Laos has long been grappling with a blood donation shortage. In 2024, several provincial branches of the Lao Red Cross failed to meet their collection targets.
This shortfall has been attributed to factors such as the economic crisis, natural disasters, and...
In 2024, Luang Prabang welcomed more than 2 million tourists, surpassing the initial goal of 900,000 visitors.
According to data provided to the Laotian Times by the Luang Prabang Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, a total of 2,306,375 tourists visited the UNESCO Heritage Town last year, with 1,532,394 being foreign visitors.
The top 10 countries contributing to this success with the highest number of visitors were China, Thailand, South Korea, the United States, France, Japan, Germany, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
China led the way with a significant 438,355 tourists, followed by Thailand with 175,575, and South Korea with 151,189.
This growth was already evident in 2023, when Luang Prabang attracted...
Laos has recorded over five million tourists this year, exceeding expectations and generating more than USD 1 billion in revenue, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone...
Additional reporting by Souliyasone Ngotsyoudom
Vientiane Province is once again in the spotlight with a fresh tourism draw—the newly upgraded Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir Recreation...
Laos has long been grappling with a blood donation shortage. In 2024, several provincial branches of the Lao Red Cross failed to meet their collection targets.
This shortfall has been attributed to factors such as the economic crisis, natural disasters, and misconceptions about blood donation.
Chanthala Souksakhone, head of the National Blood Transfusion Center under the Lao Red Cross, confirmed on 15 January that only five provinces—Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang, Xayabouly, Sekong, and Attapeu—met their goals.
The Lao Red Cross collected 71,297...
The Lao youth football team, with three groups of players from the WIG NAGA club, competed in the 2024 Jaifa King’s Cup in Lopburi, Thailand, on 5 December.
The tournament saw teams from ten...
Two Lao bodybuilders, Chintana Khambounheuang and Khamla Samavong, each won a gold medal at the 15th World Bodybuilding Championship held in the Maldives from 5 to 11 November.
Chintana claimed gold in the Swimming...
Laos has long been grappling with a blood donation shortage. In 2024, several provincial branches of the Lao Red Cross failed to meet their collection targets.
This shortfall has been attributed to factors such as the economic crisis, natural disasters, and misconceptions about blood donation.
Chanthala Souksakhone, head of the National Blood Transfusion Center under the Lao Red Cross, confirmed on 15 January that only five provinces—Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang, Xayabouly, Sekong, and Attapeu—met their goals.
The Lao Red Cross collected 71,297 bags of blood in 2024, falling short of the target of 78,000. In comparison, the organization exceeded its 2023 goal, collecting 73,023 bags.
“This year , we have an even higher target to collect at least 80,400 blood bags. The goal will continue to rise each year. By 2030, we need to reach as high as 120,000 bags.”
Each donor can give only one bag of blood, containing between 350 and 450 milliliters. However, meeting daily demand remains a significant challenge. The Vientiane Capital headquarters alone requires 200 bags daily, while provincial branches must collect at least 300 bags each day.
“Currently, we’re only managing to collect 20-30 bags daily,” he noted.
The main...
