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Laos Burns Massive Drug Hauls to Mark National Anti-Drug Day

Authorities in several provinces across Laos have destroyed significant quantities of confiscated narcotics in the lead-up to the Lao National Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking.  While the national observance officially falls on 12 October, provincial ceremonies began earlier, with drug incineration events held on 10 October in multiple locations. In Bokeo, authorities incinerated more than 11 tons of illegal substances, including millions of methamphetamine tablets, ketamine, heroin, opium, and other drugs seized during recent crackdowns.  Since the beginning of 2025, Bokeo has become a major front in Laos’s fight against narcotics, with authorities intercepting over 70 million methamphetamine pills along with large quantities of other illegal substances.  The public destruction reaffirmed the...

Economy

Lao President Calls for New Generation of Lao Diplomats on 80th Diplomacy Day

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith has called for the rise of a new generation of Lao diplomats, urging them to become strategic and trusted advisers to the Lao People’s Revolutionary...

ADB Lowers Laos’ 2025 Growth Forecast to 3.7 Percent Amid Economic Challenges

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered Laos’ 2025 GDP growth forecast from 3.9 percent to 3.7 percent, citing debt vulnerabilities, weak demand, and trade tensions.  The ADB’s September report...

Laos-China Railway Transported Over 15 Million Passengers Since Early 2025

The Laos-China Railway (LCR) transported 15.48 million passengers from January through 8 October this year, a 2.38 percent increase over the same period in 2024. Cross-border travel totaled nearly 200,000...

Young Barista Crowned at First International Coffee, Tea Day in Luang Prabang, to Compete in South Korea

From 3 to 5 October, Luang Prabang hosted the International Coffee and Tea Day (ICTD) 2025, the first-ever joint celebration of International Coffee Day and International Tea Day in...

Vientiane’s ‘Girls Takeover’ Wraps Up, Giving Young Women a Real-World Leadership Experience

Plan International Laos - A youth leadership initiative involving ten adolescent girls and young women has concluded in Vientiane, giving participants the opportunity to step into senior leadership roles...

Tropical Storm Bualoi Causes Widespread Damage Across Laos, Leaves Four Deaths

Between 28 and 30 September, Tropical Storm Bualoi, the country’s 20th storm of the year, swept across Laos, bringing heavy rains, floods, and flash floods that severely impacted communities...

Travel

Laos-China Railway Transported Over 15 Million Passengers Since Early 2025

The Laos-China Railway (LCR) transported 15.48 million passengers from January through 8 October this year, a 2.38 percent increase over the same period in 2024. Cross-border travel totaled nearly 200,000 passengers, up 3.17 percent year-on-year, state media reported. The Lao section has served over 2.6 million passengers so far this year.  The railway has carried nearly 60 million total passengers across 84,000 train operations, attracting visitors from 115 countries and regions. International ridership on cross-border services has exceeded 595,000. Daily operations in Laos have expanded from four trains at launch to 18 trains per day, substantially improving travel efficiency.  The Vientiane-Kunming service, launched in April 2023, has grown rapidly in popularity, with monthly...

ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor Takes Center Stage at Mekong Tourism Forum 2025

Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as a key initiative to boost regional travel and connectivity. Held...

New Eco-Tourism Project Aims to Protect Wildlife, Boost Jobs in Luang Namtha

Luang Namtha Province is set to transform Xang Boten village into a conservation-focused tourist destination through the newly launched Xang Boten Tourism Project, a joint initiative between the Lao government and a Chinese...

Health & Environment

World Sight Day 2025: Investing in Eye Health Could Bring USD 31.2 Million Benefit to Laos Over the Next Five Years

A recent study revealed that an investment of USD 2.12 million in eye health could generate USD 31.2 million in economic benefits for Laos over the next five years. According to the Value of Vision report, investing in eye health provides some of the highest economic and social returns for communities in Laos. The study finds that early detection and treatment of vision loss could generate USD 17 million in productivity gains, USD 6.9 million from increased employment, 3,070 additional...

Sport

SEA Games Mascot Redesign Sparks Debate Over National Identity

The redesign of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2025 mascot has stirred debate in Thailand, as organizers replaced the original seven colorful characters with two new figures featuring the colors of the...

Thailand Cleared to Host Petanque at SEA Games After World Federation Reversal

Thailand will host the pétanque competition at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December, following a reversal by the World Pétanque and Bowls Federation (WPBF) of an earlier suspension over regulatory violations. As...

Politics

Lao Delegation Joins North Korea’s Grand Celebrations Following Historic State Visit

A high-level delegation from Laos participated in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) grand celebrations on 10 October...

Lao, North Korean Leaders Hold Historic Talks in State Visit to Pyongyang

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith paid an official state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) this week,...

Vice President of Laos Meets Singapore Ambassador for Farewell Visit

Laos' Vice President Pany Yathotou met with Singapore’s Ambassador to Laos, Sudesh Maniar, at the Presidential Palace on 6...

Historic First U.S.-Lao Business Roundtable Strengthens Trade and Investment Ties

On 29 September, Washington, D.C., hosted the first-ever U.S.-Lao Business Roundtable, bringing Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone together with American...

Feature

Laos Wins Best National Costume at Mister Global 2025 with Mani Khot Tree-Inspired Design

The ancient Mani Khot tree, a sacred symbol rooted in Champasack Province, southern Laos, has taken the global spotlight, inspiring the Best National Costume award at Mister Global 2025 in Thailand and earning Laos a place of pride on the international stage. Representing Laos, Youphalayth ‘Bobbie’ Phethany, Mister Global Lao 2025, brought home the award with the costume titled “The Guardian Angel of the Mani Khot Tree.” The sacred Mani Khot Tree of Champasak, Laos, is revered in legend as the Tree of Destiny.  Believed to possess magical powers, the tree is said to bring prosperity in the direction its branches point.  While Bobbie did not design the costume himself, he played a central role in developing the idea and overall concept. Deeply connected to his Champasack roots, he wanted to wear something that would stand out and reflect Laos’ rich culture and mythology. The ancient Mani Khot tree, known in Lao legend as the Tree of Destiny, became the core inspiration. “I’ve spent two weeks thinking about the concept, but I couldn’t think of anything until one night I dreamed of Khon Phapheng Waterfall, where the tree is located,” Bobbie said. That dream sparked...

Lao Delegation Joins North Korea’s Grand Celebrations Following Historic State Visit

A high-level delegation from Laos participated in the Democratic...

Lao, North Korean Leaders Hold Historic Talks in State Visit to Pyongyang

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith paid an official state visit...

Vice President of Laos Meets Singapore Ambassador for Farewell Visit

Laos' Vice President Pany Yathotou met with Singapore’s Ambassador...

Historic First U.S.-Lao Business Roundtable Strengthens Trade and Investment Ties

On 29 September, Washington, D.C., hosted the first-ever U.S.-Lao...

Lao President Set to Visit North Korea for Party Anniversary, Date Unconfirmed

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith is expected to make an...