The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is not a destination one associates with high paying expatriate positions – rather jobs in Laos mainly consist of voluntary charity work, low paying aid association postings and the occasional job teaching English as a foreign language or leading tours and treks around the country. 

The majority of those who find jobs in Laos have travelled around neighbouring Thailand, China and Vietnam for example and finally settled in Lao with a desire to truly help the local indigenous people or the beautiful natural environment.  This is an article about jobs in Laos, working in Vientiane and the main charities and aid agencies helping in Lao.

A quick search on the internet for jobs in Laos returns a small but varied listing with positions available as diverse as a driver/mechanic and tour leader for Asian tours in rural Laos, voluntary jobs working for the World Wide Fund for Nature or Food for the Hungry or relatively well paying TEFL jobs in Vientiane – and this mixed bag sums up the range of possibilities for expatriates available at any one time in Lao PDR.

Most British, Australian and European expatriates end up living and working in Vientiane which is the capital of Laos or having their main base in Vientiane.  The city has a few international schools such as the American School of Vientiane or Vientiane International School and a number of other independent teaching institutions which recruit both paid and voluntary teachers to teach and assist in a number of areas, particularly with teaching English.

The majority of aid agencies and charities in Lao all have their main offices in Vientiane; one of the main agencies assisting in the country is Food for the Hungry.  An example of the type of projects they are involved in include training farmers, irrigating land, health development, clean water programmes and general education.  The World Wide Fund for Nature is also based in Vientiane and requires volunteers and skilled individuals to help with preserving and protecting elephants, rhino, forestry and the general biodiversity of Lao PDR.

The cost of living in Laos is incredibly low because the nation is the poorest in the region, therefore any paid positions are low paying and those who volunteer usually have their accommodation and flights taken care of so require very little money to live on a day to day basis.  Those who find jobs in Laos are often greatly rewarded through the people they meet, the experiences they have and the gratitude of those they assist making living and working Laos if only for a short period of time worthwhile and enjoyable.