Official name of Laos is the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Laos is socialist republic and landlocked country means having no sea in the Southeast Asia. At the heart of the Indochinese Peninsula, Laos is bordered by Myanmar and the People’s Republic of China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest. Its capital and largest city is Vientiane. The history of Laos dates back to the 14th century, when it was known as Lan Xang. During this period, it became a major player in Southeast Asia’s overland trade. Because of its location, it became wealthy and culturally significant. During the civil war that broke out in the region in the 14th century, it became divided into three kingdoms: Lan Xang, Vientiane, and Champasak. In 1893, the three territories were united under a French protectorate, and they became known as Laos. Laos became independent in 1953, with a constitutional government under Sisavang Vong. A post-autonomy nationwide conflict started, which saw the socialist obstruction, upheld by the Soviet Union, battle against the government that later went under the impact of military regimes supported by the United States. After the war in Vietnam ended in 1975, the Pathet Lao government took power. They were then dependent on aid from the Soviet Union.