World Factbook
Laos
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double-width), and red, with a large white disk centered in the blue band meaning: red stands for the blood shed for liberation, and blue for the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk represents the full moon over the Mekong River and the unity of the people under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, as well as the country's bright future
Capital
name
Vientiane (Viangchan)
etymology
the name Viangchan means "city of sandalwood" in Laotian; the standard spelling reflects French influence
time difference
UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
17 58 N, 102 36 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Laos
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Constitution
history
previous 1947 (pre-independence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the president of the republic
Country name
etymology
name means "Land of the Lao [people];" it derives from the name of the country's founder, Lao
abbreviation
Lao PDR
local long form
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form
Mueang Lao (unofficial)
conventional long form
Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form
Laos
Independence
19 July 1949 (from France); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence)
Legal system
civil law system similar in form to the French system
Government type
communist party-led state
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
People's Supreme Court (consists of the court president and organized into criminal, civil, administrative, commercial, family, and juvenile chambers, each with a vice president and several judges)
subordinate courts
appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts
judge selection and term of office
president of People's Supreme Court appointed by the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the president of the republic for a 5-year term; vice presidents of the People's Supreme Court appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the National Assembly; appointment of chamber judges NA; tenure of court vice presidents and chamber judges NA
Executive branch
note
note: President THONGLOUN Sisoulith is also general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly
chief of state
President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021)
election results
2021: THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) elected president; National Assembly vote - 161-1; PHANKHAM Viphavanh (LPRP) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 158-3 2016: BOUNNHANG Vorachit (LPRP) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA
head of government
Prime Minister SONEXAY (also spelled SONXAI) Siphandon (since 30 December 2022)
most recent election date
22 March 2021
election/appointment process
president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term
expected date of next election
March 2026
National holiday
Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)
National color(s)
red, white, blue
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Town of Luangphrabang; Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements; Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang - Plain of Jars
Political parties
Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP
note: other parties proscribed
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
164 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
2/21/2021
expected date of next election
February 2026
percentage of women in chamber
22%
parties elected and seats per party
Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (158); Other (6)
National anthem(s)
title
"Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)
history
music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed after the communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy in 1975
lyrics/music
SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit
National symbol(s)
elephant
Administrative divisions
17 provinces ( khoueng , singular and plural) and 1 prefecture* ( kampheng nakhon ); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Champasak, Houaphanh, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang (Luang Prabang), Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 332-4923
chancery
2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 332-6416
chief of mission
Ambassador PHOUKHONG Sisoulath (since 5 September 2025)
email address and website
embasslao@gmail.com https://laoembassy.com/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[856] 21-48-7040
embassy
Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane
telephone
[856] 21-48-7000
mailing address
4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20521-4350
chief of mission
Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024)
email address and website
CONSLAO@state.gov https://la.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt