Laos

It’s where you go when Vietnam is beyond your means.

In Laos all seems to breathe freedom and peace, and to make one forget the world and its sad turmoils.

Bombed to near oblivion by the US.

[quote] Between 1964 and 1973, the U.S. dropped two million tons of bombs on Laos, nearly equal to the 2.1 million tons of bombs the U.S. dropped on Europe and Asia during all of World War II

[quote]It’s where you go when Vietnam is beyond your means.

That's sad.

I saw an Anthony Bourdain episode in the country. The food looked good -- Thai-ish.

I knew a girl named Laos. And then she died.

Their king was murdered by the communist insurgency

Interesting fact: Laos is one of only five officially "communist" countries left in the world.

Inexpensive and beautiful. Nice people, stunning landscapes and wildlife and good food. Not at all commercial and it’s easy to get around. What’s not to like? I’m surprised it’s not more popular, but that’s a blessing in this world.

It's not the same since the US airlifted all the Hmong to Minnesota.

US visitors there are about as welcome as they are in the Arab world. Watch it.

R11, did you have a negative experience?

It has a very small population (approx. 7 million), especially compared to its dominant neighbor, Vietnam (94 million).

It has a very small pop, because most of them were killed on Dr Kissinger's orders.

R10, I've always wondered why a large Hmong population ended up in Minnesota of all places. There's also a large population in Fresno.

[quote] You never hear about this country.

If your over 45, you've heard A LOT about it.

Nobody ever heard about this country.

It’s da bomb!

R16 - Listen to her, she's right!

Many Vietnamese restaurants (Pho, etc.) in the US are actually run by Laotians.

'Phat Phuc' in Vietnamese translates as 'Happy Buddha'.

R15 The majority of Hmong were resettled in Minnesota due to the large number of voluntary agencies there that provided for housing and services for them.

Yes, inexpensive and beautiful. One of the only less developed countries I've traveled to where the locals are not trying scam you on some level. They actually could care less that you're there. Great french food given their colonial history. especially in Vientiane. Luang Prabang, the old royal capital, is a must see, AND has a gay bar.

[quote] Great french food

From King of the Hill, a cartoon show set In Texas about a bunch of rednecks dealing with modern society. It presaged deplorables/Trump voters but in almost a benevolent manner, as one would treat helpless animals or those with Down Syndrome.

Hank Hill: So are you Chinese or Japanese?

Kahn Souphanousinphone: I live in California last twenty year, but, ah... first come from Laos.

Hank Hill: Huh?

Kahn Souphanousinphone: Laos. We Laotian.

Bill Dauterive: The ocean? What ocean?

Kahn Souphanousinphone: We are Laotian--from Laos, stupid! It's a landlocked country in southeast Asia. It's between Vietnam and Thailand, OK? Population 4.7 million.

Hank ponders this for a few seconds.

Hank Hill: So are you Chinese or Japanese?

[quote]I've always wondered why a large Hmong population ended up in Minnesota of all places.

Lutheran social services,

There is also a significant non-Hmong Laotian population in the Twin Cities. They are very specific about telling you they are not Hmong. I work for a large bank and there are a least a half dozen of them in our team of 50 or so people. Their cuisine and culture (and names) are closer to Thai than Vietnamese. They are also more prone, like the Chinese and Koreans, to go by "Anglo" first names.

I believe Jeffrey Dahmer's last meal before prison was Laotian.

R23 If you want great French food (that is the correct spelling), go to France.

If you want great US food, you wouldn't go to the Philippines, would ya? I know, this will start a US cusine issue, sorry!

[quote] I believe Jeffrey Dahmer's last meal before prison was Laotian

Tehe.

So by your analogy there is no great/good french food in New York, Tokyo, LA, Berlin, London, etc. Or Italian outside of Italy, etc. Laos has a culinary tradition based on their colonial experience as well as becoming a magnet for ex-pat French chefs. Fresh and locally sources ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and cheap!

[quote] great/good french food

R22, thanks. Interesting. On a slightly unrelated note, here's a gif that shows the top group of refugees to the US, per state.

I can see kanye west going there to record his next album. You know he loves quiet remote places when he's recording music. And wherever he goes kim follows along with the rest of the kardashian/jenner circus.

That country would be ruined with all of the international media attention it would get because of kanye and his wife's family. Just like their ruining wyoming now.

LoL.

R33 I love that Wyoming regularly had no refugees. I am moving there, and I don't want to see there any Catholics, blacks or Jews.

The national dish of Laos, pork larb salad.

R32 ^^

R34 I didn't know my post was going to spawn a whole thread on wyoming.

I'm kinda flattered by that. Thanks I guess, even if it is a little racist on your part.

Laotian seems to be one of the only Far East Asian cuisines that is rare to come by.

Laos looks pretty.

Probably fewer tourists than Thailand.

Another pretty photo.

Compared to Thailand it's empty of farangs

Feeling left out.

Don't feel left out, R43. Just go to Long Beach, CA.

[quote]it's empty of farangs

Fun fact: The world "farang" (foreigner) started in East Africa (faranji), made its way across Asia (ferenghee in India/Pakistan) and the Gulf all the way to Laos (farang) and Cambodia, where a foreigner is called "barang".

R45, farang or farangi is the Persian word for "foreigner," usually of European descent, and was originally applied to the Franks, who conquered and ruled western Europe and launched crusades into the Middle East.

It’s tourist industry is booming. It’s a big trendy place to go now

Their soups look good.

I went about 10 years ago.

I loved wandering around the temples in Luang Prabang.

I went last year. Crossed from Thailand and did a two day river cruise down the Mekong, to Luang Prabang where I stayed a week. It’s a great little city, very relaxed and atmospheric.

This Luang Prabang sounds nice and relaxing.

Smell R25. I presage that he is extra special fun at parties.

Luang Prabang is like being in a dream — the picturesque city, the friendly people, the wats, the daily alms-giving ceremony. There isn’t any touristy nonsense of shopping and carousing.