Development

Former MRC Chief Anoulak Kittikhoun Named First Lao Head of Mekong Institute

Former Mekong River Commission (MRC) Chief Executive Officer Anoulak Kittikhoun has been appointed Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong Institute, becoming the first Lao national to lead the regional organisation. The appointment was announced during Mekong Forum 2026, held in Bangkok on 22–23 July, where the institute...

Trade, Energy, Tourism Drive Laos-Vietnam Economic Ties Past USD 1.3 Billion

Trade between Laos and Vietnam reached USD 1.305 billion during the first six months...

Laos Must Spend More on Healthcare as Costs Rise, World Bank Says

Healthcare in Laos is under growing financial pressure, and the country can no longer...

Thailand, China and Vietnam Fuel Laos’ Tourism Growth in 2026

Laos welcomed nearly 2.6 million international tourists in the first half of 2026, up...

Laos Launches Cultural Association to Preserve Heritage, Build Soft Power

On 16 July, Laos established a new cultural association tasked with preserving national heritage...

Laos Grants Land to South Korea for Tourism Project in Phonhong

The Lao government has granted 500 hectares of land to South Korea’s Oriental Pearl Company Limited to develop a modern, full-cycle tourism hub in...

Plans Advance for New Vientiane-Nong Khai Railway Bridge

Laos, Thailand, and China are discussing plans to advance the construction of a new Vientiane-Nong Khai railway bridge crossing the Mekong River. The trilateral meeting,...

Vientiane Prepares for BRT Launch with New Parking Rules

Vientiane authorities implemented new no-parking regulations along sections of the capital’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor ahead of its September debut. No-parking rules are now...

Schools in Vientiane Province to Ban Student Phones Starting September

Starting 1 September, Vientiane Province will ban students from bringing phones to school to reduce distractions and help them focus on their studies, the...

Laos Starts New Academic Year Amid Worsening Teacher Shortage

As schools across Laos reopened on 1 September for the new academic year, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone urged the public to embrace the new...

Laos Launches Commercial Operations of Southeast Asia’s Largest Wind Farm

Laos launched its first wind power project on 22 August.   The 600-megawatt Monsoon Wind Power Project is Southeast Asia’s largest onshore wind farm and Asia’s...