Lao PDR offers some of the best treks in Southeast Asia with majestic mountains, dense forests, and a rich variety of wildlife. Here are some of the best wild treks you can enjoy in Lao PDR:
1. Luang Namtha – Nam Ha National Park: This is one of the most popular trekking spots in Lao PDR. The park offers a range of trekking options from a half-day trek to a week-long trek. You can explore the dense forest, waterfalls, and wild rivers while encountering ethnic minority communities and learn about their traditional practices.
2. Phou Louey: This a remote national protected area in Northern Laos and one of the largest evergreen forests left in Indochina. It is often referred to as the ‘Land of the Giants’ for its huge trees, rare wildlife, and stunning views. You can take a three-day trek on an eco-trail and explore the flora and fauna of the Phou Louey landscape.
3. Bolaven Plateau: This plateau is located in the southeast of the country and is home to many small traditional villages. The area has numerous waterfalls, wild rivers, and extensive coffee plantations, forests, and plantations. You can take a two-day trek to witness the stunning natural beauty of the Plateau.
Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone issued an order last week to improve conservation efforts of forests in the country in response to concerns about the increasing rate of deforestation in Laos.
The order was issued to relevant ministries and their heads, governors, and mayors throughout the country to prevent the encroachment and destruction of forests, as well as the reserving, buying, and selling of forest land, and clearing of forest areas without explicit permission from the government.
Numerous residents have been resorting to illegally cutting down trees or burning forest land for agriculture, and the government has called for a complete prohibition of such activities, urging local authorities to enforce strict regulations to keep them from happening.
The order outlines several measures that will be taken to achieve this goal, including increased inspections of forest areas, stronger enforcement of existing laws, and the promotion of sustainable forest management practices.
In 2021, the government set a goal of restoring forest cover to over 70 percent by 2025, to ensure long-term environmental protection and reduce the risk of natural disasters. Laos has lost a significant portion of its forest cover in the past 50 years, driven by several factors, including the expansion of agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development.
According to the order, all ministries and sectors will have to increase vigilance and take further responsibility when inspecting and taking measures against those that violate regulations prohibiting illegal logging of forest land.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/8-2.jpg5351024Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-07-28 09:10:002023-07-25 15:13:46Lao Prime Minister Issues Order to Strengthen Forest Protection
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone signed a seven-page order on 14 July to ensure that foreign exchange earned through exports and foreign investments, enters the country through its banking system.
According to Xinhua, this latest regulation during a time of soaring inflation and mounting public debt, is an effort to increase the supply of foreign currencies in the country, leading to de-dollarization, and more demand for the Lao kip.
Currently, a little over 30 percent of export receipts in Laos enter through the country’s banking system, which doesn’t help in reinstating the country’s depleting foreign currency reserves due to the overall imbalance of payment in the country.
Hence the government has ordered the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL), to improve its electronic payment system for financial transactions and to regulate the use of foreign currencies in special economic zones, where payment of services are often made in stronger currencies like the Thai Baht.
The order also instructed the Ministry of Finance to collect taxes and revenues from businesses and exporters in foreign currencies if they generate income in currencies other than Lao Kip.
Additionally, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce was asked to develop an electronic system that enabled the sharing of data with BOL and other sectors to regulate import and export activities.
Moreover, the order also instructed importers and exporters to hold specific bank accounts in Laos to facilitate their financial transactions and also register with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to transfer export revenue via the banking system and into specific accounts.
Exporters who need to park their foreign currency overseas to repay loans in other countries should also seek prior permission from the BOL.
Relevant sectors in the country were also asked to regulate and monitor the inflow of foreign currencies earned from foreign investments and provide regular updates to the central bank.
Government officials were informed to keep supervising that the payment of goods, services, salaries of local employees, etc. was made in Lao Kip. Using local currency was also a mandate for businesses that sell goods online. Only foreign experts and expat employees can continue to receive their salaries in foreign currencies, says the notice.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Mr.-Sonexay-Siphandone-Prime-Minister-of-Laos.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-07-27 08:50:002023-07-19 15:53:47Lao PM Calls for ‘De-dollarization’ and Further Regulation of Foreign Currencies
Wild trecks in Lao PDR
Lao PDR offers some of the best treks in Southeast Asia with majestic mountains, dense forests, and a rich variety of wildlife. Here are some of the best wild treks you can enjoy in Lao PDR:
1. Luang Namtha – Nam Ha National Park: This is one of the most popular trekking spots in Lao PDR. The park offers a range of trekking options from a half-day trek to a week-long trek. You can explore the dense forest, waterfalls, and wild rivers while encountering ethnic minority communities and learn about their traditional practices.
2. Phou Louey: This a remote national protected area in Northern Laos and one of the largest evergreen forests left in Indochina. It is often referred to as the ‘Land of the Giants’ for its huge trees, rare wildlife, and stunning views. You can take a three-day trek on an eco-trail and explore the flora and fauna of the Phou Louey landscape.
3. Bolaven Plateau: This plateau is located in the southeast of the country and is home to many small traditional villages. The area has numerous waterfalls, wild rivers, and extensive coffee plantations, forests, and plantations. You can take a two-day trek to witness the stunning natural beauty of the Plateau.
source:https://wearelao.com/blog/create-blog-entry-648
Lao Prime Minister Issues Order to Strengthen Forest Protection
Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone issued an order last week to improve conservation efforts of forests in the country in response to concerns about the increasing rate of deforestation in Laos.
The order was issued to relevant ministries and their heads, governors, and mayors throughout the country to prevent the encroachment and destruction of forests, as well as the reserving, buying, and selling of forest land, and clearing of forest areas without explicit permission from the government.
Numerous residents have been resorting to illegally cutting down trees or burning forest land for agriculture, and the government has called for a complete prohibition of such activities, urging local authorities to enforce strict regulations to keep them from happening.
The order outlines several measures that will be taken to achieve this goal, including increased inspections of forest areas, stronger enforcement of existing laws, and the promotion of sustainable forest management practices.
In 2021, the government set a goal of restoring forest cover to over 70 percent by 2025, to ensure long-term environmental protection and reduce the risk of natural disasters. Laos has lost a significant portion of its forest cover in the past 50 years, driven by several factors, including the expansion of agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development.
According to the order, all ministries and sectors will have to increase vigilance and take further responsibility when inspecting and taking measures against those that violate regulations prohibiting illegal logging of forest land.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/07/25/lao-prime-minister-issues-order-to-strengthen-forest-protection/
Lao PM Calls for ‘De-dollarization’ and Further Regulation of Foreign Currencies
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone signed a seven-page order on 14 July to ensure that foreign exchange earned through exports and foreign investments, enters the country through its banking system.
According to Xinhua, this latest regulation during a time of soaring inflation and mounting public debt, is an effort to increase the supply of foreign currencies in the country, leading to de-dollarization, and more demand for the Lao kip.
Currently, a little over 30 percent of export receipts in Laos enter through the country’s banking system, which doesn’t help in reinstating the country’s depleting foreign currency reserves due to the overall imbalance of payment in the country.
Hence the government has ordered the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL), to improve its electronic payment system for financial transactions and to regulate the use of foreign currencies in special economic zones, where payment of services are often made in stronger currencies like the Thai Baht.
The order also instructed the Ministry of Finance to collect taxes and revenues from businesses and exporters in foreign currencies if they generate income in currencies other than Lao Kip.
Additionally, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce was asked to develop an electronic system that enabled the sharing of data with BOL and other sectors to regulate import and export activities.
Moreover, the order also instructed importers and exporters to hold specific bank accounts in Laos to facilitate their financial transactions and also register with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to transfer export revenue via the banking system and into specific accounts.
Exporters who need to park their foreign currency overseas to repay loans in other countries should also seek prior permission from the BOL.
Relevant sectors in the country were also asked to regulate and monitor the inflow of foreign currencies earned from foreign investments and provide regular updates to the central bank.
Government officials were informed to keep supervising that the payment of goods, services, salaries of local employees, etc. was made in Lao Kip. Using local currency was also a mandate for businesses that sell goods online. Only foreign experts and expat employees can continue to receive their salaries in foreign currencies, says the notice.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/07/19/lao-pm-calls-for-de-dollarisation-and-further-regulation-of-foreign-currencies/