Lao is a tonal language, with six tones - most people will find it quite hard to differentiate between the tones, but any attempt to speak just a few words will win you instant friends. 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.