To Lam Re-elected as Party Chief as Vietnam Charts Path Toward 2026 General Election

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), which concluded on 23 January, has re-elected To Lam as General Secretary of the Party Central Committee (PCC) for a second five-year term. National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man announced that To Lam won unanimous support, securing all 180 votes during the first plenary session of the newly elected 14th PCC. Held every five years, the National Congress is Vietnam’s top political event, setting the direction, policies, and leadership of the Party. The 14th National Congress has appointed a balanced leadership team to drive modernization while ensuring political stability through 2031. Congress Concludes with 200-Member Central Committee After four days of deliberations...

Economy

Laos Partners with European Union for New Forest Conservation Project

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Laos, and the European Union have launched a EUR 1.6 million (nearly USD 1.9 million) forest protection project,...

Laos Eyes Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee to Lift Exports, Cut Emissions by 2027

Laos is advancing to transform its coffee sector by 2027, shifting the focus to higher value, cleaner production, and stronger access to international markets. The effort centers on the...

Japan Restarts World’s Biggest Nuclear Plant

By Mathias Cena with Kyoko Hasegawa/AFP - The world's biggest nuclear power plant was restarted on 21 January for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, its Japanese...

Laos Introduces Fines for Damaging, Misusing Banknotes

The Lao government began enforcing new rules on the use and handling of banknotes on 20 February, introducing fines for damaging or misusing cash to protect the kip and...

New Laos–Germany Agreement Boosts Support for Forest, Biodiversity Protection

Laos and Germany have agreed to expand cooperation on forest and biodiversity protection, reinforcing joint efforts to conserve natural ecosystems while supporting sustainable livelihoods for local communities. The new agreement,...

Government Tightens Controls on Burning Activities to Curb Forest Fires, PM2.5

The Lao government has announced stricter measures to prevent forest fires and reduce PM2.5 pollution during the January–April dry season, warning that uncontrolled burning remains the main cause of...

Travel

Laos Welcomes Nearly 4.6 Million Tourists in 2025, Surpassing Annual Target

Laos welcomed 4,580,709 tourists in 2025, an 11 percent increase year-on-year that surpassed the government’s target of 4.3 million visitors, according to the Tourism Development Department. The growth continues a strong post-pandemic recovery trend. In 2024, Laos attracted over 4.1 million visitors, nearly one million more than in 2023, with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) ranking the country 13th globally among the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.  Most visitors came from Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Laos has also earned recognition as one of the world’s most economical travel destinations for 2026, according to Indie Traveller magazine. Featured in “26 Amazing Cheap Places You Should Travel to in 2026,” the country offers...

International Tourism in Laos Surges 13 Percent in First 10 Months of 2025

Laos welcomed nearly 3.8 million international tourists in the first ten months of 2025, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. In figures released on 7 December, the Tourism Development...

Asian Development Bank Approves Funds for Forestry Restoration Project in Laos

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 10 million in funding for the Responsible Forestry Project Phase I in Laos. The package includes a USD 5 million concessional loan from ADB’s ordinary...

Health & Environment

Laos Partners with European Union for New Forest Conservation Project

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Laos, and the European Union have launched a EUR 1.6 million (nearly USD 1.9 million) forest protection project, titled Guardians of Lao Nature: Protecting Nature, Empowering Communities.  The three-year initiative aims to enhance conservation efforts while strengthening the role of local communities in managing natural resources. The project focuses on improving the management of protected areas by encouraging collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and communities living near these...

Sport

Lao Paralympic Team Heads to ASEAN Para Games in Thailand

The Lao National Paralympic Team will send 164 athletes with disabilities to compete in the 13th ASEAN Para Games, set to take place in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from 20 to 27 January. The delegation...

Finding Her Flag: Lao-American Golfer Malisone Chanthapanya’s First Swing for Laos

Malisone Chanthapanya, a 22-year-old Lao-American golfer, was selected to represent Laos professionally at the SEA Games this year, marking both her first appearance at the regional multi-sport event and her first visit to...

Politics

Laos Partners with European Union for New Forest Conservation Project

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Laos, and the European Union have launched a...

Laos Eyes Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee to Lift Exports, Cut Emissions by 2027

Laos is advancing to transform its coffee sector by 2027, shifting the focus to higher value, cleaner production, and...

Cambodia to Send King Norodom Sihamoni on State Visit to Laos for 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

Cambodia and Laos are preparing for a royal visit by King Norodom Sihamoni later this year to mark 70...

Laos Advises Citizens to Avoid US Visa Applications Amid Temporary Suspension

The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised citizens to exercise caution and temporarily avoid applying for visas to...

Feature

Laos Eyes Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee to Lift Exports, Cut Emissions by 2027

Laos is advancing to transform its coffee sector by 2027, shifting the focus to higher value, cleaner production, and stronger access to international markets. The effort centers on the Bolaven Plateau, the country’s primary coffee-growing region. Coffee remains one of Laos’ leading agricultural exports, generating more than USD 200 million annually. However, developers say the next phase is less about increasing volume and more about quality, branding, and long-term sustainability. To explore how emerging technology and investment could reshape Lao coffee’s future, The Laotian Times spoke with Ryutaro Nishio, representative of Lao Green Hydrogen (LGH), and Toshihiro Mochizuki, Managing Director of Pakse-Japan SME SEZ Development Co., Ltd. (PJSEZ), where a hydrogen-roasted coffee plant is currently on the way. Hydrogen roasting and value creation A key part of the expansion plan is hydrogen-powered coffee roasting, developed through cooperation between Lao producers, authorities, and Japanese-led LGH. Nishio said “At LGH, we are planning to purchase up to 6,000 tonnes of green beans per year and produce around 5,000 tonnes of roasted coffee annually in the future. This is not only an investment in roasting capacity, but a way to create long-term, stable demand.” Unlike traditional roasting, hydrogen...

Laos Partners with European Union for New Forest Conservation Project

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Wildlife Conservation...

Laos Eyes Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee to Lift Exports, Cut Emissions by 2027

Laos is advancing to transform its coffee sector by...

Laos Advises Citizens to Avoid US Visa Applications Amid Temporary Suspension

The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised citizens...

China Donates New Army Camp to Lao Forces in Phongsaly

On 18 January, China officially handed over a project...

CATL and the Ellen Macarthur Foundation Set Direction for Circular EV Batteries with Landmark Whitepaper

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading The Charge...

AION V Earns Global Accolades, Showcasing Strength of Chinese Intelligent EV

GUANGZHOU, China, Jan. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2025, GAC...

CNEY Receives Nasdaq Delisting Determination for Minimum Bid Price Deficiency

LISHUI, China, Jan. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CN Energy Group....