All News

Laos to Reopen Applications for Non-Bank Financial Institutions by End of 2026

The Lao central bank plans to resume accepting applications to establish new non-bank financial institutions by the end of 2026, after suspending new applications earlier this year to review and update licensing regulations. Visone Saysongkham, head of the non-bank financial institution supervision department at the Bank of the Lao PDR...

Khammouane Targets UNESCO Geopark Status to Boost Tourism

Khammouane is preparing a UNESCO bid for the Hinboun Geopark, hoping the international designation...

Laos, China Open Joint Military Aviation Center for Lao Air Force Training

Laos and China have opened a joint military support and training center at Ban...

Vientiane’s Smart Road Cleaning, Cooling Pilot Project Nears Completion

Vientiane’s Smart Clean-Cooling Road System pilot project has reached 95 percent completion, and contractors...

Laos Inflation Rises to 7.8 Percent in September as Education, Utility Costs Climb

Laos’ inflation rate rose to 7.8 percent in September, up from 7.7 percent in...

Lao Government Launches USD-70-Million Upgrade of National Road 13 South

The Lao government has launched a major infrastructure project to upgrade a key section of National Road 13 South, aiming to boost trade, regional...

United Kingdom Deepens Climate Cooperation with Mekong Countries

UK Embassy in Laos - The United Kingdom has formalized its role as a development partner to the Mekong River Commission (MRC), signaling a...

US to Screen Social Media of Foreign Students for Anti-American Content

AFP - Foreigners seeking to study in the United States will be required to make public their social media profiles to allow screening for...

Heritage Stupa in Savannakhet Restoration Enters Second Phase

Ing Hang Stupa, a religious monument and national heritage site in Savannakhet Province, is undergoing restoration, with the first phase already completed and the...

Lao Authorities Issue Directive to Prepare for Rainy Season Disasters

On 18 June, Lao authorities issued a directive instructing all levels of disaster management, from national to local, to prepare for potential natural disasters...

Indonesia Province Pushes Vasectomies to Curb Poverty Amid Regional Population Shift

Late April, Indonesia’s West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi announced a birth control initiative encouraging men from low-income households to undergo vasectomies in a move...