Laos has kicked off a new chapter in sports with its first Baseball5 Friendly Cup in Vientiane, introducing a simpler and faster version of baseball for young players.
The event, organised by the Lao Baseball Softball Federation (LBSF) and Lao Youth Baseball (LYB), brought together nearly 100 participants, including players, volunteers, and spectators. It marked the country’s first official step into Baseball5.
Four teams, featuring mixed-gender squads, competed in the one-day tournament.
The event showed strong interest from young people aged between 15 to 25 years old, with organisers saying the energy and turnout point to real potential for the sport in Laos.
Baseball5 is played without bats or gloves, using only a rubber ball and a small space. This makes it easy to set up in schools and local communities, especially where full baseball fields are not available.
The game also helps players build basic skills like throwing, catching, and running.
Supporting Future Talent
The launch comes as Laos looks to grow its baseball talent. The men’s national team is currently ranked 47th in the world, and building a larger player base, especially young players, is a key goal.
Following the event, LBSF and LYB plan to bring Baseball5 into schools across Vientiane. There are also plans to create a school league to give students more chances to compete and help identify future players.
With strong early interest, organisers plan to make the tournament an annual event and expand it in the coming years. They also hope to build a national Baseball5 team to compete at regional and international level.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/660487474_122253316436167492_2990690000253653140_n-e1775123904802-1920x861-1.jpg8611920Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-04-02 10:02:092026-04-03 10:07:12Laos Kicks Off Baseball5 with Growing Interest Among Youth
Ticket prices on the Laos-China Railway (LCR) have increased across all routes, according to updated fares published on the LCR Ticket application on 1 April.
The adjustment, representing a roughly nine percent rise, affects all seating classes for adult passengers on all routes.
On the popular Vientiane Capital–Luang Prabang route, business class has risen from LAK 975,000 (USD 44.40) to LAK 1,063,000 (USD 48.50), first class from LAK 522,000 (USD 23.80) to LAK 569,000 (USD 25.95), and second class from LAK 330,000 (USD 15.00) to LAK 360,000 (USD 16.40).
On the longer Vientiane Capital-Boten route, which runs to the Laos-China border in Luang Namtha Province, business class is now priced at LAK 1,799,000 (USD 82.00), first class at LAK 961,000 (USD 44.00), and second class at LAK 605,000 (USD 27.50).
The nine percent increase applies uniformly across all classes and routes along the LCR network, a hotline staff confirmed.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Laos-China-Railway-station-in-Vientiane-Capital.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-04-01 09:35:422026-04-03 09:49:37Laos-China Railway Raises Fares Across All Routes Starting 1 April
The Lao government has submitted a proposal to the National Assembly to move forward with a planned railway linking Laos to Vietnam’s Vung Ang Port.
Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith presented the project on 24 March during the opening session of the 10th National Assembly, describing it as a key national infrastructure priority for the 2026–2030 development period.
Railway to Link Laos to the Sea
The proposed railway will stretch 562 kilometers from Vientiane Capital to Vung Ang Port in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam, creating a direct route from Laos to the sea.
The project is divided into three sections. The first phase, covering 147 kilometers from Thakhek to the Moua border crossing, will be developed first. The remaining sections will extend the line across Vietnam to the port and connect Vientiane to Thakhek.
The railway will use standard gauge tracks, the same as the Laos–China Railway, and is designed for passenger speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour and freight speeds of 80 kilometers per hour.
Timeline and Earlier Plans
The proposal builds on earlier plans announced in December, when officials said construction on the Lao section is expected to begin in 2026, with full operations targeted by 2030.
At that time, authorities said most preparatory work had already been completed, including feasibility studies, design, and environmental assessments.
The project is being developed as a public–private partnership involving Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company and Vietnam’s Deo Ca Group.
Vietnam is expected to begin construction on its section in 2027.
The section currently under review by the National Assembly is valued at around USD 1.3 billion and will be developed under a long-term concession model.
However, the full railway project is estimated to cost up to USD 6.6 billion.
Strategic Importance
Officials say the railway would provide Laos with a direct route to the sea, reducing reliance on road transport and lowering logistics costs for trade and exports.
The project is also expected to strengthen economic cooperation between Laos and Vietnam and improve regional supply chains.
Lastly, as part of the agreement, Laos will to receive priority access to key facilities at Vung Ang Port, which can handle large cargo volumes.
The National Assembly is set to decide on initial approval before the current session concludes on 27 March.
Laos Kicks Off Baseball5 with Growing Interest Among Youth
Laos has kicked off a new chapter in sports with its first Baseball5 Friendly Cup in Vientiane, introducing a simpler and faster version of baseball for young players.
The event, organised by the Lao Baseball Softball Federation (LBSF) and Lao Youth Baseball (LYB), brought together nearly 100 participants, including players, volunteers, and spectators. It marked the country’s first official step into Baseball5.
Four teams, featuring mixed-gender squads, competed in the one-day tournament.
The event showed strong interest from young people aged between 15 to 25 years old, with organisers saying the energy and turnout point to real potential for the sport in Laos.
Baseball5 is played without bats or gloves, using only a rubber ball and a small space. This makes it easy to set up in schools and local communities, especially where full baseball fields are not available.
The game also helps players build basic skills like throwing, catching, and running.
Supporting Future Talent
The launch comes as Laos looks to grow its baseball talent. The men’s national team is currently ranked 47th in the world, and building a larger player base, especially young players, is a key goal.
Following the event, LBSF and LYB plan to bring Baseball5 into schools across Vientiane. There are also plans to create a school league to give students more chances to compete and help identify future players.
With strong early interest, organisers plan to make the tournament an annual event and expand it in the coming years. They also hope to build a national Baseball5 team to compete at regional and international level.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/04/02/laos-kicks-off-baseball5-with-growing-interest-among-youth/
Laos-China Railway Raises Fares Across All Routes Starting 1 April
Ticket prices on the Laos-China Railway (LCR) have increased across all routes, according to updated fares published on the LCR Ticket application on 1 April.
The adjustment, representing a roughly nine percent rise, affects all seating classes for adult passengers on all routes.
On the popular Vientiane Capital–Luang Prabang route, business class has risen from LAK 975,000 (USD 44.40) to LAK 1,063,000 (USD 48.50), first class from LAK 522,000 (USD 23.80) to LAK 569,000 (USD 25.95), and second class from LAK 330,000 (USD 15.00) to LAK 360,000 (USD 16.40).
On the longer Vientiane Capital-Boten route, which runs to the Laos-China border in Luang Namtha Province, business class is now priced at LAK 1,799,000 (USD 82.00), first class at LAK 961,000 (USD 44.00), and second class at LAK 605,000 (USD 27.50).
The nine percent increase applies uniformly across all classes and routes along the LCR network, a hotline staff confirmed.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/04/01/laos-china-railway-raises-fares-across-all-routes-starting-1-april/
Laos Seeks Approval for USD 1.3 Billion Railway to Vietnam
The Lao government has submitted a proposal to the National Assembly to move forward with a planned railway linking Laos to Vietnam’s Vung Ang Port.
Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith presented the project on 24 March during the opening session of the 10th National Assembly, describing it as a key national infrastructure priority for the 2026–2030 development period.
Railway to Link Laos to the Sea
The proposed railway will stretch 562 kilometers from Vientiane Capital to Vung Ang Port in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam, creating a direct route from Laos to the sea.
The project is divided into three sections. The first phase, covering 147 kilometers from Thakhek to the Moua border crossing, will be developed first. The remaining sections will extend the line across Vietnam to the port and connect Vientiane to Thakhek.
The railway will use standard gauge tracks, the same as the Laos–China Railway, and is designed for passenger speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour and freight speeds of 80 kilometers per hour.
Timeline and Earlier Plans
The proposal builds on earlier plans announced in December, when officials said construction on the Lao section is expected to begin in 2026, with full operations targeted by 2030.
At that time, authorities said most preparatory work had already been completed, including feasibility studies, design, and environmental assessments.
The project is being developed as a public–private partnership involving Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company and Vietnam’s Deo Ca Group.
Vietnam is expected to begin construction on its section in 2027.
The section currently under review by the National Assembly is valued at around USD 1.3 billion and will be developed under a long-term concession model.
However, the full railway project is estimated to cost up to USD 6.6 billion.
Strategic Importance
Officials say the railway would provide Laos with a direct route to the sea, reducing reliance on road transport and lowering logistics costs for trade and exports.
The project is also expected to strengthen economic cooperation between Laos and Vietnam and improve regional supply chains.
Lastly, as part of the agreement, Laos will to receive priority access to key facilities at Vung Ang Port, which can handle large cargo volumes.
The National Assembly is set to decide on initial approval before the current session concludes on 27 March.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/03/24/laos-seeks-approval-for-usd-1-3-billion-railway-to-vietnam/