The first Beijing to Laos cross-border tourist train of 2024 departed from the Chinese capital during the early hours of Monday morning, 18 March. Dai Kaiyi was there.
Slowly pulling out of the platform, the Y445 tourist train, carrying over 400 passengers, embarks on a cross-country tour spanning China and Laos. Before the train departed, I spoke with a few of the passengers about their trip.
“I’m really happy to be part of this trip. It feels good; I can’t really describe it in any other way.”
“I’m excited to find out that we have trains to go directly to Laos now, and with both sides being so friendly, especially the people being able to go to Laos to learn their traditional culture.”
Dai Kaiyi Beijing “Chinese railway officials say the trip covers many iconic sightseeing spots in both China and Laos. It lasts for a total of fifteen days, allowing tourists to experience the charm of both countries.”
GE RONGYAN Train Driver “With many elderly passengers on this journey, our main focus during duty is ensuring passenger safety, emergency response, water supply on the train, catering, and providing excellent customer service.”
Railway authorities have organized a team of chefs offering a diverse range of meals and onboard entertainment. Trained medical personnel and emergency equipment are available onboard to guarantee passenger safety.
Wang Xu Business Manager of China Railway Travel Service Group “This year, we have introduced our specialized tourism offering, which includes domestic tourist special trains and cross-border trains for international travel, creating a comprehensive travel experience.”
Since its opening, the China-Laos Railway has transported over 30 million passengers and more than 34 million tons of goods. The line has seen an upward trend in both passenger and freight traffic.
The China State Railway Group says it will strengthen cooperation with its Laos counterparts while contributing to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing benefits to the people of both countries. Dai Kaiyi, CGTN, Beijing.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/videoframe_44277.png7201280Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-03-25 10:55:292024-03-25 10:55:59Cross-Border Tourism: 2024’s First Beijing to Laos Tourist Train Departs From Chinese Capital
Myanmar Airways International (MAI) has announced its plan to introduce direct flights between Yangon, Myanmar, and Vientiane, Laos, in early May this year as part of an ambitious expansion plan to bolster its international network.
The announcement was made during the MAI Flight Forward ceremony on 8 March. During the ceremony, Tanes Kumar, acting CEO and chief commercial officer of MAI, said that the airline will introduce new routes to Chiang Mai, Thailand; Vientiane, Laos; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and others.
“Although there are many challenges at present, MAI will further expand our travel network. The number of foreign flights MAI is flying will increase to 21. I believe that the new flights that will be run again will benefit passengers and colleagues a lot,” said Kumar as reported by Eleven Myanmar.
According to Myanmar’s Ministry of Information, MAI’s new routes to Vientiane, Laos, will operate weekly flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting 4 May. Additionally, MAI plans to increase its new international flights with other countries and expand its domestic flight offerings.
Direct flights between Laos and Myanmar have been unavailable for decades. In the 1980s, Lao Airlines stopped flying to Yangon due to the route’s lack of profitability.
The plan to connect the air link between Vientiane Capital and Yangon was also introduced in early 2013. However, Lao Airlines later canceled the plan within the same year, stating the necessity for more time to develop a marketing strategy to ensure adequate profitability of the route.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/0000.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-03-22 13:35:142024-03-13 13:37:13Myanmar Plans to Launch Direct Flights From Yangon to Vientiane in May
Hin Nam No National Park is on the path to achieving World Heritage Status, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) accepting its complete application document. However, additional reviews are necessary before the park can receive this prestigious status.
Phankhalxay Sikanxay, the Director General of the Heritage Department at the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, provided an update in a meeting between 11 to 12 March, saying that Vietnam had received an official notification from the UNESCO World Heritage Center confirming the completeness of Laos’ application documents for Hin Nam No National Park.
These documents have reportedly been forwarded to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the advisory body of the World Heritage Committee, for review. Following this, a team of experts from the World Heritage Center will visit Laos to inspect the actual heritage sources to ensure the accuracy of the submitted documents.
The meeting also discussed the dissemination of information to central, local, and grassroots societies, particularly within Khammouane Province, to enhance their understanding of the park’s value as a shared world heritage site. Additionally, discussions were held with the German Development Organization in Laos (GIZ) on a cooperation plan for sustainable forest ecosystem protection and biodiversity.
Hin Nam No National Protected Area is located in central Laos, where the Central Indochina Limestone meets the Annamite Mountain Chain. This chain extends into Vietnam, where a significant portion of the contiguous Phong Nha Ke Bang karst has been designated as a National Park and Natural World Heritage site.
In 2018, the governments of Laos and Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with Vietnam pledging full support for the nomination of Hin Nam No National Protected Area as a transboundary World Heritage Site. This nomination is in partnership with the established natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.
The Lao government first confirmed the nomination of Hin Nam No National Park for the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, a global standard for protected area management back in 2021.
Managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, the park is supported by the German Government’s ProFEB project. Once certified, it will be the largest protected tropical karst area globally, covering 94,000 hectares of pristine karst forests. The certification will enhance international recognition and conservation efforts, setting a precedent for other protected areas in Laos and aiding its UNESCO World Heritage nomination.
As preparations continue for the potential world heritage status of Hin Nam No National Park, stakeholders remain committed to promoting and preserving this natural treasure. The collaboration between the Lao government and international partners highlights the significance of sustainable conservation efforts in safeguarding the park’s unique biodiversity and ecosystem.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hin-Nam-No-National-Park-Moves-Closer-to-World-Heritage-Status.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-03-21 12:32:342024-03-13 12:34:38Hin Nam No National Park Moves Closer to World Heritage Status
Cross-Border Tourism: 2024’s First Beijing to Laos Tourist Train Departs From Chinese Capital
The first Beijing to Laos cross-border tourist train of 2024 departed from the Chinese capital during the early hours of Monday morning, 18 March. Dai Kaiyi was there.
Slowly pulling out of the platform, the Y445 tourist train, carrying over 400 passengers, embarks on a cross-country tour spanning China and Laos. Before the train departed, I spoke with a few of the passengers about their trip.
“I’m really happy to be part of this trip. It feels good; I can’t really describe it in any other way.”
“I’m excited to find out that we have trains to go directly to Laos now, and with both sides being so friendly, especially the people being able to go to Laos to learn their traditional culture.”
Dai Kaiyi Beijing “Chinese railway officials say the trip covers many iconic sightseeing spots in both China and Laos. It lasts for a total of fifteen days, allowing tourists to experience the charm of both countries.”
GE RONGYAN Train Driver “With many elderly passengers on this journey, our main focus during duty is ensuring passenger safety, emergency response, water supply on the train, catering, and providing excellent customer service.”
Railway authorities have organized a team of chefs offering a diverse range of meals and onboard entertainment. Trained medical personnel and emergency equipment are available onboard to guarantee passenger safety.
Wang Xu Business Manager of China Railway Travel Service Group “This year, we have introduced our specialized tourism offering, which includes domestic tourist special trains and cross-border trains for international travel, creating a comprehensive travel experience.”
Since its opening, the China-Laos Railway has transported over 30 million passengers and more than 34 million tons of goods. The line has seen an upward trend in both passenger and freight traffic.
The China State Railway Group says it will strengthen cooperation with its Laos counterparts while contributing to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing benefits to the people of both countries. Dai Kaiyi, CGTN, Beijing.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/03/19/cross-border-tourism-2024s-first-beijing-to-laos-tourist-train-departs-from-chinese-capital/
Myanmar Plans to Launch Direct Flights From Yangon to Vientiane in May
Myanmar Airways International (MAI) has announced its plan to introduce direct flights between Yangon, Myanmar, and Vientiane, Laos, in early May this year as part of an ambitious expansion plan to bolster its international network.
The announcement was made during the MAI Flight Forward ceremony on 8 March. During the ceremony, Tanes Kumar, acting CEO and chief commercial officer of MAI, said that the airline will introduce new routes to Chiang Mai, Thailand; Vientiane, Laos; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and others.
“Although there are many challenges at present, MAI will further expand our travel network. The number of foreign flights MAI is flying will increase to 21. I believe that the new flights that will be run again will benefit passengers and colleagues a lot,” said Kumar as reported by Eleven Myanmar.
According to Myanmar’s Ministry of Information, MAI’s new routes to Vientiane, Laos, will operate weekly flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting 4 May. Additionally, MAI plans to increase its new international flights with other countries and expand its domestic flight offerings.
Direct flights between Laos and Myanmar have been unavailable for decades. In the 1980s, Lao Airlines stopped flying to Yangon due to the route’s lack of profitability.
The plan to connect the air link between Vientiane Capital and Yangon was also introduced in early 2013. However, Lao Airlines later canceled the plan within the same year, stating the necessity for more time to develop a marketing strategy to ensure adequate profitability of the route.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/03/12/myanmar-plans-to-launch-direct-flights-from-yangon-to-vientiane-in-may/
Hin Nam No National Park Moves Closer to World Heritage Status
Hin Nam No National Park is on the path to achieving World Heritage Status, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) accepting its complete application document. However, additional reviews are necessary before the park can receive this prestigious status.
Phankhalxay Sikanxay, the Director General of the Heritage Department at the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, provided an update in a meeting between 11 to 12 March, saying that Vietnam had received an official notification from the UNESCO World Heritage Center confirming the completeness of Laos’ application documents for Hin Nam No National Park.
These documents have reportedly been forwarded to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the advisory body of the World Heritage Committee, for review. Following this, a team of experts from the World Heritage Center will visit Laos to inspect the actual heritage sources to ensure the accuracy of the submitted documents.
The meeting also discussed the dissemination of information to central, local, and grassroots societies, particularly within Khammouane Province, to enhance their understanding of the park’s value as a shared world heritage site. Additionally, discussions were held with the German Development Organization in Laos (GIZ) on a cooperation plan for sustainable forest ecosystem protection and biodiversity.
Hin Nam No National Protected Area is located in central Laos, where the Central Indochina Limestone meets the Annamite Mountain Chain. This chain extends into Vietnam, where a significant portion of the contiguous Phong Nha Ke Bang karst has been designated as a National Park and Natural World Heritage site.
In 2018, the governments of Laos and Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with Vietnam pledging full support for the nomination of Hin Nam No National Protected Area as a transboundary World Heritage Site. This nomination is in partnership with the established natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.
The Lao government first confirmed the nomination of Hin Nam No National Park for the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, a global standard for protected area management back in 2021.
Managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, the park is supported by the German Government’s ProFEB project. Once certified, it will be the largest protected tropical karst area globally, covering 94,000 hectares of pristine karst forests. The certification will enhance international recognition and conservation efforts, setting a precedent for other protected areas in Laos and aiding its UNESCO World Heritage nomination.
As preparations continue for the potential world heritage status of Hin Nam No National Park, stakeholders remain committed to promoting and preserving this natural treasure. The collaboration between the Lao government and international partners highlights the significance of sustainable conservation efforts in safeguarding the park’s unique biodiversity and ecosystem.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/03/12/hin-nam-no-national-park-moves-closer-to-world-heritage-status/