Historical Events
Prince Fa Ngum unified the region into the Kingdom of Lan Xang (Land of a Million Elephants). He established Theravada Buddhism as the state religion, forming the foundation of modern Lao identity and culture.
What is the Foundation of Lan Xang (1353)
The only legal political party in the country, maintaining control over all branches of government.
what is laos Single-Party Rule
a 3-day celebration involves cleaning houses, washing Buddha images with scented water, and a country-wide water fight.
what is Lao New Year
This National monument is known as a stupa and has been used for religious purposes since at least the 3rd century. It is also covered in Gold.
What is the Pha That Luang?
In Luang Prabang, locals participate in a daily dawn ritual called Tak Bat, where hundreds of saffron-robed monks walk silently through the streets to collect alms (food) from residents.
what is the practice of Tak Bat
when Laos became part of French Indochina, officially separating it from Siamese (Thai) influence and defining its modern borders.
what is French Protectorate (1893)
Major decisions are not made by the public, but rather by an influential nine-member Politburo and a 49-member Central Committee.
what is laos's Highly Centralized Power
a celebration before the rainy season, this festival features the launching of homemade bamboo rockets to ask for rain for the upcoming harvest.
what is Laos's Rocket Festival
This is a famous Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang. This city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is Wat Xieng Thong?
many Lao people believe in phii (spirits), which are thought to inhabit houses, trees, rivers, and mountains. It is common to see small "spirit houses" outside homes to appease these spirits.
what is the practice of Spirit Worship
the defeat of the French at Dien Bien Phu giving loas freedom
what was Laos's Independence from France
the National Assembly that is elected every five years, all candidates are vetted by the LPRP, and the elections are not considered free or fair
what is laos's Controlled Elections
the end of the three-month rain retreat, featuring stunning candlelit processions and the floating of small, decorated banana-trunk boats with candles (Lai Hua Fai) on the Mekong River.
what is End of Buddhist Lent
This site in the Xieng Khouang Province has thousands of big stone jars spread across the land. Some of them are from the Iron Age.
What is Plain of Jars?
the national symbol of Laos, representing both the Buddhist faith and national sovereignty.
what is their religious national symbol
when Laos became heavily involved in the Vietnam war facing many us bombing campaigns
what is The "Secret War"
the long time it took laos to adopt its first formal constitution in 1991.
what is laos's Constitutional Development
A deeply cultural day dedicated to honoring ancestors, where locals offer food and gifts to monks at temples, accompanied by boat racing in some regions.
what is the Festival of Giving
This is an ancient temple complex in Southern Laos. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
What is Wat Phu, or Wat Phou.
The government officially recognizes only four religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith. However, religious practices are strictly monitored, and foreign proselytizing is forbidden.
what is Official Recognition and Restrictions
the communist movement, Pathet Lao, seized power, abolished the monarchy, and established the Lao People's Democratic Republic, establishing the current political system.
what is Establishment of the Lao PDR (1975)
the lack of independent media or organized political opposition, with the government tightly controlling information and public expression, often suppressing information about disasters or corruption.
what is laos's Suppression of Dissent
the celebration Celebrated by the Hmong ethnic group, this festival features traditional, vibrant clothing, silver jewelry, traditional music, dancing, and courtship games like pov pob (ball tossing)
what is Hmong New Year
This Palace was once the home of the Laotian kings. Inside, is now a museum that displays royal items like clothes, weapons, and religious objects.
What is the Royal Palace Museum?
they celebrate a holiday that includes many religious practices and festivals
what is their religious new year