How to Write a CV in Laos: Format & Resume Guide 2026

Laos has one of Southeast Asia's smallest formal economies, anchored by hydropower exports, mining, agriculture, and a growing tourism sector. The formal labour market is concentrated in Vientiane, with the government, international development organisations, and a small but growing private sector as the main employers. Writing a Laos CV means understanding that the market operates in two distinct layers: the Lao-language public sector and an internationally oriented layer where English is the working language.

The Laos CV Format

The document is called a CV (ໄຊວີ or ประวัติส่วนตัว in the broader regional context, though most professionals simply call it a CV or Resume in English contexts). Standard length is one to two pages. The structure follows a clear order: a professional photo, personal information, work experience in reverse chronological order, education, skills, and languages. A declaration of authenticity is standard on Lao-language CVs submitted to government bodies.

Language of the CV

Write in Lao for all government and public administration roles. English is the working language at international NGOs, UN agencies, donor organisations, and foreign companies operating in Laos. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) all maintain significant country offices in Vientiane and require English applications. For positions at Lao-Chinese joint ventures, Chinese proficiency is increasingly valued.

Photo Convention

A professional photo is required on a Laos CV. Place it in the upper right or upper left corner of the first page. Use a formal headshot with a white or light background, business attire, and a recent image taken within the past six months. Casual photos are not acceptable.

Personal Information

Include: full name (in Lao script and romanised transliteration), date of birth, nationality, residential address (district and city), phone number, and email. Gender and marital status are commonly included on Lao CVs. For government applications, include your national ID card number (ບັດປະຈຳຕົວ).

Education

Recognised institutions in Laos that employers know:

• National University of Laos (NUOL, ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລແຫ່ງຊາດ) in Vientiane — the primary state university, covers most disciplines and is the reference standard for domestic employers
• Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang — regional institution with strong recognition in the north
• Savannakhet University — regional university serving the south
• University of Health Sciences (UHS) in Vientiane — for medical and health-related qualifications
• Lao-American College (LAC) and International School of Vientiane — private institutions with English-medium education

Many Lao professionals hold degrees from Vietnam, Thailand, Russia, or China. Thai university degrees (Khon Kaen University, Chiang Mai University) are well-recognised for border region employment. Degrees from international partners should be listed with full institution name, country, degree title, and year.

Work Experience

Reverse chronological order is standard. List employer, position title, dates, and a description of responsibilities. Key employers in Laos:

• Electricité du Laos (EDL) — the state electricity company, one of the country's largest formal employers
• Lao Telecom and TPLUS (Unitel) — the two main telecoms operators
• Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao (BCEL) — the dominant commercial bank
• Lao Airlines — national carrier, significant employer in Vientiane
• THILAWA SEZ operators and Lao-Chinese Railway (Laos-China Railway) companies — growing employers following the 2021 railway opening
• UN agencies in Vientiane: UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, FAO, and WFP all maintain offices

Skills, Languages, and Certifications

Language proficiency is a critical differentiator in the Lao market. List: Lao (native), English (CEFR level or IELTS/TOEFL score if tested), Thai (commonly spoken given proximity), and any other languages. Chinese proficiency is a growing asset given Chinese investment in infrastructure projects.

For development and NGO roles, project management certifications (PMP, PRINCE2) and sector-specific training from UN agencies carry weight. For finance, ACCA qualifications from the Lao Institute of Certified Public Accountants (LICPA) or the regional ASEAN-recognised CPA framework are relevant.

Declaration and Cover Letter

A brief declaration of authenticity ("ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຂໍຢືນຢັນວ່າຂໍ້ມູນທີ່ໃຫ້ໄວ້ໃນໃບຄໍາຮ້ອງນີ້ຖືກຕ້ອງ") is standard on formal Lao government applications. A cover letter is expected when applying to international organisations and development agencies; it is optional but positive for private sector roles. Address the cover letter to the specific hiring manager and reference the vacancy by name.

Common CV Mistakes in Laos

• No professional photo: A photo is required for all Lao-market CVs, both public and private sector.
• Submitting an English-only CV for a government role: All government and public administration applications require documents in Lao.
• Omitting Thai or Chinese language skills: Given Laos's geographic position and economic ties, these language skills are genuine differentiators and should be listed with proficiency levels.
• Listing a NUOL faculty without the specific department: Write "Faculty of Economics and Business Management, National University of Laos" rather than just "NUOL" for precision.
• No declaration on a government application: The formal declaration is expected on all public sector submissions.