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Vientiane, Laos’ national capital, mixes French-colonial architecture with Buddhist temples such as the golden, 16th-century Pha That Luang, which is a national symbol. It is a city of just 1 million people in a landlocked country that is the poorest in southeast Asia.

Vientiane is one of the few world capitals that lack the look and feel of what most Westerners would consider a city, being somewhere between a big town and a diminutive city.

Since 1975 the Communist government has strictly controlled the country. Christianity was initially declared an “enemy of the state.” This drove many of the believers out of the country and those who remained underground. Today Christianity is one of four government-approved religions, but open churches are closely scrutinized. Intense persecution and restrictions still occur, mostly at the local level.

In 2020, 52% of the population identified as Theravada Buddhist. 43% followed some form of polytheistic ethnic religion. Three churches are categorized as “Christian” by the government: Lao Evangelical Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church, and Roman Catholic Church. All religious groups must register with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Any proselytizing in public spaces is strictly prohibited.

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