Travel guide Laos

Popular ceremony in which spirits are addressed for all the important events of a life: birth, marriage, illness, death... This ritual would allow the 32 souls that an individual possesses to come back, according to Lao tradition, and thus allow the recipient of the ceremony to benefit from their positive influences.

Laotians are very proud of their brand of beer, a national product that is a real institution in Laos! It is sold in bottles and cans, and 90% of sales are made in Laos. Laotians drink it very regularly, cold or not so cold, often with ice cubes (yes, yes, sooner or later everyone gets used to it!).

This word designates the community of Buddhist monks in Asia, but their social importance is preponderant in Laos. All men, whether children or adults, can make a religious retreat during a variable period of their existence before reintegrating into civil society. This religious order is deeply respected by the population.

Lao expression meaning "no problem", "it doesn't matter", or even "you're welcome" ... And so many other things that Laotians and foreigners use it very often, in all sauces. This expression represents somewhere a philosophy inspired by Buddhism, a Laotian state of mind... To be used without moderation!

The ancient name of Laos, Lane Xang, means "Kingdom of the Million Elephants". Today, the country is said to have less than 700 elephants, of which at least 500 are domesticated. Admiring these animals is one of the main tourist attractions of the country, and many camps offer to interact with the elephant in the greatest respect of the animal

Close to the Thai pronunciation "farang". For the Laotian population, the falang represents the Westerner, the white tourist or expatriate. Yet in the Laotian language, "falang" or "falangset" refers to the French population, as it was the first Europeans that Laotians saw, by habit, this expression has remained.

You won't be able to cut off the tasting of this traditional alcohol made from fermented rice, of artisanal or industrial manufacture. It is customary to offer some to guests passing through. It is now part of any tourist menu offering to discover the Laotian gastronomy, in shot to open the appetite, or as a digestive. Hot!

Laos has no less than 49 different recognized ethnic minorities. It is important to know that the term "minority" is not pejorative, it is in common usage. Diversity is more important in North Laos. The government has identified three categories (where various ethnic groups are listed): the Lao Loum, the Lao Theung, and the Lao Lung.

Means "market". In Laos it is mainly a meeting place. The markets offer a mixture of fragrances, flavours, local products and culinary specialities... It is the ideal place to take the pulse of a city or a village. Some markets are frequented by local minorities dressed in their traditional costumes.

Means "stupa" in Lao. They are pyramid-shaped funerary monuments that house the ashes of the deceased or Buddhist relics. In the capital Vientiane, you will surely visit the unavoidable Pha That Luang, the largest that in the country, a true national emblem which would shelter, according to the faithful, the sternum of Buddha.

An important tradition in Laos; there are many famous weaver villages. Decorative hangings, sin (skirts) or pha biang (silk or cotton shawls) are very popular with tourists passing through. The methods of manufacture differ according to ethnic groups, and the colours used are often characteristic of a region.

This word means "pagoda" or "temple". Each village or town is home to one or more vat . In Laos there are about 2,800 of them. The most sacred Buddhist vat are in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. A vat often consists of a prayer room containing one or more statues of Buddha, and a stupa (or that)