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Rare Earth Ponds Burst in Houaphanh, Villages Halt River Use Pending Inspections

Village authorities along the Nam Vaen and Nam Xam rivers have told residents to stop using river water after two rare earth mining ponds in Houaphanh burst on 1 November and released chemical wastewater into the Nam Vaen River. According to the 3-November notice, residents of Meuangvaen, Nakao, and Nakhoun...

Muddy Nam Song River Raises Public Doubts Over Official Explanation

Vang Vieng’s Nam Song River has been muddy for weeks, but many residents are...

Laos Revokes Import Licences of Six Vehicle Companies

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has revoked the import licences of six vehicle-importing...

Laos Inflation Eases to 7.7 Percent as Electricity Costs Remain High

Laos’ inflation edged down to 7.7 percent in October from 7.8 percent in September,...

Laos to Raise Private Sector Minimum Wage to LAK 3.4 Million from January 2027

Laos will raise the minimum monthly pay for private sector workers to LAK 3.4...

Laos Records Over 5,700 Road Accidents in First 11 Months of 2025

Laos reported more than 5,700 traffic accidents in the first eleven months of 2025, marking a decline compared to the higher number recorded nationwide...

Slow Boat Sinks in Mekong River Near Pak Ou Cave in Luang Prabang

Authorities released a report on the Luang Prabang slow boat sinking. The report was dated 19 December but made public on 22 December. According to...

Tigerhead Strengthens Commitment to Health at Vientiane International Marathon 2025

Lao Brewery Company (LBC), through its flagship drinking water brand Tigerhead and isotonic beverage Revive, marked its fifth consecutive year as presenting sponsor of...

Laos Begins Nationwide Rollout of Digital National ID Cards

The Lao government officially launched the nationwide issuance of digital national identity cards on 17 December, expanding access to all provinces and districts across...

Vientiane Capital Bans Firecrackers, Fireworks Ahead of Lunar New Year

Authorities in Vientiane Capital have announced a ban on the production, importation, transportation, sale, possession, and use of firecrackers, fireworks, and sky lanterns, both...

Vientiane Launches Cervical Cancer Vaccination Campaign for 10-Year-Old Girls

The Vientiane Capital Department of Public Health launched a campaign to vaccinate 10-year-old girls against cervical cancer. Health officials noted that cervical cancer and HPV...