World Guide

Laos

Country · Asia, South-eastern Asia

Laos
Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Laos is a country in South-eastern Asia with neighbours Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The capital is Vientiane, the area is 236,800 square kilometres, and the population is about 7.9 million. The country offers visitors a range of cultural sights and natural landscapes.

Highlights

The site covers 11 sights. Cities include Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Top sights feature the Plain of Jars, Vat Phou, Kuang Si Falls, Wat Xieng Thong, Buddha Park, Royal Palace in Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Caves, Hin Namno National Park, Mount Phou Si, That Dam, and Wat Si Muang.

Food and drink

Local dishes include larb, koi, kai yang, padaek, nam khao, and khao poon.

When to go

This section covers the monthly climate at the capital Vientiane. January and February have daily highs around 27 °C to 30 °C and lows around 16 °C to 19 °C, with rain on about 3 days per month. Temperatures rise in March and April to highs of 32 °C to 34 °C and lows of 22 °C to 24 °C, with increasing rain. From May through September, daily highs range from 30 °C to 32 °C, lows stay around 24 °C, and monthly rain exceeds 250 mm on 21 to 26 days. October brings lower rain and temperatures, while November and December return to drier conditions with highs of 27 °C to 28 °C and lows of 16 °C to 19 °C.

Practical notes

The currency is the Lao kip. The official language is Lao. Driving is on the right. The time zone is UTC+07:00. Power plugs are types A, B, C, E, and F at a voltage of 230 volts.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Laos

  • Larb
  • Koi
  • Kai yang
  • Padaek
  • Nam khao
  • Khao poon

Top sights in Laos

  1. Plain of JarsUNESCOPlain of Jars
  2. Vat PhouVat PhouChampasak
  3. Kuang Si FallsKuang Si FallsLuang Prabang
  4. Wat Xieng ThongWat Xieng ThongLuang Prabang
  5. Buddha ParkBuddha ParkVientiane
  6. Royal Palace, Luang PrabangRoyal Palace, Luang PrabangLuang Prabang
  7. Pak Ou CavesPak Ou CavesLuang Prabang
  8. UNESCOHin Namno National Park
  9. Mount Phou SiMount Phou SiLuang Prabang
  10. That DamThat DamVientiane
  11. Wat Si MuangWat Si MuangVientiane

Weather by month

The warmest month is April, with an average high of 34 °C. The wettest is August, with about 369 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C273033343231303030292927
Average low, °C171922242425242424221916
Rainfall, mm8174394254298346369286105154
Rainy days3381021222526241431

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Vientiane (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

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