Laos and China marked 65 years of diplomatic relations this week, with both sides highlighting deepening economic ties, including more than USD 18 billion in Chinese investment in Laos to date.
Bilateral trade reached nearly USD 9.8 billion in 2025, up 19.3 percent from a year earlier.
Officials and diplomats from both countries presented the figures in a ceremony in Vientiane on 23 April.
Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane described the partnership as increasingly important amid global uncertainty, calling it a stable, long-term relationship with growing strategic value.
According to the data. tourism has also rebounded. More than one million Chinese visitors traveled to Laos in 2025, a 24.32 percent increase, reinforcing China’s position as a key tourism market.
The Laos-China Railway remains a central part of that growth. Since its launch in December 2021, it has carried over 11 million passengers and nearly 17 million tonnes of goods, boosting cross-border trade and travel.
Chinese Language Demand Rises
Along with the strong economic ties, demand for Chinese language skills continues to grow, particularly in transport and logistics.
On 21 April, the National University of Laos signed a cooperation agreement on 21 April, with a private logistics company to expand Chinese language training and create new opportunities for students and teachers.
Institutions report rising enrolment in Chinese courses since the launch of the Laos-China Railway. More than 400 applicants have applied for the university’s master’s program in Chinese language teaching since it began in 2021.
Youth and Cultural Exchanges
People-to-people exchanges have also become part of the anniversary celebrations.
On 24 April, students and youth groups from Laos and China’s Yunnan Province joined a reading event at the National University of Laos, aimed at strengthening educational and cultural ties.
Organizers said the “Classmate” theme reflects a relationship that has grown over decades, not only through major infrastructure and trade projects, but also through everyday interactions between people.
Luang Prabang recorded a dramatic drop in visitor numbers during the Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) festival this year, with authorities reporting a 46 percent decline compared to the same period in 2025.
The number of tourists visiting the city between 10 and 20 April fell from 126,846 in 2025 to just 68,126 this year, according to the provincial culture and tourism department.
Both international and domestic segments were affected, with international arrivals dropping by 42 percent, while domestic tourists fell by 48 percent.
China emerged as the top international source country with 2,102 visitors, marking a 105 percent increase over the previous year. Thailand ranked second with 1,207 visitors, though that figure represented a steep 75 percent fall.
Vietnam rounded out the top three, surging 142 percent compared to the prior year.
The drop in footfall translated directly into lost revenue. The city generated USD 52.2 million during the festival period this year, compared to USD 97.5 million in 2025.
Visitor spending patterns added further weight to the economic picture. Domestic tourists stayed an average of three days at USD 109 per person per day, while international visitors remained for an average of five days and spent approximately USD 300 per person per day.
Pi Mai Lao is the highlight of the tourism calendar for Luang Prabang, one of Laos’ most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Cities, drawing visitors each year with its distinctive traditions including the Nang Sangkhan procession, almsgiving ceremonies, paper lantern releases, and the naga parade.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lao-New-Year-Festival-2026-in-Luang-Prabang-City.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-04-30 09:58:582026-05-04 10:04:58Luang Prabang Tourism Halves Year-on-Year During Pi Mai Lao
On 27 April, Lao Foreign Affairs Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys signed a new bilateral cooperation agreement in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held from 27 to 28 April.
The agreement establishes a formal consultation mechanism between both foreign ministries, creating a structured platform for ongoing diplomatic dialogue and future cooperation.
During the meeting, both ministers agreed to expand collaboration across trade, investment, tourism, environmental protection, clean energy, digital transformation, and unexploded ordnance clearance.
Both sides marked over three decades of friendship since establishing diplomatic relations in September 1994. Laos commended Lithuania’s support through EU development programs, particularly in rural development and poverty reduction, noting that such assistance directly aligns with its national development priorities as it targets graduation from Least Developed Country status between 2026 and 2029.
Budrys, in turn, congratulated Thongsavanh on his recent appointment and expressed confidence in the continued growth of bilateral relations.
The agreement positions both countries to deepen cooperation and expand engagement across multiple sectors in the years ahead.
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 Xaphouvong2026-04-29 15:07:022026-04-29 15:07:02Laos, Lithuania Sign New Cooperation Agreement to Boost Diplomatic Ties
Laos-China Trade Nears USD 10 Billion as Ties Deepen
Laos and China marked 65 years of diplomatic relations this week, with both sides highlighting deepening economic ties, including more than USD 18 billion in Chinese investment in Laos to date.
Bilateral trade reached nearly USD 9.8 billion in 2025, up 19.3 percent from a year earlier.
Officials and diplomats from both countries presented the figures in a ceremony in Vientiane on 23 April.
Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane described the partnership as increasingly important amid global uncertainty, calling it a stable, long-term relationship with growing strategic value.
According to the data. tourism has also rebounded. More than one million Chinese visitors traveled to Laos in 2025, a 24.32 percent increase, reinforcing China’s position as a key tourism market.
The Laos-China Railway remains a central part of that growth. Since its launch in December 2021, it has carried over 11 million passengers and nearly 17 million tonnes of goods, boosting cross-border trade and travel.
Chinese Language Demand Rises
Along with the strong economic ties, demand for Chinese language skills continues to grow, particularly in transport and logistics.
On 21 April, the National University of Laos signed a cooperation agreement on 21 April, with a private logistics company to expand Chinese language training and create new opportunities for students and teachers.
Institutions report rising enrolment in Chinese courses since the launch of the Laos-China Railway. More than 400 applicants have applied for the university’s master’s program in Chinese language teaching since it began in 2021.
Youth and Cultural Exchanges
People-to-people exchanges have also become part of the anniversary celebrations.
On 24 April, students and youth groups from Laos and China’s Yunnan Province joined a reading event at the National University of Laos, aimed at strengthening educational and cultural ties.
Organizers said the “Classmate” theme reflects a relationship that has grown over decades, not only through major infrastructure and trade projects, but also through everyday interactions between people.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/04/27/laos-china-trade-nears-usd-10-billion-as-ties-deepen/
Luang Prabang Tourism Halves Year-on-Year During Pi Mai Lao
Luang Prabang recorded a dramatic drop in visitor numbers during the Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) festival this year, with authorities reporting a 46 percent decline compared to the same period in 2025.
The number of tourists visiting the city between 10 and 20 April fell from 126,846 in 2025 to just 68,126 this year, according to the provincial culture and tourism department.
Both international and domestic segments were affected, with international arrivals dropping by 42 percent, while domestic tourists fell by 48 percent.
China emerged as the top international source country with 2,102 visitors, marking a 105 percent increase over the previous year. Thailand ranked second with 1,207 visitors, though that figure represented a steep 75 percent fall.
Vietnam rounded out the top three, surging 142 percent compared to the prior year.
The drop in footfall translated directly into lost revenue. The city generated USD 52.2 million during the festival period this year, compared to USD 97.5 million in 2025.
Visitor spending patterns added further weight to the economic picture. Domestic tourists stayed an average of three days at USD 109 per person per day, while international visitors remained for an average of five days and spent approximately USD 300 per person per day.
Pi Mai Lao is the highlight of the tourism calendar for Luang Prabang, one of Laos’ most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Cities, drawing visitors each year with its distinctive traditions including the Nang Sangkhan procession, almsgiving ceremonies, paper lantern releases, and the naga parade.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/04/27/luang-prabang-tourism-halves-year-on-year-during-pi-mai-lao/
Laos, Lithuania Sign New Cooperation Agreement to Boost Diplomatic Ties
On 27 April, Lao Foreign Affairs Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys signed a new bilateral cooperation agreement in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held from 27 to 28 April.
The agreement establishes a formal consultation mechanism between both foreign ministries, creating a structured platform for ongoing diplomatic dialogue and future cooperation.
During the meeting, both ministers agreed to expand collaboration across trade, investment, tourism, environmental protection, clean energy, digital transformation, and unexploded ordnance clearance.
Both sides marked over three decades of friendship since establishing diplomatic relations in September 1994. Laos commended Lithuania’s support through EU development programs, particularly in rural development and poverty reduction, noting that such assistance directly aligns with its national development priorities as it targets graduation from Least Developed Country status between 2026 and 2029.
Budrys, in turn, congratulated Thongsavanh on his recent appointment and expressed confidence in the continued growth of bilateral relations.
The agreement positions both countries to deepen cooperation and expand engagement across multiple sectors in the years ahead.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/04/29/laos-lithuania-sign-new-cooperation-agreement-to-boost-diplomatic-ties/