The goal of the LaoSafe program is to improve the quality of health and hygiene practices, while building confidence in Laos as a safe tourist destination.
After having previously handed over LaoSafe certificates to more than 40 professionals and businesses on 28 February, Mme Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Tourism Management Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), addressed the attending tour guides and drivers by congratulating them for passing the assessment and their commitment to providing a safe environment for both domestic and international tourists.
Under the current COVID guidelines governing international tourism to Laos, tour guides and drivers constitute one of the major points of contact for tourists.
“As international tourists may, at this stage, only enter the country by way of organized tours, it is all the more important for the country as well as its incoming tourists to rely on professionals such as yourselves who are serious about upholding great hygiene standards at all times,” Mme Darany Phommavongsa noted.
“We all had some fundamental understanding of relevant hygiene procedures and standards, but the training made us aware of scenarios and practices most of us hadn’t thought of previously,” Mr. Kethavy Sisavath, one of the certified LaoSafe tour guides explained.
This was also echoed by Mr. Syamphone Khamphavongsa who was also handed his LaoSafe Driver certificate: “The training was very practical, consisting of simulations such as responding to the news of having had contact with a COVID positive passenger and applying correct procedures.”
Mr. Syamphone Khamphavongsa handed over certifications.
As further remarked by Mme Darany Phommavongsa, who handed out the LaoSafe certificates to the attending tour guides and drivers, “there is a growing demand from the private sector to become LaoSafe certified. We are now focusing on keeping the momentum going, responding to the growing number of requests, and expanding the training for tour guides and drivers in other key provinces such as Luang Prabang and Vientiane Province.”
Against the backdrop of the 22 businesses, 45 tour guides, and 30 drivers that have so far been certified, the program is also preparing additional trainers and assessors for the accommodation subsector, with hotels across the country keen to become LaoSafe certified.
Ms. Khamphoy Singthong, a tour guide, poses with LaoSafe certification.
More tour guides, drivers, and businesses are set to be certified, with additional awarding ceremonies planned to take place in Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang over the coming weeks and months.
LaoSafe is a health and hygiene program approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the MICT and comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including for accommodation providers, food and beverage (F&B) outlets, airlines, tour guides, and drivers.
The program is supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is co-financed by the governments of the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Professionals-and-bussinesses-recived-LaoSafe-certifications-696x364-1.jpg364696Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2022-03-24 14:25:002022-03-09 14:27:37First Tour Guides and Drivers Become LaoSafe Certified
The event was held in the presence of Mr. Ounthuang Khaophanh, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), Mr. Nouphan Outsa, Director General of the Technical Vocational Education Department (TVED), Mr. Sam Schreiner, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Luxembourg and Mr. Christian Engler, the Swiss Development Cooperation’s (SDC) Deputy Country Director, 19 individuals received their credentials as LaoSafe Trainers and Assessors, in addition to 22 businesses receiving their LaoSafe certification.
Businesses proudly display their LaoSafe certifications.
LaoSafe is a health and hygiene program approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the MICT and comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including for accommodation providers, food and beverage (F&B) outlets, airlines, tour guides, and drivers. The goal of LaoSafe is to both improve the quality of health and hygiene practices while building confidence in Lao PDR as a safe tourist destination.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Minister of the MICT made note of the progress that has already been achieved by the LaoSafe program, which officially commenced its piloting in Vientiane Capital a month ago.
“Following a series of intensive preparation sessions, we have now reached one of the program’s first milestones, which is the certification of Trainers and Assessors for the subsectors of food and beverage, tour guides and drivers,’’ he explained.
“Trainers and Assessors for the accommodation sector are currently undergoing preparation.”
These LaoSafe Trainers are officially certified to train food and beverage outlets as well as tour guides and drivers in preparation for their LaoSafe assessment, and a team of assessors have been equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform onsite inspections.
During their preparation, the trainers and assessors were given the opportunity to directly practice their skills by coaching and assessing numerous businesses which had expressed interest in becoming LaoSafe certified.
Ms. Dalaphone Pholosena poses with her LaoSafe certification.
“The training provided by the LaoSafe Trainers was not just crucial to refresh and expand our staff’s understanding of relevant hygiene procedures against COVID, but it also gave us the confidence that we would pass the strict assessment to become LaoSafe certified,’’ said Ms. Dalaphone Pholsena, Managing Director of Kualao Restaurant.
As remarked by Mme. Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Tourism Management Department of the MICT,”‘it’s been extremely encouraging to witness the interest of tourism and hospitality businesses and professionals in the LaoSafe certification. Consequently, a lot of trainings and assessments are underway in Vientiane Capital and in Luang Prabang”.
Numerous businesses, ranging from the national airlines – which also received their certification during the event – to accommodation businesses like Crowne Plaza Hotel understand the need to make their domestic and international clients feel cared for.
“We owe it to our guests to make them feel absolutely safe on our premises. Once the borders have fully reopened, we want to be able to show to potential clients that we have done everything in our power to ensure that all operations are run with strict dedication to high-quality hygiene standards,’’ Mr. Nattawut Wetprasit, Director of Operations of the Crowne Plaza Hotel emphasized.
More tour guides, drivers, and businesses are set to be trained and assessed in the coming months in different locations of the country. Additional awarding ceremonies are also planned to take place in Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang in the coming weeks.
The LaoSafe program is supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is co-financed by the governments of the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
The ASEAN Clean Tourism Award was presented by Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mrs. Suanesavanh Vignaket, and received by Luang Prabang Governor, Mr. Viengthong Hatsachan.
Luang Prabang City was evaluated for the award in 2021 and was found to have met about 93 percent of the criteria put forth by ASEAN’s clean tourism standards.
The city first received the award in 2020, and has worked with businesses and residents to ensure the city continued to meet the required standards to be awarded again.
Meanwhile, Kuang Si Waterfall in Luang Prabang Province received a Sustainable Tourism Award after local authorities implemented measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and encouraged vendors at the site to use biodegradable packaging, such as banana leaves.
Facilities at the site were also upgraded, according to the Luang Prabang tourism department, while the ticket station at Kuang Si Waterfall provides electric shuttle bus services to the falls and viewing points.
The award was presented to the Head of the Information, Culture and Tourism Department of Luang Prabang Province, Dr. Soutdaphone Khomthavong. It was conferred by the Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mrs. Suansavanh Viyaket at Phousi convention hall, National Museum of Luang Prabang.
The ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards (ASTA) are held every two years in support of the implementation of ASEAN’s Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025 and are aimed at creating incentives for ASEAN tourism destinations and stakeholders and jointly develop tourism products and to reduce the environmental, socio-cultural and economic problems caused by the rapid growth of tourism.
The theme of the 3rd ASTA held for 2022-2023 is “Safe Tourism,” according to Visit Southeast Asia, the official ASEAN travel website.
Kuang Si waterfall features a stunning and beautiful multi-tiered waterfall hidden in the forest outside the city, which has become a famous destination among local and foreign visitors.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Kuang-Si-Waterfall-in-Luang-Prabang-province-696x364-1.jpg364696Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2022-03-18 14:18:002022-03-09 14:20:48Luang Prabang City and Kuang Si Waterfall Win ASEAN Tourism Awards
First Tour Guides and Drivers Become LaoSafe Certified
The goal of the LaoSafe program is to improve the quality of health and hygiene practices, while building confidence in Laos as a safe tourist destination.
After having previously handed over LaoSafe certificates to more than 40 professionals and businesses on 28 February, Mme Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Tourism Management Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), addressed the attending tour guides and drivers by congratulating them for passing the assessment and their commitment to providing a safe environment for both domestic and international tourists.
Under the current COVID guidelines governing international tourism to Laos, tour guides and drivers constitute one of the major points of contact for tourists.
“As international tourists may, at this stage, only enter the country by way of organized tours, it is all the more important for the country as well as its incoming tourists to rely on professionals such as yourselves who are serious about upholding great hygiene standards at all times,” Mme Darany Phommavongsa noted.
“We all had some fundamental understanding of relevant hygiene procedures and standards, but the training made us aware of scenarios and practices most of us hadn’t thought of previously,” Mr. Kethavy Sisavath, one of the certified LaoSafe tour guides explained.
This was also echoed by Mr. Syamphone Khamphavongsa who was also handed his LaoSafe Driver certificate: “The training was very practical, consisting of simulations such as responding to the news of having had contact with a COVID positive passenger and applying correct procedures.”
As further remarked by Mme Darany Phommavongsa, who handed out the LaoSafe certificates to the attending tour guides and drivers, “there is a growing demand from the private sector to become LaoSafe certified. We are now focusing on keeping the momentum going, responding to the growing number of requests, and expanding the training for tour guides and drivers in other key provinces such as Luang Prabang and Vientiane Province.”
Against the backdrop of the 22 businesses, 45 tour guides, and 30 drivers that have so far been certified, the program is also preparing additional trainers and assessors for the accommodation subsector, with hotels across the country keen to become LaoSafe certified.
More tour guides, drivers, and businesses are set to be certified, with additional awarding ceremonies planned to take place in Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang over the coming weeks and months.
LaoSafe is a health and hygiene program approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the MICT and comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including for accommodation providers, food and beverage (F&B) outlets, airlines, tour guides, and drivers.
The program is supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is co-financed by the governments of the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
More information on LaoSafe can be obtained at: www.tourismlaos.org or via email laosafe@luxdev.lu.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/03/04/first-tour-guides-and-drivers-become-laosafe-certified/
Businesses Attain LaoSafe Certification
The event was held in the presence of Mr. Ounthuang Khaophanh, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), Mr. Nouphan Outsa, Director General of the Technical Vocational Education Department (TVED), Mr. Sam Schreiner, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Luxembourg and Mr. Christian Engler, the Swiss Development Cooperation’s (SDC) Deputy Country Director, 19 individuals received their credentials as LaoSafe Trainers and Assessors, in addition to 22 businesses receiving their LaoSafe certification.
LaoSafe is a health and hygiene program approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the MICT and comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including for accommodation providers, food and beverage (F&B) outlets, airlines, tour guides, and drivers. The goal of LaoSafe is to both improve the quality of health and hygiene practices while building confidence in Lao PDR as a safe tourist destination.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Minister of the MICT made note of the progress that has already been achieved by the LaoSafe program, which officially commenced its piloting in Vientiane Capital a month ago.
“Following a series of intensive preparation sessions, we have now reached one of the program’s first milestones, which is the certification of Trainers and Assessors for the subsectors of food and beverage, tour guides and drivers,’’ he explained.
“Trainers and Assessors for the accommodation sector are currently undergoing preparation.”
These LaoSafe Trainers are officially certified to train food and beverage outlets as well as tour guides and drivers in preparation for their LaoSafe assessment, and a team of assessors have been equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform onsite inspections.
During their preparation, the trainers and assessors were given the opportunity to directly practice their skills by coaching and assessing numerous businesses which had expressed interest in becoming LaoSafe certified.
“The training provided by the LaoSafe Trainers was not just crucial to refresh and expand our staff’s understanding of relevant hygiene procedures against COVID, but it also gave us the confidence that we would pass the strict assessment to become LaoSafe certified,’’ said Ms. Dalaphone Pholsena, Managing Director of Kualao Restaurant.
As remarked by Mme. Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Tourism Management Department of the MICT,”‘it’s been extremely encouraging to witness the interest of tourism and hospitality businesses and professionals in the LaoSafe certification. Consequently, a lot of trainings and assessments are underway in Vientiane Capital and in Luang Prabang”.
Numerous businesses, ranging from the national airlines – which also received their certification during the event – to accommodation businesses like Crowne Plaza Hotel understand the need to make their domestic and international clients feel cared for.
“We owe it to our guests to make them feel absolutely safe on our premises. Once the borders have fully reopened, we want to be able to show to potential clients that we have done everything in our power to ensure that all operations are run with strict dedication to high-quality hygiene standards,’’ Mr. Nattawut Wetprasit, Director of Operations of the Crowne Plaza Hotel emphasized.
More tour guides, drivers, and businesses are set to be trained and assessed in the coming months in different locations of the country. Additional awarding ceremonies are also planned to take place in Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang in the coming weeks.
The LaoSafe program is supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is co-financed by the governments of the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
More information on LaoSafe can be obtained under: https://www.tourismlaos.org/about-laosafe/ or via email laosafe@luxdev.lu.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/03/01/businesses-attain-laosafe-certification/
Luang Prabang City and Kuang Si Waterfall Win ASEAN Tourism Awards
The ASEAN Clean Tourism Award was presented by Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mrs. Suanesavanh Vignaket, and received by Luang Prabang Governor, Mr. Viengthong Hatsachan.
Luang Prabang City was evaluated for the award in 2021 and was found to have met about 93 percent of the criteria put forth by ASEAN’s clean tourism standards.
The city first received the award in 2020, and has worked with businesses and residents to ensure the city continued to meet the required standards to be awarded again.
Meanwhile, Kuang Si Waterfall in Luang Prabang Province received a Sustainable Tourism Award after local authorities implemented measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and encouraged vendors at the site to use biodegradable packaging, such as banana leaves.
Facilities at the site were also upgraded, according to the Luang Prabang tourism department, while the ticket station at Kuang Si Waterfall provides electric shuttle bus services to the falls and viewing points.
The award was presented to the Head of the Information, Culture and Tourism Department of Luang Prabang Province, Dr. Soutdaphone Khomthavong. It was conferred by the Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mrs. Suansavanh Viyaket at Phousi convention hall, National Museum of Luang Prabang.
The ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards (ASTA) are held every two years in support of the implementation of ASEAN’s Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025 and are aimed at creating incentives for ASEAN tourism destinations and stakeholders and jointly develop tourism products and to reduce the environmental, socio-cultural and economic problems caused by the rapid growth of tourism.
The theme of the 3rd ASTA held for 2022-2023 is “Safe Tourism,” according to Visit Southeast Asia, the official ASEAN travel website.
Kuang Si waterfall features a stunning and beautiful multi-tiered waterfall hidden in the forest outside the city, which has become a famous destination among local and foreign visitors.
Champasack’s Tad Yuang Waterfall also received an ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award in January for promoting the sale of organic vegetables and locally made handicrafts as part of an upgrade to facilities during the Lao Thiao Lao domestic tourism campaign of 2020.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/03/09/luang-prabang-city-and-kuang-si-waterfall-win-asean-tourism-awards/