Laos

The Place

Laos is often described as a "tiny, landlocked country". True, the population of around 5 million is not large, especially set against that of nearby China and Vietnam, but the country is almost the same size as the United Kingdom, and has far more spectacular rivers and high mountains ranges for visitors to explore.

A visit to Laos is, in many ways, a trip back in time. Cultural links with neighbouring Thailand, are immediately apparent in the saffron robes of the Buddhist monks, the similarities in temple architecture and the speech of the people. Yet Laos is more like the Thailand of 30 years ago. As yet, it has little of the rampant commercialism and vibrant entertainment industry that characterises its neighbour.

Laos has long been isolated from the outside world by poor communications and an inward-looking, rather secretive government. In the early 21st century, however, things are changing. As the country opens up, improvements are being made, with an increasing number of roads and bridges being built across its borders to China and Cambodia.

The country is now in a state of flux, with the influence of Vietnam waning while that of Thailand is on the rise. The pressure to allow an unfettered market economy is growing, but even this will probably be at the slow, even languid, pace which Laos and its leadership appear to value.