Provinces constitute the primary administrative division in Laos, with 18 such units forming the country's first level of subnational government within a two-tier system. These provinces serve as the principal framework for implementing national policies and delivering public services across the country's diverse regions. Provincial administrations handle critical functions including infrastructure development, education, healthcare delivery, economic planning, and natural resource management. Each province operates under a governor appointed by the central government and maintains its own administrative apparatus to coordinate activities across districts, which form the second administrative level. The provincial structure enables the central government in Vientiane to extend its authority while allowing for some degree of regional adaptation in policy implementation. Provinces also play a key role in revenue collection, land management, and maintaining public order within their jurisdictions.