Health & Environment

Vietnam-Backed Bauxite Project in Laos Moves Toward 2028 Production

A major bauxite project in southern Laos is moving closer to production, with Lao and Vietnamese officials now turning their attention to the environmental risks and community impacts of the operation. A workshop in Vientiane on 10 September brought together officials and project developers to discuss management, technical standards and...

Laos Steps Up Crackdown on Beauty Clinics, Orders Dr. Nith to Halt Procedures

The Ministry of Health has ordered Dr. Nith Beauty Center, a local beauty clinic...

Laos, Singapore Look to Forests, Farms for Carbon Finance

Laos is moving to turn emissions reductions from forests, agriculture and other projects into...

Laos Warns of More Rain, Flash Floods, Landslides in Early September

Laos will see more rain this week, with the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology...

Laos Bans Unregistered Cosmetics Resembling Popular Brands

The Food and Drug Department (FDD) has banned the import, sale, distribution, advertising, and...

Laos Mask Mandate Still Unclear

Despite fully reopening to tourists in May, Laos has yet to fine-tune its mask mandate. The unchanged official stance on masks could be unwittingly...

Families in Laos Face New Economic Challenges as Impact of Covid-19 Recedes

While the negative impacts of Covid-19 appear to be receding, households in Laos are facing new economic challenges, according to the World Bank. Results from...

Seeing the Unseen: The Crisis of Unintended Pregnancy

Op-ed in line with the launch of UNFPA’s State of World Population Report 2022.  Mother and daughter, Liza and Agnes, who live in the small...

Laos Records Over 6,000 Cases of Dengue Fever in First Half of 2022

Laos has recorded more than 6,000 cases of dengue fever in the first half of 2022, with eight deaths attributed to the virus. Monday's data from the Center for...

Happy Balloons Popular as Party Drug in Laos

Nitrous oxide balloons have emerged as a popular new party drug at entertainment venues in Laos. During a recent National Assembly Session, the new Deputy...

MRC: Maximize Advantages and Minimize Impact of Hydropower Projects

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) has urged the six countries along the Mekong River to maximize the advantages of hydropower projects while minimizing their...