Laos welcomed nearly 3.8 million international tourists in the first ten months of 2025, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
In figures released on 7 December, the Tourism Development Department confirmed that ASEAN nations dominated visitor arrivals, comprising 60.84 percent of the total. Thailand spearheaded regional tourism with 1,236,626 arrivals, trailed by Vietnam at 959,575, China at 914,194, South Korea at 151,010, and Russia at 60,598.
Nature-based and cultural heritage sites emerged as key magnets for travelers, with Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Luang Prabang, Khammouane, and Champasack registering the strongest visitor footfall.
Luang Prabang also witnessed remarkable growth, hosting over 2.15 million tourists both domestic and international in just the first seven months of 2025, an 83.8 percent leap from 2024.
The UNESCO heritage town gained even more international attention when Lonely Planet named it Asia’s top destination for 2025, praising its history, temples, markets, and eco-friendly tourism.
In 2024, Laos received over 4.1 million tourists, generating USD 1.1 billion in revenue. The country now aims to exceed its 2025 target of 4.3 million international tourists by year-end.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webp00Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-12-09 14:08:072025-12-09 14:08:11International Tourism in Laos Surges 13 Percent in First 10 Months of 2025
Construction of the first railway linking Laos and Vietnam is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the line expected to become operational by 2030, officials announced at the Lao–Vietnam Investment Promotion Conference 2025 in Vientiane on 3 December.
The strategic route will connect Vientiane to Vietnam’s Vung Ang Port, giving Laos critical access to maritime trade routes for the first time. The project is being implemented as a public–private partnership between Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company (PTL) and Vietnam’s Deo Ca Group JSC.
PTL Founder and Director-General Chanthone Sitthixay said Laos has completed about 90 percent of preparatory work, including fundraising, feasibility studies, site surveys, design, and environmental assessments. Construction on the Lao section is scheduled to begin in 2026.
Vietnam is currently conducting economic evaluations and initial design work, with its construction phase set to start in 2027. Both governments aim to complete the railway and commence operations by 2030.
The line will cover 452 kilometres within Laos and 119 kilometres in Vietnam, terminating at Vung Ang seaport in Ha Tinh province. The total investment is estimated at USD 6.6 billion.
The project also grants Laos priority access to Wharves No. 1, 2 and 3 at Vung Ang Port. Wharf No. 3, inaugurated on 28 April, can handle large cargo ships and process over two million tonnes of goods annually, raising the port’s total capacity to more than six million tonnes.
Officials say the railway is expected to boost regional logistics, reduce transport costs, and deepen economic cooperation between the two neighbouring states.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wp.png6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-12-08 11:58:572025-12-08 11:59:01Laos–Vietnam Railway Construction to Begin in 2026, Operations Targeted for 2030
The Laos-China Railway (LCR) marked four years of operation on 3 December, highlighting its transformative role in turning Laos from a “landlocked” nation into a “land-linked” regional transport hub since its launch in 2021.
The railway, as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has transported over 62.5 million passengers and carried more than 72.5 million tons of cargo so far, state media reported.
Cargo Operations Expand Dramatically
Railway cargo operations have expanded significantly, growing from 2 to 23 daily routes over the past four years. The network has transported over 60,000 cargo trips, delivering goods to 19 countries and regions including Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. More than 3,800 types of goods are now transported along the railway corridor.
Advanced digital cargo stations and streamlined customs procedures have improved efficiency, slashing transit times from 40 hours to just 2 to 5 hours. Transport costs have fallen by 30 to 50 percent, making the route increasingly competitive for regional trade.
In a milestone for agricultural exports, Laos shipped its first full train load of 1,000 tons of locally produced cassava starch to China via the LCR on 29 November.
Tourism and Passenger Services Surge
International passenger services have also expanded substantially, with train capacity increasing from 250 to 420 seats per trip. Travelling times are now over 15 hours shorter compared to road travel, benefiting tourism, education, and cross-border business activities.
The railway has connected popular destinations including Kunming and Xishuangbanna in China with Luang Prabang and Vientiane in Laos, spurring development of hotels, restaurants, and markets along the route.
Regional Integration
On a similar development on 2 December, Laos and Thailand have just opened a freight train route connecting Thanaleng Dry Port in Vientiane Capital with Thailand’s Nong Khai Station. Future expansion plans include the Laos-Thailand Railway , which will connect to the LCR through a planned new railway bridge crossing the Mekong River between Vientiane and Nong Khai, set to become the second friendship bridge linking the two cities.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/LCR.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-12-05 14:34:542025-12-05 14:35:01Laos-China Railway Marks Fourth Anniversary with Record Growth
International Tourism in Laos Surges 13 Percent in First 10 Months of 2025
Laos welcomed nearly 3.8 million international tourists in the first ten months of 2025, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
In figures released on 7 December, the Tourism Development Department confirmed that ASEAN nations dominated visitor arrivals, comprising 60.84 percent of the total. Thailand spearheaded regional tourism with 1,236,626 arrivals, trailed by Vietnam at 959,575, China at 914,194, South Korea at 151,010, and Russia at 60,598.
Nature-based and cultural heritage sites emerged as key magnets for travelers, with Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Luang Prabang, Khammouane, and Champasack registering the strongest visitor footfall.
Luang Prabang also witnessed remarkable growth, hosting over 2.15 million tourists both domestic and international in just the first seven months of 2025, an 83.8 percent leap from 2024.
The UNESCO heritage town gained even more international attention when Lonely Planet named it Asia’s top destination for 2025, praising its history, temples, markets, and eco-friendly tourism.
In 2024, Laos received over 4.1 million tourists, generating USD 1.1 billion in revenue. The country now aims to exceed its 2025 target of 4.3 million international tourists by year-end.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/12/09/international-tourism-in-laos-surges-13-percent-in-first-10-months-of-2025/
Laos–Vietnam Railway Construction to Begin in 2026, Operations Targeted for 2030
Construction of the first railway linking Laos and Vietnam is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the line expected to become operational by 2030, officials announced at the Lao–Vietnam Investment Promotion Conference 2025 in Vientiane on 3 December.
The strategic route will connect Vientiane to Vietnam’s Vung Ang Port, giving Laos critical access to maritime trade routes for the first time. The project is being implemented as a public–private partnership between Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company (PTL) and Vietnam’s Deo Ca Group JSC.
PTL Founder and Director-General Chanthone Sitthixay said Laos has completed about 90 percent of preparatory work, including fundraising, feasibility studies, site surveys, design, and environmental assessments. Construction on the Lao section is scheduled to begin in 2026.
Vietnam is currently conducting economic evaluations and initial design work, with its construction phase set to start in 2027. Both governments aim to complete the railway and commence operations by 2030.
The line will cover 452 kilometres within Laos and 119 kilometres in Vietnam, terminating at Vung Ang seaport in Ha Tinh province. The total investment is estimated at USD 6.6 billion.
The project also grants Laos priority access to Wharves No. 1, 2 and 3 at Vung Ang Port. Wharf No. 3, inaugurated on 28 April, can handle large cargo ships and process over two million tonnes of goods annually, raising the port’s total capacity to more than six million tonnes.
Officials say the railway is expected to boost regional logistics, reduce transport costs, and deepen economic cooperation between the two neighbouring states.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/12/07/laos-vietnam-railway-construction-to-begin-in-2026-operations-targeted-for-2030/
Laos-China Railway Marks Fourth Anniversary with Record Growth
The Laos-China Railway (LCR) marked four years of operation on 3 December, highlighting its transformative role in turning Laos from a “landlocked” nation into a “land-linked” regional transport hub since its launch in 2021.
The railway, as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has transported over 62.5 million passengers and carried more than 72.5 million tons of cargo so far, state media reported.
Cargo Operations Expand Dramatically
Railway cargo operations have expanded significantly, growing from 2 to 23 daily routes over the past four years. The network has transported over 60,000 cargo trips, delivering goods to 19 countries and regions including Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. More than 3,800 types of goods are now transported along the railway corridor.
Advanced digital cargo stations and streamlined customs procedures have improved efficiency, slashing transit times from 40 hours to just 2 to 5 hours. Transport costs have fallen by 30 to 50 percent, making the route increasingly competitive for regional trade.
In a milestone for agricultural exports, Laos shipped its first full train load of 1,000 tons of locally produced cassava starch to China via the LCR on 29 November.
Tourism and Passenger Services Surge
International passenger services have also expanded substantially, with train capacity increasing from 250 to 420 seats per trip. Travelling times are now over 15 hours shorter compared to road travel, benefiting tourism, education, and cross-border business activities.
The railway has connected popular destinations including Kunming and Xishuangbanna in China with Luang Prabang and Vientiane in Laos, spurring development of hotels, restaurants, and markets along the route.
Regional Integration
On a similar development on 2 December, Laos and Thailand have just opened a freight train route connecting Thanaleng Dry Port in Vientiane Capital with Thailand’s Nong Khai Station. Future expansion plans include the Laos-Thailand Railway , which will connect to the LCR through a planned new railway bridge crossing the Mekong River between Vientiane and Nong Khai, set to become the second friendship bridge linking the two cities.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/12/04/laos-china-railway-marks-fourth-anniversary-with-record-growth/