Politics

Laos, Vietnam Set USD 4 Billion Trade Goal as Economic Ties Grow

Laos and Vietnam are pushing to take their economic partnership to the next level, with both countries targeting USD 4 billion in bilateral trade in 2026. The goal follows a strong year for trade, with two-way trade reaching USD 3.196 billion in 2025, up 12 percent from the previous year. The...

Trade, Energy, Tourism Drive Laos-Vietnam Economic Ties Past USD 1.3 Billion

Trade between Laos and Vietnam reached USD 1.305 billion during the first six months...

Laos Formalizes Shanghai Cooperation Organization Dialogue Partner Status

Laos has strengthened its regional ties after formally confirming its status as a Dialogue...

Railway Expansion, Education Reform Among Key Issues at National Assembly

Expanding the railway to southern Laos, rolling out a new school system, reducing poverty,...

Myanmar’s Leader Wraps First ASEAN Visit in Laos, Signs Mekong Dam Study

Myanmar's recently elected President, Min Aung Hlaing, who seized power in the 2021 military...

United Nations Rights Review Applauds Laos’ Engagement but Flags Deep Concerns

On 29 April, the United Nations Human Rights Council commended Laos for collaborative participation in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), but fundamental rights issues...

Southeast Asia Backs Independent Anti-Corruption Efforts

Anti-corruption agencies, civil society groups, journalists, and NGOs from across Southeast Asia gathered on 29 April in Malaysia to strengthen their commitment to protecting...

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...

Lao Troops Join Vietnam’s Parade Marking Fall of Saigon

Tran Thi Minh Ha/AFP - On 30 April, the Lao People's Army joined Vietnamese troops in a parade to mark the 50th anniversary of...

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...

Thailand-Cambodia Crime Pact Shouldn’t Undermine Human Rights, Says Right Group

Thailand and Cambodia’s new agreement to combat transnational crime must not come at the expense of human rights, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on...