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Laos Faces Severe Blood Shortage as Only Five Provinces Meet Donation Targets

Laos has long been grappling with a blood donation shortage. In 2024, several provincial branches of the Lao Red Cross failed to meet their collection targets.  This shortfall has been attributed to factors such as the economic crisis, natural disasters, and misconceptions about blood donation. Chanthala Souksakhone, head of the National Blood Transfusion Center under the Lao Red Cross, confirmed on 15 January that only five provinces—Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang, Xayabouly, Sekong, and Attapeu—met their goals.  The Lao Red Cross collected 71,297 bags of blood in 2024, falling short of the target of 78,000. In comparison, the organization exceeded its 2023 goal, collecting 73,023 bags. “This year , we have an even higher...

Economy

Xam Tai District’s Silk Tapestries Set to Achieve ODOP Status

Traditional silk tapestries from Xam Tai district in Houaphanh Province will soon be recognized as official One District One Product (ODOP), aiming to preserve and promote local craftsmanship. On 15...

Recent Cold Snap Damages Coffee Plantations in Champasack

On 14 January, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Champasack Province reported significant damage to coffee plantations in Pak Song district caused by frost and fog over the...

Lao Government Aims for Fifth Year of Budget Surplus

The Lao government is striving to surpass its state budget revenue targets for a fifth consecutive year,  With a vision toward an independent and self-reliant economy, Laos is aiming to...

Laos Adopts Satellite Technology to Boost Carbon Credit Potential

Laos is leveraging satellite remote sensing technology to calculate carbon stocks across nine forest areas in the country totaling 170,556 hectares.  The objectives of this project are to unlock the...

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...

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

Laos Faces Severe Blood Shortage as Only Five Provinces Meet Donation Targets

Laos has long been grappling with a blood donation shortage. In 2024, several provincial branches of the Lao Red Cross failed to meet their collection targets.  This shortfall has been attributed to factors such as the economic crisis, natural disasters, and misconceptions about blood donation. Chanthala Souksakhone, head of the National Blood Transfusion Center under the Lao Red Cross, confirmed on 15 January that only five provinces—Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang, Xayabouly, Sekong, and Attapeu—met their goals.  The Lao Red Cross collected 71,297...

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

Laos Adopts Satellite Technology to Boost Carbon Credit Potential

Laos is leveraging satellite remote sensing technology to calculate carbon stocks across nine forest areas in the country totaling...

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...

Feature

Laos Faces Severe Blood Shortage as Only Five Provinces Meet Donation Targets

Laos has long been grappling with a blood donation shortage. In 2024, several provincial branches of the Lao Red Cross failed to meet their collection targets.  This shortfall has been attributed to factors such as the economic crisis, natural disasters, and misconceptions about blood donation. Chanthala Souksakhone, head of the National Blood Transfusion Center under the Lao Red Cross, confirmed on 15 January that only five provinces—Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang, Xayabouly, Sekong, and Attapeu—met their goals.  The Lao Red Cross collected 71,297 bags of blood in 2024, falling short of the target of 78,000. In comparison, the organization exceeded its 2023 goal, collecting 73,023 bags. “This year , we have an even higher target to collect at least 80,400 blood bags. The goal will continue to rise each year. By 2030, we need to reach as high as 120,000 bags.” Each donor can give only one bag of blood, containing between 350 and 450 milliliters. However, meeting daily demand remains a significant challenge. The Vientiane Capital headquarters alone requires 200 bags daily, while provincial branches must collect at least 300 bags each day. “Currently, we’re only managing to collect 20-30 bags daily,” he noted. The main...

Laos Adopts Satellite Technology to Boost Carbon Credit Potential

Laos is leveraging satellite remote sensing technology to calculate...

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...

EZGO ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024

CHANGZHOU, China, Jan. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EZGO Technologies...

EZGO ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024

CHANGZHOU, China, Jan. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EZGO Technologies...

LONG AN INTERNATIONAL PORT JOINS 12TH PORTECH ASIA SUMMIT 2025 IN MALAYSIA

Long An International Port made its inaugural appearance at...