Laos and Vietnam plan to jointly promote tourism through various activities aimed at drawing more visitors to the two countries.Senior officials from Laos’ four southern provinces and the central and southern provinces of Vietnam, as well as tourism-related business operators, recently discussed the initiative at ...

The government has entrusted a taskforce committee to take further action to strictly regulate wood processing businesses and clamp down on illegal logging after learning that issues continue to exist. The assignment was made after the cabinet was briefed at the government monthly meeting for ...

The government is on track to achieve 49 percent of its annual revenue collection plan by the end of this month despite facing a number of economic challenges, according to a new official report.The Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Souphanh Keomixay, this week unveiled ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Laos and Hungary signed an agreement last week to further strengthen their cooperation in food safety.The agreement was signed during a visit to Hungary by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone, who is also Minister of Planning and Investment, according to ...

Reports by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) show that the floodwaters from the Lao dam collapse didn’t have a major effect upon Cambodia when compared to ordinary rainfall. Initial and preliminary analysis for the extent of the water level rise in Stung Treng due to the ...

According to the Lao Trade Portal, the country recorded a trade deficit of USD 23 million in December, which is considerably lower than the trade deficits of USD 45 million and USD 230 million reported in November and October, respectively.The overall value of trade hit USD ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – The Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) yesterday announced the sale of US dollar savings bonds, offering new investment opportunities and attractive returns.According to a press release obtained by the Vientiane Times from the central bank’s website, the US dollar denominated ...

More than 70 government officials gathered in Vientiane yesterday to review results, progress and challenges in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.The annual meeting of the National Steering Committee for Sustainable Development Goals Implementation in Laos until 2030 ...

The government has committed to continued efforts in improving the nation’s business climate as it plans to diversify the economic base and secure sustainable growth.More ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – While authorities have made some progress Laos still faces challenges in addressing the problem of foreign workers who don’t have legal documentation.Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Dr. Khampheng Saysompheng, made the comment at a recent meeting addressing the issue of ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – More clean and green services and interesting tourist activities are key factors to sustain hotel and guesthouse bookings into the future after recent fluctuating fortunes.While service is not such an issue for firms engaged in the hotel industry, inconsistent bookings are ...

Provinces across the country reported mixed results in the number of visitors over Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) with some places attracting more than last year while other locations saw a dip in tourist numbers.Head of the Vangvieng district Information, Culture and Tourism office, ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – As the Lao economy continues to record impressive annual growth of 6 percent to 7 percent, numerous foreign firms in the construction materials sector are now keen to expand their operations.The Lao government is currently working to improve the business environment ...

Many Lao villagers who were forced to relocate for construction on the Laos-China railway are still waiting for compensation from the government, while others who have received payments say the payments are much lower than they had expected.The railway project linking landlocked Laos with China ...

A Chinese development project in Laos has been suspended indefinitely after pushback from local villagers and merchants.In mid-January, developers had begun initial surveys in Phoudindeng, Huai Sa-ngoa and Pakpo villages, located near scenic Vang Vieng, about four hours north of Vientiane.More ...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Health and representatives of United Nations agencies gathered last week to vaccinate pets against rabies, to mark World Rabies Day which falls on September 28.The vaccinations, under the theme of this year’s global event “Rabies: Vaccinate to ...

SK E&C attempted to earn excessive profits with changes to the format and design of a dam in Laos that eventually collapsed last July, an internal document confirmed on Oct. 14. Indeed, the heights of the collapsed dam and other auxiliary dams handled by SK ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Laos and Hungary will waive the visa requirement for each other’s diplomatic or service passport holders as of September 9, allowing passport holders from either country to stay in the host country for a period of 90 days without a visa.The ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Gold mining processes used by the Vangtat Mining Company Limited in Sanxay district, Attapeu province, and Dakcheung district, Xekong province, have been upgraded with the signing of a new agreement.The agreement was signed in Vientiane on Monday between the General Director ...

National University of Laos (NUOL) students and 30 young leaders of Singapore are participating in the Temasek Foundation International Specialists’ Community Action and Leadership Exchange (TFI SCALE) Programme in Vientiane from September 7-21.The Lao students, senior officers, staff and students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic of ...