Following China’s lifting of international border restrictions last month after the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Laos has been on the rise, especially in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang where hotel room reservations are at an all-time high.
According to Vientiane Times, Vice President of the Hotel and Guesthouse Association in Luang Prabang province, Mr. Daophet Bouphaphanh, many Chinese visitors are entering Laos traveling in tempo travelers or private vehicles.
Some tourists have also been visiting and staying in Luang Prabang in motorhomes or campers causing concerns among residents of the peaceful town.
However, Mr. Daophet said that the provincial tourism authority is now working with other stakeholders to improve accommodation and hospitality services to handle a huge visitor influx while assuring that tourists have a great experience during their stay in the popular northern town.
Additionally, several hotels and restaurants in popular areas have started hiring staff who speak English and Chinese to communicate effectively with tourists as well.
Officials at Boten International Checkpoint in Luang Namtha also recently confirmed that many Chinese nationals have been entering Laos for tourism purposes since the reopening of the borders.
Last month, The Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism chaired by the Deputy Minister of Information of Culture, Mr. Ounthouang Khaophan hosted a forum to discuss Laos’ readiness for a prospective inflow of Chinese tourists, with input from various private sector and government authorities.
Laos expects about 368,000 Chinese tourists to visit the country this year.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Luang-Prabang-Sees-Numerous-Chinese-Tourists-Filling-Up-Hotels.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2023-03-07 01:58:002023-02-28 11:00:47Luang Prabang Hotels on Full Capacity Thanks to Chinese Tourists
The Embassy of the Republic of China to Laos has issued a statement to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform them that starting Wednesday, passengers from Laos will no longer need to provide a negative RT-PCR test result, as an Antigen test will be sufficient.
The statement from the Chinese Embassy stated, “From 1 March 2023, the Republic of China will allow passengers traveling from Laos to be able to enter the country after completing an ATK test, including tests conducted by the individual.”
“Passengers who have tested negative will be able to apply for a health form via QR from the Chinese customs authority, through the application WeChat,” the statement continued.
From 1 March onwards, authorized airlines will also no longer check for a PCR or ATK test for passengers flying to China.
PCR test or in medical terms, polymerase chain reaction, is a test to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus. This test must be carried out by medical professionals.
Whereas the ATK (antigen test kit) can be administered by the individual taking the test, although it could be less accurate than the PCR test.
Close to three years after the pandemic was first detected, countries around the world are starting to ease their Covid-19 regulations. Recently, Hong Kong lifted its mask mandate, ending the city’s last major restriction post-pandemic.
Condé Nast Traveler published an article last week on the ten best night safaris in the world, and Laos was the only country from Southeast Asia that made it to the list.
The article featured night safaris from countries like Australia, Tanzania, Ecuador’s Amazon, India, as well as Laos’ national protected park, “Nam Et-Phou Louey.”
The night safari in Laos was recommended as one of the best places to “enjoy the animal kingdom’s after-dark excitement—up to 70 percent of species are active from dusk to dawn, after all—with a soft place to land and dine between excursions.”
According to the article, the park offers “an evening boat ride, followed by a hike and dinner by a campfire, then the ultimate twilight treats: floating down the river beneath a blanket of darkness—with only one torchlight per boat to illuminate the potential leopards, porcupines, and gibbons en route.”
The suggested tour wraps up with a stay in one of the traditional Lao bungalows at the Park Ecolodge.
“Local guides run the tour with support from partners like the Wildlife Conservation Society; this tourism model encourages park-adjacent communities to protect the region’s endangered species,” says Condé Nast Traveler.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Laos-Nam-Et-Phou-Louey-Listed-Among-Best-Safari-Globally.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2023-03-03 01:25:002023-02-27 13:55:06Laos’ Nam Et-Phou Louey Listed Among Best Night Safaris Globally
Luang Prabang Hotels on Full Capacity Thanks to Chinese Tourists
Following China’s lifting of international border restrictions last month after the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Laos has been on the rise, especially in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang where hotel room reservations are at an all-time high.
According to Vientiane Times, Vice President of the Hotel and Guesthouse Association in Luang Prabang province, Mr. Daophet Bouphaphanh, many Chinese visitors are entering Laos traveling in tempo travelers or private vehicles.
Some tourists have also been visiting and staying in Luang Prabang in motorhomes or campers causing concerns among residents of the peaceful town.
However, Mr. Daophet said that the provincial tourism authority is now working with other stakeholders to improve accommodation and hospitality services to handle a huge visitor influx while assuring that tourists have a great experience during their stay in the popular northern town.
Additionally, several hotels and restaurants in popular areas have started hiring staff who speak English and Chinese to communicate effectively with tourists as well.
Officials at Boten International Checkpoint in Luang Namtha also recently confirmed that many Chinese nationals have been entering Laos for tourism purposes since the reopening of the borders.
Last month, The Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism chaired by the Deputy Minister of Information of Culture, Mr. Ounthouang Khaophan hosted a forum to discuss Laos’ readiness for a prospective inflow of Chinese tourists, with input from various private sector and government authorities.
Laos expects about 368,000 Chinese tourists to visit the country this year.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/02/27/luang-prabang-hotels-on-full-capacity-thanks-to-chinese-tourists/
China Eases Covid Regulations for Travelers from Laos
The Embassy of the Republic of China to Laos has issued a statement to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform them that starting Wednesday, passengers from Laos will no longer need to provide a negative RT-PCR test result, as an Antigen test will be sufficient.
The statement from the Chinese Embassy stated, “From 1 March 2023, the Republic of China will allow passengers traveling from Laos to be able to enter the country after completing an ATK test, including tests conducted by the individual.”
“Passengers who have tested negative will be able to apply for a health form via QR from the Chinese customs authority, through the application WeChat,” the statement continued.
From 1 March onwards, authorized airlines will also no longer check for a PCR or ATK test for passengers flying to China.
PCR test or in medical terms, polymerase chain reaction, is a test to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus. This test must be carried out by medical professionals.
Whereas the ATK (antigen test kit) can be administered by the individual taking the test, although it could be less accurate than the PCR test.
Close to three years after the pandemic was first detected, countries around the world are starting to ease their Covid-19 regulations. Recently, Hong Kong lifted its mask mandate, ending the city’s last major restriction post-pandemic.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/01/china-eases-covid-regulations-for-travelers-from-laos/
Laos’ Nam Et-Phou Louey Listed Among Best Night Safaris Globally
Condé Nast Traveler published an article last week on the ten best night safaris in the world, and Laos was the only country from Southeast Asia that made it to the list.
The article featured night safaris from countries like Australia, Tanzania, Ecuador’s Amazon, India, as well as Laos’ national protected park, “Nam Et-Phou Louey.”
The night safari in Laos was recommended as one of the best places to “enjoy the animal kingdom’s after-dark excitement—up to 70 percent of species are active from dusk to dawn, after all—with a soft place to land and dine between excursions.”
According to the article, the park offers “an evening boat ride, followed by a hike and dinner by a campfire, then the ultimate twilight treats: floating down the river beneath a blanket of darkness—with only one torchlight per boat to illuminate the potential leopards, porcupines, and gibbons en route.”
The suggested tour wraps up with a stay in one of the traditional Lao bungalows at the Park Ecolodge.
“Local guides run the tour with support from partners like the Wildlife Conservation Society; this tourism model encourages park-adjacent communities to protect the region’s endangered species,” says Condé Nast Traveler.
Laos has garnered a lot of international acclaim recently after being featured in 2023 travel articles by renowned publications including CNN, National Geographic, Wanderlust, Traveler’s List, and Fodor’s.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/02/21/laos-nam-et-phou-louey-listed-among-best-night-safari-globally/