Family
As Laos is a predominantly rural country (67%), the majority of the population lives in villages spread across the plains, valleys and mountain foothills. The cities are far from reaching the degree of urbanization of the neighbouring large Asian cities.
The family unit is the heart of social life. A Lao household consists of an average of half a dozen people, and several generations often live under the same roof. Roles within the family are often divided between men and women. Parents show great affection to their children when they are young, especially fathers. Respect for elders is instilled in younger children, and grandparents are often the ones who look after the children. Elder sisters help their mothers take care of the younger ones. The first name Noy (which means "little" in Lao) is often given to the youngest in the family. Unlike in the West, the notion of intimacy is often absent. Laotians are used to sharing everything with their family, and sometimes even with their village! The daily rhythm is modelled on the natural cycles of sunrise and sunset. Do not be surprised or offended if you are asked rather personal questions, it is a common practice showing the interest of your interlocutor.Marriage and respect for traditions
Laos is proud of its customs and traditions, and Buddhist marriage is no exception. The date of a traditional Lao wedding is chosen according to the lunar calendar in consultation with monks to identify a suitable day. Thus, weddings are not celebrated during the Buddhist Lenten period, Khao Phansa, from August to September. The colourful ceremony is usually held in the home of the bride's family, who traditionally receives a dowry for their daughter from the groom's family. This dowry is traditionally made up of gold or silver, depending on the family's wealth. However, in cities this tradition has become symbolic nowadays. In the evening, family and close friends organize and celebrate the wedding preparations. The next day the traditional ceremony takes place in a pagoda. The bride and groom are dressed in traditional clothes, the bride in a silk skirt and the groom in a sarong. The photo session usually takes place in a sacred place (temple, pagoda) to immortalize the day. In the evening a big party, with a big banquet, alcohol and music, is celebrated with family, close friends, neighbours... If you have the opportunity to be invited to a wedding, don't miss this unique occasion!
Wedding ceremonies vary according to religion and ethnic minority background. Each ethnic group has specific customs and codes. It should be noted that polygamy is illegal in the country, however it is still present in some Hmong communities.
Most young people, in their teens, take classes in Lao classical dance, Natasinh. And many parents send a son to a monastery to receive a religious education, he will be a novice monk, then eventually become a consecrated monk. Respect for traditions is paramount. However, in Laos as elsewhere, the new generation is opening up more and more to the outside world (thanks/because of the means of communication, television, Internet, etc.) and their lifestyle is out of step with that of their parents' generation.Education
Laos is a poor country and the budget allocated to education is (further) reduced, accounting for about 12% of government expenditure in 2011. Schools often lack textbooks, supplies and sometimes teachers. Equipment sometimes comes from NGOs or humanitarian associations. In the capital, many private schools make up for the lack of public schools. In remote villages, classes are sometimes taught by local people. Access to school is difficult for ethnic groups living in mountainous areas.
School attendance remains uneven, with remote provinces at a disadvantage. The school enrolment rate also differs according to geographical distribution. In some rural provinces, only 30 per cent of children attend school. Despite the Government's efforts, the national literacy rate is only 73 per cent (2011 figures).
In Laos, the education system includes primary education (from 5 years old) and secondary education (middle and high schools: two cycles of three years each). The drop-out rate is about 25% and the success rate is about one third.
According to the Constitution, the Lao language is legally authorized and since 2010, the teaching of a second foreign language is compulsory from the middle school level. French is the country's second administrative language, but nowadays, the government tends to give greater priority to English. Nevertheless, France provides a lot of subsidies to help Laos. French is taught and it is estimated that 40,000 students are learning French as a second language. In addition, Mandarin (Chinese) was increasingly being taught, as China was a very important trading partner. Other foreign languages taught are Thai, which is very close to Lao, Vietnamese and, to a lesser extent, German.
Laos has several universities, the most famous is the National University of Laos (UNL) in Vientiane. Teaching there is provided in Lao, French and English. Various international cooperation programmes are offered to the faculties. The National Organization for Political and Administrative Studies (ONEPA) provides courses in French for executives and students who are interested in administration or business management. The ONEPA benefits from Franco-German and Thai cooperation. Some students complete their university education in Vietnam, Cambodia, China or France.
Religious education or Dharma (Theravada Buddhism in Laos) is provided in monasteries... under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.Military service
Compulsory military service lasts three years. The Lao People's Army is relatively large, with about 30,000 active personnel in its ranks and a capacity of 130,000 men. It plays an important social and political role. Its role is the protection of the borders and the internal security of the country. Most of the members of the Pathet Lao steering committee have subsequently become senior military officers. In some regions it has a monopoly on economic exchanges.
Retirement
There is no pension system in Laos. Traditionally, children have to take care of their parents when the parents, too old or sick, can no longer provide for them.
Lao calendar
Although it is still traditionally used, the Lao calendar has given way to our Gregorian calendar and the country has thus aligned itself with the rest of the world in terms of social and economic life. The Buddhist lunar calendar is still used as a reference. As in Vietnam, the years correspond to twelve astrological symbols: pig, rat, buffalo, tiger, dragon... The gap is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar (enlightenment of Buddha). Thus in 2022, Laos is in 2565. On the other hand, the Lao New Year or Pi May, does not correspond to the Tet festival, as in Vietnam, but to the full moon of April, as in Songkran in Thailand (5th lunar month of the Buddhist calendar), and takes place over 3 days corresponding to the last day of the year, the neutral day, and the first day of the following year. As in Thailand, the inhabitants spray themselves with water to celebrate the new year, which is rather pleasant because this period is generally very hot.
Behavior
Laotians are by nature generous. If they give, they don't ask for anything in return. The fact of living in a family with several generations forges the Laotian to tolerance and respect for others. They naturally help their neighbours, are easy to talk to and are open to visitors passing through. Although they are rather shy, they are smiling and always ready to help. It is good to respect this generous attitude, to return the favour and not to abuse it. Finally, the Lao people are gentle, zen and pacifist by nature.
Theft and delinquency
Laos is a very safe country. To date, crime is not rampant in the country. In town, especially in Vientiane, pickpocketing is mentioned, but it is not very common (and one should just be vigilant). Moreover, there is very little risk of aggression, neither at night nor during the day. Sentences for offenders are a strong deterrent. However, beware of motorcycle theft in particular, even if it is only sporadic; it is therefore better to lock your vehicle.
Sexuality and prostitution
Vientiane has nothing to do with Bangkok or Phnom Penh as far as prostitution is concerned, and if sex tourism is less widespread, it still is! Prostitution is mostly found in the capital, but on a small scale. In hotels, nightclubs and bars, police raids are frequent and tourists caught in the act will be fined and risk expulsion. Be aware that a single woman who comes up to you in a bar or nightclub does not just want to be your friend... She has another idea in mind. As for homosexuality, which is not officially condemned, it is lived with discretion. Some ladyboys solicit in the streets and some night places in Vientiane and are tolerated by the population.
