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Savannakhet Marks National Heritage Status for Ho Tay Pidok Library, Old Talaeo Temple

By
Phoudasack Vongsay
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A left one is a picture of Ho Tay Pidok Library (the Ancient Buddhist Scripts Library) and the right is a picture of Wat Kao Talaew Temple. (Photos by Champhone travel)

Officials in Savannakhey have recognized two historic landmarks in Champhone district as National Heritage sites, marking a key step in preserving the province’s religious and cultural history.

The town celebrated Ho Tay Pidok Library and Old Taleo Temple during a three-day ceremony held from 2–4 March, which brought together provincial and district officials, Buddhist monks, and local residents.

The event featured Champhone’s traditional Palm Leaf Manuscript Procession, a cultural ceremony that represents the district’s long connection to Buddhist learning and manuscript preservation.

Residents dressed in traditional clothing joined the procession, while cultural performances including folk dances and khene music added to the festivities.

A Library on Water

Ho Tay Pidok Library, often referred to as the Ancient Buddhist Scripts Library, is one of the most distinctive landmarks in the province. The wooden structure sits in the middle of a lake in Nong Lamchan Village and dates back to the late 14th century.

Originally built as a place where monks could study and safeguard Buddhist teachings, the library continues to hold an important collection of 219 palm-leaf manuscripts. For the local community, the site remains both a cultural treasure and a sacred place.

Visitors are normally required to dress respectfully when entering the library.

A Temple with Historic Murals

Nearby, Old Talaeo Temple is known for its striking architecture and historic mural paintings.

The temple’s main hall, built in the early 20th century, survived periods of conflict that affected the region. Inside, murals depicting scenes from the Vessantara Jataka, one of the most well-known Buddhist stories, are believed to date back to the 1930s.

Officials say the national heritage designation will help protect both sites while also encouraging cultural tourism in the province.

Strengthening Savannakhet’s Cultural Identity

Authorities believe the recognition will help highlight Champhone district as an important cultural destination in southern Laos. Visitors are increasingly drawn to sites like the “Library on Water” and Old Talaeo Temple, where history, religion, and local traditions continue to shape daily life.

The announcement also comes as part of wider efforts to preserve cultural heritage in Savannakhet. Authorities are currently working toward seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for That Ing Hang Stupa, one of the country’s most sacred Buddhist monuments.

Located near Savannakhet City, That Ing Hang was built in 1560 by King Setthathirath on the site of an earlier Khmer temple. The stupa is believed to house a relic of the Buddha’s collarbone and has attracted pilgrims for centuries.

Officials say protecting historic sites while keeping local traditions alive will play an important role in strengthening Savannakhet’s identity and expanding cultural tourism in the years ahead.

The Ministry of Finance of Thailand, the Bank of Thailand, and the International Monetary Fund Underscore Significant Progress Toward the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings

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Advertorial Desk
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BANGKOK, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Thailand’s Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Thailand, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today took stock of preparations for the 2026 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group, which Thailand will host from October 12–18, 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC). The discussion brought together Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Mr. Vitai Ratanakorn, Governor of the Bank of Thailand; and Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF. 

The authorities and the IMF were very pleased with progress in many areas, including construction, security, and branding. Preparations are advancing well, supported by close coordination between all stakeholders. They praised the world-class facilities at QSNCC, which stands ready to host the Meetings, and highlighted Bangkok’s role as a leading regional hub for international conferences. The partnership between the IMF and the authorities has been excellent and will ensure successful and impactful meetings. The 2026 Annual Meetings will mark the second time Thailand hosts the Annual Meetings at QSNCC, following the 1991 Meetings.

Dr. Nitithanprapas states that Thailand’s selection as the host country once again represents an important opportunity for the nation. “Hosting the 2026 Annual Meetings at the QSNCC, the venue built specifically for hosting 1991 Annual Meetings, symbolizes not only Thailand’s significant progress made over the past 35 years but also its continued role as a pillar of stability and a hub for global economic cooperation,” Dr. Nitithanprapas said. “Importantly, Thailand is only the third country outside of the United States to host this ‘Olympics of Finance’ more than once, further showcasing Thailand’s capacity to organize world- class events.”

One of Thailand’s key opportunities as the host is the ability to share its experience and development vision, which is driven by the quality of its people, the resilience of its economic and financial systems, and the power of international cooperation under the theme “Thailand’s New Horizons: Empowering People, Building Resilience”. This theme reflects Thailand’s transition into a new horizon, drawing lessons from more than 35 years of economic development. It also underscores the importance of human as the key to development even in the face of rapid transformation brought on by artificial intelligence, with resilience to multi-pronged challenges ranging from geopolitics to climate change also pivotal to Thailand’s future. This transition model could be a showcase and replicated to other countries in the region moving forward.

Mr. Ratanakorn emphasized that the Annual Meetings take place at a time when the global economy faces multiple challenges that require long-term vision, innovation, and international cooperation. “The Annual Meetings therefore serve as a platform for countries to exchange perspectives and explore practical paths toward sustainable, resilient, and inclusive growth,” said Mr. Ratanakorn.

To drive Thailand towards the ‘New Horizons’, the Bank of Thailand is promoting financial resilience through the “Safe and Inclusive Digital Finance (SIDF) for Financial Wellbeing” agenda. Mr. Ratanakorn emphasized that the Annual Meetings provide a unique opportunity to advance the SIDF agenda at the global level, by shaping a practical blueprint that countries can adopt and adapt to their own contexts. “This SIDF blueprint will serve as a lasting contribution from Thailand to the international community beyond its role as host,” he said. Mr. Ratanakorn also reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to host the Annual Meetings. “We are committed to facilitating the Meetings in a smooth and well-coordinated manner, helping to deliver the outcomes the IMF envisions”.  

Dr. Georgieva conveyed her deep appreciation for the strong partnership with the Thai authorities and the people of Thailand, praising the spirit of collaboration that has defined the preparations to date. “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Thailand, and their exceptional teams for their professionalism, tireless dedication, and gracious hospitality,” Dr. Georgieva said. “Our discussions this week fill me not only with confidence, but with genuine excitement. I eagerly look forward to returning to Thailand in October.”

Dr. Georgieva also highlighted Asia’s pivotal role in shaping the global economic landscape. “In a world of high uncertainty, Asia is a driving force of global growth,” she noted. “We draw inspiration from the region’s remarkable achievements as we work together to build dynamic, resilient economies for the future. I look forward to welcoming our membership to Thailand, where we will discuss pragmatic solutions to shared challenges.”

Prudential Study Finds Financial Wellbeing Tapers with Age Across Asia

By
Advertorial Desk
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Respondents aged 18-35 record the highest score at 59.8 out of 100, falling to 57.7 among those aged 50-60


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Financial confidence and preparedness are highest among younger adults in Asia and decrease in later life stages, according to new research by Prudential plc (“Prudential”), the leading Asia and Africa insurer. Results show that respondents aged 18-35 score 59.8 out of 100 in financial wellbeing, compared with 58.2 for those between the ages of 36-49 and 57.7 among those aged 50-60.

The findings form the basis for Prudential’s inaugural Financial Wellbeing Index, a regional barometer of how people in Asia are managing their finances today and how ready they feel for tomorrow. Measured from four dimensions – present financial security, future financial security, present financial freedom and future financial freedom – it combines attitudes, behaviours and expectations into a single score to indicate level of wellbeing.

Opportunity to Strengthen Financial Wellbeing

Despite nearly half of all respondents (46 per cent) rating their financial wellbeing as good or above, the index this year records an overall score of 58.9, pointing to a broad-based opportunity to strengthen confidence and preparedness.

While those aged 18-35 express stronger optimism towards their financial future, concerns around job stability and family health remain prominent. In contrast, respondents aged 50-60 are most concerned about their physical health deteriorating and rising costs of necessities such as food, clothing, power and transport, reflecting the financial and health‑related pressures that tend to intensify later in life.

From Coping Today to Confidence Tomorrow

The research also reveals a disconnect between day‑to‑day stability and long‑term financial freedom, defined as the level of preparedness for meeting financial goals. While people feel relatively secure in the present (61.7), their confidence in future financial freedom is significantly lower (55.2), suggesting that many are managing in the short term but do not feel fully equipped to sustain choices and absorb financial shocks over the longer run.

Notably, only one in three respondents (34 per cent) say they do not need to keep earning in their retirement years. Fewer than half (47 per cent) feel secure when thinking about their financial future, while only 45 per cent believe they could handle a major unexpected expense. This gap continues to widen across later life stages, highlighting the importance of early financial preparation, ongoing education and long-term planning in achieving financial freedom and sustained wellbeing.

Market Differences and Challenge in Access

Across the region, Vietnam records the highest overall financial wellbeing score at 65.1, supported by the highest number of respondents (66 per cent) who strongly or slightly agree they have access to financial services and products that enable long-term financial planning. Indonesia (62.0) and Thailand (60.4) follow closely, with respondents in both markets also reporting among the highest levels of financial knowledge, access to services and planning for long‑term success. On the other hand, those in Hong Kong, which scores the lowest for financial wellbeing at 52.5, are the least satisfied with their access.

Overall, access to financial solutions remains limited: only 18 per cent strongly agree they have what they need to achieve financial success – a disparity that amplifies the challenge of building optimal financial wellbeing and can compound over time.

Bridging the Gap

Angel Ng, Regional CEO, Greater China; Group Customer, Wealth and Product, Prudential plc, said: “Longer lifespans across Asia are transforming expectations around financial wellbeing. Customers today are looking beyond financial products – they want confidence, clarity, and a partner who would guide them towards a future that they can genuinely look forward to. At Prudential, we believe financial planning is not just about preparing for later years; it is about enabling wellbeing at every stage of life. We are committed to empowering our customers and communities with the knowledge, advice and protection to help them build resilience early, safeguard what matters through life’s transitions, and enjoy healthy, fulfilling and financially confident longevity.”

Aimed at addressing gaps in financial education and laying the foundation for wellbeing, Cha-Ching, the award-winning financial literacy programme by Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc, has reached over 4 million students and teachers in classrooms across Asia and Africa. The Cha-Ching curriculum, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, helps children aged 7-12 build essential financial literacy skills. A new digital-first financial literacy programme for adults is also under development, designed to support participants on their pathway to financial security and freedom.

As individuals and families in Asia continue to navigate their financial futures, Prudential will continue to broaden access to protection through sustainable, inclusive offerings that promote greater resilience and build lasting confidence across life stages.

Find out more about the index in our insight article.

Hashtag: #Prudential

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Financial Wellbeing Index

The index measures the financial wellbeing of 7,707 adults aged 18-60 across four dimensions: “Present Financial Security”, “Future Financial Security”, “Present Financial Freedom”, and “Future Financial Freedom”. It was conducted in September-December 2025 across eight Asian markets (Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam) through an online quantitative survey.

About Prudential plc

Prudential provides life and health insurance and asset management in Greater China, ASEAN, India and Africa. Prudential’s mission is to be the most trusted partner and protector for this generation and generations to come, by providing simple and accessible financial and health solutions. The business has dual primary listings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEX: 2378) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: PRU). It also has a secondary listing on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX: K6S) and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: PUK) in the form of American Depositary Receipts. It is a constituent of the Hang Seng Composite Index and is also included for trading in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme and the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme.

Prudential is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc. a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America, nor with The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

Cebu Pacific Celebrates 30 Years with Month-Long Anniversary Deals

By
Advertorial Desk
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MANILA, Philippines, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, is celebrating 30 years of making air travel accessible with month-long anniversary deals, kicking off with one of its biggest international seat sales of the year at Your Happy Lowest Fares.  

From March 5 – 11, guests from Taiwan can book flights to the Philippines for as low as TWD 1 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges.

The travel period runs from November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, allowing travelers to plan their vacations ahead of time and score the best deals.

Once in the Philippines, travelers can fly from Manila to Bacolod — known as the “City of Smiles”— where they can savor its signature chicken inasal, explore local markets, or discover nearby heritage sites.

Just a two-hour drive from Manila, Clark offers travelers world-class leisure spots such as five-star hotel resorts and golf courses. It also serves as a jump off point to Boracay, famous for its powdery white sand beaches, sunset views, and exciting water activities.

With the airline’s widest domestic network, passengers can easily start their happy travels in Manila or conveniently connect through the airline’s other major hubs such as Clark, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao, for faster inter-island access within the country.    

Travelers are encouraged to stay tuned for more offers and exclusive deals from CEB this March as the airline celebrates its 30th Anniversary.

CEB operates in 35 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. 

CEB offers various payment options, including credit or debit cards and e-wallets, to book flights and buy add-ons.

Visit www.cebupacificair.com or book directly via the Cebu Pacific app to secure your seats now.

Our social media handles:

Facebook: Cebu Pacific Air
X: @CebuPacificAir
Instagram: cebupacificair

 

Viettel Fast-Tracks 6G Roadmap, Targets Commercial Launch by 2029

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Advertorial Desk
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BARCELONA, Spain, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At MWC Barcelona 2026, Viettel announced it is accelerating the R&D and commercialization of its proprietary 6G technology. The Vietnamese telecommunications giant has joined a global strategic alliance initiated by Qualcomm Technologies to expedite the development and global deployment of 6G, with a commercial rollout slated for 2029.

Viettel’s 6G roadmap includes architecture R&D, pre-commercial trials in 2028, and contributing to industry standards to ensure a 2029 commercial debut.
Viettel’s 6G roadmap includes architecture R&D, pre-commercial trials in 2028, and contributing to industry standards to ensure a 2029 commercial debut.

According to the roadmap, Viettel is designing 6G as an AI-native system, deeply integrating artificial intelligence across devices, networks, and cloud computing infrastructure. The technology is built on three strategic pillars: next-generation connectivity, wide-area sensing, and high-performance computing.

Viettel’s 6G strategy involves active research into network architecture, with plans to conduct early testing of pre-commercial systems and devices by 2028. Beyond connectivity services, Viettel defines “6G commercialization” as a comprehensive business model encompassing homegrown network equipment, software platforms, and an AI-integrated smart device ecosystem.

Lieutenant General Tao Duc Thang, Chairman & CEO of Viettel, stated: “Joining this global alliance underscores Viettel’s commitment to mastering core technologies from the ground up. We aim to collaborate with international partners to drive innovation while integrating Vietnamese-developed technology into the global value chain.”

In a significant move toward hardware autonomy, Viettel also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to establish a strategic partnership for AI-integrated smart mobile devices. Under this agreement, the two parties will co-develop a flagship smartphone line. Qualcomm will provide reference designs and technical support, while Viettel will lead the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of products featuring its Agentic AI software ecosystem.

The synergy between Qualcomm’s premium hardware and Viettel’s Agentic AI platform is expected to define a new generation of smart devices, serving as critical endpoints in the current 5G landscape and paving the way for the 6G era.

Viettel is currently a pioneer in the large-scale deployment of 5G and Open RAN technology. With this latest announcement at MWC Barcelona 2026, the company continues to solidify its role in shaping the global 6G technical platform through architecture research, core technology testing, and international standardization efforts.

Cebu Pacific Celebrates 30 Years with Month-Long Anniversary Deals

By
Advertorial Desk
-

MANILA, Philippines, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, is celebrating 30 years of making air travel accessible with month-long anniversary deals, kicking off with one of its biggest international seat sales of the year at Your Happy Lowest Fares.

From March 5 – 11, guests from Hong Kong can book flights to the Philippines for as low as HKD 1 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges. 

The travel period runs from November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, allowing travelers to plan their vacations ahead of time and score the best deals.

CEB operates flights from Hong Kong to its major hubs—Manila, Clark, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao—giving travelers the most gateways to find their happy in the Philippines.

Once in the Philippines, travelers can connect via any CEB hub to Boracay, famous for its powdery white sand beaches, sunset views, and exciting water adventures.

Guests can also visit Bacolod — known as the “City of Smiles” — to savor its signature chicken inasal, explore local markets, or discover nearby heritage sites.

With the airline’s widest domestic network, passengers can easily start their happy travels in Manila or conveniently connect through the airline’s other major hubs such as Clark, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao, for faster inter-island access within the country.    

Travelers are encouraged to stay tuned for more offers and exclusive deals from CEB this March as the airline celebrates its 30th Anniversary.

CEB operates in 35 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.  

CEB offers various payment options, including credit or debit cards and e-wallets, to book flights and buy add-ons.

Visit www.cebupacificair.com or book directly via the Cebu Pacific app to secure your seats now.

===

Our social media handles:

Facebook: Cebu Pacific Air
X: @CebuPacificAir
Instagram: cebupacificair

 

GAC Achieves Global First with DAkkS-Accredited ASIL D Functional Safety and Cybersecurity Certification for Quark E-Drive

By
Advertorial Desk
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GUANGZHOU, China, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, GAC’s independently developed Quark E-Drive power domain control system has achieved the world’s first dual certification for deeply integrated ASIL D functional safety and information security, accredited by DAkkS, Germany’s national accreditation body. The certification was evaluated and issued by SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services Co., Ltd. (SGS), a globally recognized certification authority.

ISO 26262 is the internationally recognized core standard for automotive functional safety. Within this framework, ASIL D represents the highest automotive safety integrity level, requiring near-zero tolerance for safety-critical failures. Achieving an ASIL D certification accredited by DAkkS signifies that the certified product meets the highest globally accepted standards for automotive safety.

The certified Quark E-Drive power domain control system has been in production use since February 2025, and is now deployed across multiple models under GAC’s brands- HYPTEC and AION. As the industry’s first electric drive power domain system based on deep integration using a single main control chip, the solution significantly reduces chip count, minimizes risks associated with chip-level failures, and boosts motor controller efficiency to as high as 99.9%. The certification confirms that GAC has completed the system’s full product development lifecycle in strict compliance with ISO 26262:2018 functional safety and ISO/SAE 21434:2021 information security standards.

Throughout the project, GAC Technology Research Center worked closely with SGS experts, strengthening safety design across all development phases while ensuring engineering feasibility and an optimal user experience.

Zhao Hui, Vice President of SGS China, commented: “The successful certification highlights GAC’s strong team and robust development systems. We are pleased to support the safety of the Quark E-Drive and look forward to closer collaboration.”

This milestone represents a major breakthrough for GAC in e-drive safety and sets a new global benchmark for the intelligent electric vehicle industry.

 

From the Self-Tan Experts: Coco & Eve Launches Sunny Honey Protect, a Glow-First SPF Collection

By
Advertorial Desk
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High-protection SPF that enhances the look of skin.

NEW YORK, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For years, Coco & Eve has been synonymous with glowing, bronzed skin – becoming a go-to for self-tan obsessives and glow-seekers around the world. Now, the brand is bringing that same expertise to sun protection with the launch of Sunny Honey Protect, a next-generation SPF collection designed to protect skin without compromising glow.


As specialists in self-tan and bronzed skin, Coco & Eve identified a gap in the SPF category. While awareness around sun protection continues to grow, many consumers still struggle to find formulas that feel lightweight on the body, look flattering on the skin and layer seamlessly with tanning. Heavy textures and dull finishes remain common barriers to daily SPF use.

Sunny Honey Protect was created to change that.

SPF, Reimagined Through a Tanning Lens

Rather than treating SPF as a standalone category, Coco & Eve approached sun protection the way it approaches tanning – with a deep understanding of how skin looks and behaves in the sun. The result is an SPF collection that prioritises hydration, sensorial textures and glow-enhancing finishes, while delivering high-level broad-spectrum protection.

“Our customers care deeply about glowing skin – but they want to be protected too,” says Alexandra King, Global Brand Director at Coco & Eve. “Sunny Honey Protect is the result of listening closely to our community and applying everything we know about bronzed skin to SPF. We didn’t want protection that sat on top of skin or dulled it – we wanted SPF that worked with glow, not against it.”

Introducing the Sunny Honey Protect SPF Wardrobe

Designed as an SPF wardrobe, Sunny Honey Protect offers three distinct finishes to suit different skin moods, moments and routines – blending skin-loving tropical botanicals with a juicy mango fragrance that smells as good as it feels, done in Coco & Eve’s signature sensorial style.

  • Sunny Honey Protect Coconut Milk Body SPF 50
    A lightweight, water-based body milk delivering broad spectrum SPF 50 protection with a naturally dewy finish. Hydrating yet weightless, it’s designed for everyday wear – whether skin is bare or paired with self-tan.
  • Sunny Honey Protect Highlighter Body SPF 50
    A serum-like body SPF infused with pearlescent minerals to highlight skin with a radiant, light-catching shimmer. Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, it delivers high-level sun protection while elevating glow.
  • Sunny Honey Protect Tan Boosting Anti-Aging Body Oil SPF (UK 30 / 50 | US 20 / 45)
    A luxurious, water-resistant SPF body oil infused with nourishing tropical extracts that protects skin while enhancing the look of natural tans, available in two SPF levels to suit different sun needs.

Sunny Honey Protect launches 3 March 2026 on cocoandeve.com and select retailers nationwide, including Ulta Beauty.

About Coco & Eve

Coco & Eve’s story begins in Bali, where volcanic beaches meet lush rainforests. With products rooted in the island’s vibrant, renewing energy, the brand formulates with Balinese botanicals to create a sense of joy and effortless beauty.

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