Officially name: The Lao People's Democratic Republic
Capital: Vientiane
Largest city: Vientiane
Official language: Lao
Government: Socialist republic, Communist single-party state
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.