Buddhism is the dominating religion in Laos. Economy Despite its mineral, wood and hydroelectric power resources Laos is one of the poorest countries in South-East Asia. Other cash crops are cotton, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee. Opium probably still is the country's biggest export earner. For many of the northern hilltribes opium is, although the government supports crop substitution programmes, the only source of income.
Wood products are important for export.
Due to the lack of infrastructure, exploitation of mineral resources is still on a very low level. Electricity from the Nam Ngum dam is sold to Thailand, many additional hydropower plants are planned. Compared to Thailand or Vietnam, the number of tourists is still relative low, but tourism is already an important economical factor for the country. Economy after the 1975 communist takeover wasn't really working well. After some years free enterprise was partly allowed at village level.