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For me the best thing is the opportunity to learn about another culture. It is ongoing.
The challenges were the language and the cultural differences which can be addressed by learning the language and taking the time to be aware of the cultural needs.
Things that westerners take for granted can be a no no to Lao people.
Remembering to take shoes off when entering a dwelling, never raising your voice and showing anger, respect / deference to priests if attending a ceremony, same for elderly people.
For me the benefits lie in being accepted into into a completely different culture from my own. The learning curve is ongoing.

Our marriage was a full Lao ceremony. Started early morning with the priests coming to bless the steers to be killed to feed guests and then handing out gifts to them.
Then we went to separate houses for a meal and drinks with family and friends and then donning full Lao costumes, myself included. A walk to the house with my retinue to be challenged at the gate by wife's family, then feet washing at the door before being led into the house to kneel beside the wife for 2 hours whilst the wedding caller chanted the ancient wedding tomes. Then food drinks and dancing until midnight.

Never regretted the decision even though the paperwork took 12 months to organize.

Intercultural marriages are accepted in Laos.

The hardest thing I find is remembering that you are not allowed to touch another woman. A handshake is fine but don't ever put an arm around them even if it's her cousin or sister. Also my girlfriend doesn't understand that in the UK you can have a female friend who is just a friend. If I go to visit a woman's house who lives alone she is not very happy. One day she told me that she had seen a news report on TV that said in Europe we have an annual Go to Work Naked Day.  It took me ages to convince her it was far too cold and nobody would go to work if it was true.

Welcome to the forum Terry. 

There are things such as you noted that an expat needs to be aware of.
Touching someone on the head is a no no.
Keeping one's head low when approaching a priest in a temple.
Raising your voice is also not the thing to do, even when arguing.

When I am overseas I chat to my wife and sometimes mention a long term female friend in the conversation. The immediate response from her is to ask if she is my wife there !!!