Travel

Vientiane Rolls Out New Tourism Plans to Keep Visitors Around Longer, as Laos Launches Travel App

Vientiane is planning new tourism routes, evening attractions, and a city pass to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more locally, while a new Lao Travel app will give tourists a way to book accommodation, transport, and other services. The push comes as Vientiane’s tourism sector posted strong results...

Thailand Restores 30-Day Visa-Free Stay, Limits Visa-Free Land Entries to Twice a Year

Thailand has cut its visa-free tourist stay from 60 days back to 30 days,...

China-Laos Railway Sees 50 Percent Rise In Cross-Border Passengers

Passenger traffic on the China–Laos Railway has increased significantly this year, boosting tourism and...

Luang Prabang Economy Grows Despite Sharp Drop in Tourists

Luang Prabang’s economy grew 3.9 percent in the first half of 2026, even as...

New Vientiane-Udon Thani Bus Route to Launch on 9 September

Thailand has just announced the launch of a new bus route connecting Laos’ Vientiane...

Japan to Introduce Pre-Travel Authorization System by 2028

Japan is set to launch the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA) by fiscal year 2028, a mandatory online pre-screening system targeting visa-exempt...

January Trade Surplus Marks Sharp Rebound from Year-Earlier Deficit

Laos began 2026 on stronger footing, with exports rising to USD 886.7 million in January, up 36 percent from the same month last year....

Thailand Considers Cutting Visa-Free Stay from 60 to 30 Days

Thailand is considering reducing its visa-free stay period from 60 days to 30 days, following reports that the extended entry scheme has been misused...

Laos Targets 6 Million Visitors in 2026 as Chinese Arrivals Projected at 2 Million

Laos expects to welcome between 5 and 6 million international tourists in 2026, with Chinese visitors projected to account for around 2 million of...

Luang Prabang to Restrict Tour Vans from City Centre, End Riverside Parking

Authorities in Luang Prabang have approved new traffic measures to reduce congestion around the Night Market and historic areas, following repeated complaints over traffic...

Champasak Welcomes Nearly 730,000 Tourists, Exceeds Annual Target

Champasak Province recorded positive tourism growth in 2025, welcoming nearly 730,000 visitors and reaching 207 percent of its annual target, according to provincial authorities. The...