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Wednesday, January 15, 2025
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New Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Vientiane 40 Percent Complete

Construction of a new treatment and rehabilitation centre for individuals with addiction to illegal substances in Phonhong district, Vientiane province, is now 40 percent complete, said the Ministry of Public Security.  The centre will cover 23.3 hectares at Km62 in Huaython village and is expected to accommodate up to 500 people. It comprises an administrative block, medical facility, visiting area, reception room, club room, study area, treatment area, vocational training block, and a fire safety area. Upon completion, a handover ceremony is scheduled for the last quarter of 2025.  The initiative is part of joint efforts by the Lao and Vietnamese public security ministries to combat drug abuse and trafficking while promoting peace,...

Economy

Nine Lao University Students Heading for Japan to Participate in the ASEAN-Japan Students Conference

Nine Lao university students will soon travel to Japan to participate in the ASEAN-Japan Students Conference as part of JENESYS, an exchange program supported by the Japanese government.  The...

Houaphanh’s Nam Xang River Turns Red Due to Iron Ore Wastewater Discharge

On 12 January, an overflow of wastewater from an iron ore washing reservoir in Viengxay district, Houaphanh Province, turned the Nam Xang River dark red. This prompted residents to...

Vietjet to Boost Aviation Infrastructure in Laos

Vietnamese airline Vietjet has signed an agreement to support Laos in advancing its aviation infrastructure.  The partnership, announced on 10 January, was overseen by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and...

Electricity Exports Lead Laos’ Trade Revenue in 2024

In 2024, electricity exports continued to lead Laos’ export revenues, generating nearly USD 980 million and accounting for 15.35 percent of total exports, according to the Department of Foreign...

Laos Steps Up Fight Against Wildlife Trafficking Amid Rising Demand

Authorities in Laos continue to intensify efforts against wildlife poaching and trafficking, with recent operations leading to the arrest of a suspect in Khammouane Province.  On 6 January, a 25-year-old...

Laos, Vietnam Launch Cross-Border QR Code Payment System

On 9 January, Laos and Vietnam officially launched a cross-currency transaction service, connecting their cross-border retail payment systems via QR codes. This initiative, a collaboration between the Bank of Laos...

Travel

Luang Prabang Tourism Booms with 2.3 Million Visitors in 2024

In 2024, Luang Prabang welcomed more than 2 million tourists, surpassing the initial goal of 900,000 visitors.  According to data provided to the Laotian Times by the Luang Prabang Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, a total of 2,306,375 tourists visited the UNESCO Heritage Town last year, with 1,532,394 being foreign visitors.  The top 10 countries contributing to this success with the highest number of visitors were China, Thailand, South Korea, the United States, France, Japan, Germany, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. China led the way with a significant 438,355 tourists, followed by Thailand with 175,575, and South Korea with 151,189.  This growth was already evident in 2023, when Luang Prabang attracted...

Laos Welcomes Over Five Million Tourists in 2024, Generating Over USD 1 Billion

Laos has recorded over five million tourists this year, exceeding expectations and generating more than USD 1 billion in revenue, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone announced on 18 November. According to the PM, domestic tourist...

Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir Reopens with Green Initiatives

Additional reporting by Souliyasone Ngotsyoudom Vientiane Province is once again in the spotlight with a fresh tourism draw—the newly upgraded Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir Recreation Area, also known as "Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir" or...

Health & Environment

New Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Vientiane 40 Percent Complete

Construction of a new treatment and rehabilitation centre for individuals with addiction to illegal substances in Phonhong district, Vientiane province, is now 40 percent complete, said the Ministry of Public Security.  The centre will cover 23.3 hectares at Km62 in Huaython village and is expected to accommodate up to 500 people. It comprises an administrative block, medical facility, visiting area, reception room, club room, study area, treatment area, vocational training block, and a fire safety area. Upon completion, a handover ceremony is...

Sport

Lao Teams Shine at Jaifa King’s Cup with U8 Championship Win

The Lao youth football team, with three groups of players from the WIG NAGA club, competed in the 2024 Jaifa King’s Cup in Lopburi, Thailand, on 5 December.  The tournament saw teams from ten...

Lao Bodybuilders Shine at World Championship, Claim Two Gold Medals

Two Lao bodybuilders, Chintana Khambounheuang and Khamla Samavong, each won a gold medal at the 15th World Bodybuilding Championship held in the Maldives from 5 to 11 November. Chintana claimed gold in the Swimming...

Politics

New Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Vientiane 40 Percent Complete

Construction of a new treatment and rehabilitation centre for individuals with addiction to illegal substances in Phonhong district, Vientiane...

Electricity Exports Lead Laos’ Trade Revenue in 2024

In 2024, electricity exports continued to lead Laos’ export revenues, generating nearly USD 980 million and accounting for 15.35...

Laos, Vietnam Launch Cross-Border QR Code Payment System

On 9 January, Laos and Vietnam officially launched a cross-currency transaction service, connecting their cross-border retail payment systems via...

Xayaboury Produces 1.56 Million Tons of Cassava in 2024, Boosts Exports to Thailand

In 2024, farmers in four southern districts of Xayaboury Province cultivated nearly 54,000 hectares of cassava, producing approximately 1.56...

Feature

Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir Reopens with Green Initiatives

Additional reporting by Souliyasone Ngotsyoudom Vientiane Province is once again in the spotlight with a fresh tourism draw—the newly upgraded Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir Recreation Area, also known as "Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir" or “Thalay Lao,” meaning the Lao Sea. Located in Keooudom District, the reservoir officially reopened on 3 December after a three-year closure for extensive redevelopment. “We are expecting at least 1-2 million visitors to visit this place in 2025,” said Sisavath Sengphachan, Vientiane Province’s Head of Information, Culture, and Tourism, who oversees the facility. “We have it all here—nature, food, interesting historical background, and, of course, it’s all environmentally friendly.” The reservoir’s main area, the marina, now boasts 36 boats connected to on-site restaurants. Visitors are greeted by an entry gate, parking facilities, and a circular viewing pavilion. For those seeking scenic views, the site offers three viewing points, a stepped viewing platform, and walkways leading to boat restaurants. Redevelopment, Compensation, and Green Efforts This redevelopment not only enhances the tourism appeal of Vientiane Province but also brings upgrades to surrounding infrastructure. The 6.3-kilometer access road to the site has been transformed into a concrete pathway, linking the reservoir to Highway No.10. Internal...

New Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Vientiane 40 Percent Complete

Construction of a new treatment and rehabilitation centre for...

Electricity Exports Lead Laos’ Trade Revenue in 2024

In 2024, electricity exports continued to lead Laos’ export...

Laos, Vietnam Launch Cross-Border QR Code Payment System

On 9 January, Laos and Vietnam officially launched a...

Xayaboury Produces 1.56 Million Tons of Cassava in 2024, Boosts Exports to Thailand

In 2024, farmers in four southern districts of Xayaboury...

Mekong River Commission Launches Education Hub, One Mekong App in Vientiane

On 23 December, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) celebrated...