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Attapeu Exceeds 2025 Revenue Budget Target with Strong Economic Growth

Attapeu Province reported a revenue budget of over LAK 1,230 billion (USD 56.7 million) in the first nine months of 2025, reaching 116 percent of its planned target. Soulivong Aphayvong, Head of the Attapeu Finance Department, said on 29 October during a provincial government meeting, that the province focused on maximizing every source of income by modernizing revenue collection, preventing budget leakage, strengthening management of local revenue bases, and improving organizational mechanisms.  These efforts enabled the province to maintain self-sufficiency in spending and consistently exceed its annual targets. Of the total revenue, contributions from the central government amounted to around LAK 167 billion (USD 7.7 million), while local revenue made up the...

Economy

Attapeu Exceeds 2025 Revenue Budget Target with Strong Economic Growth

Attapeu Province reported a revenue budget of over LAK 1,230 billion (USD 56.7 million) in the first nine months of 2025, reaching 116 percent of its planned target. Soulivong Aphayvong,...

Attapeu Approves South Korean Firm for 5-Megawatt Solar Project

Attapeu Province has approved a South Korean firm, SBIN Corporation, to develop a 5-megawatt solar power project, adding to the province’s growing portfolio of energy initiatives. The signing ceremony between...

Inflation in Laos Eases to 4 Percent in October

The cost of living in Laos continues to rise, with new data from the Laos Statistic Bureau showing that inflation reached four percent in October, down from 4.5 percent...

Houaphanh Kicks Off Radio & TV Station Project With Support From Vietnam

On 27 October, Houaphanh Province launched the construction of its new provincial radio and television station, strengthening local media infrastructure. The ceremony took place at the former site of the...

Bank of Laos Targets Stronger Oversight, Digital Banking, Regional Connectivity in New Five-Year Strategy

The Bank of Laos (BOL) has unveiled a new five-year plan (2026–2030) aimed at strengthening the national financial system and ensuring long-term monetary stability. During the bank’s Fifth Party Congress...

Vang Vieng Under Review for ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award

Vang Vieng, one of Laos’ most popular tourist destinations, is under evaluation for the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award 2026.  Officials from the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism recently...

Travel

Luang Prabang Scores Silver for Sustainable Tourism 2025–2027

Luang Prabang has set a new benchmark for sustainable tourism in Laos by earning the Green Destinations Silver certification for 2025–2027.  Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of the Luang Prabang Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, accepted the award on behalf of Laos at the Sustainable Destinations Forum 2025 in Dubai on 28-29 October. The recognition highlights the city’s efforts to protect its World Heritage values while developing tourism that benefits local communities. To qualify, Luang Prabang underwent a rigorous evaluation process, submitting data for over 100 sub-indicators that were carefully reviewed during site visits by the Green Destinations audit team. Authorities praised Luang Prabang for its clean environment, effective waste management, and community-based tourism programs...

Attapeu Approves Xekaman 1 Dam Tourism Development Project

Attapeu Province is taking a major step to expand its tourism sector with the approval of a 30-year concession to develop the area around the Xekaman 1 hydroelectric dam and the nearby military...

ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor Takes Center Stage at Mekong Tourism Forum 2025

Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as a key initiative to boost regional travel and connectivity. Held...

Health & Environment

Contamination Detected in Popular Thai Herbal Inhaler, Nationwide Recall Issued

On 28 October, Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that Hong Thai’s popular Formula 2 herbal inhaler failed safety tests due to contamination, leading to a nationwide recall and possible legal action. According to the FDA’s recent announcement reported by Thai media, the contamination was identified during a routine inspection of herbal inhalers widely sold across the country. Tests revealed that the inhaler exceeded permissible limits for unsafe levels of bacteria and fungi, including Clostridium spp., a type of bacteria...

Sport

SEA Games Mascot Redesign Sparks Debate Over National Identity

The redesign of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2025 mascot has stirred debate in Thailand, as organizers replaced the original seven colorful characters with two new figures featuring the colors of the...

Thailand Cleared to Host Petanque at SEA Games After World Federation Reversal

Thailand will host the pétanque competition at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December, following a reversal by the World Pétanque and Bowls Federation (WPBF) of an earlier suspension over regulatory violations. As...

Politics

Trump Hails Tariff, Rare Earth Deal with Xi

Aurélia END/AFP - US President Donald Trump called the meeting Thursday, 30 October with China's Xi Jinping a "great success",...

Myanmar to Invite Foreign Media Coverage of Upcoming Election

AFP - International media will be allowed to cover Myanmar's upcoming military-run polls, election authorities said on 29 October. The...

Lao Ambassador Appointed as Personal Representative of President Thongloun to Francophonie

On 21 October, Kalamoungkhoune Souphanouvong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Laos to France, presented his credentials to Louise Mushikiwabo,...

Lao PM Heads to ASEAN Summit as Timor-Leste Joins, Thailand-Cambodia Peace Talks Advance

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will travel to Kuala Lumpur from 26-28 October to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and...

Feature

Laos Wins Best National Costume at Mister Global 2025 with Mani Khot Tree-Inspired Design

The ancient Mani Khot tree, a sacred symbol rooted in Champasack Province, southern Laos, has taken the global spotlight, inspiring the Best National Costume award at Mister Global 2025 in Thailand and earning Laos a place of pride on the international stage. Representing Laos, Youphalayth ‘Bobbie’ Phethany, Mister Global Lao 2025, brought home the award with the costume titled “The Guardian Angel of the Mani Khot Tree.” The sacred Mani Khot Tree of Champasak, Laos, is revered in legend as the Tree of Destiny.  Believed to possess magical powers, the tree is said to bring prosperity in the direction its branches point.  While Bobbie did not design the costume himself, he played a central role in developing the idea and overall concept. Deeply connected to his Champasack roots, he wanted to wear something that would stand out and reflect Laos’ rich culture and mythology. The ancient Mani Khot tree, known in Lao legend as the Tree of Destiny, became the core inspiration. “I’ve spent two weeks thinking about the concept, but I couldn’t think of anything until one night I dreamed of Khon Phapheng Waterfall, where the tree is located,” Bobbie said. That dream sparked...

Trump Hails Tariff, Rare Earth Deal with Xi

Aurélia END/AFP - US President Donald Trump called the meeting...

Myanmar to Invite Foreign Media Coverage of Upcoming Election

AFP - International media will be allowed to cover...

Lao Ambassador Appointed as Personal Representative of President Thongloun to Francophonie

On 21 October, Kalamoungkhoune Souphanouvong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary...

Lao PM Heads to ASEAN Summit as Timor-Leste Joins, Thailand-Cambodia Peace Talks Advance

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will travel to Kuala Lumpur...

Thai Minister Resigns After Alleged Scam Center Links

AFP - On 22 October, Thailand's Deputy Finance Minister...

Oi Wah Announces Interim Results

Net Profit Surges over 25%, Proposed an Interim Dividend...

HepTa Advisory-Labs recognized among the Best Places to Work in France 2024

An international distinction celebrating the company’s culture of human...

NTT Honours with Energy Management Award at CLP Smart Energy Award 2025

Accelerating smart and sustainable operations through cutting-edge energy-efficiency technologies,...