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...

Laos, Lithuania Sign New Cooperation Agreement to Boost Diplomatic Ties

On 27 April, Lao Foreign Affairs Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys signed a new bilateral cooperation agreement in Bandar Seri...

Laos-China Trade Nears USD 10 Billion as Ties Deepen

Laos and China marked 65 years of diplomatic relations this week, with both sides highlighting deepening economic ties, including more than USD 18 billion...

Laos PM Orders Tighter Safety Rules for Tourism Sector

Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has called for stricter safety measures across Laos’ tourism sector, with a focus on high-risk and emerging activities, as...

Thailand Expands Support to Laos with 30 Scholarships

Thailand will provide 30 master’s degree scholarships each year to Lao students, as both countries step up education cooperation under a new agreement.  Officials announced...

Laos Reviews Minimum Wage Increase as Living Costs Rise

Lao authorities are reviewing a proposed increase to the national minimum wage, with figures under discussion reaching up to LAK 4.1 million (USD 190)...

Laos Sets Sights on Stronger Universities With New Round of Education Reforms

Laos is investing in its higher education system, with the government announcing a new wave of reforms aimed at raising university standards, modernizing curricula,...