The Lao Soung (literally the "high Lao" live at the highest elevations, having migrated from China at the beginning of the nineteenth century. This group includes the Hmong, Mien, Lahu and Akha.

Of these the Hmong are the most numerous, with a population of approximately 200,000. They migrated from China to escape persecution and found relative freedom in Laos until the arrival of the French, who sought to tax them. This led to a number of bloody revolts. Later, an incident caused a schism between two Hmong clans, and the French backed one side, causing the other side to become allied with the fledgling Lao communist movement. The communists promised the Hmong their own independent state if they were victorious. After the French defeat, their Hmong allies were recruited by the CIA to form a "secret army" against the communists. With the communist victory in 1975, the promise of an independent homeland was conveniently forgotten and many Hmong were severely persecuted. Tens of thousands of Hmong fled to refugee camps in Thailand for eventual resettlement in the United States and France. Today, Hmong bandits (or patriots, depending on whom you talk to) continue to make some roads in northeastern Laos dangerous. Hmong apparel is among the most colourful to be found in Laos and their silver jewellery is prized by collectors. Their written language uses Roman letters and was devised by Western missionaries.

The Mien are linguistically related to the Hmong and also emigrated from China, but they write in Chinese characters and worship Taoist deities. Like the Hmong, they cultivate opium, which they trade for salt and other necessities. Mien women wear intricately embroidered pantaloons with a coat and turban of indigo blue and a woolly red boa. It is estimated that nearly half the population of Mien fled Laos after the communist victory.

Speakers of a Tibeto-Burman language, the Akha began migrating south from China's Yunnan province in the mid-nineteenth century. In Laos they are found mainly in Phongsali and Louang Namtha provinces. Their villages are easily distinguished by the elaborate "spirit gate" hung with woven bamboo "stars" that block spirits, as well as talismanic carvings of helicopters, aeroplanes and even grenades, and crude male and female effigies. The Akha are animists and rely on a village shaman to help solve problems of health, fertility or protection against malevolent spirits. They use opium to soothe aches and pains. The Akha women's distinctive headgear is covered with rows of silver baubles and coins.

The Lahu inhabit areas of northwestern Laos, as well as Thailand and Burma. A branch of the Lahu tribe known as the Lahu Na, or Black Lahu, are known first and foremost for their hunting skills. Formerly they used crossbows but now manufacture their own muzzle-loading rifles which they use to hunt birds and rodents.