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...

Luang Prabang Targets 1.7 Million Tourists Amid Heritage Preservation Concerns

Luang Prabang is set to dazzle visitors in Visit Laos Year 2024, aiming to attract both domestic and international visitors throughout the year. However,...

Laos to Balance Tourist Appeal, Hydropower Ambitions

Laos is at a crucial time in its economic development, navigating the balance between attracting visitors for Visit Laos Year 2024 and bolstering its...

A Blue Legacy for Children’s Rights: UNICEF Laos’ 50th Anniversary

It was 1973, and the peace agreement between the Royal Lao Government and the communist Pathet Lao marked the end of the Lao civil...

Officials Discuss Establishment of People’s Prosecutor’s Office in Golden Triangle SEZ

Officials from the Office of the Supreme People's Prosecutor convened on 5 January on the establishment of the People's Prosecutor's Office within the Golden...

Laos’ SEZs Surge with Major Investments, Fueling Economic Growth Amid Lingering Concerns for Worker Safety

Laos experienced a slight economic upswing in 2023 as approximately 178 companies funneled investments into Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the country, generating over...

Laos Charts Course for Growth in 2024 with Tourism Focus, Infrastructure Overhaul Amidst Economic Challenges

As 2023 nears its conclusion, Laos continues to face economic challenges, including surging inflation, a scarcity of labor, and an expanding trade deficit. In...