Socio-Economic Development

Vientiane Completes New 9.3-Kilometer Mekong Embankment

On 1 July, Vientiane officially opened a new 9.3-kilometer stretch of Mekong riverfront featuring parks, walking and cycling paths, sports facilities, and flood protection infrastructure following the completion of Phase II of the Mekong River Integrated Management Project. The new embankment extends from Wat Nak village in Sisattanak District to...

Laos Raises Tax-Free Income Threshold Under New Personal Income Tax Rules

Laos has officially raised the monthly income exempt from personal income tax from LAK...

Laos Reports Economic Growth as Inflation Slows to 7.4 Percent in June

Laos recorded 5 percent economic growth in the first half of 2026, while inflation...

Laos Restores Higher Fuel Excise Taxes as Emergency Relief Measures End

On 24 June, Laos reinstated higher excise taxes on fuel, restoring regular gasoline tax...

Japan Approves USD 2.3 Million Scholarship Grant for Lao Civil Servants

Japan has approved JPY 378 million (USD 2.3 million) in scholarship funding to support...

Celebrating 15 Years of Success: Nam Theun 2 Gala Dinner

On 30 April, Nam Theun 2 Power Company celebrated its 15th anniversary of operation with a grand gala dinner.  The event took place at the...

Laos Seeks Solutions to Address New United States Tariff Hikes

Laos' exports to the United States are expected to face significant impacts following the recently announced tariff increases, prompting the Lao government to seek...

Japan Honors Sonexay Siphandone with Order of the Rising Sun

On 29 April, the Japanese government announced that Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun is conferred on Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister...

Vietnam to Establish English as Second Language by 2035

Vietnam is set to establish English as the second language for all general education students by 2035, with full implementation continuing through 2045.  This plan,...

East Asia Pacific Growth Slows in 2025, World Bank Says

East Asia and Pacific has led in economic growth, but to sustain momentum and create jobs, countries must address global uncertainties. Key challenges include...

Lao, China Bilateral Trade Increases to USD 8.23 Billion in 2024, Marking Significant Growth

In 2024, Laos and China achieved a significant milestone in trade, with a total value of USD 8.23 billion, marking a 15.91 percent increase...