Controversy erupted in the international pageant community after Miss Grand Myanmar, Thae Su Nyein, stepped down from her position as 2nd runner-up following a ruling by Miss Grand International (MGI), which held its latest pageant in Bangkok, Thailand, on 25 October.
The controversy intensified when Thae’s National Director, Htoo Ant Lwin, publicly removed her crown and sash during the pageant finale, sparking debate over MGI’s handling of the situation and Thae’s placement in the competition.
Shortly after that, on 28 October, the MGI organization officially announced the revocation of Thae Su Nyein's 2nd runner-up title, citing her actions and behavior as a violation of the organization’s rules and standards. This announcement...
Vientiane Province is actively boosting tourism to position the industry as a key economic driver, with a goal to attract over 1.3 million visitors by the end of 2025....
In a push for regional connectivity and economic cooperation, Laos and Vietnam are accelerating infrastructure initiatives, focusing on the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway project. This plan aims to connect the...
CGTN - A train carrying 28 China-made new energy buses departed on 28 October from the Dulaying International Land-Sea Logistics Port in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, heading for Vientiane, Laos....
During its monthly meeting on 24 October, the Lao government announced 2025 plans to raise civil servant salaries, expand staffing quotas across various sectors, and address the issue of...
At the recent BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia, from 22 to 24 October Laos formally expressed its interest in joining the group of emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China,...
A delegation of nine Lao high school students and one supervisor are headed to Tokyo and Fukushima, Japan to participate in the ASEAN-Japan Sports x SDGs Exchange from 28...
Vientiane Province is actively boosting tourism to position the industry as a key economic driver, with a goal to attract over 1.3 million visitors by the end of 2025. While officials are working to strengthen regional and international cooperation in tourism, aiming to promote its natural, historical, cultural, and agricultural attractions.
Sisawat Sengphachan, Director General of the Department of Press, Culture, and Tourism of Vientiane, shared on 24 October that in the first nine months of 2024, the province welcomed 1,031,756 domestic and international visitors, including 281,891 foreign tourists, marking a total increase of 366,917 from the same period in 2023.
This growth generated total revenue of LAK 707 billion (USD...
ARTICLE UPDATED ON 27 JUNE, 2024 AT 4:04 PM
To bolster tourism in the second half of Visit Laos Year 2024, the Lao government is set to introduce a new policy granting free visas...
On 24 September, the StarExpress, a new cross-border tourist train, launched its inaugural journey from Kunming, China, to Luang Prabang and Vientiane, Laos.
This new train link is an important step in promoting cultural...
To address smoking-related issues and ensure the health and safety of citizens in Laos, Vientiane Capital is launching a competition among its nine districts. While the details of the competition are yet to be disclosed, the winning district will have the chance to participate in the Smoke-Free ASEAN City program in 2026, according to the Department of Health.
This initiative was announced on 23 October, where officials discussed strategies to enhance smoke-free spaces within the capital to qualify for a...
The 13th Lao Judo Championship drew a large audience in Vientiane last weekend, as athletes from Laos and Thailand participated in the competition at Vientiane’s Budo Center from 26-27 October. Lao athletes won...
A delegation of nine Lao high school students and one supervisor are headed to Tokyo and Fukushima, Japan to participate in the ASEAN-Japan Sports x SDGs Exchange from 28 October to 4 November,...
At the ASEAN Business Forum in Vientiane on 24 September, John Samuel, Asia Regional Director of Oxfam International, delivered a powerful message on the importance of inclusivity and women's empowerment in Laos's business landscape.
Representing Oxfam—a confederation committed to alleviating global poverty since 1942—Samuel brought eight years of advocacy experience to the forefront, stressing the critical role that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play in the region's economy.
With over 80 percent of Laos's workforce employed in these enterprises, he emphasized the need for supportive frameworks that promote equitable growth and sustainable practices, calling for collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil society to achieve these goals. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, MSMEs remain the backbone of the national economy, especially in rural areas.
“In Laos, small and micro-enterprises provide employment and job opportunities for people in villages. Oxfam has also been working with women's groups, supporting initiatives such as community tourism and environmentally-friendly tourism,” he explained.
Community tourism refers to travel experiences that are owned, managed, and operated by local communities, including non-profits, cooperatives, and social enterprises.
Addressing Regional Challenges
While praising progress in Laos and other ASEAN countries, Samuel acknowledged...