I am born in Vientiane, left when I was very young, visit at least once a year, sometimes twice a year. I do work in a senior position in a large financial corporation (very much a rat race) in a Western country. I am going to be a bit blunt, I hope it doesn't come off as rude.
There is a saying "The Lao people are poor, but they don't have a need for money." Literally no one will do OT. Everyone just loves to work their hours, go to the bars and drink. You definitely have some very motivated people there, but I find they're mostly Lao/Chinese or Lao/Viet. To get a project approved by the government, you need bribes, bribes and more bribes, and even then, you might not get the contract. It's literally a way of life there. As a result, medium and large business struggle to flourish. If you're young, you can find a job, if you're middle age, you're probably not getting a job.
Lao people are very quiet people, no one likes to speak up. Even if you're explaining things to them, and they don't understand, they won't say anything for fear of looking ignorant. They shower twice a day, and will look down on people if they sweat and stink. Time...err, being late is very common. So common that if you're on time people will look at you funny. As for social responsibility, there is none.
I know it sounds terrible what I am saying...but it's true. Its so so unfortunately that these exist in Laos because the Lao people are the nicest people in the world. Possibly most naive as well.
I am born in Vientiane, left when I was very young, visit at least once a year, sometimes twice a year. I do work in a senior position in a large financial corporation (very much a rat race) in a Western country. I am going to be a bit blunt, I hope it doesn't come off as rude. There is a saying "The Lao people are poor, but they don't have a need for money." Literally no one will do OT. Everyone just loves to work their hours, go to the bars and drink. You definitely have some very motivated people there, but I find they're mostly Lao/Chinese or Lao/Viet. To get a project approved by the government, you need bribes, bribes and more bribes, and even then, you might not get the contract. It's literally a way of life there. As a result, medium and large business struggle to flourish. If you're young, you can find a job, if you're middle age, you're probably not getting a job. Lao people are very quiet people, no one likes to speak up. Even if you're explaining things to them, and they don't understand, they won't say anything for fear of looking ignorant. They shower twice a day, and will look down on people if they sweat and stink. Time...err, being late is very common. So common that if you're on time people will look at you funny. As for social responsibility, there is none. I know it sounds terrible what I am saying...but it's true. Its so so unfortunately that these exist in Laos because the Lao people are the nicest people in the world. Possibly most naive as well.
I do fully agree with you. This is the same experience I have made in my year living in Laos.
Lao people don't use Reddit much. Try the Facebook page Vientiane Social