New SEZ Project in Vang Vieng Completes Feasibility Study

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Vang Vieng

A new Special Economic Zone project in Vang Vieng has reported progress in its feasibility study and socio-economic impact studies.

The project, which will cover some 7,000 hectares, lies to the west of the Xong River.

According to a report by KPL News, Chinese investor Lao-Vang Vieng New Area Development Company has spent two years undertaking a feasibility study for the development of its new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province.

Director of Lao-Vang Vieng New Area Development Company, Mr. Thang Zinxuan, said the project is being divided into five construction phases spanning 29 years, with a total value of USD 5.3 billion.

He said the project will be based on strong infrastructure, including new roads, four bridges across the Xong River, a shopping center, a school, a hospital, unique temple grounds, and a convention center. The project will also include several natural tourism sites to attract international visitors.

The project feasibility study, environmental and social impact assessment, and concession survey are now complete, according to Mr. Thang Zinxuan.

“This sustainable tourism development project covers 7,000 hectares of land in Vang Vieng, and is expected to create 27,800 jobs,” he said, noting that the project does not require the displacement or movement of any villagers.

The project remains at the concession negotiation stage while making preparations for construction in coordination with the government.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Lao-Vang Vieng New Area Development Company and the Government of Laos in 2018.

Travel time between Vientiane and Vang Vieng will be greatly reduced following the completion of the Chinese-funded Vientiane-Vang Vieng Expressway, due to open this year.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Over the last 16 years, I have seen Vang Vieng degrade from a quiet, peaceful, relaxing venue of natural beauty and cultural charm to just another busy, raucous, overcrowded eyesore. It was once a genuine and attractive tourist destination but has now lost much of that appeal. It has lost its soul.

    The riverfront has become little more than a distasteful hotel strip; the local culture has been lost to commercialism; the beautiful scenery of the Nam Xong valley has been destroyed with an ugly railway line running its length; and now the Chinese want a SEZ to be declared? Lao people need to unite and reject these projects before it is too late: China has destroyed its own country and culture and now thinks it is acceptable to spread its diabolic practises to neighbouring countries! No China, it is NOT acceptable.

    If the SEZ goes ahead, I can only hope we’ll have a Vang Vieng bypass built so that we can travel straight past without having to look at the ugly monstrosity that Vang Vieng is becoming.