Lao Sung or more commonly Lao Soung (Laotian: ລາວສູງ ) is an official Laotian designation for highland dwelling peoples in Laos (the others being the Lao Loum and the Lao Theung). Lao Soung make up 9% of the Laotian population. The Lao Soung aren’t actually one single ethnic group but are made up of Hmong (the main group), Yao, Akha, Phu Noi and other people who live in the Laotian mountains. All these groups are related. They mostly practice indigenous religions classified together as Satsana Phi, including Lao phi worship, Hmongism, Yao Taoism. Some practice Theravada Buddhism. Some Lao Soung fought against the communist Pathet Lao government in 1975 to keep the Laotian monarchy in power. Many moved from southern China and Laos to the U.S. and Australia in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s to escape the communist governments there.
