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...

Lao PM Holds Bilateral Talks With Australia, Timor-Leste and IMF at ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone, held bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Australia and Timor-Leste, along with the Director of the International Monetary Fund...

Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia PMs Meet to Discuss Cooperation Efforts During ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet for a working breakfast on Tuesday,...

Thailand’s New Government Takes Office as Cabinet Members Take Oath in Front of King

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s new government officially took office on Tuesday, almost four months after the country’s general election, as new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin led...

Myanmar Won’t Be Allowed to Lead ASEAN in 2026, in Blow to Generals

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders decided Tuesday that Myanmar won’t take over the rotating leadership of their regional bloc as scheduled in...

Lao PM Attends 43rd ASEAN Summit, Calls for Business-Friendly Environment in Region

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone along with other high-ranking delegates arrived on Monday in Jakarta, Indonesia, to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related...

Southeast Asian Leaders Besieged by Thorny Issues as They Hold Asean Summit Without Biden

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders led by Indonesian host President Joko Widodo are gathering in their final summit this year, besieged by...