Authorities in Oudomxay confirmed on 2 May that 845 families, 4,252 people, in Nga district face impacts from the ongoing construction of the Luang Prabang Hydroelectric Dam.
Of the 11 affected villages, authorities designated six for full relocation and five for partial relocation. As of early May, Lathan and Khok Phu villages have completed relocation. Lathan village, home to 233 families, completed its move in March. The remaining areas remain at different stages of development.
Yoi Hai village leads progress among the remaining sites, reaching 86.66 percent completion. Meanwhile, Latlamun, Houay Hin, and Phonesavang villages continue construction at around 31 percent. Five other villages remain in the data collection and land survey phase, with authorities completing property assessments and land measurements.
During the visit, residents in Lathan village raised four main concerns on access to sufficient production land, reliable clean water, improved road access, and sustainable livelihoods.
These issues are part of broader challenges in Nga district, where mountainous terrain limits access to flat and fertile land. Many families previously depended on Mekong riverbank farming, fishing, and small-scale livestock.
The Project
The resettlement links directly to the Luang Prabang Hydroelectric Dam, a 1,460-megawatt project located about 25 kilometers upstream from Luang Prabang city. Developers include Xayaburi Power Company Ltd. and PetroVietnam Power Corp., under the Luang Prabang Power Company.
The project forms part of Laos’ strategy to export electricity across the region. It stands among 11 planned dams on the Mekong mainstream, with power expected to supply Thailand and Vietnam. Construction began in 2024.
The reservoir will affect areas in Luang Prabang, Xayaburi, and Oudomxay provinces. In Nga district, limited flat land creates additional challenges for relocation.
Discussions on compensation began in 2022 as authorities engaged with affected communities on relocation plans and land valuation.
Local reports noted concerns over housing design and limited farmland at resettlement sites, with some families receiving less land than expected.
Hydropower Expansion
Hydropower expansion across Laos has displaced tens of thousands of people. with 81 operating dams across the country and over a thousand people displaced for each of them, an approximate 60 to 80 thousands people had relocated due to dam projects nationwide, with unofficial estimates suggesting the number could reach up to 280,000.
Projects such as the Laos-China Railway and planned dams in Oudomxay have also faced similar challenges, including limited farmland and distance from services.
The recent visit signals continued monitoring by provincial authorities. With several villages still under development and others in planning, relocation in Nga district will likely continue into 2027.


