Why Laos Is Landlocked

Laos is landlocked because it is **entirely surrounded by land**—it has **no coastline** and therefore no direct access to the ocean. Its neighbors:

• China (north)
• Vietnam (east)
• Cambodia (south)
• Thailand (west)
• Myanmar (northwest)

Trade relies on transit agreements through Thai, Vietnamese, or Chinese ports (e.g., Laem Chabang, Da Nang, or Kunming rail link).