Buddhist religious centre in Laos, on the Mekong River at the head of river navigation; population (2007 est) 52,500. It was the capital of the kingdom of Louangphrabang, incorporated in Laos in 1946, and the royal capital of Laos 194675.
The large star symbolizes the common programme of the Communist Party. The small stars represent the four economic classes: peasants, workers, petty bourgeoisie, and ‘patriotic capitalists’. Effective date: 1 October 1949.