History

Khammouane Targets UNESCO Geopark Status to Boost Tourism

Khammouane is preparing a UNESCO bid for the Hinboun Geopark, hoping the international designation will help raise the province’s profile as a tourism destination. Provincial officials and international experts met on 29 September to finalize conservation plans and prepare the geological and cultural documentation required for the application. The proposed site...

OP-ED: Cluster Bombs Still Threaten Lao Farmers Decades After War

By Eli Mechanic, Country Director for MAG Laos (Mines Advisory Group) In the early hours...

Vat Phou Champasak Returns to State Management After Concession Expiry

Champasak authorities assumed full management and preservation of the Vat Phou UNESCO World Heritage...

New DNA Study May Reveal Who is Buried in Laos’ Plain of Jars

Scientists may soon solve one of Laos’ biggest mysteries: who buried their dead inside...

The Red Prince: How Souphanouvong Traded Royal Privilege for Revolution

Born into one of Laos' most powerful royal families, former President Souphanouvong could have...

Laos to Nominate Five Traditions, Three Sites for UNESCO Status

Laos is preparing to put some of its most beloved traditions and landscapes before the world, with the government announcing plans to seek UNESCO...

Japan Marks Emperor Naruhito’s 66th Birthday with Cultural Reception

The Embassy of Japan in Laos hosted a National Day reception on 26 February at the Ambassador’s residence in Vientiane Capital, marking the 66th...

Midwife from Remote Laos Village Bridges Gap in Maternal Health

UNFPA Laos - The road often disappears during the rainy season in Nongmek village, Paksong district, Champasak.  The first four kilometres remain unpaved. Heavy rain...

Rising Bad Air Quality Levels Expose Waste Issues, World Bank Funds Major Reform

Air pollution in Laos is worsening, with PM2.5 levels across southern provinces now reaching concentrations that pose risks to public health, according to data...

Laos–North Korea Friendship Marked at Kim Jong Il Anniversary Event in Oudomxay

Officials in Oudomxay Province marked the 84th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il on 9 February, highlighting longstanding ties between Laos and North Korea. The...

Six Killed in UXO Accidents During 2025 as Clearance Operations Continue

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains one of the top problems facing Laos, claiming six lives in 2025, according to officials, as clearance operations continue across...