With international borders recently reopened, high-volume domestic destinations such as Vang Vieng, which received an influx of domestic tourists during the pandemic, have begun to struggle.
Vang Vieng District Governor, Mr. Bounchan Malavong, said during an interview with Lao National Radio that despite an increase in visitors from South Korea and Thailand, the overall number of tourists arriving in Vang Vieng has fallen.
While in 2020, the Vientiane Province received some 261,000 visitors according to the 2020 Statistical Report on Tourism in Laos released by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT), the numbers could have increased in 2021.
In February this year, provincial authorities said that more than 3,000 domestic tourists were recorded visiting Vang Vieng every week following the relaxation of Covid measures.
And getting to Vang Vieng is now easier than ever, with the launch of the Laos-China Railway and the Vang Vieng Expressway providing greater convenience for those traveling to the tourist town.
At the same time, domestic tourists have turned to international destinations after spending almost three years locked in Laos.
“My family visited Vang Vieng several times over the last two years while our country was closed. Now I’d like to see something new,” one reader told the Laotian Times.
Reports from authorities at the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge recorded 1,812 people entering Thailand on the second day of border relaxation.
“I couldn’t wait to get back to the big shopping mall at Udon Thani,” said another Vientiane resident.
“It is nice to make a family trip to Thailand where there is a greater variety of things to see and do. We can also fill up on fuel while we are there,” he noted.
Pakin Tiabkam, head of customs control at Nong Khai Customs House, told Thai media that some 30,000 foreigners crossed the Nong Khai border checkpoint into Thailand from 9-31 May.
Following the reopening of borders and resumption of flights, Laotians can now also access a number of regional cities from Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang by air, including destinations such as Bangkok, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
“Our family took our first trip to Phuket recently in over two years,” one expatriate told the Laotian Times in a phone interview.
“Vang Vieng is always a nice getaway but my children were thrilled to see the ocean again,” she said.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Vang-vieng-696x364-1.jpg364696Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2022-06-20 09:23:002022-06-14 12:25:56Domestic Tourists in Laos Lured Away by Renewed International Travel
Laos has announced an updated tourist visa fee structure following the full reopening of the country to tourism early this month.
A notice issued by the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, last week provides an update on the latest visa-on-arrival fees for tourists of different origins.
Visas provided on arrival for foreign nationals from all nationalities will be charged USD 40, except for Chinese and Vietnamese nationals, when applying for a tourist visa at an international checkpoint, according to the notice.
Chinese or Vietnamese citizens applying for a visa on arrival to Laos will be charged only USD 20.
The notice states that foreigners of Lao descent and their family members, or family members of Lao citizens who hold foreign citizenship, will also be charged USD 40 per person for a visa on arrival.
All international checkpoints are now open for entry and exit by Lao citizens, foreign residents, tourists, and other types of visitors.
Those wishing to visit Laos may apply for a visa at a Lao embassy or consulate abroad or via the e-Visa online system.
Visas on arrival have also been reinstated at major international checkpoints, such as the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge and Wattay International Airport.
Xing Xou Island has been announced as a new cultural heritage site in Vientiane Capital.
Vientiane Mai reports that the Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, as well as officials in Xing Xou Village, have begun preparations for the island to become a new tourism destination.
Don Xing Xou, also known as Xing Xou Island, is a little-known island community located in the middle of the Mekong River, in Sikhottabong District.
The island is accessible by boat from Khaoliao Village in Sikhottabong District.
A passenger boat to Xing Xou Island.
For LAK 20,000, a local vehicle will take visitors around the island, through a “bamboo tunnel,” among giant seasonal flowers, to observe fruit plantations and to spot various noteworthy avian species.
The island has its own Buddhist temple, or wat, as well as some ancient artifacts, drawing many local people who cross the river to make merit on the island, which is believed to be a sacred place.
The entrance of the Naga temple (Photo: Jason Rolan)
While a much older temple was believed to have been constructed at the site during the Xayfong Era, the newer sections were added in 2011. Prior to this, artifacts of gold, silver, and stone were moved from the site to be displayed and preserved at the Haw Phra Kaew Museum in Vientiane Capital.
Boats to and from the island depart daily from early morning until 5 pm.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/WhatsApp-Image-2022-05-23-at-2.48.48-PM.jpeg7681024Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2022-06-14 12:15:502022-06-14 12:15:53Vientiane to Promote Little-known Xing Xou Island as New Tourism Site
Domestic Tourists in Laos Lured Away by Renewed International Travel
With international borders recently reopened, high-volume domestic destinations such as Vang Vieng, which received an influx of domestic tourists during the pandemic, have begun to struggle.
Vang Vieng District Governor, Mr. Bounchan Malavong, said during an interview with Lao National Radio that despite an increase in visitors from South Korea and Thailand, the overall number of tourists arriving in Vang Vieng has fallen.
While in 2020, the Vientiane Province received some 261,000 visitors according to the 2020 Statistical Report on Tourism in Laos released by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT), the numbers could have increased in 2021.
In February this year, provincial authorities said that more than 3,000 domestic tourists were recorded visiting Vang Vieng every week following the relaxation of Covid measures.
And getting to Vang Vieng is now easier than ever, with the launch of the Laos-China Railway and the Vang Vieng Expressway providing greater convenience for those traveling to the tourist town.
However, Governor Bounchan says that economic problems and chronic fuel shortages have meant fewer domestic tourists have been making the trip to Vang Vieng in recent weeks.
At the same time, domestic tourists have turned to international destinations after spending almost three years locked in Laos.
“My family visited Vang Vieng several times over the last two years while our country was closed. Now I’d like to see something new,” one reader told the Laotian Times.
Reports from authorities at the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge recorded 1,812 people entering Thailand on the second day of border relaxation.
“I couldn’t wait to get back to the big shopping mall at Udon Thani,” said another Vientiane resident.
“It is nice to make a family trip to Thailand where there is a greater variety of things to see and do. We can also fill up on fuel while we are there,” he noted.
Pakin Tiabkam, head of customs control at Nong Khai Customs House, told Thai media that some 30,000 foreigners crossed the Nong Khai border checkpoint into Thailand from 9-31 May.
Following the reopening of borders and resumption of flights, Laotians can now also access a number of regional cities from Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang by air, including destinations such as Bangkok, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
“Our family took our first trip to Phuket recently in over two years,” one expatriate told the Laotian Times in a phone interview.
“Vang Vieng is always a nice getaway but my children were thrilled to see the ocean again,” she said.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/06/08/domestic-tourists-in-laos-lured-away-by-renewed-international-travel/
Laos Announces Updated Tourist Visa Fees
Laos has announced an updated tourist visa fee structure following the full reopening of the country to tourism early this month.
A notice issued by the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, last week provides an update on the latest visa-on-arrival fees for tourists of different origins.
Visas provided on arrival for foreign nationals from all nationalities will be charged USD 40, except for Chinese and Vietnamese nationals, when applying for a tourist visa at an international checkpoint, according to the notice.
Chinese or Vietnamese citizens applying for a visa on arrival to Laos will be charged only USD 20.
The notice states that foreigners of Lao descent and their family members, or family members of Lao citizens who hold foreign citizenship, will also be charged USD 40 per person for a visa on arrival.
Laos announced a full reopening to tourism on 9 May allowing vaccinated arrivals to enter the country without any testing requirements.
All international checkpoints are now open for entry and exit by Lao citizens, foreign residents, tourists, and other types of visitors.
Those wishing to visit Laos may apply for a visa at a Lao embassy or consulate abroad or via the e-Visa online system.
Visas on arrival have also been reinstated at major international checkpoints, such as the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge and Wattay International Airport.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/05/25/laos-announces-updated-tourist-visa-fees/
Vientiane to Promote Little-known Xing Xou Island as New Tourism Site
Xing Xou Island has been announced as a new cultural heritage site in Vientiane Capital.
Vientiane Mai reports that the Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, as well as officials in Xing Xou Village, have begun preparations for the island to become a new tourism destination.
Don Xing Xou, also known as Xing Xou Island, is a little-known island community located in the middle of the Mekong River, in Sikhottabong District.
The island is accessible by boat from Khaoliao Village in Sikhottabong District.
For LAK 20,000, a local vehicle will take visitors around the island, through a “bamboo tunnel,” among giant seasonal flowers, to observe fruit plantations and to spot various noteworthy avian species.
The island has its own Buddhist temple, or wat, as well as some ancient artifacts, drawing many local people who cross the river to make merit on the island, which is believed to be a sacred place.
While a much older temple was believed to have been constructed at the site during the Xayfong Era, the newer sections were added in 2011. Prior to this, artifacts of gold, silver, and stone were moved from the site to be displayed and preserved at the Haw Phra Kaew Museum in Vientiane Capital.
Boats to and from the island depart daily from early morning until 5 pm.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/05/23/vientiane-to-promote-little-known-xing-xou-island-as-new-tourism-site/