27 C
Vientiane
Monday, April 14, 2025
spot_img

Built with Heart: The Team Behind Luang Prabang’s Pi Mai Parade Tiger

Luang Prabang celebrated Pi Mai Lao, or Lao New Year, with its traditional Nang Sangkhan Procession. Central to the event is Miss Lao New Year, who rides through the city’s streets atop a symbolic animal. This year, a tiger led the way, replacing last year’s peafowl. The replica was once again created by the young team of Ounhuean “Odd” Phommany, a local artisan now aged 55.  Commissioned by the Luang Prabang Provincial Office, Odd and his team had just two weeks, from 28 March to 8 April, to complete the build. “They were certainly impressed with what we did last year with the peafowl, so they trusted us with another task this...

Economy

ASEAN Economic Ministers Say No to Retaliation in Response to US Tariffs

Ministries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed "deep concern" over unilateral tariffs introduced by the United States.  The statement, adopted during their virtual Special ASEAN Economic Ministers’...

Government Raises Student Living Allowances Nationwide to Boost Education Access

The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced a nationwide increase in monthly living allowances for students at all levels of education, effective immediately.  The decision, formalized through an official...

Laos Exports Farm-Raised Pangasius to China in Milestone Aquatic Trade Deal

Laos has successfully exported its first-ever shipment of farm-raised freshwater pangasius fish to China, marking a historic milestone for the country’s aquatic industry. The shipment cleared customs at Shekou Port...

Laos-China Railway Issues New Parking Regulations for Lao New Year Period

The Laos-China Railway Company Limited has announced new parking regulations aimed at ensuring public safety and smooth operations during the upcoming festive period from 12 to 16.  The notice, released...

Coal-Fired Power Plant in Xekong to Generate Power for Cambodia

The Phonesack Group Co., Ltd is investing USD 4 billion in the construction of a large coal-fired thermal power plant in Xekong Province, with the power generated to be...

Asian Development Bank Predicts 3.9 Percent Economic Growth for Laos in 2025

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) officially launched the Asian Development Outlook April 2025 at the ADB’s Lao Resident Mission (LRM) office in Vientiane. According to the report, logistics and tourism...

Travel

Asian Development Bank Predicts 3.9 Percent Economic Growth for Laos in 2025

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) officially launched the Asian Development Outlook April 2025 at the ADB’s Lao Resident Mission (LRM) office in Vientiane. According to the report, logistics and tourism services will continue to be the main drivers of growth in Laos.  The country’s economic forecast of 3.9 percent growth in 2025 and 4.0 percent in 2026 can be compared to the broader developing Asia and Pacific projection of 4.9 percent growth in 2025 (down from 5.0 percent last year) and 4.7 percent in 2026. "It is most crucial to strengthen the macroeconomic fundamentals that anchor the economy and ensure long-term resilience, given the current global uncertainties. The focus on improved fiscal...

Vientiane Launches Sustainable Tourism Initiative with Innovative Technology for Growth

The Lao government has announced plans to boost tourism in Vientiane Capital with the theme "Vientiane's Sustainable Tourism," The initiative aims to incorporate innovative technologies into tourism management and create new attractions for...

Luang Prabang Earns Global Recognition for Sustainable Tourism

Laos’ popular world heritage town of Luang Prabang has clinched third place in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards for “Destination Management” at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany, on 4...

Health & Environment

Bokeo Seafood Inspection Reveals Formalin Use, Crackdown Follows

Authorities discovered the presence of formalin, a hazardous chemical derived from formaldehyde, in frozen seafood during an inspection on 8 April at several markets in Bokeo Province. Formalin continues to be a serious concern in the Lao food industry, particularly in local markets where food safety inspections remain crucial to protecting consumers.  The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in coordination with the Food and Drug Inspection team and the Ministry of Health, has been actively assessing food quality and cracking down...

Sport

Nam Theun 2 Marks 15 Years with Golf Classic in Vientiane

On 15 March, Nam Theun 2 Power Company Limited (NTPC) celebrated its 15th anniversary with the Nam Theun 2 Golf Classic, held at the Lao Country Club in Vientiane.  The event brought together over...

Lao Cyclist Returns from Thailand with Strong Performance, Eyes 2028 Olympics

Lao cyclist Phoutthasone Inthamith has just returned from Thailand, where he earned a fourth-place finish in his latest competition. The 45-year-old athlete competed against over 800 participants and now hopes to qualify for...

Politics

ASEAN Economic Ministers Say No to Retaliation in Response to US Tariffs

Ministries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed "deep concern" over unilateral tariffs introduced by the United...

First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Marks 31st Anniversary

The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge marks its 31st anniversary on 8 April.  Opened in 1994, it was the first major...

Vietnam Seeks US Tariff Delay as Economic Growth Slows in First Quarter

By Lam NGUYEN/AFP - Vietnam has asked for a last-minute delay to colossal tariffs imposed by Washington as government...

Bus-Rapid-Transit Road Rushing to be Completed Before Lao New Year

Vientiane is committed to completing the construction of the Setthathirath Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) road just before the Lao...

Feature

Built with Heart: The Team Behind Luang Prabang’s Pi Mai Parade Tiger

Luang Prabang celebrated Pi Mai Lao, or Lao New Year, with its traditional Nang Sangkhan Procession. Central to the event is Miss Lao New Year, who rides through the city’s streets atop a symbolic animal. This year, a tiger led the way, replacing last year’s peafowl. The replica was once again created by the young team of Ounhuean “Odd” Phommany, a local artisan now aged 55.  Commissioned by the Luang Prabang Provincial Office, Odd and his team had just two weeks, from 28 March to 8 April, to complete the build. “They were certainly impressed with what we did last year with the peafowl, so they trusted us with another task this year,” Odd said, reflecting on his second consecutive commission for the parade. Family Affair and Labor of Love Odd’s team this year consisted of six people, just like last year. Among them were three of his younger brothers and three friends of his son, all fine arts enthusiasts. His son, although not directly involved, played a key role by connecting his friends to the project. “My son’s got a separate job of his own, so he couldn’t join us, but he sent some...

ASEAN Economic Ministers Say No to Retaliation in Response to US Tariffs

Ministries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)...

First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Marks 31st Anniversary

The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge marks its 31st anniversary...

Vietnam Seeks US Tariff Delay as Economic Growth Slows in First Quarter

By Lam NGUYEN/AFP - Vietnam has asked for a...

Bus-Rapid-Transit Road Rushing to be Completed Before Lao New Year

Vientiane is committed to completing the construction of the...

Regional Leaders Pay Tribute to Former Lao President Khamtai Siphandone

Following the passing of former Lao President General Khamtai...

Chubb Launches New Premier Life Science Package

Celebrating 20-Year Anniversary of Life Sciences Expertise in APAC...