Laos Government

What is the capital of Laos?

Country Name Laos
Full Country Name Lao People's Democratic Republic
Abbreviation Lao PDR
Local - Long Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
Local - Short Mueang Lao (unofficial)
Etymology- history of name name means "Land of the Lao [people]"
Government Type communist state
Capital Name Vientiane (Viangchan)
Capital - geographic coordinate 17 58 N, 102 36 E
Capital Time Difference UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France by the Franco-Lao General Convention); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence)
National Holiday Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)
Constitution history: previous 1947 (preindependence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991

amendments: 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; amended 2003, 2015

Laos Capital City Map

Source: Google Maps

Laos Government and Politics

Who is the president of Laos?

Executive Branch: chief of state: President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021); Vice Presidents PANY Yathotou and BOUNTHONG Chitmany (since 22 March 2021)

head of government: Prime Minister SONEXAY Siphandon (since 30 December 2022)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 22 March 2021 (next to be held in March 2026); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term

election results:

2021: THONGLOUN Sisoulith elected president; National Assembly vote - THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) 161-1; PANY Yathotou and BOUNTHONG Chitmany (LPRP) elected vice presidents; National Assembly vote - NA; PHANKHAM Viphavanh (LPRP) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 158-3

2016: BOUNNHANG Vorachit (LPRP) elected president; PHANKHAM Viphavanh (LPRP) elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA
Citizenship Criteria: 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
Legal System: civil law system similar in form to the French system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legislative Branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat (164 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote from candidate lists provided by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 21 February 2021 (next to be held in 2026)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 158, independent 6; composition - men 128, women 36, percent of women 21.9%
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)

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

subordinate courts: appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts
Regions or States: 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
Political Parties and Leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [THONGLOUN Sisoulith]

note: other parties proscribed
International Law Organization Participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
Diplomatic Representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sisavath INPHACHANH (since 7 June 2022)

chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416

FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923

email address and website:

embasslao@gmail.com

https://laoembassy.com/

consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic Representation from US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargée d’Affaires Michelle OUTLAW (since August 2023)

embassy: Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane

mailing address: 4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20521-4350

telephone: [856] 21-48-7000

FAX: [856] 21-48-7040

email address and website:

CONSLAO@state.gov

https://la.usembassy.gov/
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