The official language of Lao PDR is Lao. It is spoken in different parts of the country. The Vientiane dialect is understood throughout the country. In spite of the colonial past, French remains the second official language . English is in common use among business sectors and young generations.
The staple food of the Lao is sticky rice, also known as glutinous rice or sweet rice. The Lao have two categories of food—rice and "with rice." Foods other than rice are limited and are served more as condiments, something to add flavor, so they tend to be very hot or very salty so that one will eat a lot of rice with them.
Dried salty beef is a favorite dish if meat is available. Beef is sliced thin and liberally doused with fish sauce or salt, and placed on a tray to dry in the sun to preserve it. The meat can also be deep-fried to cook it and remove most of the moisture