laos' economic reform began with introduction of the "New Economic Mechanism". Surrounded by five countries namely Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China, Laos is the only landlocked nation in ASEAN and is comprised of approximately 50 ethnic groups.The mainstay industry is agriculture,and coffee is an important export agricultural goods. Studded with alluring World Heritage designated site such as Luang Prabang and Vat Phou, developing its tourist industry remains to be achieved.