[citation needed], Amnesty International raised concerns about the ratification record of the Lao government on human rights standards, and its lack of co-operation with the UN human rights mechanisms and legislative measures—both impact negatively upon human rights. It is a political term that includes the non-ethnic Lao groups within Laos and identifies them as "Laotian" because of their political citizenship. In the park there are gym equipment for the public to use for free. [40] By 1943, the Vietnamese population stood at nearly 40,000, forming the majority in the largest cities of Laos and enjoying the right to elect its own leaders. [citation needed] By 2010 this had been reduced to 33 percent of the population. By 1940, around 600 French citizens lived in Laos. The assembly was expanded to 99 members in 1997, to 115 members in 2006 and finally to 132 members during the 2011 elections. [44] In 1990, deputy minister for science & technology Thongsouk Saysangkhi resigned from the government and party, calling for political reform. The Pathet Lao were backed militarily by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and Vietcong. [125] In 1993 the Laos government set aside 21 percent of the nation's land area for habitat conservation preservation. Export earnings from international visitors and tourism goods are expected to generate 15.5 percent of total exports or US$270.3 million in 2010, growing in nominal terms to US$484.2 million (12.5 percent of the total) in 2020. The refugees claim that attacks against them have continued almost unabated since the war officially ended in 1975, and have become more intense in recent years. [44][48], On 2 December 1975, after taking control of the country, the Pathet Lao government under Kaysone Phomvihane renamed the country as the Lao People's Democratic Republic and signed agreements giving Vietnam the right to station armed forces and to appoint advisers to assist in overseeing the country. [70] Pressure to resettle the refugees grew as the Thai government worked to close its remaining refugee camps. In 2017, the country sent a team for the first time to the team events at the Southeast Asian Games. Metallurgy is an important industry, and the government hopes to attract foreign investment to develop the substantial deposits of coal, gold, bauxite, tin, copper, and other valuable metals. There is a big variety of cuisine, from the local street food to good quality Lao and international restaurants including European, Indian, Japanese and vegetarian eating places. More than half of the nation's population is ethnic Lao—the principal lowland inhabitants, and the politically and culturally dominant people of Laos. ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ, Administration Division: The Capital is divided into 09 Districts namely Chanthabouly, Sikhottabong, Xaysettha, Sisattanak, Naxaithong, Xaythany, Hadxaifong, Sangthong & Pak Ngum. The major roads connecting the major urban centres, in particular Route 13, have been significantly upgraded in recent years, but villages far from major roads can be reached only through unpaved roads that may not be accessible year-round. [159], Australian filmmaker Kim Mordount's first feature film was made in Laos and features a Laotian cast speaking their native language. [citation needed] It is estimated that about 37% of educated Laotians live outside of Laos. In many rural areas electricity is at least partly available. [43], During the First Indochina War, the Indochinese Communist Party formed the Pathet Lao independence organisation. The attack resulted in the RLA largely demobilising, leaving the conflict to irregular ethnic Hmong forces of the "Secret Army" backed by the United States and Thailand, and led by General Vang Pao. The Thai government attempted to repatriate these refugees, but the Wat Tham Krabok Hmong refused to leave and the Lao government refused to accept them, claiming they were involved in the illegal drug trade and were of non-Lao origin. [138], Laos is known for silk and local handicraft products, which are on display in Luang Prabang's night market, among other places. Lao Soung account for only about 10 percent of the population. In 2012, the government initiated the creation of the Laos Trade Portal, a website incorporating all information traders need to import and export goods into the country. Another specialty is mulberry tea. The close ties between Laos and Vietnam were formalised via a treaty signed in 1977, which has since provided not only directions for Lao foreign policy, but also the basis for Vietnamese involvement at all levels of Lao political and economic life. Bounchao Pichit, "Laos Cinema," in David Hanan, ed., Last edited on 26 September 2020, at 11:02, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, construction of four new railways connecting Laos and neighbours, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, US Commission on International Religious Freedom, "Results of Population and Housing Census 2015", https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2012/12/globalReligion-tables.pdf, "Lao People's Democratic Republic and the WTO", "China train project runs roughshod over Laos", "Laos approves Xayaburi 'mega' dam on Mekong", "Laos Securities Exchange to start trading", "10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Laos", "Anatomically modern human in Southeast Asia (Laos) by 46 ka", "Archaeological Investigations in northern Laos: New contributions to Southeast Asian prehistory", "History and Practice of Archaeology in Laos", Pittayaporn, Pittayawat (2014). [16][17], The English word Laos was coined by the French, who united the three Lao kingdoms in French Indochina in 1893 and named the country as the plural of the dominant and most common ethnic group, the Lao people. Although Vientiane city bus system doesn't cover as widely, there are buses to many tourist sites outskirt of the capital city such as Buddha Park. [citation needed] Plans to resettle additional Hmong refugees in the United States have been complicated by provisions of President George W. Bush's Patriot Act and Real ID Act, under which Hmong veterans of the Secret War, who fought on the side of the United States, are classified as terrorists because of their historical involvement in armed conflict. [43], Male life expectancy at birth was at 62.6 years and female life expectancy was at 66.7 years in 2017. A short portage railway, the Don Det–Don Khon narrow gauge railway was built by the French in Don Det and Don Khon in Champasak Province but has been closed since the 1940s. [109] A number of citizens, primarily women and girls, from all ethnic groups and foreigners have been victims of sex trafficking in Laos. In addition, the country's plentiful water resources and mountainous terrain enable it to produce and export large quantities of hydroelectric energy. Additionally, the Khao San Pathet Lao, the country's official news agency, publishes English and French versions of its eponymous paper. The rebellion failed and Vientiane was ransacked. [citation needed] Médecins Sans Frontières has refused to assist the Hmong refugees because of what they have called "increasingly restrictive measures" taken by the Thai military. Calculating U.S. [44] The head of state is President Bounnhang Vorachith, also General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. In 1977, a communist newspaper promised the party would hunt down the "American collaborators" and their families "to the last root". According to the US Committee for Refugees, he was arrested by Lao security forces and was never seen again. Although some accusations of forced repatriation were denied,[75] thousands of Hmong people refused to return to Laos. Moreover, 130,000 deaths can be attributed to the civil war. Under Vietnamese pressure, he rebelled against the Siamese in 1826. Present Laos traces its historic and cultural identity to Lan Xang, which existed from the 14th century to the 18th century as one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia. [41] Otherwise, according to Martin Stuart-Fox, the Lao might well have lost control over their own country. There are many temples in the town itself, so it is easy to stroll around and visit most of them, but remember the dress rules – women should wear modest clothes (covered arms and at least knee-length shorts and skirt, and men in T-shirts and shorts at a minimum) and shoes should be removed before entering a temple. [41] As a result, 53% of the population of Vientiane, 85% of Thakhek, and 62% of Pakse were Vietnamese, with only the exception of Luang Prabang where the population was predominantly Lao. Located in Vientiane, a 20-minute walk from Laos National Museum, S 2 Modern Boutique Hotel has accommodations with a restaurant, free private parking and a fitness center. [59], The Lao People's Democratic Republic is one of the world's only socialist states openly endorsing communism. [120] The irrigated areas under cultivation account for only 28% of the total area under cultivation which, in turn, represents only 12% of all of the agricultural land in 2012. Laos applied for membership of the World Trade Organization in 1997; on 2 February 2013, it was granted full membership. Vientiane is the capital and largest city in Laos. [citation needed], After talks with the UNHCR and the Thai government, Laos agreed to repatriate the 60,000 Lao refugees living in Thailand, including several thousand Hmong people. In 1893, the three territories came under a French protectorate and were united to form what is now known as Laos. In a 23 October 1995 National Review article, Michael Johns, the former Heritage Foundation foreign policy expert and Republican White House aide, labelled the Hmong's repatriation a Clinton administration "betrayal", describing the Hmong as a people "who have spilled their blood in defense of American geopolitical interests". [172], The martial art of muay Lao, the national sport,[173] is a form of kickboxing similar to Thailand's Muay Thai, Burmese Lethwei and Cambodian Pradal Serey. Laos dam survivors query death toll. However, only slightly more than half of the population speaks Lao natively. [36], In the late-19th century, Luang Prabang was ransacked by the Chinese Black Flag Army. [46] Due to the particularly heavy impact of cluster bombs during this war, Laos was a strong advocate of the Convention on Cluster Munitions to ban the weapons, and was host to the First Meeting of States Parties to the convention in November 2010. Within 20 years of its formation, the kingdom expanded eastward to Champa and along the Annamite mountains in Vietnam. [25] Archaeological evidence suggests an agriculturist society developed during the 4th millennium BC. Mon-Khmer groups, the Hmong, and other indigenous hill tribes live in the foothills and mountains. [155], Sinh is a traditional garment worn by Laotian women in daily life. For female travellers in Laos cultivating a local fling, there won’t be many strings attached, except that the man may very well be married and not tell you about it. [44] Between 1964 and 1973, the U.S. dropped two million tons of bombs on Laos, nearly equal to the 2.1 million tons of bombs the U.S. dropped on Europe and Asia during all of World War II, making Laos the most heavily bombed country in history relative to the size of its population; The New York Times noted this was "nearly a ton for every person in Laos". [143] The Lao belong to the Tai linguistic group[144] who began migrating south from China in the first millennium CE. Vientiane used to be a former French trading post during the colonial period, and as a result it has a delightful old French quarter than you can explore. Laos has nine daily newspapers, 90 magazines, 43 radio stations, and 32 TV stations operating throughout the country. In 1996 as the deadline for the closure of Thai refugee camps approached, and under mounting political pressure, the United States agreed to resettle Hmong refugees who passed a new screening process. [citation needed]. It is reflected throughout the country from language to the temple and in art, literature, performing arts, etc. "[74] Republicans called several Congressional hearings on alleged persecution of the Hmong in Laos in an apparent attempt to generate further support for their opposition to the Hmong's repatriation to Laos. [44][43], In 1968 the PAVN launched a multi-division attack to help the Pathet Lao to fight the RLA. The capital city has more of a small town feel than that of a capital. [42] The Japanese attempted to force Sisavang Vong (the King of Luang Phrabang) to declare Laotian independence but on 8 April he instead simply declared an end to Laos's status as a French protectorate. [65], In 1992 elections were held for a new 85-seat National Assembly with members, nominated by the one-party communist government, elected by secret ballot to five-year terms. The revised constitution of 11 May 1957 omitted reference to the French Union, though close educational, health and technical ties with the former colonial power persisted. Between 20,000 and 62,000 Laotians died during the Civil War. This sector, since 2003–04, has made significant contributions to the economic condition of Laos. Mountain/hill tribes of mixed ethno/cultural-linguistic heritage are found in northern Laos, which include the Lua and Khmu people who are indigenous to Laos. In particular, it can indicate which region the wearer is from. Most people live in valleys of the Mekong River and its tributaries. The Prime Minister's Office issued an announcement entrusting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other sectors to organise a seminar to discuss and study the medical use of cannabis. Vientiane is the capital and largest city in Laos. Tourism is the fastest-growing industry in the country. The Lao alphabet, which evolved sometime between the 13th and 14th centuries, was derived from the ancient Khmer script and is very similar to Thai, and easily understood by readers of Thai script. [68], Some Hmong groups fought as CIA-backed units on the royalist side in the Laotian Civil War. [77], Following threats of forcible removal by the Thai government, the United States, in a significant victory for the Hmong, agreed to accept 15,000 of the refugees in 2003. Government policies are determined by the party through the all-powerful eleven-member Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the 61-member Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Recognised asylum seekers were given resettlement opportunities, while the remaining refugees were to be repatriated under guarantee of safety. From the river bank inland, the three main roads run parallel to the river, while the largest and widest boulevard, Lane Xang Ave, runs from the Presidential Palace to the northeast around Patuxai, the Victory Gate, towards the That Luang Stupa, the most important religious monument in Laos. The capital and largest city of Laos is Vientiane and other major cities include Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Pakse. The elections were widely disputed and questioned by Lao and Hmong opposition and dissident groups abroad and in Laos and Thailand. [54], Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and it lies mostly between latitudes 14° and 23°N (a small area is south of 14°), and longitudes 100° and 108°E. Gunderson, Steve (18 May 1996) "State Department Outlines Resettlement Guidelines for Hmong Refugees". [73], Following the Vue Mai incident, debate over the Hmong's planned repatriation to Laos intensified greatly, especially in the United States, where it drew strong opposition from many American conservatives and some human rights advocates. [34] Anouvong was taken to Bangkok as a prisoner, where he died. [18][19][20][21][22] In the Lao language, the country's name is Muang Lao (ເມືອງລາວ) or Pathet Lao (ປະເທດລາວ), both of which literally mean 'Lao Country'. [18] English-speakers often mispronounce the word 'Laos', falsely believing that it should be pronounced with a silent 's', however the 's' in Laos should not be silent. [citation needed]. Fa Ngum, with 10,000 Khmer troops, conquered many Lao principalities in the Mekong River Basin, culminating in the capture of Vientiane. [126], The economy receives development aid from the IMF, ADB, and other international sources; and also foreign direct investment for development of the society, industry, hydropower and mining (most notably of copper and gold). Apart from exploring the city itself there are several nice places to see around the capital city, where you can go kayaking, wild-water rafting, trekking through nature parks, such as Nam Ngum Lake, the Nam Lik eco-adventure area, Tha Ngon floating fish restaurant, Buddha Park and the Phou Khao Khouay national park. Bei Touristen ist dies kein sehr beliebtes Ziel, aber aus gutem Grund. [33], Chao Anouvong was installed as a vassal king of Vientiane by the Siamese. The streets are lined with trees, French colonial buildings, street markets, Buddhist temples, and noodle shops. In 2009, despite the fact that the government is still officially communist, the Obama administration in the US declared Laos was no longer a Marxist–Leninist state and lifted bans on Laotian companies receiving financing from the US Export-Import Bank. [12] After a period of internal conflict, Lan Xang broke into three separate kingdoms—Luang Phrabang, Vientiane, and Champasak. This includes decreasing the environmental and cultural impact of tourism; increasing awareness in the importance of ethnic groups and biological diversity; providing a source of income to conserve, sustain and manage the Lao protected area network and cultural heritage sites; and emphasizing the need for tourism zoning and management plans for sites that will be developed as ecotourism destinations. The stated policy objectives of both the Lao government and international donors remain focused upon achieving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. Create a Trip to save and organize all of your travel ideas, and see them on a map. There are two plateaux, the Xiangkhoang in the north and the Bolaven Plateau at the southern end. There are several mini markets selling western food and other necessities. The biggest one is at King Anouvong Park (upper part), another one is at the lower part of the park (closer to the Mekong River) and the last one is to the south of King Anouvong stupa, behind the buildings of many restaurants (close to Done Chanh Hotel). Throughout the country signage is bilingual in Lao and French, with French being predominant. [69], As many as 200,000 Hmong went into exile in Thailand, with many ending up in the US. [citation needed], Massive aerial bombardment against the PAVN/Pathet Lao forces were carried out by the United States to prevent the collapse of the Kingdom of Laos central government, and to deny the use of the Ho Chi Minh Trail to attack US forces in South Vietnam. In 2004 the net primary enrollment rate was at 84 percent.[152]. [156] The first feature-length film made after the monarchy was abolished is Gun Voice from the Plain of Jars, directed by Somchith Pholsena in 1983, although its release was prevented by a censorship board. [88], On 27 December 2009, The New York Times reported that the Thai military was preparing to forcibly return 4,000 Hmong asylum seekers to Laos by the end of the year. There are some public holidays, festivities and ceremonies in Laos. 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