Laos is sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam and lies to the south of China and to the north of Cambodia. The country is probably best known as a location from which the US launched military offensives against Vietnam during the infamous Vietnam War. Today, despite an underdeveloped communications infrastructure, the country has established itself as a tourist destination attracting large numbers of backpackers on the popular Southeast Asia trail and also big budget holidaymakers who head for the distinctly French-influenced city of Luang Prabang in the north of the country.
