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...

PM Thongloun Tells Vang Vieng to Clean Up

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and his retinue made a working visit to Vang Vieng last week to assess the district and offer advice on...

Japan x Sabai: Sounds, Sights, Tastes, Smiles, Friendship a Feast at Tokyo’s Laos Festival ’19

Dancing, Friendship, Frivolity & Unmistakable Sound of World Heritage Listed Bamboo-Piped Khaen Among the Greetings to Tokyo's Famous Yoyogi Park for Japan's Laos Festival 2019, The...

Passengers Plus: 2nd Terminal In Plans for Wattay International Airport in Laos’ Capital Vientiane

Increasing passenger numbers via Vientiane's Wattay Airport as Laos pushes plans for a second terminal forward in capital. The latest push comes after the completion and opening of a...

Revitalized Role: New United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms Sara Sekkenes Assumes Post in Laos

The United Nations in Lao PDR has a new Resident Coordinator, the most senior UN Official in Laos. Ms. Sara Sekkenes a national of Norway succeeds Ms....

Infrastructure Development To Keep Laos Economy Growing Despite Headwinds, World Bank Says

Global economic headwinds are impacting on the East Asia Pacific, yet large infrastructure projects are still expected to accelerate economic growth in Laos, according to...

25 Year Span: Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Quarter Century Anniversary Arrives Via Australian Aid

Hundreds of thousands of cross-border passenger and vehicle trips each year are made possible by the first friendship bridge that crosses the Mekong from Laos' capital...