Laos travel guide
Laos, officially known as the Lao People s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia. but the adjective that was most often applied to Laos is forgotten, this is changing fast however, with touripatagonia better sweater channel bluesm being the biggest growth sector in Laos with ever rising visitor numbers under it s new tourism slogan Simply beautiful . First created as an entity in 1353, when warlord Fa Ngum declared himself the king of Lane Xang ( Million Elephants ), the kingdom was initially a Khmer vassal state. After a succession dispute, the kingdom split in three in 1694 and was eventually devoured piece by piece by the Siamese, the last fragments agreeing to Siamese protection in 1patagonia better sweater coat reviews885.
The area east of the Mekong, however, was soon wrenched back from Siam by the French, who wanted a buffer state to protect Vietnam, and set up Laos as a unified territory in 1907. Briefly occupied by Japan in 1945, a three decade long conflict was triggered when France wanted to retake its colony. Granted full independence in 1953, the war continupatagonia chile ranch for saleed between a bewildering variety of factions, with the Communist and North Vietnam allied Pathet Lao struggling to overthrow the French leaning monarchy. During the Vietnam War (1964 1973) the United States dropped 1.9 million tonnes of bombs on Laos, mostly in the northeast: for comparison 2.2 million tonnes of bombs were dropped by all sides in World War II.
In 1975, after the fall of Saigon, the Commpatagonia hiking shoe reviewsunist Pathet Lao took control of Vientiane and ended a six century old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and admission into ASEAN in 1997.
Despite being just one hour by air from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, life in Laos has continued in much the same way it has for hundreds of years, although things are now slowly beginning to change. In the mid 90s the government reversed its stance on tourism, and then declared 1998 Visit Laos Year but despite their efforts and all Laos has to offer, monks still outnumbered tourists throughout the country. This is now rapidly changing, with tourist numbers rising every year. Indeed, Vientiane is a laid back, yet charmingly cosmopolitan village.
Despite its small population, Laos has 49 patagonia guide jacket maker2ethnic groups, or tribes, from which Lao, Khmou and Hmong constitute approximately three quarters of the population. Most tribes are small, with some having just a few hundred members. The ethnic groups are divided into four linguistic branches: Lao Tai language represented by 8 tribes, Mone Khmer language with 32 tribes, Hmoung Loumien language with 2 tribes and Tibeto Chinese language represented by 7 tribes.
Laos is officially Buddhist, and the national symbol, the gilded stupa of Pha That Luang, has replaced the hammer and sickle even on the state seal. Still, there is a good deal of animism mixed in, particularly in the baci (also baasi) ceremony conducted to bind the 32 guardian spirits to the participant s body before a long journey, after serious illness, the birth of a baby or other significant events.
Lao custom dictates that women must wear the distinctive phaa sin, a long sarong available in many regional patterns; however, many ethnic mpatagonia discount code nordstrominorities have their own clothing styles. The conical Vietnamese style hat is also a common sight. These days men dress Western style and only don the phaa biang sash on ceremonial occasions.
Thpatagonia guide jacket maker3e slightly cooler wet season is from May to October, when temperaturepatagonia everlong review onlines are around 30C, tropical downpours are frequent (especially July August), and in some years the Mekong floods.
The dry season from November to March, which has low rainfall and temperatures as low as 15C (or even to zero in the mountains at night), is high season (when tpatagonia guide jacket maker1he most tourists are in the country). However, towards thepatagonia everlong review windows end of the dry season, the northern parts of Laos basically everything north of Luang Prabang can become very hazy due to farmpatagonia guide jacket maker0ers burning fields and fires in the forests.
Luang Napatagonia everlong review 99mtha capital of the north, known for its trekkipatagonia freeport maine 6 newng
Luang Prabang a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its numerous temples, colonial era architecture, and vibrant night market
Muang Xay also known as Oudomxay, the capital of the multi ethnic province of Oudomxapatagonia guide jacket makery
Pakbeng halfway point on the overnight slow boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang
Pakse gateway to the Wat Phu ruins and the four thousand islands (Si Phan Don)
Savannakhet in the south on the Mekong, connected by bridge to Mukdahan in Thailand
Tha Khaek a popular base for exploring the Phou Hin Boun National Park including the famous Konglor Cave
Ban Nalan Trail a two day ecotourism trekking in the north of Laos
Champasak Wat Phu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Angkor style Khmer temples
Nong Khiaw beautiful Karst cliffs where you can discover hilltribe villages, kayak, bike ride or just hang out
Plain of Jars Iron Age cemetery sites located near Phonsavan; also one of the main locations to learn about the Secret War .
