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Wednesday, April 2, 2025
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Three Cultural Treasures of Savannakhet Earn National Heritage Status

On 30 March, the governor of Savannakhet Province officially recognized three cultural treasures in the province as national heritage sites: Hor Tai Pee Dok (The Library of Buddhist Manuscripts), Taleo Temple, and Khonesavnah Singing. Hor Tai Pee Dok Hor Tai Pee Dok, the Library of Buddhist Manuscripts, was founded at the end of the 14th century by Lukkhampha, the abbot of the Tai Pee Dok temple.  Originally serving as a school for monks and a place to preserve Buddhist manuscripts, the library was renovated in 2006 and has since become a popular tourist destination. It is celebrated for its historical importance and unique architectural style.  The library remains a sacred site, particularly for...

Economy

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...

Government Considers Primary School Extension to Enhance Education System

The Lao government is considering a major change to the country's education structure, with plans to extend primary school by adding an additional year, shifting from the current five-year...

Inflation in Laos Drops to 11.2% in March

Laos’ inflation rate eased to 11.2 percent in March, down from 12.7 percent in February and 15.5 percent in January, according to the Lao Statistics Bureau.  Despite an annual price...

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)...

ASEAN Unveils Guidelines for Agroecology Transitions

Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in collaboration with key international partners, have officially launched the ASEAN Guidelines for Agroecology Transitions.  Led by the Lao Department...

Travel

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, and damage to 567 vehicles. The main causes of accidents were overspeeding, drunk driving, and improper lane changes. The provinces with the highest number of accidents were Vientiane Province with 43 cases,...

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

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...

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...

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...

Laos Pledges Stronger Anti-Money Laundering Measures

The Lao government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism during a conference...

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...

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,...

Women with Disabilities Association Brings Lao Handicrafts to the Global Stage

The Women With Disability Association (WWDA) is leading an...

Laos Pledges Stronger Anti-Money Laundering Measures

The Lao government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening anti-money...