Vientiane, the capital of Laos, blends French-colonial architecture with iconic Buddhist landmarks, such as the golden, 16th-century Pha That Luang, a revered national symbol. With a population of just one million, this city feels more like a large town than the bustling urban centers familiar to many Westerners. Laos, a landlocked and impoverished nation, is among the poorest in Southeast Asia.

Since 1975, Laos has been governed by a Communist regime that initially declared Christianity an “enemy of the state.” This forced many Christians to flee the country, while those who remained practiced their faith underground. Although Christianity is now recognized as one of four government-approved religions, churches operate under strict surveillance, and persecution persists, particularly at the local level.

In 2020, 52% of Laos’ population identified as Theravada Buddhist, while 43% followed polytheistic ethnic religions. The government categorizes three groups as “Christian”: the Lao Evangelical Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Roman Catholic Church. All religious groups must register with the Ministry of Home Affairs, and public proselytizing is strictly forbidden.