35 C
Vientiane
Friday, April 4, 2025
spot_img

Laos Commemorates Mine Awareness Day, Fights the Legacy of War

Each year on 4 April, the world observes International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), and the ongoing efforts to clear them.  For Laos, this day carries particular weight, as it remains one of the most bombed countries in history. Between 1964 and 1973, over two million tons of bombs were dropped on the country during the Second Indochina War, leaving behind a deadly legacy that continues to impact millions. This year’s theme, “Safe Futures Start Here”, highlights the continued efforts to create safer environments in Laos, where the threat of landmines still...

Economy

Bank of Laos Reduces Transfer Fees on Foreign Currency Deposit Accounts

On 3 April, the Bank of Laos (BOL) made a new announcement, mandating that transfers between foreign currency deposit account holders will incur a fee of 0.3 percent, with...

Social Media Users Question Government Report Claiming Poverty Eradication in Vientiane

A recent government report claiming that 99.43 percent of families in Vientiane Capital have been lifted out of poverty has sparked widespread skepticism on social media, with many users...

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...

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 Commemorates Mine Awareness Day, Fights the Legacy of War

Each year on 4 April, the world observes International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), and the ongoing efforts to clear them.  For Laos, this day carries particular weight, as it remains one of the most bombed countries in history. Between 1964 and 1973, over two million tons of bombs were dropped on the country during the Second Indochina War, leaving behind...

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

South Korea Court Upholds President Yoon’s Impeachment, Strips Him of Office

By Hieun Shin and Claire Lee/AFP - South Korea's Constitutional Court on 4 April upheld President Yoon Suk Yeol's...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

South Korea Court Upholds President Yoon’s Impeachment, Strips Him of Office

By Hieun Shin and Claire Lee/AFP - South Korea's...

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...

Chubb Launches New Premier Life Science Package

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