Lao Telecom has launched the country’s first eSIM activation service by teaming up with 10T Tech, an eSIM Solutions Company based in Hong Kong.
The new service allows Lao smartphone owners with the latest Apple iPhones and iPads and Google Pixel 3a and 4 devices to sign up for Lao Telecom’s pre and post-paid mobile plans by visiting their local service center to download and activate the eSIM profile, according to a statement by 10T Tech.
The term “eSIM” refers to an embedded SIM card. There are no physical SIM cards involved and no physical swapping over required. It is a small chip inside a phone and works in a similar way to the NFC chip that’s used for payment technologies such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
eSIM needs to be supported by the network or carrier and enabled by them, while not all networks support eSIM as yet.
Apple has turned to eSIM for the iPad Pro, Apple Watch Series 3 and Watch Series 4 and Series 5 as well as dual SIM support for the iPhone XS and XS Max and iPhone XR as well as the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max.
Google’s Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL and new Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL do as well.
Lao Telecom’s move came after the company announced in October that it began trialing its 5G system, becoming the first player in Laos to do so.
Lao Telecom is the first integrated telecommunications provider in Laos. Since 1996, the company has offered wire-line and wireless services to 3.5 million people across the country.
In 2011, the company officially launched 4G network, becoming the first company to provide the system in the country and the second nation to do so in Southeast Asia.
The company also began operating 4.5G services in Vientiane at the beginning of 2017 and then expanded services to the provinces.
Reports from Hongsa, Xayaboury Province suggest that yesterday’s earthquake has caused considerable damage to property in the district.
Hongsa District has seen severe damage in some localities following the 5.7 magnitude earthquake which struck near Xayaboury Province at 4am yesterday morning.
A temple damaged by the earthquake
The earthquake has damaged various structures, including residential properties. Many villagers spent the night under makeshift tents, afraid to re-enter their homes.
Villagers spend the night in makeshift tents
Ms. Bounphak Inthapanya, Deputy Governor of Xayaboury Province, stated in an interview with the Vientiane Times that the earthquake caused damage to property, and large aftershocks were felt in every district of the province.
According to Head of Hongsa District Office, Mr Lae Onsomboun, thirteen homes and four temples suffered damage in several villages across the district.
Fortunately only two residents minor sustained injuries as a result of the quake, however, structural damages has yet to be fully assessed.
Hongsa Power Company reported that their power plant located in Hongsa District was mostly unaffected, however systems have been taken offline temporarily as a safety precaution.
The company has been undertaking an assessment of its peripheral operations, and thus far has not encountered any major damage, hoping to resume operations within 24 hours.
Tremors from yesterday’s earthquake were reportedly felt as far as Vientiane and Bangkok.
The Japanese city of Kumamoto has said it will increase its promotional efforts for new routes that connect the city and Laos amid a drop in the number of passengers who use the city’s airport.
Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau gave the green light in October for Lao Airlines to launch two new routes connecting the Lao capital of Vientiane and the resort town of Luang Prabang with Kumamoto. New routes will be launched on March 18, 2020.
During an interview with local press, an unnamed city official stressed the importance of the new routes to Laos, adding that the city would try its best to attract more visitors to and from Laos.
A total of 7,161 people used the city airport in September, a 41.7 percent drop from the same month last year.
The official cited the stalled relationship between Japan and South Korea and the ongoing protest in Hong Kong as the main reasons that might have contributed to the decrease.
The number of passengers who used routes to South Korean decreased by 24.2 percent from June to September, while that for Hong Kong dropped 19.8 percent during the same period, according to the city.
Kualao Restaurant, recognized as one of the country’s most popular authentic Lao food restaurants, celebrates its 25th anniversary in business by launching two fully renovated function rooms on the 2nd floor of the restaurant side compound, with a new and modern look.
“It has been a decade since we’ve last made major renovations to the function halls. We felt it was time that Kualao’s physical infrastructure be commensurate with the quality of its food,” says Dalaphone Pholsena, the second-generation owner of the beloved restaurant.
The Kinnaly Room, which is the larger of the two rooms, can accommodate up to 300 persons. It has often been used for small-sized weddings, cocktail receptions, gala dinners, and luncheons.
Kualao’s hostesses pose at the center of the large function room, Kinnari Hall (front stage area in background)Kualao’s hostesses pose at the center of the large function room (back area in background)
The smaller function room is frequently utilized by organizers to host signing ceremonies, small conferences, lectures, and training workshops.
Both rooms received a full makeover, featuring new ceilings, flooring, curtains and lighting and other electrical works. Each function room is now equipped with a brand new sound system, LCD screens, a projector, and hi-speed wifi internet routers.
Small function room (bar area in background)
Small function room (bar area in background)
“I love the new look and feel of the place. We celebrated the one year anniversary of our inflight magazine, Champa Meuanglao, in the Kinnaly room. You get to enjoy the local authentic cuisine in a modern setting and we really appreciated how Kualao specially designed an exquisite finger food menu just for our occasion,” says Cameron Darke, Senior Partner of RDK Group.
Finger Food Menu Display at Champa Meuanglao Magazine One-Year AnniversaryKao Poon Jeow Keeng (Lao white noodles in ginger sauce)Jeo Mak Len (Lao tomato dip)Mini spring rolls, purple sticky rice, crispy rice and pork katong thong in banana leaf boatNam Khao Wrapped In LeafFresh seasonal fruits served in pineapple shellsPurple dragon fruitsMango & sticky rice crepes
Mrs. Pholsena believes that the newly refurbished dining halls are ready to serve guests from around the world as the country prepares new avenues to welcome more tourists and play host to international meetings and conferences.
“As Laos is moving fast and is constantly evolving, we need to keep up with the times and meet our guests’ new expectations in terms of product delivery and facilities.”
“That’s why we had completely revamped our two function rooms to offer our guests new environments, all the while cherishing what has made Kualao so successful all these years, our high-quality Lao food and our family-friendly approach to serving all our guests,” says Pholsena.
Speaker gives presentation at Cultural Studies Series lecture. The CSS hosts monthly lectures at Kualao’s small function room.Guests listen attentively at a Cultural Studies Series lecture.LuxDev organises online reputation management seminar for Lao businesses as part of their Skills for Tourism ProjectLaos-based private company hosts traditional Baci Soukwan ceremony to welcome foreign business partnersGovernment entities host dinner parties and typically invite guests to “lamvong” (Lao traditional dance) to the musicGuests mingling at the one-year anniversary of Lao Airlines official inflight magazine, Champa Meuanglao
2019 saw Kualao reach its 25th birthday. The restaurant has served thousands of authentic Lao dishes to locals and tourists and welcomed dozens of foreign dignitaries and celebrities. It has helped to organize countless authentic Baci Soukwan ceremonies, where guests are welcomed or bid farewell to in traditional Lao fashion.
Kualao now offers a complete package for all Lao authentic food lovers, from dining in the French colonial restaurant atmosphere to organizing events in any of its two redesigned halls.
About Kualao
Established in 1994, Kualao is Vientiane’s most popular, upscale authentic Lao food restaurant, where both local and visiting diners bask in an ambience that flawlessly reincarnates the romantic and sophisticated atmosphere of early colonial French Indochina. Kualao is discreetly, and conveniently, nestled on the corner of the city’s landmark That Dam Intersection, which is known for the famous ‘Black Shrine’ stupa that sits at the center of the nearby roundabout. For more details, please visit the official website.
For general inquiries, please send an email to contact@kualaorestaurant.com. For reservations, please send an email to reservation@kualaorestaurant.com.
Best WesternHotels & Resorts continues to introduce its innovative SureStay Hotel Group to exciting new destinations across Asia with the opening of a new property at the heart of Vientiane in Laos.
Opening its doors in December 2019, SureStay Hotel by Best Western Vientiane is located in the center of the Lao capital, a short stroll from the banks of the Mekong River and the city’s lively Walking Street. Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport is just a 15-minute drive away.
The launch of this hotel will introduce international service standards to the premium economy hotel sector in Vientiane. Designed with a blend of classical Lao art deco and French colonial styles, SureStay Hotel by Best Western Vientiane will comprise 68 rooms and suites, all featuring sleep-inducing beds, refreshing bathrooms, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Each day starts with breakfast at the onsite restaurant, while the Sure Spa and top floor fitness center offer a variety of ways to unwind during the day. The biz corner in the lobby is perfect for guests who need to stay connected – including corporate travelers. Then, as the sun sets, the Tipsy Elephant Rooftop Bar promises cool drinks and stunning views over the mighty Mekong.
“We could not wish for a better way to introduce SureStay Hotel Group to Laos. With its prime downtown location in the country’s capital city, surrounded by key tourist sites, SureStay Hotel by Best Western Vientiane puts guests in the heart of the action. This desirable location is complemented by elegant décor and amenities for business and leisure travelers. We look forward to introducing a new era of accommodation to Vientiane,” said Olivier Berrivin, Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.
Vientiane is a captivating destination that blends the grace and charm of Indochina with European influences. Visitors can discover a series of enticing attractions, including Patuxai Arch, which resembles the Arc de Triomphe, the spectacular golden stupa of Pha That Luang, and Wat Si Saket, which houses more than 2,000 Buddhist statues. Alternatively, Walking Street and the riverside Night Market are great places to stroll, shop for souvenirs or simply soak up the enchanting ambiance, which feels much more relaxed than many other Asian capitals.
Laos is becoming increasingly popular among international travelers; according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism, 2.2 million people visited the country in the first six months of this year, up 5% year-on-year.
SureStay Hotel by Best Western Vientiane will become the fourth operational SureStay® hotel in Asia, following SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Sukhumvit 2 in Bangkok, Thailand; SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Shin-Osaka in Japan; and SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western AC LUXE Angeles City in the Philippines. SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Cebu City is also scheduled to open its doors in March 2020.
Launched in October 2016, SureStay Hotel Group is already celebrating more than 260 properties globally, making it one of the fastest-growing brands in the hotel industry today. No matter which SureStay hotel travelers choose, they will enjoy consistent levels of quality, comfort, cleanliness and service guarantee, all at an affordable price.
Best Western will now seek further opportunities to introduce this forward-thinking brand to even more locations across Asia and worldwide.
The Honorary Consulate of Hungary in Laos has announced the opening of applications to study in Hungary for the year 2020-2021, a program called Stipendium Hungarium (SH). Applications have been open since November 15, 2019. The deadline for potential applicants is January 15, 2020.
Hungary provides high-quality education in the heart of Europe. Today, there is a growing demand among international students to study in Hungary. Apart from the excellent education and degrees recognised throughout Europe and beyond, potential and existing scholars appreciate the highly affordable living costs with an extremely favorable cost-to-value ratio, a safe and friendly living environment with convenient public transportation, the country’s centrality within Europe, unspoiled natural beauties combined with a 1000 year-old, rich history featuring several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Hungary is among the top countries with the highest number of scientific Nobel Prize Winners per capita, and the bithplace of a number of scientific inventions from Vitamin C to Rubik’s cube and so on.
Each year, thousands of students from all around the world apply for higher educational studies in Hungary. The number of Stipendium Hungaricum scholarships has steadily increased to keep pace with the growing number of applicants every year.
In the 2018/2019 round of applications, more than 4100 scholarships were awarded. In the academic year 2019/2020 more than 5000 students can begin their studies in Hungary in the framework of the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme, which is managed by the Tempus Public Foundation.
There are currently 100 scholarships available to Lao students.
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program was launched in 2013 and is based on bilateral educational cooperation agreements signed between the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and the Government of Hungary. The core mission of the program is to increase the number of foreign students in Hungary and to encourage Hungarian higher education institutions to attract the best of foreign students. The Programme is managed by the Tempus Public Foundation.
Unitel has won the Speedtest Awards for mobile network speed during the second and third quarter of 2019.
Ookla, the owner of the speedtest.net website, compared user-initiated tests taken on the Speedtest iOS and Android mobile apps from all the major mobile carriers in Laos during the award period to determine who showed the fastest mobile network speeds.
To win the award, Unitel achieved a speed score of 32.62, with average download speeds of 33.43 Mbps for download and 17.30 Mbps for upload.
Unitel demonstrated consistently higher speeds across networks in Vientiane, Pakse, and Luang Prabang.
Under the Speedtest.net scoring system, Unitel took first place, followed by Lao Telecom, ETL, and TPLUS.
According to a statement on the Ookla website, Speedtest.net, “solely considers top carriers (all carriers with 3% or more of total test samples in the market for the period). We then determine the fastest carrier using Speed Score which incorporates a measure of each provider’s download and upload speed to rank network speed performance.”
The Speedtest fastest mobile award report is available here.
Unitel recently conducted 5G tests in Laos, becoming the second player to do so after state-owned Lao Telecom.
The Don Sahong Hydropower Project on the Mekong River in Champasack Province has officially come online.
Turbines have now entered commercial operations, according to Chinese construction contractor, Sinohydro Corp Ltd.
The US 401 million hydropower project, near Khone Falls in Champasack Province, was completed 48 days ahead of schedule, according to the developer, Malaysia’s Mega First Corp Bhd, after construction began in January 2016.
Investors in the project include Mega First, with an 80 percent share, while Laos’s EDL-GEN holds the remaining 20 percent.
Tests were carried out last month on the electricity generators at the installation, indicating that the project was almost complete.
The Don Sahong Dam is a run-of-the-river dam at the downstream end of the Hou Sahong channel between Don Sahong and Don Sadam islands. It has an installed capacity of 260 MW.
Power generated at the facility is to be exported to Thailand and Cambodia.
