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NUOL Wins Award with New Confucius Institute

NUOL Wins Award with New Confucius Institute

The National University of Laos (NUOL) has won an award of excellence for its newly-built Confucius Institute at the 2019 International Chinese Language Education Conference held in China.

At the conference, which was held on December 9, the institute at NUOL was selected as one of 27 best institutes out of 550 around the world for the 2019 Confucius Institute of Excellence Award, with the university’s facility ranked 12th.

The Confucius Institute, backed by China’s Ministry of Education, is designed to promote international Chinese language education policies, standards, teachers, teaching materials, teaching methods, examinations, brand building, and deepening Sino-foreign cooperation.

The conference was convened on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Confucius Institute.

The Chinese government granted LAK 97 billion (USD 10.8 million) to construct a new Confucius Institute at the NUOL, which was completed in April.

The new building is three storeys high and can accommodate more than 5,000 students covering an area of 15,600 square meters.

Scams, UXOs, Lao Lionel Messi and 99th Birthdays – This Week In Social Media

Scams, UXOs, Lao Lionel Messi and 99th Birthdays – This Week In Social Media

The Laotian Times brings our readers a round-up of some of the most shared topics this past week, based on reach and engagement on Facebook. From gold medals in Laos and air ticket scams to falling boulders and UXOs, this list summarizes the types of content that are hysterically shared on Lao social media.

Food Galore!

Lao people definitely love their food. Steamed paddy field crabs, boiled bamboo shoots and snails, fermented fish dip, grilled fish and fish/ant egg/mushroom soups are some of the flavor-filled Lao dishes featured here in this mouthwatering food collage.

https://www.facebook.com/tholakhong/posts/2940348135996839

Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder

Last Sunday, while Miss Universe Laos Vichitta “May” Phonevilay was not able to bring back the crown from America, Lao social media put their national pride aside and conveyed their kudos to South African winner Zozibini Tunzi. While there were negative remarks in the comments section, expected in a country where light rather than dark skin is generally considered beautiful, the top comments showed tremendous support for the new Miss Universe. These words from two Facebook users illustrate this point:

“It appears that those that are saying she is not beautiful, don’t possess international standards of beauty.”

https://www.facebook.com/tholakhong/photos/a.636550893043253/2925849057446747/?type=3&theater

Death by Landslide

On Dec 4, Khamxom went out to look for food near Nongpeeng Village, Khammouane. He was tragically killed in a boulder landslide. His body was recovered four days later by army and police personnel who assisted villagers.

ທິມງານທະຫານຕຳຫລວດແລະ ພໍ່ແມ່ປະຊາຊົນ ເຮັດພາລະກິດຄົ້ນຫາຜູ່ເສຍຊິວິດຫີນຜາເຈີຶ່ອນທັບປະຊາຊົນບ້ານຫນອງປີງ ເມີຶອງບົວລະພາ…

Posted by ໂທລະໂຄ່ງ THOLAKHONG on ວັນຈັນ ທີ 9 ທັນວາ 2019

First Gold for Laos

Lao social media users erupted in a proud frenzy when Soukan “Oa” Taipanyavong won the country’s first gold medal, defeating a competitor from Indonesia in kickboxing, at the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines. Read the full story here.

https://www.facebook.com/tholakhong/posts/2928793593818960

In this heartfelt post, Soukan is seen having an adorable moment with his wife who came to welcome him at the airport. Congratulations to all the medalists of the Lao national team!

https://www.facebook.com/tholakhong/posts/2935941689770817

Air Ticket Scam

After five days of no response, a Lao woman took to Facebook after she had been conned into buying airline tickets from the man in the post. The woman claimed that she had transferred money to him but he did not honor his commitment to issue airline tickets for her. Moreover, the scammer has now deactivated his Facebook profile.

ep3……ດັງທົ່ວປະເທດມື້ນີ້ໃຫ້ເວລາຮອດ12ໂມງ ເງີນມັນກະບໍ່ໄດ້ຫລາຍໂອນຄືນລະກະບໍ່ມີເລື່ອງມີຄວາມ ຈອງກະໃຫ້ລາຄາແພງກະບໍ່ເຕີຍຕໍ່ …

Posted by Nang Phoudthasone Luangkoth on ວັນພຸດ ທີ 11 ທັນວາ 2019

Vietnam Places 2nd At SEA Games

This post shows an amazing aerial video depicting ordinary Vietnamese taking to the streets on cars and motorbikes as they celebrated Vietnam’s placing 2nd at the 30th SEA Games. The video follows hundreds of Vietnamese on their vehicles on the highway as they proudly waved their flags in honor of their national athletes.

https://www.facebook.com/tholakhong/videos/2747231655342232/

Observation of President Kaysone Phomvihane’s Birthday Anniversary 

The 13th of December 2019 marked the anniversary of the birthday of deceased Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane. Considered one of the founding fathers of modern Laos, his birthday is observed as a special day each year. Social media users expressed their love of the former leader via Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/tholakhong/photos/a.629942943704048/2931771453521174/?type=3&theater

UXO?

On Dec 14, an unidentified object was found by a villager at work on his tractor in Nameuang, Khammouane. Observers are unsure whether it is a UXO.

ປະຊາຊົນ ໄຖສວນມັນ ລົດໄຖເກາະຂື້ນບໍຮູ້ວ່າແມ່ນລູກລະເບີດບໍ່, ຂໍໃຫ້ເຈົ້າໜ້າທີ່ລົງກວດເບິ່ງແດ່.ຢູ່ເຂດບ້ານນາເມືອງ.ເມືອງຄູນຄຳແຂວງຄຳມ່ວນໃນວັນທີ່ 14/12/2019

Posted by ໂທລະໂຄ່ງ THOLAKHONG on ວັນເສົາ ທີ 14 ທັນວາ 2019

Lao Lionel Messi

PT Prachuap FC, a football club in Thailand, has hired Soukaphone Vongchienkham for 100 million kip ($11,200 USD). The “Lao Messi” is set to receive a monthly salary of 50 million kip.

https://www.facebook.com/tholakhong/posts/2930886873609632

Vientiane to Crack Down on Electric Tricycles

Vientiane to Crack Down on Electric Tricycles

Vientiane authorities are to crack down on electric tricycles and motorcycle sidecars in the capital as part of a move to reduce road accidents.

Head of the transportation management division under the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department, Mr. Sivone Subthavy, said such vehicles are only allowed to be used inside factories or private areas but are often found on main roads around Vientiane. He said such vehicles are frequently involved in road accidents, as quoted by Vientiane Times.

Mr. Sivone cited the fact that the majority of electric tricycles are not registered and have no number plate, vehicle license or other documents as one of the issues, and making them difficult to manage when road accidents occur.

Officials will first re-educate the drivers and issue a ticket for violating the regulations when they find such vehicles on the road, but next time they will confiscate the vehicles for three to six months or issue larger fines, Mr. Sivone noted.

Laos has about 1.8 million registered vehicles, with 843,500 registered in Vientiane alone. The majority of registered vehicles are motorcycles.

Lao PM Thongloun Gives Exclusive Interview in South Korea

Thongloun Sisoulith

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith gave an exclusive interview in South Korea, and where he said he expects more investment in Laos from South Korean firms.

During the interview with South Korean daily Asia Today, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said that South Korea had assisted Laos over the years in achieving its goal of graduating from least developed country status by 2020. He said that and he is to form a business-friendly environment to attract more South Korean investment in the country.

The following is a full translation of his interview with Asia Today published on December 10. The original text in Korean is available here.

How are Laos and South Korea currently cooperating and what can be done to bolster it?

First of all, I am glad that cooperation between the two countries has been steadily growing since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Mutual visits by high-level officials in various fields, including economic, tourism and labor sector, and cooperation between the two countries is on the rise. The two countries should further develop existing cooperation in areas such as rural development and establishment of modernized ICT systems, manufacturing and product innovation, and human resources development. The government should also create conditions for more talent exchanges.

Another important sector is public health cooperation, which can help reduce the child mortality rate, and improve the health of the people and increase life expectancy.

South Korea and Laos should also cooperate in implementing agreements made by leaders of the two countries.

Which fields are South Korean companies operating in?

Over the past few years, South Korea has contributed to Laos’s social and economic development plan for its goal of becoming a developed country by 2020. So far, more than 100 South Korean companies have already begun running businesses in Laos. South Korea has become the fifth largest investor in Laos. Korean companies are investing in various areas such as energy, tourism, hotels, restaurants, automobiles, banking and finance.

Please tell us about efforts to attract foreign direct investment

The Lao government has come up with policies to create an investment-friendly environment, encouraging investment in all economic sectors at home and abroad. For example, it provides infrastructure and information, taxes, and rights to use labor and land. It also raises awareness of the legal rights of financial access, equal treatment, inheritance and transfer rights, and protects ownership.

The Lao government encourages business and investment in all fields except the those that pose a risk to national security, environment, health or the culture of our people. It also offers special benefits for certain sectors.

What areas of business do you encourage South Korean companies to explore in Laos?

I would suggest high-tech and scientific research, R&D, innovative and environment-friendly technologies, and also areas that use natural resources and energy efficiently. We also encourage clean and non-toxic agriculture, production of plant seeds, animal feed, industrial farms, forestry development, protection of environment and biodiversity, and activities to promote rural development and poverty reduction.

Environmentally friendly agriculture processing industries, traditional handicraft processing industries, and sustainable natural, cultural and historical tourism development industries are also areas that need foreign investment.

Foreign investment is also urgently needed in education and sports human resources, labor technology, vocational training institutions, production of educational and sports equipment, the construction of modern hospitals, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment factories, traditional medicine, reduction of urban traffic congestion, public infrastructure of residential facilities, agricultural and industrial production infrastructure, and transportation services. Modern convention facilities where policy banks and microfinancing institutions can promote themselves, as well as exhibitions promoting world-famous brands or domestic handicrafts and agricultural products, are also necessary.

What is the current assessment of Lao society and economy?

Based on the national characteristics, situation, international environment and national development priorities, the “8th National Social and Economic Development Plan (2016-2020)” and the “Vision 2030 Plan” are in place to achieve sustainable development goals.

Laos is regarded as a developing country with a moderate income that has innovative, natural-friendly and sustainable economic growth. It has an industrial base and a strong basic infrastructure system to support industrialization and modernization.

We follow the socialist market system. We value social justice, peace, and order. The livelihood of the people has improved and solidarity among people is being promoted. The development gap between urban and rural areas is also decreasing. In particular, the country is pushing for human resources development so that anyone can use quality social services. The people’s rights are protected under effective laws, and the administrative system is strengthening to achieve sustainable development goals. Laos is protecting the environment by efficiently utilizing natural resources to ensure sustainability and is also politically stable.

Could you tell us more about the “8th National Social and Economic Development Plan (2016-2020)” and the “Vison 2030 Plan”?

Laos is improving infrastructure to connect with neighboring countries through large-scale projects such as highways, airports, ports, logistics systems, industrial complexes and smart cities, including railways linking China and Laos. The country is also promoting potential industries for future export of textile handcrafted goods such as agricultural products and electricity, minerals, cotton, silk, and wool. It is also making efforts to develop tourist sites, transportation services and other necessary infrastructure related to clean agriculture. To this end, the Lao government is effectively improving its administration and rule of law.

Vietnam to Import More Energy from Laos

Vietnam has decided to import an additional 200 MW of electricity from Laos next year amid possible power shortages.

The country’s decision comes amid concerns that it may suffer energy shortages from 2020.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade estimated that the country would experience a shortage of 3.7 billion kWh in 2021, which will reach its peak of 15 billion kWh in 2023 before halving each year and falling to 3.5 billion kWh in 2025.

VnExpress quoted unnamed officials at the ministry as saying that the only short-term solution to overcome the power shortage is to import from Laos.

The officials cited speeding up work on major power projects as a long-term solution.

In June, Laos agreed to sell 5,000 MW of electricity to Vietnam, in addition to exports of more than 300 MW.

It was expected to supply 1,000 MW by 2020, and both countries were hoping to increase Lao electricity exports to Vietnam to 3,000 MW by 2025 and to more than 5,000 MW by 2030.

Additionally, Laos and Vietnam agreed in August to develop energy and mining projects as well as electricity trading contracts.

Speaking at the 40th Meeting of the Laos-Vietnam Inter-governmental Committee in Vietnam in 2019, Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthirath asked the visiting Vietnamese trade minister to consider the possibility of purchasing power from thermal power projects in Khammouane Province, as well as a wind power project in Sekong Province.

In response, Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Tuan Anh, said Vietnam was willing to cooperate with the Lao side to further boost electricity trade projects.

Kuang Si Falls Named in List of Best Overseas Attractions for Japanese Tourists

Kuang Si Falls Named in List of Best Overseas Attractions for Japanese Tourists
Photo: Jeff Jaquith

Laos’s Kuang Si Falls in Luang Prabang has been named as one of 50 best overseas attractions for Japanese tourists in 2019, a recent survey has shown.

The falls ranked 26th in the list of 50 most popular destinations for Japanese tourists in 2019 compiled by TripAdvisor Japan. It is the first time for a tourist site in Laos to make the list.

TripAdvisor Japan came up with the list based on comments and reviews left on the company’s website.

The list, which included Kuang Si Falls, was topped by Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, followed by St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and La Sagrada Familia in Spain.

In October, Booking.com Japan named Vientiane as the best city for walking tours in Southeast Asia where tourists could explore the city on foot day and night.

At that time, the website said tourists can walk down streets lined with French colonial-style buildings and visit historic sites and monuments such as Pha That Luang.

It added that it was highly recommended to visit night markets near Mekong River when it gets darks where tourists can enjoy many different street foods.

LVMC (Kolao) Acquires GMS Trading in Laos, Eyes New Business

LVMC (Kolao) Acquires GMS Trading in Laos, Eyes New Business

LVMC Holdings, formerly known as Kolao Holdings, has announced that it acquired 100 percent shares in GMS Trading Sole in Laos for USD 357,623.

The move is aimed at pursuing “new business,” the company explained without providing further details.

GMS Trading enjoys businesses in real-estate development and distribution of home appliances and agricultural products in Laos.

LVMC, meanwhile, offers a range of businesses including distribution of global vehicle brands, manufacture and assembly parts, production and sales of motorbikes, car trading, rental service and others.

The company was first established in 1997 in Laos and adopted the brand “Kolao” in 2009 by setting up a holding company. It currently operates in Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Pakistan and Laos.

Thailand Hopes to Attract Affluent Lao Tourists

Thailand Hopes to Attract Affluent Lao Tourists

Thailand will push health and wellness tourism and shopping to attract high-income tourists from Laos.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to team up with Thai private hospitals and Lao influencers to promote the medical segment to high-income Lao tourists, Bangkok Post reported.

TAT will also partner with leading retailers such as Big C Supercenter, Central Group and The Mall Group to offer special deals for Lao customers at cross-border and Bangkok stores for a specified period.

The agency identified politicians, government officers and a new generation of businessmen as the drivers of Thai tourism from Laos. About 100,000 Lao tourists include those with high incomes.

Tourists in this group spend about THB 40,000-50,000 (USD 1320-1650 per) trip per person for a stay of four days, three nights, and they often come for shopping and beauty services. Other types of tourists spend an average of THB 30,000 (USD 990) per trip with the same length of stay, the paper noted.

Affluent Lao tourists usually travel from Vientiane to Thailand by crossing the border at Nong Khai province. Some visit the city of Udon Thani in Thailand before heading to other destinations such as Bangkok or Phuket.

Thailand saw a record-high 2 million visitors from Los in the first 11 months of this year, generating THB 50 billion (USD 1.64 billion). TAT believes the figure would grow by 5 percent from the previous year and 8 percent next year.