Vientiane Times
Historic cross-border passenger trains travel between Vientiane and Kunming
The first train (named Lane Xang) making a direct journey from Vientiane to Kunming in China on the Laos-China railway left the Lao capital on Thursday morning. The launch of the direct cross-border service took place in Vientiane and at the Boten border checkpoint in ...
Times Reporters
Champassak bans planting of soil-degrading crops in Pakxong
A new directive issued by Champassak authorities has banned the cultivation of crops and trees that are likely to deteriorate soil quality in the coffee-rich Pakxong district, part of the Bolaven Plateau. The banned crops include cassava, large bananas (kuay hom), Jatropha, and eucalyptus.A 12-page ...
Times Reporters
January inflation rate soars to new high of 40.3 percent
Year-on-year inflation in Laos jumped to 40.3 percent in January, the highest rate in 23 years, according to the latest report from the Lao Statistics Bureau. The government is attempting to curb the rising cost of goods and services but prices are showing no signs ...
Somsack Pongkhao
Customs payments on freight rise steeply at Boten border crossing
The amount of revenue collected from tariffs/fees paid at the Boten International Customs Checkpoint on the Laos-China border exceeded 661.5 billion kip in 2022, which was 28.33 percent more than the target figure. Head of the Boten International Customs Checkpoint, Mr Vilakone Kettavong, recently attributed ...
Somsack Pongkhao
Phuan ethnic group revives long forgotten stupa festival
Xieng Khuang province is awash with development and is creating new tourist attractions in particular, most of which have historical and cultural connections. The province’s Khoun district is the original home of the Phuan people and is famous for its prosperity in times gone by. But ...
Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
The World Bank Group Board adopts a new Country Partnership Framework to support Laos in efforts to stabilise its economy.
The World Bank Group Board of Executive Directors has discussed a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2023-2026 to support Laos in efforts to stabilise its economy, share the benefits of economic growth more equitably, and sustain development progress. The CPF, a programme of project finance ...
Times Reporters
Money exchange units banned from selling foreign currency
Money exchange units that represent commercial banks are now prohibited from selling foreign currency, according to the Bank of the Lao PDR. Became effective on October 11, the ban supports the government’s attempts to give commercial banks a greater role in the purchase and sale ...
Times Reporters
Laos launches pilot tourist digital platform
Digital transformation is not an option but is a must for the Lao tourism sector next year due to the expected surge in the number of tourists from China.This was the main message of a meeting held in Vientiane on Wednesday to discuss a pilot ...
Times Reporters
Tropical storm Noru claims life of Sekong resident
Floods in Xekong province caused by tropical storm Noru have left one person dead, while thousands of people in the south have been affected by widespread flooding after heavy rain lashed the area from September 27-30.Some 28 villages in Xekong province were inundated, while electricity ...
Times Reporters
Tourism ministry eyes partnership with online travel services operator
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is considering partnering with Booknea Inc., an online Lao travel agency, to foster the growth of tourism by advertising services through the Booknea app. “Using this app, we will publish, advertise and circulate information about the travel industry ...
Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth