It is a landlocked country in mainland Southeast Asia, located between Thailand, Vietnam, China, Myanmar, and Cambodia. It lies east of Thailand, west of Vietnam, south of China, and north of Cambodia. Its capital, Vientiane, sits along the Mekong River near the Thai border.
Introduction
If you look at a map of Southeast Asia, it sits near the center of mainland Southeast Asia. It has no coastline and is surrounded by five countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
It is especially easy to identify by its position along the Mekong River, which forms much of its western boundary with Thailand. The country stretches from mountainous areas in the north to a narrower southern section.
Below, you will find exactly where it is, what countries surround it, where its capital is located, and how to picture its position on a map.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Mainland Southeast Asia |
| Country | Laos |
| Official Name | Lao People’s Democratic Republic |
| Continent | Asia |
| Subregion | Southeast Asia |
| Capital | Vientiane |
| Coordinates | About 18° N, 105° E |
| Area | About 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq mi) |
| Coastline | None; landlocked |
| Neighboring Countries | China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia |
| Major River | Mekong River |
| Time Zone | UTC+7 |
Geographic note: It covers about 236,800 square kilometers (91,400 square miles) and is roughly twice the size of Pennsylvania. Its central location makes it an important geographic link between several parts of mainland Southeast Asia.
Where Is Laos Located?
It is located in mainland Southeast Asia, in the eastern part of the Asian continent. It is positioned between several major Southeast Asian countries.
To picture its location:
- China is north of it .
- Myanmar lies to the northwest.
- Thailand is west and southwest.
- Vietnam stretches along much of its eastern side.
- Cambodia is south of Laos.
Unlike Thailand and Vietnam, it does not have a coastline. It is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, meaning it has no direct access to an ocean or sea.
What Continent Is Laos In?
It is in Asia, specifically the Southeast Asia region.
It belongs to mainland Southeast Asia along with countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. China borders Laos to the north, making it part of a geographic area where South and East Asian influences meet Southeast Asian geography.
What Countries Border Laos?
It shares land borders with five countries:
- China — north
- Myanmar — northwest
- Thailand — west and southwest
- Vietnam — east
- Cambodia — south
Thailand and Vietnam account for the longest international borders with it . The border with Vietnam is about 2,161 kilometers, while the border with Thailand is about 1,845 kilometers.
This gives it a useful position between the countries of mainland Southeast Asia.
Where Is Laos on a Map?
On a map, it looks like a long, mostly north-to-south country with a wider northern section and a narrower southern extension.
The easiest way to locate it is to find Thailand and Vietnam first. It lies between them, with Thailand mainly to the west and Vietnam to the east.
China is above it , while Cambodia sits below its southern end. Myanmar touches it in the northwest.
The Mekong River is another useful map reference. It runs along much of Laos’s western side and separates significant stretches of Laos from Thailand.
Where Is the Capital of Laos?
The capital of it is Vientiane, located in the western part of the country along the Mekong River.
Vientiane is directly across the Mekong from Thailand and is one of the country’s most important geographic reference points. Its coordinates are approximately 17°58′ N, 102°36′ E.
Because Vientiane is close to the Thai border, the capital provides a simple way to understand Laos’s position: it lies immediately east of Thailand in this part of Southeast Asia.
Where Is Laos Compared With Thailand?
It is east and northeast of Thailand.
The two countries share a long border, much of which follows the Mekong River. Vientiane is particularly close to Thailand because the Mekong separates the Lao capital from Thailand at this point.
So, if you are looking at a map:
Thailand → west | Laos → east
This relationship is one of the easiest ways to find Laos on a map of Southeast Asia.
Where Is Laos Compared With Vietnam?
Vietnam lies east of it .
Much of Laos’s eastern boundary follows mountainous terrain associated with the Annamite Range. The two countries share a border of more than 2,100 kilometers.
This means Laos is not on the coast, but Vietnam’s position immediately to the east places Laos relatively close to the South China Sea region.
Where Is Laos Compared With China?
China is north of it .
The Lao-Chinese border is in the northern part of it and connects Laos with China’s Yunnan Province. The area is mountainous, so the northern border region has a very different landscape from the lower Mekong areas farther south. On a Southeast Asia map, finding southern China is another useful reference for locating northern it .
Where Is Laos Compared With Cambodia?
Cambodia lies south of it .
The two countries meet near the southern end of it . The Lao-Cambodian border is much shorter than the borders Laos shares with Vietnam and Thailand.
This gives Laos a clear north-to-south geographic sequence:
China → Laos → Cambodia
while Thailand lies mainly to the west and Vietnam to the east.
What Is the Mekong River’s Role in Laos?
The Mekong River is one of the most important geographic features in it .
It forms a large portion of the country’s western boundary with Thailand. It also continues through the wider region, linking the geography of China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
The river is especially important for understanding where cities and populated areas are located. Vientiane and several other communities are situated along or near the Mekong corridor.
What Is the Geography of Laos Like?
It is largely mountainous, with highlands, plateaus, valleys, and river plains. Much of the country has rugged terrain rather than broad coastal lowlands.
The northern and eastern areas are particularly mountainous. The Annamite Range forms much of the country’s eastern highland zone, while other mountain ranges extend across the north and west.
The Mekong and its tributaries create important lower-lying areas where people live and farm.
How Big Is Laos?
It covers approximately 236,800 square kilometers, or about 91,400 square miles.
For a U.S. comparison, its total area is described as about twice the size of Pennsylvania and slightly larger than Utah.
Despite its size, it has no ocean coastline. Its borders are entirely with other countries.
What Are the Coordinates of Laos?
The approximate geographic coordinates of it are 18° N latitude and 105° E longitude.
These coordinates place the country firmly in mainland Southeast Asia.
Because it extends across a fairly large area, these coordinates represent a general central reference rather than the exact position of every location within the country.
Is Laos Landlocked?
Yes. It is landlocked, meaning it has no coastline or direct access to an ocean.
It is surrounded by China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Its lack of a coastline is one of the most distinctive facts about its geography. The Mekong provides an important river corridor, but it does not give it direct access to the sea.
How Can You Picture Laos on a Map?
A simple mental map makes it easier to remember:
- North: China
- Northwest: Myanmar
- West: Thailand
- East: Vietnam
- South: Cambodia
- West and southwest: Mekong River in many sections
- Capital: Vientiane, near the Thai border
In short, it is a landlocked country tucked between Thailand and Vietnam, with China above it and Cambodia below it.
How Do You Get to Laos?
Because Laos is landlocked, travelers cannot reach it directly by ocean cruise or coastal highway.
The country’s main international entry points are located around its borders and major cities. Vientiane is the most useful geographic starting point for understanding international access, while northern and southern parts of the country connect to neighboring countries by road and other transportation routes.
For location purposes, the key point is that Laos connects to the surrounding mainland countries rather than to a coastline.
Why Is Laos Easy to Locate in Southeast Asia?
It has a distinctive position because it is almost completely surrounded by countries that are familiar on a Southeast Asia map.
Its geography can be remembered with three simple relationships:
Thailand is west. Vietnam is east. China is north.
Then add Cambodia to the south and Myanmar to the northwest.
The Mekong River also helps identify the western side of the country. Together, these features make it one of the easier mainland Southeast Asian countries to place once you know its neighbors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laos
Is Laos a country?
Yes. It is an independent country officially known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. It is located in mainland Southeast Asia.
Where is Laos located?
It is located in Southeast Asia, between Thailand and Vietnam. It also borders China, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
What continent is Laos in?
It is in Asia, specifically in the Southeast Asia region.
Is Laos part of China?
No. Laos is an independent country. It shares a northern border with China.
Is Laos near Thailand?
Yes. It shares a long western border with Thailand. Much of the border follows the Mekong River.
Is Laos near Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnam borders Laos along its eastern side, and the two countries share a border of about 2,161 kilometers.
Does Laos have a coastline?
No. It is landlocked and has no coastline.
What is the capital of Laos?
The capital is Vientiane, located in western Laos along the Mekong River near Thailand.
What countries surround Laos?
It borders China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
What river is associated with Laos?
The Mekong River is the most important river associated with Laos. It forms much of the country’s western boundary with Thailand.
Conclusion
So, where is Laos? It is a landlocked country in mainland Southeast Asia, positioned between Thailand and Vietnam, with China to the north, Myanmar to the northwest, and Cambodia to the south. Its capital, Vientiane, sits along the Mekong River near Thailand.
The simplest mental picture is Laos in the middle of mainland Southeast Asia, east of Thailand and west of Vietnam.
About Leo Sterling
Leo Sterling is a geography and travel writer at Triporra.com who believes understanding a place starts with knowing exactly where it is. He turns geographic details on countries, regions, islands, and cities into clear, engaging content for everyday readers.
For Leo, a good location article does more than mark a spot on a map. It shows what borders a place, which region it belongs to, and how it connects to the world around it—an approach reflected in guides like where is Anguilla, where solid research meets a simple, conversational style.
Whether readers are planning a trip, studying, or just curious, Leo’s goal is the same: deliver accurate, easy-to-understand information without unnecessary complexity.
Areas of Focus: Geography | Countries & Regions | Caribbean Islands | Travel Destinations | Location Research | “Where Is?” Content
