Socio-Economic Development

‘Hidden Hands’ Cave Opens as New Tourism Site in Khammouane

On 8 June, authorities in Khammouane Province have officially opened Hidden Hands Cave (Tham Pha Mue) to visitors, marking the launch of a new heritage tourism destination expected to strengthen cultural tourism and raise the province’s international profile. The opening follows several years of archaeological research conducted by Lao and...

Laos Releases Dengue-Blocking Mosquitoes in Savannakhet

On 9 June, Savannakhet Province launched its first bacteria-enhanced mosquito release program, becoming the...

Laos Inflation Drops to 9 Percent, But Living Costs Remain High

Laos recorded an inflation rate of 9 percent in May, down from 10.2 percent...

Bank of Laos Maintains 7-Day Base Interest Rate at 8% Amid Rising Inflation

The Bank of Laos (BOL) confirmed it will maintain its 7-day base interest rate...

Laos Hydropower Firm EDL-Gen Rebounds to Profit in 2025

Electricité du Laos (EDL) Generation Public Company,  known as EDL-Gen, reported a financial comeback,...

Bamboo Concession Project to Boost Local Economy in Oudomxay Province.

On 20 December, Oudomxay Province signed a concession agreement with Ammata Lao Lanexang Co., Ltd., a private company, granting them the rights to utilize...

Vientiane Surpasses Poverty Reduction Target, 99.43% Progress Achieved

Almost the entirety of Vientiane’s population is now above the poverty line, according to Sengaloun Souliyavong, the Head of Vientiane's Department of Agriculture and...

Rising Costs Prompt Market Reform Proposals

National Assembly Representative for Vientiane Capital, Valy Vethsaphong, has called on the Lao government to address the rising prices of essential goods, despite the...

Vientiane Economy Hits 5.85 Percent Growth, Beating Expectations

Vientiane Capital's economy grew by 5.85 percent, surpassing the National Assembly's initial target of 0.30 percent, according to the city Mayor Atsaphangthong Siphandone.  Atsaphangthong reported...

Creative Economy Revolution: How ASEAN’s Youth are Leading the Charge

On 2 to 5 December, the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Summit 2024 brought together 100 young leaders from across ASEAN and Timor-Leste...

Seno Grilled Chicken Earns Official Recognition as Savannakhet’s New Symbol

On 12 December, Seno Grilled Chicken was officially recognized by Savannakhet authorities, becoming a new symbol of the central Lao province. It all started in...