Walking in the streets of Laos, time seems to slow down halfway, there are no high-rise buildings, no car water marlon, there are only people with smiles and a loose rhythm.
Walking through the streets of Laos, time seems to slow down halfway, there are no high-rise buildings, no car marlon, there are only smiling people and a relaxed rhythm. Laos per capita GDP is only about $ 2,100, compared with China, the gap is significant, the level of economic development is about three decades behind China.
The monthly salary of the average worker here is only about 800 yuan and the monthly salary of the civil servant is about 2000 yuan. However, it is a place recognized by the United Nations as the “less developed country” and attracts tourists from all over the world, especially Chinese tourists, with its unique charm.
The Reality of the Poorest Countries in Asia
The economic woes of Laos have deep historical roots. This landlocked country in Southeast Asia was colonized by Japan and France successively, and occupied by Japan during World War II.
During the Vietnam War, the United States carried out a nine-year "secret war" against Laos to cut off the "Ho Chi Minh Road" and dumped millions of tons of bombs. Millions of bombs.Scattered throughout Laos, these unexploded bombs not only threaten people's safety, but also seriously restrict the utilization of cultivated land and infrastructure construction.
Geographical conditions are also important constraints to the economic development of Laos. More than 80% of the territory of Laos is mountainous and highland, with a limited area of cultivable land. As an inland country, there is no sea exit, export goods need to depend on ports in Thailand or Vietnam, and transportation costs are high.
The industrial base is weak, and daily necessities even need to be imported from neighboring countries. Agricultural science and technology are backward, grain output is low, and sometimes it is necessary to import grain, fruits and vegetables from abroad.
On the ground of Laos, the Chinese tourists first experienced the feeling of "Turkish". the exchange ratio of the RMB and the Laos Kip is amazing, 1 yuan can be exchanged for about 3,000 yuan, 1000 yuan can be exchanged for 3 million yuan.
Visitors easily become “millionaires,” and this huge sense of numerical wealth brings unprecedented psychological satisfaction.
The price level in Laos surprised Chinese tourists. You can drink a cup of fragrant coffee for a few dollars, and enjoy a sumptuous special meal in a comfortable restaurant for tens of dollars.
Guangxi Falls ticket is only 10 yuan, and Pussy Riot ticket is 8 yuan. Tens of yuan to rent a motorcycleYou can travel around the city for $30 for a night at a comfortable hotel.
200 yuan can even stay in luxury hotels. 100 yuan is enough to play a whole day in Laos, which is not even enough for a decent dinner in many cities in China.
The unique nature of Laos society.
In the social structure of Laos, the status of women is significantly higher than in many Asian countries. Traditionally, there is a "burden" custom, men after marriage enter the women's household, and the family property is mostly controlled by women.
Women dominate family decisions, a phenomenon derived from the long-term influence of Buddhist culture and native customs.
Data show that the female labor force participation rate in Laos is as high as 88%In the countryside, women sell handicrafts; in the cities, they open and are active in the business sector.
With the popularity of the Internet, more and more Lao women sell goods through social media, and even carry out live broadcasts to bring goods, injecting new vitality into the economy.
Laos women also show strong autonomy in marriage. Divorce is not discriminated in society, and women can dare to pursue the life they want. This open attitude shows Laos women a unique charm, with both the softness of Eastern women and the independence of Western women.
Tourism is becoming an important pillar of Laos' economic development. In 2019, the number of international tourists visiting Laos reached 4.79 million, and the international tourism revenue was US $934 million, accounting for nearly 5% of the GDP.
The number of tourists in 2023 exceeds 2 million. More than 500 million dollars。
The government of Laos attaches great importance to the development of tourism, and has formulated a tourism development plan for 2021-2025 to improve the professional skills of practitioners, improve tourism infrastructure, and facilitate the application for tourist visas.
Laos is also actively integrated into the ASEAN regional tourism integration process, working with Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and other countries to create integrated tourism lines.
The Old Railway brings new opportunities to Laos’ tourism industry, the first modern railway in Laos, connecting Queensland and Laos.
85.27% of the tourists travelling to Lombok from the Elves chose to take the train. This railway not only facilitates tourists, but also provides new channels for Laos’ agricultural exports.
The temptation of settlement, the paradise of local tyrants
For Chinese tourists, the low prices in Laos offer a very high living cost ratio. Many tourists originally only travel for a short period of time, but are attracted by the leisurely rhythm and low-cost life here, and the idea of settling is born.
Laos owns Unspoiled natural scenery.And rich Buddhist culture. The sunset on the Mekong River, the karst landform of Wanrong, and the early morning alms in Luang Prabang are everywhere the baptism of the soul.
Forest coverage is extremely high and some areas retain their original ecology.In this natural environment, people can let go of secular troubles and immerse themselves in the arms of nature.
Laos is ranked as one of the highest countries in the world’s happiness index.People drink coffee at work, drink with family and friends after work, and there are a variety of coffee shops on the streets.
Buddhism prevails, temples and monks are everywhere, and time seems to slow down. This simple and fulfilling way of life is a powerful attraction for Chinese people who suffer from fast-paced stress.
The Old Railway has changed the transportation pattern of Laos, taking only a few hours to reach Kunming. More and more Chinese investors travel to Laos to explore business opportunities, from tourism to real estate, from agriculture to infrastructure construction.
The government of Laos is also actively improving the investment environment by providing foreign investors with tax benefits and land use benefits.This once forgotten country is changing quietly, attracting people who seek opportunities and peace to explore, experience and even settle.