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Attapeu Looks to Job Support as School Dropouts Rise
Attapeu is expanding its employment services as the province seeks to respond to labor shortages and help people who have left school find work, according to provincial media.
At a meeting on 20 August, Director of the provincial Department of Labour and Social Welfare Phonmany Khiengxayavong said the province will focus on linking jobseekers with employers and helping businesses recruit workers with suitable skills.
The push comes after provincial authorities recorded 5,237 students leaving secondary school, grade 6 to 12 between 2022 and 2026.
Attapeu’s labor market currently includes 47,420 workers, of whom 46,282 are employed. The province’s unemployment rate is 2.4 percent, equivalent to about 1,138 people.
Most workers remain in agriculture, which employs 26,315 people, or 56.8 percent of the workforce. Industry accounts for 15,242 workers, while 4,725 people work in services.
Looking ahead, Attapeu will expand employment services in the second half of 2026 by collecting information from jobseekers and employers, identifying workforce needs and improving coordination between government agencies and businesses to connect available workers with suitable jobs.
The province has 2,368 registered business units, providing a potential base for expanding job opportunities and matching workers with employers.
Enrollment Trend in Laos
The issue is part of a bigger challenge in the education field in Laos..
In late July, Vientiane announced plans to support disadvantaged students and reduce school dropouts by waiving school fees, providing free textbooks, redistributing teachers, and strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and information and communications technology (ICT) education.
During the 2024-25 school year, 2.38 percent of primary students dropped out, well above the city’s target of less than 0.4 percent. The lower-secondary dropout rate stood at 5 percent, also above the target of less than 4 percent. Officials linked the dropouts mainly to poverty, families moving, and students leaving school to work or help support their families.
The decline in school enrollment has continued for several years.
Laos has recorded three consecutive years of declining school enrollment. From 2022-23 to 2024-25 school year, primary enrollment fell from 741,976 students to 739,554, while lower secondary enrollment dropped from 388,019 to 378,457.
The sharpest decline was recorded at the upper secondary level, where enrollment fell from 169,523 to 144,050 over the same period.
Education authorities cite poverty, migration to work in the city or abroad and infrastructure challenges.
To Address This
The education challenges facing Attapeu are part of a wider national effort to reduce school dropouts and improve teaching quality.
During a meeting ahead of the 2026–27 school year, Education Minister Thongsalith Mangnomek identified enrollment, dropouts and teacher quality as key challenges. Reforms will strengthen teacher training and placement, while authorities prepare to introduce the 6+3+3 education system nationwide in 2028–29.
In early August, the ministry also announced plans to recruit 2,200 new teacher trainees for the 2026–27 academic year. The intake is based on the number of secondary schools nationwide, with provinces expected to select students with strong academic performance and an interest in teaching.
Laos Moves to Update Electricity Law for Energy Sector Shift
INDONESIAN HEALTHCARE TRAVEL TO MALAYSIA HITS RECORD RM2.2 BILLION AS MHX RETURNS TO YOGYAKARTA
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YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) once again strengthened Malaysia’s presence in Indonesia through MHX Yogyakarta 2026, held from 20 to 23 August 2026 at the Grand Atrium, Pakuwon Mall Jogja. The four-day event came on the back of a record year for the Indonesian market, which generated RM2.2 billion in healthcare travel revenue in 2025, marking a 24% year-on-year increase. The four-day healthcare consumer event underscores Malaysia Healthcare’s commitment to bringing trusted, high-quality healthcare services closer to Indonesian communities while expanding its footprint in one of Indonesia’s fastest-growing regional centres. Held under the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 campaign themed Healing Meets Hospitality, MHX Yogyakarta 2026 reinforces Malaysia’s position as the preferred destination for medical tourism by combining world-class medical expertise with compassionate patient care and seamless healthcare experiences.
Malaysia Healthcare returns to Yogyakarta building on a record RM2.2 billion in healthcare travel revenue from Indonesia in 2025.
Yogyakarta has emerged as a strategic market for Malaysia Healthcare, supported by a well-educated population, increasing demand for advanced specialty care, and convenient direct connectivity to Kuala Lumpur. These factors present strong opportunities to further strengthen healthcare collaboration between Malaysia and Indonesia and to provide greater access to specialised treatment options for Indonesian patients.
Speaking on the occasion, Rahmatullah Baragau, MHTC’s Head of Indonesia Market said: “Indonesia has always been Malaysia Healthcare’s closest and most valued market, and Yogyakarta represents an exciting opportunity as healthcare awareness and demand for specialised treatments continue to grow. Through MHX Yogyakarta 2026, we aim to strengthen public confidence in Malaysia Healthcare while bringing our trusted healthcare ecosystem closer to local communities.”
More than 15 member hospitals participated, showcasing Malaysia’s strengths across various medical disciplines including cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, fertility, health screening, gastroenterology, and other specialised services.
Participating list of hospitals:
- Island Hospital Penang
- Institut Jantung Negara
- Mahkota Medical Centre
- Subang Jaya Medical Centre
- Alpha IVF & Women’s Specialists
- Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital
- GenPrime Everlink Fertility Centre
- Hospital Picaso
- Damansara Specialist Hospital 2
- KPJ Klang Specialist Hospital
- MSU Medical Centre
- Optimax Eye Specialist Centre
- Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
- Pantai Hospital Penang
- Penang Adventist Hospital
- Sunway Medical Centre Damansara
- Sunway Medical Centre Penang
- Sunway Medical Centre Sunway City Kuala Lumpur
- Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara
Indonesia continues to be Malaysia Healthcare’s largest source market. Healthcare traveller arrivals from Indonesia reached 968,000 in 2025, a 16% increase from the previous year, reflecting sustained confidence among Indonesian patients in Malaysia’s healthcare offerings. MHX Yogyakarta 2026 forms part of MHTC’s broader strategy to strengthen long-term partnerships with communities, healthcare stakeholders, and local organisations across Indonesia, while supporting MYMT 2026’s goals to position Malaysia as the world’s preferred medical tourism destination.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi
Head, Communications
+603 8776 6168
shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my
Siti Hamidah Mohd Najib
Senior Executive, Communications
+603 8776 6168
hamidah.m@mhtc.org.my
About Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), established in 2009 under the purview of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, is entrusted with developing and nurturing the “Malaysia Healthcare” brand. MHTC enhances, coordinates, and promotes Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry by fostering industry collaborations and building valuable public-private partnerships both domestically and internationally. With 91 member hospitals nationwide, MHTC continues to elevate the healthcare travel ecosystem through strong branding, seamless patient experiences, and strategic market initiatives. In line with these efforts, MHTC is spearheading the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, the nation’s first dedicated year to celebrate and advance healthcare travel. MYMT 2026 serves as a milestone initiative to showcase Malaysia’s world-class healthcare offerings, strengthen its position as the premier global healthcare destination, and highlight the industry’s significant contribution to the national economy.
MHTC’s website: https://www.malaysiahealthcare.org.
WYF Brings Together 400+ Students for Future Liberal Arts Leadership Summit in Macao
MACAU, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — World Youth Forum (WYF), an international nonprofit platform engaging 500,000+ young people annually across 30+ countries through education, competitions, conferences and youth-led initiatives, concluded WYF-FLALS 2026 in Macao, bringing together 400+ students for five days of interdisciplinary learning and cross-cultural collaboration at the Future Liberal Arts Leadership Summit.
WYF Brings Together 400+ Students for Future Liberal Arts Leadership Summit in Macao
Participants came from more than 10 countries and regions, including Cambodia; China, including Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan region; India; Indonesia; Singapore; Thailand; the United States; and Vietnam (listed in alphabetical order). Following WYF-FELS in Hong Kong, WYF-FLALS concluded the 2026 summit series, bringing together more than 1,000 young people through economics, liberal arts and cross-cultural exchange.
Jointly initiated by WYF and the Organizing Committee of International Academic Decathlon (IAD), WYF-FLALS explored Our Changing Climate through social science, literature, fine arts, science, mathematics, economics and music. Through interdisciplinary challenges, projects, speeches and exchanges, students examined the scientific, economic, social and cultural dimensions of climate change.
Guests included Wong Yee Lam, Member of the Administrative Committee, Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute, Cheng Wai Tong, Deputy Director, Macao Government Tourism Office, Cheong Man Fai, Head of the Department of Youth Affairs, Education and Youth Development Bureau, Li Feilong, Director of the Taiwan Affairs Department, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Jia Qiong, Second Secretary, Department of Information and Public Diplomacy, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Lao Ngai Leong, Deputy to the National People’s Congress, Si Ka Lon, Deputy to the National People’s Congress, Wong Kit Cheng, Vice-Chairperson of the All-China Youth Federation, Lam Ieng Pui, Founding President, Chinese Youth Advancement Association, Zhang Senhua, President, Chinese Youth Advancement Association, Zhao Gang, Director-General, Global Innovation Center, Amy Dosch, Executive Director, United States Academic Decathlon (USAD), Henry Peng, Global Council Member, World Youth Forum (WYF). Through academic sessions and exchanges with students, they connected classroom knowledge with global challenges and encouraged participants to approach complex issues from multiple perspectives.
Highlights included the Super Quiz, Academic Exploration Fair, Team Spark & Global Fusion Fest, U20–Master Call, U20–Idea Incubation, Themed Speech, U20–Youth Voice and Bridging Worlds: Real-World Learning Journey. Awards recognized excellence in academics, teamwork, communication and creativity.
WYF will continue working with IAD, schools, educators and international partners to expand access to interdisciplinary, challenge-based learning.
Hanmi Pharm Signs Exclusive Licensing Deal with Genentech for Novel Obesity Therapy
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- HM17321, a proprietary UCN2 (urocortin-2) analog, is being developed as a treatment for chronic-weight management and associated conditions, including obesity
- Total deal value of up to $2.3 billion, including upfront, milestone payments and tiered royalties based on net sales
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hanmi Pharm announced today that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of Hanmi’s novel metabolic treatment candidate, HM17321 (UCN2), for obesity and associated conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, worldwide. The agreement excludes South Korea.
HM17321 is a proprietary UCN2 (urocortin-2) analog with a non-incretin mechanism of action and represents a potential first-in-class treatment designed to simultaneously promote weight loss and preserve lean body mass. In contrast, while existing GLP-1 based incretin therapies have demonstrated meaningful weight reduction, these therapies are associated with a reduction in lean body mass.
In preclinical studies, HM17321 has shown both quantitative and qualitative improvements in weight reduction when used as a monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1-based therapies. Furthermore, as a peptide-based therapeutic, HM17321 may have future potential for use in fixed-dose combination (FDC) products or combination regimens with incretin-based treatments.
In November 2025, Hanmi received IND (Investigational New Drug) clearance from the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial of HM17321. The ongoing clinical study is evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of HM17321 in healthy volunteers and individuals with obesity.
Hanmi will be responsible for completing the Phase 1 clinical trial, after which Genentech will take over development starting with Phase 2 clinical trials.
In-Young Choi, Senior Executive Vice President, Head of R&D Division of Hanmi Pharm stated, “The paradigm of obesity treatment is evolving beyond simple weight reduction toward improving body composition and restoring metabolic health. We are very pleased that the differentiated scientific mechanism and development potential of HM17321 have been recognized by the global market. Hanmi Pharm will continue to dedicate its efforts to developing innovative medicines that can deliver more fundamental and differentiated therapeutic value to patients.”
“With our growing cardiometabolic pipeline and strong diagnostic expertise, Roche is advancing a portfolio designed to meet the diverse needs of people living with obesity and related health conditions,” said Boris L. Zaïtra, head of Roche Corporate Business Development. “By licensing this next-generation investigational therapy with first-in-class potential from Hanmi, Roche and Genentech will pursue a differentiated approach to selectively reduce fat mass while improving both muscle mass and muscle function. We look forward to further developing this medicine in order to address important unmet needs for people living with obesity and other metabolic diseases.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Hanmi will receive an upfront payment of USD 190 million from Genentech. Including development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, the total deal value could reach approximately USD 2.3 billion. In addition, Hanmi will be eligible to receive tiered royalties on future product sales following commercialization.
Laos Intensifies Crackdown on Cybercrime, Foreign Suspects Handed Over
gambling, and immigration violations across Vientiane, Bokeo, and Savannakhet provinces.
Authorities detained hundreds of suspects and handed over or deported nearly 150 foreign nationals in just a few days.
Drugs and Gambling Networks Targeted
On 18 August, in Savannakhet’s Kaysone Phomvihane City, police dismantled a drug trafficking ring following a tip from a local resident. Officers arrested three suspects and seized tens of thousands of amphetamine pills, packets of drug-laced coffee, a pistol, and a large amount of cash.
The following day, police raided an online gambling operation operating from an office at Royal Square in Vientiane’s Sikhottabong district. Officers arrested seven Lao nationals who worked as chat administrators for the illegal site and seized dozens of computers and mobile phones used to run the operation.
Foreign Suspects Handed Over
Authorities then turned their attention to border enforcement.
On 20 August, Bokeo authorities handed over 152 Chinese and Thai nationals in two separate operations. Officials transferred 145 Chinese nationals, including 136 suspected of telecommunications fraud, to China through the Mohan Checkpoint. Immigration police also handed over seven Thai nationals to Thai authorities at the 4th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge to face legal proceedings.
The following day, authorities handed over another 64 Thai nationals to Thailand in connection with the ST Vegas case.
As of 24 August, Lao authorities had transferred 332 of the 373 Thai nationals detained in that case to Thai authorities, leaving 41 in Lao custody.
On 22 August, police also raided several suspected cybercrime operations around the Sanjiang Market area in Vientiane, targeting activities run from hotels and apartments. Authorities have not yet released details about arrests or seized evidence.
Part of a Nationwide Campaign
The latest operations form part of a broader government campaign against online scams and other cross-border crimes.
Lao officials say authorities arrested more than 4,400 cybercrime suspects from 25 nationalities during the first half of 2026, followed by more than 1,000 arrests in July and nearly 1,000 in August.
The government has stepped up cooperation with China and Thailand to target scam networks, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration, particularly in border areas.
Investigations remain ongoing, with authorities continuing to trace additional suspects and identify those allegedly running the networks.
US Court Strikes Down 75-Country Visa Pause, but Ruling Does Not Lift Laos Travel Ban
From Vietnam to the U.S: East West Barbershop takes on the world’s most competitive market
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 August 2026 – A Vietnamese men’s grooming brand is preparing to enter the U.S. market with a business model that has been developed and scaled across Asia. The move will be an important test of East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop)’s ability to expand internationally, taking one of Asia’s leading men’s grooming chains into the world’s most competitive barbershop market.
East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) has established a presence in several overseas markets, including Thailand, China, Uzbekistan and Europe.
From a Vietnamese barbershop to an international network of more than 130 locations
In the global men’s grooming industry, building an international brand requires barbershop chains to solve a fundamental challenge: How can they standardize services, train staff, maintain a consistent customer experience and scale their model without losing their identity?
This is the formula behind many of the world’s leading names in the hair and grooming industry, including Great Clips, Supercuts, Sport Clips Haircuts, TONI&GUY, QB House and Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty. These brands have transformed a service industry traditionally dependent on individual craftsmanship into scalable business systems.
East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) is pursuing a similar path. Founded in Vietnam in 2018, the company has grown into a network of more than 130 locations, with over 1,000 barbers, while gradually expanding into international markets. At this scale, East West operates in a different league from independent barbershops.
The value of a barbershop chain with hundreds of locations lies in its ability to deliver a consistent experience across the entire network. This is also why East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) has been ranked among the Top 10 large-scale grooming brands in the world.
But as it prepares to enter the U.S. market, the key question is whether this model can be successfully transferred and operated in a completely different market.
Beyond the haircut: When a barbershop becomes an experience
East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) seeks to differentiate itself by developing an “Experiential Barbershop” concept, combining grooming with relaxation and entertainment.
From the moment customers walk through the door, they are greeted by a space filled with greenery, along with relaxation areas featuring pool tables, chess, a piano, a bar and bookshelves. The chain, which caters exclusively to men and boys, also features car-themed barber chairs and dedicated play areas for its younger customers.
East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) — The ultimate destination for men to relax and unwind
Its services extend well beyond a haircut, including hair washing, ear cleaning, massage, hair restoration treatments, perming, coloring, nail care, shoe cleaning and phone sanitization.
East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) aims to change the way customers perceive a barbershop. Rather than simply purchasing a grooming service, customers can take time to relax, look after themselves or bring their children along to a space designed around the overall experience.
As consumers increasingly value the overall experience alongside service quality, this approach reflects the changing dynamics of the men’s grooming market.
The United States: East West Barbershop’s next major test
The United States is no random choice. It represents the next step in East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop)’s international strategy, building on a business model that has already been tested in Vietnam and several overseas markets.
Mr. Nguyen Hoai Thanh, Chairman of Dong Tay Barbershop Vietnam Joint Stock Company, said: “We chose the United States not because it is the easiest market to enter, but because it is one of the most demanding and competitive barbershop markets in the world. If a model built in Vietnam can succeed in the U.S., it would be the clearest testament to East West Barbershop’s ability to take its brand and business model to the international stage.”
The U.S. is home to many major barbershop and salon brands and is one of the world’s most mature markets for franchising in the service sector.
Great Clips is a prime example. With thousands of salons across the United States and Canada, the brand demonstrates the scale a haircut business can achieve when its model is standardized and successfully replicated.
Supercuts, Sport Clips and many other chains have likewise spent years building strong brand recognition and extensive customer networks.
Against this backdrop, the Vietnamese brand must answer a fundamental question: Why would American consumers choose a brand from Vietnam over names they already know and recognize?
East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop)’s answer is not simply to compete on price. Its goal is to “export” a business model that combines customer experience, workforce training, operating standards and franchising.
This requires the company to turn its operational experience into a transferable system while addressing the many differences between Vietnam and the United States.
East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) identifies barber training, skills standardization and the ability to adapt to a new environment as key foundations of this process. International expansion also creates opportunities for Vietnamese barbers to gain exposure to international working environments.
East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) has also linked its development with social initiatives, including free vocational training for young people, mobile haircut programs offering free services, and contributions to charitable activities. These efforts contribute to a distinctive brand story: a service business seeking to develop its brand, its profession and its community at the same time.
After nearly a decade of establishment and development, East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) is gradually proving that a business model built in Vietnam can be standardized, franchised, and compete on the same playing field as the major players in the global hair industry.
If successful in the U.S., East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop)’s story will go beyond being a Top 10 brand or a network of more than 130 locations. It will be the story of how a Vietnamese service business transformed capabilities built at home into a model capable of reaching the global stage.
Hashtag: #EastWestBarbershop #Dongtaybarbershop
https://dongtaybarbershop.comThe issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
East West Barbershop Vietnam Joint Stock Company
Established: 2018
Country: Vietnam
Number of locations: 130+ across Vietnam, Thailand, China, Uzbekistan and Hungary
Head Office: 23rd Floor, Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Email: 
dongtaybarbershop@gmail.com
Website: dongtaybarbershop.com
Hotline: +84 1900 4737
Mobile: +84 901 602 902
