Curious does anyone know of any franchise currently operating in Laos (Vientiane in particular)?  From any business sectors.  I can see that there are Shell Gas Stations from map.

Soft drinks (soda), such as Pepsi and 7UP.

It would've been nice if Laos has Subway, KFC and McDonald franchise. That mean anybody with money to invest in Laos can own one.
;)

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 11^th Mar, 2011 at 12:21am:

Soft drinks (soda), such as Pepsi and 7UP.

Why is there only PEPSI? When I was in Laos - a few years ago - I couldn't get any COCOA-COLA? Pepsi just doesn't taste right!

I guess you mean "Coca-Cola".

They sell Coca-Cola or coke, but they're more expensive than Pepsi.

Coke is sold in cans and plastic bottles and you can take them home with you, while they pour pepsi in a plastic bag with ice and straw and the bottle is kept at the store. A a bit of prehistoric humour, but we're used to it in Laos.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 11^th Mar, 2011 at 5:36am:

I guess you mean "Coca-Cola". They sell Coca-Cola or coke, but they're more expensive than Pepsi. Coke is sold in cans and plastic bottles and you can take them home with you, while they pour pepsi in a plastic bag with ice and straw and the bottle is kept at the store. A a bit of prehistoric humour, but we're used to it in Laos.

Why did they hide the "COCOA-COLA"- (Yes I am human) - from me then. It was always PEPSI. And those filthy bags, where do they get them from? Even when I was out ordering fried rice in one of the numerous street stalls, In was "SHOCKED!" to see flies buzzing around the slaughtered carcass. What even "SHOCKED!" me MORE, was the nonchalance of the "chef" .After swatting away as many as he could, she "reassured" me, with a beaming smile followed by a  lift of her eyebrows, that I was in "safe" hands.
Does Laos not have any standards?
You can probably guess what I did with the "food", can't you?

Their bags are not filthy.  

The open streets will always have flies when there's the smell of food around. The merchants don't like flies just as much as you and I, but there's not a lot that can be done.

If it's not your cup of tea, then you're best buying food inside a respectable restaurant.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 11^th Mar, 2011 at 6:23am:

Their bags are not filthy.   The open streets will always have flies when there's the smell of food around. The merchants don't like flies just as much as you and I, but there's not a lot that can be done. If it's not your cup of tea, then you're best buying food inside a respectable restaurant.

Trust me when I say, what I say. "Filthy" would be putting it lightly! You also got dust swirling around too. From what I could make of the bags themselves, I think that they were recycled (pick off the side off the roads), from the way they were already condensed. (Who knows? In Laos, anythings possible!) It did take the vendor a bit of pull-power to pry the damn thing open. If you are wondering: if I drank it or not? Yes. I did. Not much choice, considering that grilling sun.

That was a one-off by the way. I only ate at home or in the "established" venues.

They didn't hide the "coca-cola" from you. They usually don't sell any on the streets. They are sold in the mini marts and markets.

Well, it's not very hygienic and I hope you don't experience anything like that again.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 11^th Mar, 2011 at 10:00am:

They didn't hide the "coca-cola" from you. They usually don't sell any on the streets. They are sold in the mini marts and markets. Well, it's not very hygienic and I hope you don't experience anything like that again.

I love Laos! Don't you worry admin', Laos is my home away from home! I'm retiring there soon, god willing. That episode hasn't put me off traveling to Laos.

During the SEA games, how was the atmosphere? Man, I would have love to have been there! The city must have swelled 10 times it's usual size.

Yes, many tourists in Vientiane, but the SEA Games now seems like a life time ago.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 11^th Mar, 2011 at 11:22am:

Yes, many tourists in Vientiane, but the SEA Games now seems like a life time ago.

Time really moves that slow in Laos? Over here it's always work; go home. Work; go home. Years literally fly by. Before you know it, it's already gone.

Larb Dip wrote on 12^th Mar, 2011 at 12:43am:

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 11th Mar, 2011 at 11:22am: Yes, many tourists in Vientiane, but the SEA Games now seems like a life time ago. Time really moves that slow in Laos? Over here it's always work; go home. Work; go home. Years literally fly by. Before you know it, it's already gone.

Sound like US pay is good, but working 40-50 hrs a week. I'm happy.
8-) :o

llX wrote on 12^th Mar, 2011 at 1:08am:

Larb Dip wrote on 12th Mar, 2011 at 12:43am: Admin Saovaluck wrote on 11th Mar, 2011 at 11:22am: Yes, many tourists in Vientiane, but the SEA Games now seems like a life time ago. Time really moves that slow in Laos? Over here it's always work; go home. Work; go home. Years literally fly by. Before you know it, it's already gone. Sound like US pay is good, but working 40-50 hrs a week. I'm happy. 8-) :o

What are the pay rates over there, mate? Do you have double overtime rates? Or is it time-and-a-half?
I know Australia has the best! pay rates. That's why almost 100,000 people from NZ move over there every year.

They pay double and time-and-half. Its all depend what company you work for, your education, position, skilled and experience. US per capita income a year is $47,700. New Zealand is $31,000.
8-)

What's the population of Laotian in New Zealand?
8-) ::)

llX wrote on 12^th Mar, 2011 at 5:49am:

What's the population of Laotian in New Zealand? 8-) ::)

According to the last census: only 1000. Most move over to Australia without hassle anyway, so if no-one went then I would say there might be around 5000 by now.
This year is census year, so I will post the results as soon they are made available. (Then you got some "plastic Lao", who declare that they are "Thai".) So, there may be more. Who really knows?

"Plastic Lao" those must be Tai Isan. 1000 is not much in US I would say around 150,000. Most live in California, Texas because the weather is hot like Laos.

What is there to do for fun in New Zealand?
:)

llX wrote on 12^th Mar, 2011 at 7:31am:

"Plastic Lao" those must be Tai Isan. 1000 is not much in US I would say around 150,000. Most live in California, Texas because the weather is hot like Laos. What is there to do for fun in New Zealand? :)

I'm not talking about Isaan. I'm talking about Lao on the East side of the Mekong.

You should spend some time reading some of my back-post if you really want to know what yours truly does for fun in New Zealand.

llX wrote on 12^th Mar, 2011 at 5:44am:

They pay double and time-and-half. Its all depend what company you work for, your education, position, skilled and experience. US per capita income a year is $47,700. New Zealand is $31,000. 8-)

That's why everybody (especially Lao) move to Australia. You could "walk-in" to some jobs at $35/hour! How many jobs in the USA can you "walk-in" to, for that amount of money?
NZ is too slow for many. If you like the "fast" life, then it's not the "spot" to be at. (That's another reason why everybody leaves for Australia). It is however really safe. Peace of mind is something you can't buy, especially in today's world.