A Walk Through Laos’ World Heritage

Words by Beatrice Siviero

Images by Phoonsab Thevongsa

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List

Fonelamvonglao (lamvonglao) 2024

One step forward, one step to the left, and so on. Lao traditional dance, or Fonelamvong, is a graceful mix of hand and foot movements that can accompany almost any traditional Lao song. Every Lao child learns it in school and carries that knowledge throughout their life. Fonelamvong is performed at weddings and nearly every celebration. While it has become a common part of modern gatherings, the traditional style of dancing remains an art practiced by a select few.

Traditionally, the dance involves couples of men and women. The man would invite the woman onto the dance floor. Men form an inner circle, while women dance in an outer circle, both moving counterclockwise. The dance follows a cycle of eight movements, repeated throughout the song, with each number guiding the position of the hands and feet.

The dance was inscribed into the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in late 2024, marking the latest milestone in the country’s cultural heritage preservation efforts.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List Traditional Naga Motif Waving 2023

Only a year before, in 2023, another important Lao tradition was acknowledged— the Naga motif, which was inscribed as part of Laos’ rich cultural fabric.

The Naga, a mythical serpent-like creature, is woven into textiles, representing a deep spiritual connection between the Lao people and the waters that sustain them. Through these designs, often created on traditional looms, the Naga symbolizes both protection and prosperity, and is passed down through generations. These textiles are a key part of Lao life for both daily wear and significant life events, such as weddings and funerals.

UNESCO World Heritage List

Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkohuang – Plain of Jars (2019)

But traditions are not the only pieces of cultural heritage of Laos. In 2019, UNESCO inscribed Xiengkhouang’s Plain of Jars in its World Heritage Site list.

The site is a window into the ancient funerary practices of the Iron Age dating back to around from 500 BCE to 500 CE.

Situated on a plateau in Xiengkhouang Province, the site is home to over 2,100 large, tubular megalithic stone jars. This archaeological site consists of 15 components, including 1,325 jars, stone discs, secondary burials, grave markers, quarries, and manufacturing sites. These artifacts provide valuable insight into the social hierarchies and cultural practices of the ancient Iron Age civilization. Located at the intersection of two major cultural systems in Southeast Asia, the Plain of Jars is thought to have been a hub for trade and cultural exchange, with the jar sites strategically placed along overland routes.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List Khaen music of the Lao people 2017

While the Plain of Jars gives the community a glimpse into Laos’ ancient past, the country also holds onto traditions that are very much alive and part of its culture today.

One such tradition is the khaen music, a traditional art form that uses a bamboo mouth organ resembling panpipes, producing melodies through varying tube lengths. Khaen music, inscribed into the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List in 2017, is a big part of life in Laos, especially at village festivals, where everyone joins in with song and dance.

This tradition brings families and communities together, connecting generations and strengthening ties to nature and healthy living.

Just like with the Plain of Jars, local communities, associations, and educational programs are working hard to keep khaen music alive, even as modernization brings new challenges.

Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape (2001)

In addition to these intangible and archaeological treasures, Laos’ architectural heritage has also garnered international acclaim. The Vat Phou temple complex and the surrounding Champasak cultural landscape, dating back over 1,000 years, were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.

Designed to reflect the Hindu vision of the connection between humanity and nature, it stretches over 10 km from mountain to river. The site features a series of temples, shrines, and waterworks, as well as two ancient cities along the Mekong River and the nearby Phou Kao mountain. This site, primarily linked to the Khmer Empire, dates back from the 5th to 15th centuries.

Town of Luang Prabang (1995)

Another jewel of Laos’ cultural heritage, and likely the most popular globally, is the town of Luang Prabang, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.

Located at the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang became a global attraction for its traditional Lao architecture and colonial influences. The city’s well-preserved mix of Buddhist temples, colonial-era buildings, and traditional wooden houses are some of the city’s key characteristics.

However, with all these recognitions come challenges in preserving these sites. Tourism, urbanization, and environmental pressures often threaten the balance between development and conservation. Efforts to protect these treasures involve coordinated management at both national and local levels.

From Fonelamvong to the Plain of Jars, Laos has some invaluable cultural gems. UNESCO’s recognition puts a spotlight on the need to keep them alive for future generations.