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Laos Sets Ambitious Targets for Energy, Mining Sector

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has outlined a vision for the energy and mining sector, aiming to increase its contribution to 25 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 while ensuring sustainable development and financial stability. Speaking at the annual energy and mining sector meeting on 31 March, Sonexay called for an annual growth rate of 10 to 12 percent and emphasized the need for strategic reforms to enhance governance, address financial challenges, and promote responsible resource management. Key objectives include expanding Laos’ electricity transmission network to meet domestic demand and boost exports, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and enforcing sustainable mining practices in line with international standards. Sonexay also highlighted...

Economy

Laos Sets Ambitious Targets for Energy, Mining Sector

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has outlined a vision for the energy and mining sector, aiming to increase its contribution to 25 percent of the country’s gross domestic product...

Vientiane to Get Real-Time Bus Tracking with ViaBus

The Lao government is teaming up with Thailand to introduce ViaBus, a real-time bus tracking system designed to improve the efficiency of public transportation in Vientiane. This initiative is a...

Lao Business Forum Highlights Progress, Challenges, Path Forward for Private Sector Development

At the 16th Lao Business Forum, held at the Don Chan Palace in Vientiane on 3 April, government officials, foreign diplomats, business leaders, and development partners gathered to discuss...

Trump’s New Reciprocal Tariffs Hit Laos, ASEAN Hard, Threatening Key Exports

Laos is among the countries most affected by the United States' recent announcement of new reciprocal tariffs, which President Donald Trump unveiled on 2 April. This decision could have...

France Funds 11 Lao Civil Society Projects for Gender Equality

As part of France’s commitment to gender equality worldwide, Siv-Leng Chhuor, Ambassador of France to Laos, signed the grant agreements on 27 March with the eleven Lao organizations benefiting...

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Tops 1,000, More Casualties Expected: Here’s What We Know So Far

This is a developing story LATEST UPDATE on 29 March at 12:48 PM The deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked central Myanmar on 28 March has claimed the lives of at least...

Travel

Vientiane to Get Real-Time Bus Tracking with ViaBus

The Lao government is teaming up with Thailand to introduce ViaBus, a real-time bus tracking system designed to improve the efficiency of public transportation in Vientiane. This initiative is a collaboration between the Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise and Via Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. The goal is to develop an application that offers convenient tracking of public transportation for passengers. The ViaBus app will provide live updates on bus locations, routes, and schedules across Vientiane. All of this information will be available in one easy-to-use system. The app is the brainchild of Intouch Marsvongpragorn, a Chulalongkorn University alumnus and Managing Director of Via Group. He was recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30...

Vientiane Launches Sustainable Tourism Initiative with Innovative Technology for Growth

The Lao government has announced plans to boost tourism in Vientiane Capital with the theme "Vientiane's Sustainable Tourism," The initiative aims to incorporate innovative technologies into tourism management and create new attractions for...

Luang Prabang Earns Global Recognition for Sustainable Tourism

Laos’ popular world heritage town of Luang Prabang has clinched third place in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards for “Destination Management” at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany, on 4...

Health & Environment

Laos to Strengthen Road Safety During Lao New Year

Vientiane plans to deploy 1,172 traffic police officers across 143 stations in the country during the Lao New Year celebrations to ensure orderly, convenient, and safe road traffic from 11 to 17 April. These officers will enforce speed limits, conduct alcohol checks, prioritize traffic control, address illegally parked vehicles to prevent congestion, and maintain 24-hour vigilance to promptly respond to accidents. A total of 316 traffic accidents were reported during the 2024 celebrations across Laos, resulting in 33 fatalities, 594 injuries,...

Sport

Nam Theun 2 Marks 15 Years with Golf Classic in Vientiane

On 15 March, Nam Theun 2 Power Company Limited (NTPC) celebrated its 15th anniversary with the Nam Theun 2 Golf Classic, held at the Lao Country Club in Vientiane.  The event brought together over...

Lao Cyclist Returns from Thailand with Strong Performance, Eyes 2028 Olympics

Lao cyclist Phoutthasone Inthamith has just returned from Thailand, where he earned a fourth-place finish in his latest competition. The 45-year-old athlete competed against over 800 participants and now hopes to qualify for...

Politics

Lao Business Forum Highlights Progress, Challenges, Path Forward for Private Sector Development

At the 16th Lao Business Forum, held at the Don Chan Palace in Vientiane on 3 April, government officials,...

Former President Khamtai Siphandone Passes Away at 101

The Former President of Laos, Khamtai Siphandone, passed away at the age of 101 at his home in Vientiane...

Trump’s New Reciprocal Tariffs Hit Laos, ASEAN Hard, Threatening Key Exports

Laos is among the countries most affected by the United States' recent announcement of new reciprocal tariffs, which President...

Myanmar Military Continues Airstrikes Amidst Earthquake Destruction

Myanmar’s military government has carried out airstrikes on villages despite a deadly earthquake that has claimed the lives of...

Feature

Women with Disabilities Association Brings Lao Handicrafts to the Global Stage

The Women With Disability Association (WWDA) is leading an initiative to provide opportunities for women with disabilities in Laos.  The initiative, largely funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Japanese government, aims to enhance the Lao handicraft sector and give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to showcase their work to an international audience. Since its inception in 2001, WWDA has received substantial support from JICA and the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP). This collaboration has enabled the center to not only produce high-quality handcrafted goods but also expand its offerings by providing vital facilities, training, and even field trips to Japan, where individuals could learn new ideas and skills for product development. The association officially became an association in 2021, founded by Chanhpheng Sivila, a disabled woman with a deep passion for social change. Having learned advanced handicraft skills in Japan in 1997, Chanhpheng’s mission was to bring her skills and knowledge back to Laos to help others in her community, especially disabled women, gain valuable employment opportunities. "After I came back to Laos, I adapted those lessons to implement them here, especially for those with disabilities because...

Former President Khamtai Siphandone Passes Away at 101

The Former President of Laos, Khamtai Siphandone, passed away...

Trump’s New Reciprocal Tariffs Hit Laos, ASEAN Hard, Threatening Key Exports

Laos is among the countries most affected by the...

Myanmar Military Continues Airstrikes Amidst Earthquake Destruction

Myanmar’s military government has carried out airstrikes on villages...

France Funds 11 Lao Civil Society Projects for Gender Equality

As part of France’s commitment to gender equality worldwide,...

Chubb Launches New Premier Life Science Package

Celebrating 20-Year Anniversary of Life Sciences Expertise in APAC...