Pi Mai Lao or Lao New year is the liveliest holiday of the year and one that everyone looks forward to, as it is a time when many people visit their families all over the country.
Laos has a rustic appeal to many travellers who enjoy getting away from the sealed and packaged amenities of the West.
Beer Lao Brewery Co (LBC), located on the outskirts of Vientiane, produces the very drinkable Bia Lao, the Romanized name for which is 'Beerlao' (sometimes , spelt 'Beer Lao'). A draught version (bia sot: fresh beer) is so far available only in bars in Vientiane, and like all Beerlao contains 5% alcohol.