The Government of Laos and Thai company APDL Solar Power Sole Co., Ltd. signed an agreement on 25 February to conduct a feasibility study for a 100-megawatt solar power project in Bolikhamxay Province, adding to the country’s expanding renewable energy agenda.
Under the agreement, the solar farm will be developed in Nam Ngiep village, Paksan district, covering an estimated area of 140.23 hectares. Officials selected the site based on its strong solar potential, citing favorable sunlight conditions and ample land availability suited for large-scale power generation.
Representatives from APDL Solar Power also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Laos’ green energy transition, emphasizing that the Nam Ngiep location offers compelling prospects for sustainable and long-term solar development.
The project directly supports Laos’ national renewable energy strategy, which aims to achieve an 11 percent share of variable renewable energy, specifically solar and wind power, within the national energy mix by 2030.
This latest agreement follows a similar deal concluded on 11 February, when Électricité du Laos, the state electricity enterprise, partnered with a South Korean private company to explore the development of another 100MW solar project in Oudomxay Province. The planned project will cover around 150 hectares across Namhin Reservoir in Xay District, with construction expected to begin in 2027.
The country also inaugurated a 1,000MW solar power facility in mid-December 2025, the largest solar farm in Laos. The project was developed across approximately 2,090 hectares in Xay and Namor district of Oudomxay.
In a renewed effort to regulate the rapidly expanding rubber industry and address growing concerns over forest loss, the Lao government has issued a new decree aimed at ensuring the sustainable management of rubber production.
The decree, which outlines strict guidelines for rubber plantations, data collection, and rubber processing, seeks to balance economic growth with environmental preservation.
The document, signed on 26 February, mandates that all rubber plantations and activities within Laos adhere to principles that prioritize environmental protection, community welfare, and sustainable practices. It provides clear measures for the management of rubber resources, including registration of plantations, proper certification, and the prevention of illegal practices such as land clearing in protected areas.
Economic Development vs. Environmental Protection
While rubber has become a critical economic driver for Laos, the expansion of plantations has raised alarms due to deforestation and the displacement of indigenous communities.
According to a 2022 Kyoto University study, Laos had then approximately 300,000 hectares of rubber plantations, nearly half of which were controlled by foreign companies, primarily Chinese and Vietnamese. These plantations have encroached on forested areas, threatening biodiversity and leaving local communities vulnerable to changes in land tenure and income stability.
The decree establishes a comprehensive framework for rubber activities, including the collection of data on rubber production, tapping, and trade. It also focuses on establishing a Rubber Information System to monitor the industry’s growth and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The government has also pledged to work with local authorities, agricultural departments, and relevant sectors to enforce these measures and ensure transparency across the industry.
Impact of Rubber Expansion on Local Communities
This move comes amid broader regional concerns about the environmental impact of rubber plantations. In neighboring countries, including Cambodia and Vietnam, similar issues have arisen, as rapid expansion continues to threaten local ecosystems.
The Lao government has taken steps to address these concerns by integrating sustainable land-use policies and increasing awareness about the negative consequences of unchecked rubber cultivation.
For local farmers, rubber has provided a lucrative alternative to traditional farming practices. However, the volatility of rubber prices has left many dependent on the industry, with some facing debt due to the long wait for returns from newly planted trees.
The latest decree aims to address these economic challenges by promoting fair revenue-sharing models, particularly through cooperatives and smallholder farming initiatives.
With ongoing efforts to improve regulatory oversight and increase community involvement in rubber production, Laos may find a path toward a more sustainable rubber industry that benefits both its economy and its environment.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/rubber-in-Laos.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-03-03 08:57:002026-03-03 15:01:31Lao Government Strengthens Rubber Industry Management with New Decree
Kaysone Phomvihane City has earned a place among Laos’s top travel destinations, becoming one of four Lao cities to receive the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award 2026-2028.
The announcement took place in early January in Cebu, the Philippines, alongside fellow Lao winners Luang Prabang City, Viengxay district in Houaphanh, and Pakse City in Champasak.
The award recognizes the city’s excellence across several key criteria, including effective waste disposal and hygiene standards, community-led initiatives for cleanliness and preservation, well-maintained green spaces, strong tourism infrastructure, and a peaceful and healthy environment for visitors.
As the capital of Savannakhet, Laos’ largest province, the city holds a strategic position as a regional transit hub, connecting travelers between Thailand and Vietnam, and facilitating travel southward from Vientiane.
Originally called Khanthabouly, the city was renamed in 2005 in honor of Kaysone Phomvihane, the nation’s first Prime Minister and revolutionary leader, and in 2018, it officially gained city status, joining Luang Prabang and Pakse in this distinction.
Savannakhet holds a strategic position as a regional transit hub, connecting travelers between Thailand and Vietnam and those heading from Vientiane southward.
The ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award is widely regarded as a vital benchmark for raising service standards across Laos, bolstering international marketing efforts and giving travelers greater confidence in the quality, safety, and cleanliness of their visit.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Dinosaur-Park-In-Savannakhet-Province-Laos.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-03-02 08:52:002026-02-27 14:57:01Kaysone Phomvihane City Named Among ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award 2026-2028
Lao Government, Thai Firm Sign Deal for 100MW Solar Farm in Bolikhamxay
The Government of Laos and Thai company APDL Solar Power Sole Co., Ltd. signed an agreement on 25 February to conduct a feasibility study for a 100-megawatt solar power project in Bolikhamxay Province, adding to the country’s expanding renewable energy agenda.
Under the agreement, the solar farm will be developed in Nam Ngiep village, Paksan district, covering an estimated area of 140.23 hectares. Officials selected the site based on its strong solar potential, citing favorable sunlight conditions and ample land availability suited for large-scale power generation.
Representatives from APDL Solar Power also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Laos’ green energy transition, emphasizing that the Nam Ngiep location offers compelling prospects for sustainable and long-term solar development.
The project directly supports Laos’ national renewable energy strategy, which aims to achieve an 11 percent share of variable renewable energy, specifically solar and wind power, within the national energy mix by 2030.
This latest agreement follows a similar deal concluded on 11 February, when Électricité du Laos, the state electricity enterprise, partnered with a South Korean private company to explore the development of another 100MW solar project in Oudomxay Province. The planned project will cover around 150 hectares across Namhin Reservoir in Xay District, with construction expected to begin in 2027.
The country also inaugurated a 1,000MW solar power facility in mid-December 2025, the largest solar farm in Laos. The project was developed across approximately 2,090 hectares in Xay and Namor district of Oudomxay.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/03/03/lao-government-thai-firm-sign-deal-for-100mw-solar-farm-in-bolikhamxay/
Lao Government Strengthens Rubber Industry Management with New Decree
In a renewed effort to regulate the rapidly expanding rubber industry and address growing concerns over forest loss, the Lao government has issued a new decree aimed at ensuring the sustainable management of rubber production.
The decree, which outlines strict guidelines for rubber plantations, data collection, and rubber processing, seeks to balance economic growth with environmental preservation.
The document, signed on 26 February, mandates that all rubber plantations and activities within Laos adhere to principles that prioritize environmental protection, community welfare, and sustainable practices. It provides clear measures for the management of rubber resources, including registration of plantations, proper certification, and the prevention of illegal practices such as land clearing in protected areas.
Economic Development vs. Environmental Protection
While rubber has become a critical economic driver for Laos, the expansion of plantations has raised alarms due to deforestation and the displacement of indigenous communities.
According to a 2022 Kyoto University study, Laos had then approximately 300,000 hectares of rubber plantations, nearly half of which were controlled by foreign companies, primarily Chinese and Vietnamese. These plantations have encroached on forested areas, threatening biodiversity and leaving local communities vulnerable to changes in land tenure and income stability.
The decree establishes a comprehensive framework for rubber activities, including the collection of data on rubber production, tapping, and trade. It also focuses on establishing a Rubber Information System to monitor the industry’s growth and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The government has also pledged to work with local authorities, agricultural departments, and relevant sectors to enforce these measures and ensure transparency across the industry.
Impact of Rubber Expansion on Local Communities
This move comes amid broader regional concerns about the environmental impact of rubber plantations. In neighboring countries, including Cambodia and Vietnam, similar issues have arisen, as rapid expansion continues to threaten local ecosystems.
The Lao government has taken steps to address these concerns by integrating sustainable land-use policies and increasing awareness about the negative consequences of unchecked rubber cultivation.
For local farmers, rubber has provided a lucrative alternative to traditional farming practices. However, the volatility of rubber prices has left many dependent on the industry, with some facing debt due to the long wait for returns from newly planted trees.
The latest decree aims to address these economic challenges by promoting fair revenue-sharing models, particularly through cooperatives and smallholder farming initiatives.
With ongoing efforts to improve regulatory oversight and increase community involvement in rubber production, Laos may find a path toward a more sustainable rubber industry that benefits both its economy and its environment.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/03/03/lao-government-strengthens-rubber-industry-management-with-new-decree/
Kaysone Phomvihane City Named Among ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award 2026-2028
Kaysone Phomvihane City has earned a place among Laos’s top travel destinations, becoming one of four Lao cities to receive the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award 2026-2028.
The announcement took place in early January in Cebu, the Philippines, alongside fellow Lao winners Luang Prabang City, Viengxay district in Houaphanh, and Pakse City in Champasak.
The award recognizes the city’s excellence across several key criteria, including effective waste disposal and hygiene standards, community-led initiatives for cleanliness and preservation, well-maintained green spaces, strong tourism infrastructure, and a peaceful and healthy environment for visitors.
As the capital of Savannakhet, Laos’ largest province, the city holds a strategic position as a regional transit hub, connecting travelers between Thailand and Vietnam, and facilitating travel southward from Vientiane.
Originally called Khanthabouly, the city was renamed in 2005 in honor of Kaysone Phomvihane, the nation’s first Prime Minister and revolutionary leader, and in 2018, it officially gained city status, joining Luang Prabang and Pakse in this distinction.
Savannakhet holds a strategic position as a regional transit hub, connecting travelers between Thailand and Vietnam and those heading from Vientiane southward.
The ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award is widely regarded as a vital benchmark for raising service standards across Laos, bolstering international marketing efforts and giving travelers greater confidence in the quality, safety, and cleanliness of their visit.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/02/27/kaysone-phomvihane-city-named-among-asean-clean-tourist-city-award-2026-2028/