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.

Geography

Laos is landlocked and lies between Thailand, Myanmar, China, Vietnam and Cambodia. The Mekong River forms the country's western border and the Annamite mountains form its eastern border with Vietnam. The total land area is approximately 237,000 sq km - an area similar to that of the United Kingdom. The main features of the country are its mountains and the Mekong River valley.

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 , Luang Prabang 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 , Luang Prabang and major cities. So you can be sure that you can always keep in touch with your family and friends.

Food and Drinks
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.

Government-Administration in Laos

Historically, Lao territory was governed by many different chiefs of the principalites called in Lao as chao Muang (head of township). When King Fa Ngum united Laos as Lane Xang Kingdom in 1353 , Lao territory was 500,000 km2 covered boat banks of the Mekong River, Xiengthong, present Luang Prabang, was the capital city.

Since that period of time, the King’s system of administration had King as Head of State. There was also the viceroy,(deputy-king) who assisted the king in managing the kingkoms affairs. The Administration’s system was divided in different township.

In 1695, King Soulignawongsa passed way, internal conflict occurred and lasted to 1713 and then the territory of lane Xang Kingdom was divided into three small kingdom namely : Luang Prabang, Vientiane and ChampasaK. All THEse three kingdoms lived together up to 1778 and then lost their independence to the Sfiamese. Under the Siamese administration period. Vientaine and Luang Prabang were vassal states and Champasak annexed to Siam and adminstered by a prince as local governor, After 1828 Vientaine Kingdom had no king since the Siamese killed it’s royal familyes, while Luang Prabang had thd king till 1975.

When the French conquered Laos and replaced the Siamese in the Administration of the country, Laos had 236,800 km2. The French took over the left bank of the Mekong river in 1893 and the right bank (Xayabouli and Champassak) in 1930. The Frecch divided Laos into two adminstration systems : Luang Prabang as protectoral kingdom while Vientiane and Champasak were Colonies. Two areas were divided into provinces, districts. Sub districts and villages and Laos was the 5th regions under the French, Indochina Federation, namely; Vietnam Cambodia and Laos.

The words of Prime Minister and government and ministers were firstly heard in Laos. They were in use during the period Prince Phetsaraj was nominated as Prime Minsister of the kingdom’s government on 20/10/1941 under Sisawangwong reign. Such government had rights to adminsister only in Luang Prabang Kingdom.

Affter 166 years of losing independence and with the long struggle for national liberation, the Lao people drove way the foreign aggressors and declared Laos’ Independence Day on October 10, 1945. The Lao Administration system was in form of democracy, under the constitution, the Head of State was also under the law. The people assembly nominated the independence government to administer the entire country and Mr. Khammao Vilay was the first Prime Minister.
On August 1974 by the collaboration with Luang Prabang king and some high-ranking officials, the French returned to govern Laos for the second time.

The French set up a new style regime “Lao autonomy under Indochina Federation ” The French – Lao trealy called “Modus Vivendi” recognized the one king administration’s regime and Sisavangvong was recognized as king of entire Laos. The National Assembly and Government and administration were set up to replace the independence government and the people administration. Since then Laos became a new colony with the puppet government and not a true independent country.

In 1950, under the anti – communist banner, the American came to assist the French their war efforts to destroy the independence’s movements in Indochaina, They continued to launch aggressive war in Laos as in the whole Indochina.
The Lao people and the Lao patriotic movement did not agree with and cannot accept the system of administration imposed by the imperiaalist power. They continued to fight by many forms especially by guerrilla warfare. The people armed forces were set up on 20/1/1949 in the liberated zone to fight against the French and the puppet government Kaysone Phomvihane was appointed as the supreme commander- in chief of that new born army.

On August 13, 1950, the representatives of Lao movement Itsala set up “the central committee for Lao Itsala under the chirmanship of Souphanouwng, the Lao Itsala Government was who formed with Souphanouvong as Prime Minister. Kaysone Phomvihane as minister for national defense. Since then , Laos has two systems of administration in the same country.

On July 21, 1954 Geneva agreement were signed to end the conflict in Indochaina, the French accepted to recognixed the full independence of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

As far as the Laos situation was concerned, both sides of the conflict negotiated for two times in 1957-58 and 1962 but were lately failed and the war continued until 1973. The balance of force had changed in favour of the patriotic forces who liberated over 4/5 of the entire territory, coveered more than half of the total population , On April 5, 1974 both sides set up the national consultative council and national coalition government. The war was ended. The national reunification was made. Vientiane and Luang Prabang were selected as neutral cities for the security, safely and good functioning of the newly formed coalition council and government.

People I many provinces under the control of the then Vientiane government apprasised for the change of the government’s system. On August 23, 1975 the Vientiane people declared the abolishment of the then Vientiane administration. Laos was totally liberated, the Lao people set up the new administration frome the provinces to the villages and under the administration of the temporary coalition government.

On December 2, 1975 there were altogether 14 Prime Ministers. The person who had long and many times served as Prime Miniiser under the king’s administration was Souwannaphouma Rattanawongsa.

Presidents of Lao PDR are :
The first president was Souphanouvong who was elected by the peoplo’s Supreme Assemby on December 2, 1975.

October 29 , 1989 Phoumi Vongvichit
Was served as acting president

August 13,1990 Kaysone Phomvihane
Novenber 25, 1992 Nouhak Phoumsavanh
February 1998 till the present : Khamtai Siphandone

Prime Ministers of Lao PDR are ;
Kaysone Phomvihane , December 2, 1975
Khamtai Siphandone, August 15, 1991
Sisavath Keobounphan February 26, 1998
The present Boungnang Vorachith, April 9,2002

Refference :
Visiting Moung Lao No. 26 July – September 2005. Page 15.Lao National Tourism Administration.Vientiane , Lao PDR.