Discover Laos: Top 7 Unexpected and Entertaining Fun Facts to Know

1. Rocky-esque Rise from Poverty

Picture Laos like a scrappy underdog, rising up from a corner of Southeast Asia, yelling, "Adrian, I did it!" as it punches poverty and revitalizes education with Rocky-esque determination: Over the past 20 years, Laos has significantly reduced poverty while improving education and health outcomes despite being one of the poorest countries in the region, boasting an impressive average GDP growth of 7.7% over the last decade, largely thanks to mining and hydropower, while simultaneously benefiting from the Laos-Australia Development Learning Facility (LADLF) in addressing challenges like limited access to quality education and skills shortages.
Source => adamsmithinternational.com

2. Beerlao: Liquid National Investment

In the land of Laos, a beer is worth more than its weight in gold, quite literally building a nation: Beerlao, the country’s beloved national beer, not only funds restaurant and street signs in Vientiane, but also plays a critical role in supporting the nation's infrastructure and is partially owned by the Lao government. So, while you may shell out up to 10000LAK for a refreshing bottle, remember, you're practically investing in the country's future!
Source => medium.com

Discover the awe-inspiring Saphan Mon bridge in Thailand, the country's longest wooden bridge with a length that's still up for debate! 🌉✨

=> Fun Facts about Thailand

3. Landlocked Beach Vacation

Laos: the landlocked country that just couldn't resist dipping its toes into the water! With over 50 rivers and 4,000 island-dotted stretches in the Mekong River, it's as if Laos is trying to sneakily disguise itself as a beach vacation destination: The truth is, Laos relies heavily on its freshwaters as fishing is an essential industry here, and its cuisine boasts a fine selection of finger-licking fish dishes. Even the national flag serves up a splash of symbolism with a white circle sandwiched between red and blue horizontal bands, symbolizing the power of the people, the blood shed, and prosperity, respectively.
Source => flagmakers.co.uk

4. Cozy Borders with Good Neighbors

Who needs water when you've got greenery and good neighbors? That's what Laos seems to be saying: As the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, it cozies up to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China for its borders.
Source => thewoksoflife.com

5. Kardashian Elephants of Laos

In a pre-historic twist of "Keeping Up with the Kardashian Elephants," Laos found fame as "The Land of a Million Elephants and the White Parasol": Dating back to the Lan Xang kingdom from 1353 to 1707, this powerful Southeast Asian kingdom showcased an impressive army of war elephants, while the white parasol symbolized the king's connection to Laotian Buddhism and his absolute reign.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Tough Times Go Underground

When the going gets tough, the tough go underground: During the Second Indochina War, up to 23,000 communist forces sought refuge in the Viengxay caves of north-eastern Laos, turning them into a bustling underground city complete with a hospital, school, bakeries, shops, and even a theater.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Retirement Home for Giant Pickle Jars

Where giant pickle jars go to retire: The Plain of Jars in Laos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing over 2100 tubular-shaped stone jars used for funerary practices in the Iron Age, between 500 BCE and 500 CE.
Source => whc.unesco.org