What's the story on the expat
scene in Laos? Is there much of community there at all?
Reply:
Indeed there
is. The ex-pat scene can be broken up into a few groups. Purpose
of visit: Backpackers, teachers, in-transits, and NGO/charity workers
(ex. consultants, missionaries). There's also a religious grouping.
For example, ex-pats who are church going Christians and those that
don't or those that have taken on Buddhism. There's even a national
grouping such as those from French speaking countries (France, Belgium,
Switzerland) and those from English speaking countries (USA, Canada,
UK, Australia). The ex-pat scene is typically centered around NamPhu
in Vientiane where it has bars, restaurants and stores that cater
to foreigners. There are some annual events and other specific places/things
that are considered typically visited by ex-pats as well.
Like any other
group of people you'll find down-to-earth types and other types
with their heads somewhere else. There's a lot of egos and gossiping
especially being that the ex-pat community, especially among long
timers, is not large.
Publications
by NGOs From: Australia
Inquiry:
I'm looking for reports, or
in some cases books, that have been published by non-government
organizations (NGOs) in Laos. Can you direct me to where I may
purchase such items?
Reply:
Some NGOs have
been open and kind enough to include their published reports on
their website in online formats downloadable free of charge. They
only charge a fee for the print versions of their reports/books.
In Laos, NGO reports and books are readily available for purchase
at local bookstores or you can purchase them directly from the NGO's
Lao office. Outside of Laos however you can try to order print copies,
again, from the websites of the source NGO.
