Currency: NT$1 is worth a little more than 300 Laotian kip