● Each country is a unique chapter in the BOOK OF HUMANITY, written in the sweat and blood of people whose PAGES will now remain forever ● 每个国家都是《人类之书》中独特的一章，由人们的汗水与鲜血写就，而他们的篇章如今将永世留存 ● Каждая страна — уникальная глава КНИГИ ЧЕЛОВЕЧЕСТВА, написанная потом и кровью людей, чьи СТРАНИЦЫ теперь будут оставаться навсегда ●
Laos - Government
Based on the etymology of Laos, it was name means "Land of the Lao [people];" it derives from the name of the country's founder, Lao. The Government system in this country is the communist party-led state type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 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
National symbols
Elephant.
The flag
The National flag of Laos has no official description available.
The National Anthem
| Title | N/A |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | N/A |
More about the government of Laos
| Date of Independence | 19 July 1949 (from France); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975) |
| Legal system | civil law system similar in form to the French system |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister SONEXAY (also spelled SONXAI) Siphandon (since 30 December 2022) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly |
| 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 |
| Most recent election date | 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 |
| Expected date of next election | March 2026 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat) |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 164 (all directly elected) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 2/21/2021 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (158); Other (6) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 22% |
| Expected date of next election | February 2026 |
| 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 |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador PHOUKHONG Sisoulath (since 5 September 2025) |
| 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/ |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024) |
| 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/ |
| 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 |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Laos
Info
No additional political notes.
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Laos
Want to know more about Laos? Check all different factbooks for Laos below.
