Through most of history, Lao culture has changed little due to their isolation from outsiders (even when the people fell under the rule of a foreigner, they always fell on the periphery of their empire and had little influence on the local Lao culture). The only sea access is via the Mekong River and the mountains isolate the people. Due to this, little has changed over time and when an introduction has fully taken hold it seems to stay.
This is the case in one of the country's most noticeable and defining characteristics in Buddhism, which has dominated Lao culture and life since about the 1500s, if not earlier. This religion preaches simplicity in life, kindness, and self-growth, items the Lao have taken to heart as people always seem to be more important than possessions. This simple life of living off the land and being a people dedicated to Buddhism is at the core of society and remains an important part of the people's culture today.
With the arrival of foreigners and outside thoughts in more recent times, the people of Laos were thrown into the unknown as most people continued living as they always have, while others sought western life and clung to newly introduced political ideologies. These outside introductions, particularly in the 1800s and early 1900s, have led to various opinions as the peaceful people divided and war arrived in the mid-1900s.
Fortunately, Laos is again stable and safe, however their future culture and identity are in flux, as is their way of life. Few people have significantly changed since the communist takeover as they continue to live their lives as farmers in villages and the countryside. However, there has also been a rapid process of industrialization and the growth of cities, creating new cultural aspects with new technology and communication, which are slowly expanding from the cities to the countryside.