Government

Laos Reports COVID-Era Graft, Jails Former Official in Separate Corruption Cases

Authorities in Laos have disciplined 153 people and referred another 21 for judicial proceedings over a COVID-era scheme that allowed Chinese nationals to evade quarantine fees or pay rates above official limits, causing total losses of approximately USD 2.2 million. State Inspection Authority President Vansay Phongsavanh reported the case to...

Laos Seeks Higher Age Limits, More Couple Slots for Farm Workers in South Korea

Laos has asked South Korea’s Seongju County to raise age limits and expand seasonal...

Health Ministry Finds More Than 180 Illegal Beauty Centers, Orders Nationwide Re-Inspection

The Lao Ministry of Health has ordered a nationwide re-inspection of private medical and...

Laos Shifts Tourism Licensing Powers to Provincial, District Authorities

Laos is revising how tourism business licences are issued and enforced, dividing responsibilities among...

Laos Sets 60 Million-Liter Fuel Reserve Floor, Diversifies Imports, Lao PM Saleumxay Says

Laos will keep domestic fuel reserves at around 60 million liters or more and...

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...

Laos Pauses Importer-Exporter System for Necessary Upgrades

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced the temporary closure and upgrade of the Importer-Exporter Registration and Management System for goods and services. As...

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...

Laos Expands Vocational Training to Curb Labor Shortage

The Lao government will introduce new vocational education programs in the 2024–2025 academic year as part of efforts to modernize education and address labor...

Laos, Vietnam Inaugurated Wharf No.3 to Boost Trade

On 28 April, Wharf No. 3 at the Lao-Viet International Port was officially inaugurated in the Vung Ang Economic Zone, Ky Anh township, Ha...

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,...