Laos - Government
Based on the etymolgy 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 .
Info
The National Anthem
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More about the government of Laos
| Date of Independence | 19 July 1949 (from France); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence) |
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| 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
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Laos
Want to know more about Laos? Check all different factbooks for Laos below.
