Laos
Geographic & General info
- Capital: Vientiane
- Population: approx. 7.5 million
- Languages: Lao (official)
- Area: 236,800 km²
- Time Zone: UTC+7 (ICT)
- Currency: Lao Kip (LAK)
- Flag Colors: Red, blue, red with a central white full moon disc
- National Holiday: December 2 (National Day)
- National Anthem: Pheng Xat Lao
- Neighboring Countries: China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar
Top 15 Largest Cities
- Vientiane
- Savannakhet (Kaysone Phomvihane)
- Pakse
- Luang Prabang
- Phonsavan
- Thakhek
- Muang Xay (Oudomxay)
- Vang Vieng
- Xam Neua
- Luang Namtha
- Sayaboury
- Attapeu
- Huay Xai
- Paksan
- Sekong
Top 15 Highlights
- Luang Prabang (UNESCO - Royal Heritage & Alms Ceremony)
- Kuang Si Waterfalls (Turquoise limestone pools)
- Vang Vieng (Karst mountains & Nam Song River)
- Pha That Luang (Golden Stupa in Vientiane)
- Plain of Jars Megalithic Archaeological Site (UNESCO)
- Wat Phou (Pre-Angkorian Khmer ruins in Champasak - UNESCO)
- Si Phan Don (The 4,000 Islands archipelago on the Mekong)
- Patuxai (Victory Gate of Vientiane)
- Tham Kong Lo Cave (7 km underground river cave)
- Bolaven Plateau (Coffee plantations & Tad Fane Waterfalls)
- Gibbon Experience (Nam Kan National Park canopy zip-lining)
- Wat Xieng Thong (Luang Prabang)
- Nong Khiaw & Nam Ou River
- Pak Ou Caves (Thousands of Buddha statues)
- Mount Phousi (Panoramas over Luang Prabang)
Climate and Nature
Laos experiences a tropical monsoon climate divided into a dry season (November to April) and a wet season (May to October). Over 70% of its land features mountainous terrain and tropical rainforests. Physical geography is dominated by the Mekong River running north to south, limestone karst landscapes, and the waterfall-rich Bolaven Plateau.
Culture and Gastronomy
Lao culture is profoundly shaped by Theravada Buddhism and a laid-back lifestyle. Gastronomy focuses on fresh herbs, chili, and citrus. The national dish is Larb (a minced meat salad with herbs, lime, and roasted rice powder), paired with sticky rice (Khao Niew) and spicy papaya salad (Tam Mak Hoong).
Economy
The economy of Laos relies heavily on hydroelectric power generation (earning the moniker "Battery of Southeast Asia" through energy exports), mineral mining (copper and gold), and agriculture (rice, coffee, and rubber). Eco-tourism to historic sites and pristine national reserves provides another key economic driver.
Did you know?
- Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, surrounded completely by five neighboring nations.
- Laotians consume more glutinous 'sticky rice' per capita than any other nation in the world.
- The Plain of Jars is a mysterious Iron Age archaeological landscape covered in thousands of massive stone jars whose precise origins remain unknown.
- Historically, Laos was known as "Lan Xang", which translates to the "Land of a Million Elephants".
- At Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands) in southern Laos, the Mekong River expands up to 14 km wide during the dry season, creating thousands of islands and islets.
Live footage: Discover Laos via webcams and livestreams
Watch the most current webcams in Laos and enjoy real-time footage from beautiful locations. Whether you want to check the current weather, see the crowds at points of interest, or simply want to daydream with a livestream from Laos: our interactive map points you to the best camera viewpoints.
All webcam locations in Laos: Weather & Info
In the list below you'll find all available webcams from Laos in alphabetical order. Click on a city for the full live connection, current temperature, wind speed and local weather conditions for that specific place.
