Food prepared for Lao New Year ceremony.

Since the Vietnam War the population of diasporic Lao people has increased in the United States. There are 200,000 Lao Americans in the United States today.

The Lao community in the Washington DC metropolitan area is very active. Organizations such as Lao American Women Association (LAWA) and Lao Heritage Foundation preserve Lao culture by sponsoring artists and teachers of dance, music, crafts, and language. Lao music, especially in the Mor Lam style, has a world-wide audience. Mor Lam is an ancient form of ensemble featuring singers accompanied by Khaen (Khene or Kaen, a bamboo flute) music. Many Lao organizations offer Khaen classes. The instrument is considered a symbol of Lao music.

Like many Southeastern Asian cultures, much of Lao culture is based on the Buddhist tradition. The Lao community is proud of in Wat Lao Buddhavong of Washington D.C., a Buddhist temple built by the community members in Manassas, Virginia. The large-scale religious painting in the temple attracts tourists, and provides great education about Lao culture to the visitors. Every year the temple hosts the Laos New Year and the Annual Cultural Festival. Through the religious and cultural events, the temple reflects faith and cultural identity of the Lao people.

Spirituality, artistic intuitions, and traditions are the key words that connect the Lao women in this website. With their creative voices, the women continue to inspire the community.