Vientiane Province authorities formally recognized the Three-Colored Bronze Buddha as a local-level national heritage site on 26 December during a ceremony at Ban Lingsan Temple in Thoulakhom district.
Vice Chairman of the Vientiane Provincial Administrative Committee Somphasong Souvongkhamchan attended the event alongside representatives from provincial and district offices, monks and nuns, village leaders, parents, and students. Officials presented the designation as part of efforts to preserve local history and cultural identity.
The Three-Colored Bronze Buddha holds deep historical and spiritual significance for the village. Ban Lingsan is home to 301 households and 1,588 residents. The community practices Buddhism alongside traditional beliefs, with livelihoods based mainly on farming and animal husbandry.
Authorities recognize Ban Lingsan as a conservation village and an ancient cultural site known for preserving the Long Ngum tradition. The Three-Colored Buddha, locally known as Phra Thong Sam Si, has long served as a spiritual symbol for residents of the village and nearby communities.
The statue stands 56 centimeters tall, with a forehead width of 37 centimeters and shoulder width of 21 centimeters. Its base measures 23.5 centimeters in height and 51 centimeters in width. Craftsmen created the statue using bronze, brass, silver-gold alloys, and rare gemstones.
Experts believe a skilled artisan produced the work during the Lane Xang Kingdom period, between 1353 to 1707. However, the exact date reman unknown.
The ceremony included a procession carrying the Three-Colored Buddha around the temple grounds, followed by traditional dance performances by students from Lingsan Village Primary School and Ban Wit Kham Secondary School.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Three-coloured-bronze-Buddha-Lao-News-Agency.jpg640960Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-12-30 13:43:502025-12-30 13:43:55Three-Colored Bronze Buddha Recognized as Local National Heritage in Vientiane Province
Attapeu Province has lifted 29,289 families out of poverty, according to Chairman of the Attapeu Provincial Administrative Committee Tanuxay Chandanalith, who presented the update during the 10th Ordinary Session of the Attapeu Provincial People’s Council on December 24.
Tanuxay said the province currently comprises five districts and 140 villages, with a total of 32,257 families. Of these, 29,289 households have moved above the poverty line. As a result, 127 villages and three districts are now officially classified as out of poverty.
Alongside this progress, living standards across the province have continued to improve. A total of 24,455 families have been recognized as developed households, while 80 villages have achieved developed village status. In addition, three large villages have evolved into rural town centers, and three districts have been designated as developed districts.
Efforts to promote exemplary livelihoods have also gained momentum through model family programs, which have been implemented in seven villages. In Saysettha district alone, 97 families have been recognized as model households, including 30 farming families and 53 livestock-raising families.
Tanuxay noted that poverty reduction remains a central priority for the provincial administration. He said state investment, policy bank credit, grants, loans, and community contributions have been strategically directed toward infrastructure development and livelihood support.
These measures, he added, have strengthened production capacity, improved access to basic services, and raised living conditions, particularly in rural and remote areas, while laying a stronger foundation for long-term economic and social development across Attapeu Province.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 10 million in funding for the Responsible Forestry Project Phase I in Laos. The package includes a USD 5 million concessional loan from ADB’s ordinary capital resources and a USD 5 million grant.
The project aims to tackle forest degradation, enhance climate resilience, and support the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities in Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, and Vientiane Capital.
ADB emphasized that public funding alone is insufficient to reverse the damage, highlighting the need for increased private investment in forest restoration, tree planting, and conservation-focused ecotourism.
Phase I will focus on identifying existing challenges and preparing technical and feasibility studies for Phase II. It will also promote collaboration among relevant stakeholders to develop commercial plantations and conservation initiatives.
The project is expected to strengthen institutional capacity and create opportunities for local communities to participate in forestry activities while benefiting economically from sustainable forest management.
Forests cover approximately 62 percent of Laos and provide employment for more than 65 percent of the workforce. However, unsustainable practices have caused widespread degradation, resulting in economic losses estimated at nearly 19 percent of the country’s gross domestic product each year.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Forest.webp7001080Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-12-25 13:38:582025-12-30 13:41:23Asian Development Bank Approves Funds for Forestry Restoration Project in Laos
Three-Colored Bronze Buddha Recognized as Local National Heritage in Vientiane Province
Vientiane Province authorities formally recognized the Three-Colored Bronze Buddha as a local-level national heritage site on 26 December during a ceremony at Ban Lingsan Temple in Thoulakhom district.
Vice Chairman of the Vientiane Provincial Administrative Committee Somphasong Souvongkhamchan attended the event alongside representatives from provincial and district offices, monks and nuns, village leaders, parents, and students. Officials presented the designation as part of efforts to preserve local history and cultural identity.
The Three-Colored Bronze Buddha holds deep historical and spiritual significance for the village. Ban Lingsan is home to 301 households and 1,588 residents. The community practices Buddhism alongside traditional beliefs, with livelihoods based mainly on farming and animal husbandry.
Authorities recognize Ban Lingsan as a conservation village and an ancient cultural site known for preserving the Long Ngum tradition. The Three-Colored Buddha, locally known as Phra Thong Sam Si, has long served as a spiritual symbol for residents of the village and nearby communities.
The statue stands 56 centimeters tall, with a forehead width of 37 centimeters and shoulder width of 21 centimeters. Its base measures 23.5 centimeters in height and 51 centimeters in width. Craftsmen created the statue using bronze, brass, silver-gold alloys, and rare gemstones.
Experts believe a skilled artisan produced the work during the Lane Xang Kingdom period, between 1353 to 1707. However, the exact date reman unknown.
The ceremony included a procession carrying the Three-Colored Buddha around the temple grounds, followed by traditional dance performances by students from Lingsan Village Primary School and Ban Wit Kham Secondary School.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/12/30/three-colored-bronze-buddha-recognized-as-local-national-heritage-in-vientiane-province/
Attapeu Reports Major Poverty Reduction, 29,289 Families Lifted
Attapeu Province has lifted 29,289 families out of poverty, according to Chairman of the Attapeu Provincial Administrative Committee Tanuxay Chandanalith, who presented the update during the 10th Ordinary Session of the Attapeu Provincial People’s Council on December 24.
Tanuxay said the province currently comprises five districts and 140 villages, with a total of 32,257 families. Of these, 29,289 households have moved above the poverty line. As a result, 127 villages and three districts are now officially classified as out of poverty.
Alongside this progress, living standards across the province have continued to improve. A total of 24,455 families have been recognized as developed households, while 80 villages have achieved developed village status. In addition, three large villages have evolved into rural town centers, and three districts have been designated as developed districts.
Efforts to promote exemplary livelihoods have also gained momentum through model family programs, which have been implemented in seven villages. In Saysettha district alone, 97 families have been recognized as model households, including 30 farming families and 53 livestock-raising families.
Tanuxay noted that poverty reduction remains a central priority for the provincial administration. He said state investment, policy bank credit, grants, loans, and community contributions have been strategically directed toward infrastructure development and livelihood support.
These measures, he added, have strengthened production capacity, improved access to basic services, and raised living conditions, particularly in rural and remote areas, while laying a stronger foundation for long-term economic and social development across Attapeu Province.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/12/26/attapeu-reports-major-poverty-reduction-29289-families-lifted/
Asian Development Bank Approves Funds for Forestry Restoration Project in Laos
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 10 million in funding for the Responsible Forestry Project Phase I in Laos. The package includes a USD 5 million concessional loan from ADB’s ordinary capital resources and a USD 5 million grant.
The project aims to tackle forest degradation, enhance climate resilience, and support the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities in Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, and Vientiane Capital.
ADB emphasized that public funding alone is insufficient to reverse the damage, highlighting the need for increased private investment in forest restoration, tree planting, and conservation-focused ecotourism.
Phase I will focus on identifying existing challenges and preparing technical and feasibility studies for Phase II. It will also promote collaboration among relevant stakeholders to develop commercial plantations and conservation initiatives.
The project is expected to strengthen institutional capacity and create opportunities for local communities to participate in forestry activities while benefiting economically from sustainable forest management.
Forests cover approximately 62 percent of Laos and provide employment for more than 65 percent of the workforce. However, unsustainable practices have caused widespread degradation, resulting in economic losses estimated at nearly 19 percent of the country’s gross domestic product each year.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/12/25/asian-development-bank-approves-funds-for-forestry-restoration-project-in-laos/