Laos: flag, capital, currency and history
Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a country in South-Eastern Asia, Asia. Its capital is Vientiane. The currency is the Lao kip. Languages spoken include Lao.
Quick facts about Laos
Flag of Laos
Download the flag of Laos as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇱🇦.
History of Laos
Early Lao-speaking peoples settled the Mekong valley, and in 1353 Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang. In the early 18th century it split into the kingdoms of Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Champasak, which came under Siamese influence. France made Laos a protectorate in 1893 and ruled it as part of French Indochina. After Japanese occupation in 1945 and the First Indochina War, Laos gained full independence in 1953 as a monarchy. A civil war ended with the Pathet Lao taking power, and the Lao People's Democratic Republic was proclaimed in 1975.
Key dates
- 1353Fa Ngum founds the kingdom of Lan Xang.
- Early 18th centuryLan Xang divides into the kingdoms of Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Champasak.
- 1893Laos becomes a French protectorate after a Franco-Siamese conflict.
- 1945Japan occupies Laos, and a short-lived declaration of independence follows.
- 1953Laos gains full independence from France on 22 October.
- 1975The monarchy is abolished and the Lao People's Democratic Republic is proclaimed on 2 December.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Laos
Laos uses the Lao kip (LAK, ₭). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Festivals and greetings in Laos
Celebrations observed in Laos, with free greeting images and wishes you can personalise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Laos?
The capital of Laos is Vientiane.
What currency does Laos use?
Laos uses the Lao kip (LAK, symbol ₭).
What languages are spoken in Laos?
Languages used in Laos include Lao.
What is the calling code of Laos?
The international calling code of Laos is +856. Its internet domain is .la.
Which countries border Laos?
Laos shares land borders with Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam.
On which continent is Laos?
Laos is in Asia, in the region of South-Eastern Asia.
What is the national day of Laos?
Laos marks National Day on December 2.
Neighbours of Laos
More countries in South-Eastern Asia
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).