On 3 June, seven international and one local company submitted preliminary qualification documents for the Luang Prabang International Airport Improvement and Development Project, a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative to operate, upgrade, and expand the airport.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport will evaluate the submissions according to the criteria set out in the Request for Qualification (RFQ). It will soon announce which companies have passed the full qualification assessment.
RFQ is a pre-screening document used to evaluate the capabilities and experience of potential vendors or suppliers before inviting them to submit a full proposal or bid. It emphasizes qualifications and past performance rather than pricing, helping to identify those best suited for the project.
This initiative aims to renovate Laos’s second busiest international airport, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting the growth of the tourism industry both locally and regionally.
The companies submitting documents include China National Aerospace Engineering Technology Corporation (CAIEC) from China, Jalux Inc from Japan, Yunnan Infrastructure Investment Co., Ltd from China, Limak from Turkey, China Road and Bridge Corporation from China, Korea Airports Corporation from South Korea, Muhiban Engineering (M) BHD from Malaysia, and Phongsavanh Group from Laos.
Van Dilaphan, Director General of the Department of Planning and Finance at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said the ministry will carefully review all pre-qualification documents and then announce the qualified bidders who will proceed to the next stage, submitting detailed technical and financial proposals.
She emphasized that this step brings the project closer to transforming Luang Prabang International Airport into a modern gateway that will drive national infrastructure development and boost the country’s tourism sector.
The submission of preliminary qualification documents is the second phase following the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage. The ministry plans to invite qualified companies to submit their full proposals by the end of June 2025, with the open competitive bidding process expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The project is a government priority focused on upgrading airport operations to foster tourism growth and improve regional connectivity in Laos and the broader region.
Luang Prabang International Airport serves as the main gateway to the city of Luang Prabang in northern Laos.
The airport underwent major upgrades in 2013 with the opening of a new terminal to accommodate growing tourism and rising international traffic. Located just 4 kilometers from the city center, it remains easily accessible for travelers.
It features a single asphalt runway and a terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. With a capacity of around 1.5 million passengers per year, the airport offers essential amenities such as restaurants, shops, and visa-on-arrival services.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Luang-Prabang-International-Airport-.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-06-20 00:40:002025-06-13 12:42:43Eight Companies Vie to Renovate Luang Prabang International Airport
LOCA, a homegrown ride-hailing startup from Laos, is raising the bar for safety, sustainability, and digital convenience in the country’s transport sector.
Built with a strong focus on passenger protection, LOCA ensures that every driver on the platform passes a mandatory in-person exam and training session, along with a comprehensive background check.
To further protect its users, LOCA includes insurance coverage for every ride, offering up to LAK 500 million (around USD 53,000) in case of any unforeseen accidents, covering both customers and drivers.
Founded in 2018, LOCA has quickly grown to become a trusted mobility platform, setting itself apart through a strict driver onboard process, compliance, innovation, and a deep commitment to user safety and service quality.
With a growing reputation among international visitors, LOCA has become the most trusted transportation platform for more than 400,000 tourists traveling in Laos. One of the key reasons for this trust is the company’s 24/7 human call center, providing real-time support and peace of mind to riders.
Additionally, LOCA remains the only ride-hailing service in the market that allows direct credit card payments for bookings, eliminating the need for cash and creating a smooth, hassle-free travel experience.
According to LOCA CEO Souliyo Vongdala, the company places a strong priority on safety and tax compliance, ensuring that all stakeholders—from drivers to government agencies—can benefit from the platform’s growth.
To promote transparency, LOCA clearly states how each trip supports national development: drivers on the platform pay a 5 percent income tax, while the company pays 10 percent value-added tax (VAT) and 20 percent profit tax. This ensures that every ride not only supports the driver and company but also contributes to public revenue and national infrastructure.
Beyond safety and compliance, LOCA is leading the way in the country’s electric vehicle transition. The company currently has over 1,000 active drivers, with approximately 90% of them operating fully electric vehicles. This shift aligns with LOCA’s broader commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels.
LOCA’s efforts are further backed by heavy investment in EV infrastructure. As of today, LOCA has built and operates 47 fast-charging stations across Laos, making it the country’s largest EV charging network. These stations are not limited to Vientiane Capital but extend nationwide, supporting the growing number of EV drivers and helping pave the way toward a cleaner, greener Laos.
Every ride with LOCA is more than just a trip—it’s a contribution to safer transport, fair economic participation, and the national transition toward green mobility. By choosing LOCA, customers are directly supporting local drivers, a responsible Lao company, and the government through tax contributions, while also playing an active role in building a more sustainable future for Laos.
The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the United States Department of State has classified Lao as a “moderately difficult” language for native English speakers to learn. It falls under Category III, alongside languages such as Hungarian, Russian, and Thai.
Based on decades of research and experience training American diplomats, the FSI’s research noted that Category III languages typically involve significant linguistic and cultural differences from English.
Learners usually require about 44 weeks, or approximately 1,100 classroom hours, to achieve professional working proficiency in Lao.
Other Category III languages include Hindi, Vietnamese, and Thai. Lao and Thai, in particular, are often compared due to their similarities, they are both tonal languages, have related writing systems, and share similar grammar and vocabulary.
However, while Thai is often considered more accessible for self-learners thanks to the wide availability of learning materials, Lao presents an additional challenge due to the relative scarcity of study resources outside of Laos.
As a result, learners often benefit more from immersive experiences, such as studying the language within Laos. Some report that, in a native environment, Lao can even be slightly easier to learn than Thai.
The FSI also designates a Category IV, which includes Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese, and Korean.
These languages are regarded as exceptionally difficult for English speakers, typically requiring 88 weeks or 2,200 classroom hours to master. Contributing factors include unfamiliar writing systems, such as Chinese characters and Japanese kanji, tonal pronunciation, and complex grammar structures.
The FSI’s language classification system is widely used as a practical guide for English speakers, particularly those pursuing careers in diplomacy, international development, or global business.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lao-Language-Ranked-Moderately-Difficult-by-US-Foreign-Service-Institute.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-06-18 05:50:002025-06-05 17:52:09Lao Language Ranked ‘Moderately Difficult’ by US Foreign Service Institute
Eight Companies Vie to Renovate Luang Prabang International Airport
On 3 June, seven international and one local company submitted preliminary qualification documents for the Luang Prabang International Airport Improvement and Development Project, a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative to operate, upgrade, and expand the airport.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport will evaluate the submissions according to the criteria set out in the Request for Qualification (RFQ). It will soon announce which companies have passed the full qualification assessment.
RFQ is a pre-screening document used to evaluate the capabilities and experience of potential vendors or suppliers before inviting them to submit a full proposal or bid. It emphasizes qualifications and past performance rather than pricing, helping to identify those best suited for the project.
This initiative aims to renovate Laos’s second busiest international airport, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting the growth of the tourism industry both locally and regionally.
The companies submitting documents include China National Aerospace Engineering Technology Corporation (CAIEC) from China, Jalux Inc from Japan, Yunnan Infrastructure Investment Co., Ltd from China, Limak from Turkey, China Road and Bridge Corporation from China, Korea Airports Corporation from South Korea, Muhiban Engineering (M) BHD from Malaysia, and Phongsavanh Group from Laos.
Van Dilaphan, Director General of the Department of Planning and Finance at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said the ministry will carefully review all pre-qualification documents and then announce the qualified bidders who will proceed to the next stage, submitting detailed technical and financial proposals.
She emphasized that this step brings the project closer to transforming Luang Prabang International Airport into a modern gateway that will drive national infrastructure development and boost the country’s tourism sector.
The submission of preliminary qualification documents is the second phase following the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage. The ministry plans to invite qualified companies to submit their full proposals by the end of June 2025, with the open competitive bidding process expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The project is a government priority focused on upgrading airport operations to foster tourism growth and improve regional connectivity in Laos and the broader region.
Luang Prabang International Airport serves as the main gateway to the city of Luang Prabang in northern Laos.
The airport underwent major upgrades in 2013 with the opening of a new terminal to accommodate growing tourism and rising international traffic. Located just 4 kilometers from the city center, it remains easily accessible for travelers.
It features a single asphalt runway and a terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. With a capacity of around 1.5 million passengers per year, the airport offers essential amenities such as restaurants, shops, and visa-on-arrival services.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/06/07/eight-companies-vie-to-renovate-luang-prabang-international-airport/
LOCA Drives Change: Ride with Safety, Sustainability, and Smart Mobility
LOCA, a homegrown ride-hailing startup from Laos, is raising the bar for safety, sustainability, and digital convenience in the country’s transport sector.
Built with a strong focus on passenger protection, LOCA ensures that every driver on the platform passes a mandatory in-person exam and training session, along with a comprehensive background check.
To further protect its users, LOCA includes insurance coverage for every ride, offering up to LAK 500 million (around USD 53,000) in case of any unforeseen accidents, covering both customers and drivers.
Founded in 2018, LOCA has quickly grown to become a trusted mobility platform, setting itself apart through a strict driver onboard process, compliance, innovation, and a deep commitment to user safety and service quality.
With a growing reputation among international visitors, LOCA has become the most trusted transportation platform for more than 400,000 tourists traveling in Laos. One of the key reasons for this trust is the company’s 24/7 human call center, providing real-time support and peace of mind to riders.
Additionally, LOCA remains the only ride-hailing service in the market that allows direct credit card payments for bookings, eliminating the need for cash and creating a smooth, hassle-free travel experience.
According to LOCA CEO Souliyo Vongdala, the company places a strong priority on safety and tax compliance, ensuring that all stakeholders—from drivers to government agencies—can benefit from the platform’s growth.
To promote transparency, LOCA clearly states how each trip supports national development: drivers on the platform pay a 5 percent income tax, while the company pays 10 percent value-added tax (VAT) and 20 percent profit tax. This ensures that every ride not only supports the driver and company but also contributes to public revenue and national infrastructure.
Beyond safety and compliance, LOCA is leading the way in the country’s electric vehicle transition. The company currently has over 1,000 active drivers, with approximately 90% of them operating fully electric vehicles. This shift aligns with LOCA’s broader commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels.
LOCA’s efforts are further backed by heavy investment in EV infrastructure. As of today, LOCA has built and operates 47 fast-charging stations across Laos, making it the country’s largest EV charging network. These stations are not limited to Vientiane Capital but extend nationwide, supporting the growing number of EV drivers and helping pave the way toward a cleaner, greener Laos.
Every ride with LOCA is more than just a trip—it’s a contribution to safer transport, fair economic participation, and the national transition toward green mobility. By choosing LOCA, customers are directly supporting local drivers, a responsible Lao company, and the government through tax contributions, while also playing an active role in building a more sustainable future for Laos.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/06/06/loca-drives-change-ride-with-safety-sustainability-and-smart-mobility/
Lao Language Ranked ‘Moderately Difficult’ by US Foreign Service Institute
The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the United States Department of State has classified Lao as a “moderately difficult” language for native English speakers to learn. It falls under Category III, alongside languages such as Hungarian, Russian, and Thai.
Based on decades of research and experience training American diplomats, the FSI’s research noted that Category III languages typically involve significant linguistic and cultural differences from English.
Learners usually require about 44 weeks, or approximately 1,100 classroom hours, to achieve professional working proficiency in Lao.
Other Category III languages include Hindi, Vietnamese, and Thai. Lao and Thai, in particular, are often compared due to their similarities, they are both tonal languages, have related writing systems, and share similar grammar and vocabulary.
However, while Thai is often considered more accessible for self-learners thanks to the wide availability of learning materials, Lao presents an additional challenge due to the relative scarcity of study resources outside of Laos.
As a result, learners often benefit more from immersive experiences, such as studying the language within Laos. Some report that, in a native environment, Lao can even be slightly easier to learn than Thai.
The FSI also designates a Category IV, which includes Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese, and Korean.
These languages are regarded as exceptionally difficult for English speakers, typically requiring 88 weeks or 2,200 classroom hours to master. Contributing factors include unfamiliar writing systems, such as Chinese characters and Japanese kanji, tonal pronunciation, and complex grammar structures.
The FSI’s language classification system is widely used as a practical guide for English speakers, particularly those pursuing careers in diplomacy, international development, or global business.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/06/05/lao-language-ranked-moderately-difficult-by-us-foreign-service-institute/