Laos is moving forward with plans to develop its first aquarium, following the signing of an agreement to study the project’s feasibility in Vientiane.
The proposed aquarium will be built on a 38-hectare site at the Living Aquatic Resources Research Center, with an estimated investment of USD 10 million.
Once completed, the facility will serve as a major education and tourism hub. It will provide learning opportunities for students, support research activities, and contribute to the conservation of endangered aquatic species. The project will mark the first aquarium of its kind in Laos.
The initiative forms part of cooperation between Laos and China.
Push for Marine Conservation Gains Momentum
The project comes as Laos increases its role in global marine conservation, despite being a landlocked country.
On 17 January, Laos signed the High Seas Treaty, the first legally binding global agreement to protect marine biodiversity in international waters.
Under the treaty, countries commit to working together on ocean research, establishing marine protected areas, and regulating activities such as fishing, shipping, and deep-sea mining to reduce environmental damage.
These efforts reflect Laos’ growing focus on environmental protection. The aquarium will support conservation at the national level, while the High Seas Treaty strengthens the country’s role in global marine protection.
