Fascinating Facts about Laos

Without exploration, Laos might be known only as a landlocked country in Indochina. However, the hidden treasures of Laos go beyond its geographic identity. Delve deeper into Laos through the following article!

Fascinating Facts about Laos

“Sa Bai Dee” - A Common Greeting

“Sa Bai Dee” is the widely used greeting in Laos. Laotians do not encourage physical contact during greetings; instead, they often clasp their hands together and bow their heads. Nowadays, some Laotian men also shake hands when greeting.

The Capital City of Vientiane

The capital, Vientiane, is just about an hour's flight from Hanoi. It is the only place in Laos where you can find a mosque and a bowling alley.

Architectural Marvel, Wat Phu Palace

Wat Phu is also a heritage site of ancient Khmer culture. It is smaller than Cambodia's Angkor Wat, but much quieter. Wat Phu is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.

A Nation of Festivals and Temples

In Laos, festivals happen throughout the year, almost every month. The Bunpimay festival is the largest and most grandiose. Laos is also known as the 'Land of Buddhism' with over 1,400 temples, making it one of the countries with the highest number of temples in the world. It's estimated that there is a temple every 100km in Laos. Approximately 90% of Laos' population follows the Buddhist faith.

Calendar

Laos follows two distinct calendars, the Gregorian calendar for business and the lunar calendar for festivals. The Lao New Year typically falls in the lunar month of April, marking the beginning of the year in the Buddhist calendar. The main festivals in Laos include the Boun Bung Fai rocket festival in the lunar January, Boun Khao Phansa marking the start of the Buddhist Lent lasting three months in lunar July, and the Bout That Luang festival in lunar December.

Beer Culture

The image of beer bottles with the tiger logo is ubiquitous in Laos and globally renowned as Beerlao. In 2013, Time Magazine voted Beerlao as the best-tasting beer in Asia. The subtle aroma of the beer comes from traditional Lai rice. Drinking beer with Laos' distinctive snacks is an unforgettable experience for travelers.

Culinary Delights

Laos' culinary scene closely resembles that of Thailand, with a predominant taste of spicy and hot flavors. Strong spices such as chili, pepper, lime, and garlic are widely used.

Muan baw?

“Muan baw?” (Are you happy?) is a common question in Laos, asked after every meal, on weekends, at wedding events, and even after any daily activity. They consider smiles as a tonic, valuing the happiness of life.

New Year's Celebration

Laos New Year, Bunpimay, usually takes place in April according to the Lao calendar. The celebration involves a traditional water pouring ritual, where people pour water on each other, disregarding differences in status or wealth. The wetter the celebration, the happier and luckier it is believed to be for the new year.

Automobile Culture

Laos encourages people to travel by car, hence the low vehicle taxes. Owning a car is much easier here compared to Vietnam. You'll notice a variety of cars bustling on Laotian streets.

Vietnamese Community in Laos

Many Vietnamese people reside in Laos, and tourists can even use Vietnamese currency for spending in Laos instead of Kip.

Taboos and Restrictions

Actions like hugging, shoulder-touching, or patting heads are considered offensive to the Laotian people. Particularly, touching someone's head or any physical contact with women is strictly prohibited. Sacred places, temples, shrines, and pagodas do not permit visitors wearing short attire.

As per Mytour

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour