The American business magazine, Forbes, published an article on Thursday calling Laos the most charming country in Southeast Asia.
According to Forbes, while the country may lack a tropical coastline, it makes up for it with scenic mountainous landscapes, flourishing rice paddies, and the stunning Mekong River that flows through its land.
Forbes praised Laos for its “fascinating array of cultural attractions, outdoor experiences, and timeless charm,” as it is largely untouched by commercial development.
The article highlighted Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, as “an overlooked jewel of Southeast Asia” for its rich heritage and traditions, including the daily alms-giving ceremony where locals offer sticky rice, crackers, or cookies to monks, which remains an enduring attraction.
For an immersive cultural experience, the article recommended Orange Robe Tours, a social enterprise that employs former novices and monks as guides around Luang Prabang. Through their tours, visitors can gain a unique and insightful perspective into the life of a Buddhist monk and aid in their transition from monastic to regular life.
The capital city of Vientiane and the popular tourist town Vang Vieng were mentioned in the article as well which offered up food and hotel recommendations for the discerning traveler alongside interesting activities one could indulge in.
The Laos-China Railway which recently launched an app for online bookings also received a special mention for making travel within the country much more convenient.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-tourist-town-of-Vang-Vieng-in-Laos-696x364-1.jpg364696Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2023-04-04 03:03:002023-04-03 15:07:13Forbes Names Laos as SE Asia’s Most Charming Country
Laos-China Railway will extend its passenger services on the international route to China from Vientiane to Kunming and return starting next month.
Deputy Chief Engineer at Lao-China Railway Company, Mr. Vongthong Souphanthong, has said that the Laos-China Railway Company will open international services from Vientiane to Kunming, China, and back in mid-April 2023.
Laos-China Railway is coordinating with the governments in both countries to start the service in less than a month’s time.
Passengers from Vientiane should submit immigration-related documents at Boten station in Laos first, and at the immigration checkpoint at Bohan station in China to enter the country based on bilateral regulations of the two nations.
Around 1500-1600 tourists and business travelers avail Laos-China railway services from Boten station in Luang Namtha to other stations in Laos every day, according to Mr. Vongthong.
Earlier this month, the railway company launched and brought out its LCR mobile ticket application for passengers to book their travel online. The company reports that more than 15,000 people have registered to use the application since it went online.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Laos-China-Railway1.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2023-03-29 02:07:002023-03-23 14:09:48Laos-China Railway to Start Cross-border Travel to China in April
Lao Airlines announced on Tuesday that the flag carrier will resume flights from Vientiane to China’s Guangzhou province by next month.
Lao Airlines announced on its official Facebook page, that weekly flights to China’s Guangzhou province will operate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 15 April. The airline will use an Airbus A320 with 158 seats for this route.
According to a report by TTRWEEKLY, the duration of the flight will be two hours. Google Flights indicate that the cost of a one-way fare is estimated to be around THB 9,170 (USD 268.92) while a round-trip ticket could cost THB 17,939 (USD 526.27).
The report also said that the Lao Airlines website didn’t have the updated fare information and bookings option available on Wednesday. The drop-down menu did not show Guangzhou and only displayed Kunming as the active destination in China for ticket bookings.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays flight QV881 will depart Vientiane at 1:10 pm and arrive in Guangzhou at 4:10 pm local time.
Similarly, the flight schedule for Guangzhou to Vientiane on flight QV882 is also available on the same days of the week. The flight will depart Guangzhou at 5:10 pm and reach Vientiane at 6:40 pm local time.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lao-Airline-plane-.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2023-03-28 02:05:002023-03-23 14:07:34Lao Airlines to Start Additional Flight to China
Forbes Names Laos as SE Asia’s Most Charming Country
The American business magazine, Forbes, published an article on Thursday calling Laos the most charming country in Southeast Asia.
According to Forbes, while the country may lack a tropical coastline, it makes up for it with scenic mountainous landscapes, flourishing rice paddies, and the stunning Mekong River that flows through its land.
Forbes praised Laos for its “fascinating array of cultural attractions, outdoor experiences, and timeless charm,” as it is largely untouched by commercial development.
The article highlighted Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, as “an overlooked jewel of Southeast Asia” for its rich heritage and traditions, including the daily alms-giving ceremony where locals offer sticky rice, crackers, or cookies to monks, which remains an enduring attraction.
For an immersive cultural experience, the article recommended Orange Robe Tours, a social enterprise that employs former novices and monks as guides around Luang Prabang. Through their tours, visitors can gain a unique and insightful perspective into the life of a Buddhist monk and aid in their transition from monastic to regular life.
The capital city of Vientiane and the popular tourist town Vang Vieng were mentioned in the article as well which offered up food and hotel recommendations for the discerning traveler alongside interesting activities one could indulge in.
The Laos-China Railway which recently launched an app for online bookings also received a special mention for making travel within the country much more convenient.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/31/forbes-names-laos-as-se-asias-most-charming-country/
Laos-China Railway to Start Cross-border Travel to China in April
Laos-China Railway will extend its passenger services on the international route to China from Vientiane to Kunming and return starting next month.
Deputy Chief Engineer at Lao-China Railway Company, Mr. Vongthong Souphanthong, has said that the Laos-China Railway Company will open international services from Vientiane to Kunming, China, and back in mid-April 2023.
Laos-China Railway is coordinating with the governments in both countries to start the service in less than a month’s time.
Passengers from Vientiane should submit immigration-related documents at Boten station in Laos first, and at the immigration checkpoint at Bohan station in China to enter the country based on bilateral regulations of the two nations.
Around 1500-1600 tourists and business travelers avail Laos-China railway services from Boten station in Luang Namtha to other stations in Laos every day, according to Mr. Vongthong.
Earlier this month, the railway company launched and brought out its LCR mobile ticket application for passengers to book their travel online. The company reports that more than 15,000 people have registered to use the application since it went online.
Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, has also advised the Ministry of Public Works and Transport this month to set up immigration booths at train stations along the Laos-China Railway to accommodate the increasing demand for rail travel.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/23/laos-china-railway-to-begin-operations-to-china-in-april/
Lao Airlines to Start Additional Flight to China
Lao Airlines announced on Tuesday that the flag carrier will resume flights from Vientiane to China’s Guangzhou province by next month.
Lao Airlines announced on its official Facebook page, that weekly flights to China’s Guangzhou province will operate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 15 April. The airline will use an Airbus A320 with 158 seats for this route.
According to a report by TTRWEEKLY, the duration of the flight will be two hours. Google Flights indicate that the cost of a one-way fare is estimated to be around THB 9,170 (USD 268.92) while a round-trip ticket could cost THB 17,939 (USD 526.27).
The report also said that the Lao Airlines website didn’t have the updated fare information and bookings option available on Wednesday. The drop-down menu did not show Guangzhou and only displayed Kunming as the active destination in China for ticket bookings.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays flight QV881 will depart Vientiane at 1:10 pm and arrive in Guangzhou at 4:10 pm local time.
Similarly, the flight schedule for Guangzhou to Vientiane on flight QV882 is also available on the same days of the week. The flight will depart Guangzhou at 5:10 pm and reach Vientiane at 6:40 pm local time.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/23/lao-airlines-to-start-additional-flight-to-china/