Authorities in Savannakhet Province said preparations for the annual That Ing Hang Temple Festival, scheduled for 30 November to 5 December, are now almost complete, with this year’s edition set to be larger and livelier than previous years as the province pushes to boost tourism.
The festival is held each December to honor Buddhism and pay respect to those who built Pha That Ing Hang, one of the most revered stupas in Savannakhet Province and across central Laos.
Each year, thousands of devotees, from both the north and south of Laos, as well as neighboring Thailand, travel to the site to take part in religious rituals and cultural celebrations.
Somphone Vilayvong, Deputy Director of the Savannakhet Department of Culture and Tourism, told local media that the organising sub-committee has finalised parking arrangements, transport routes to the temple grounds, security planning, and the installation of decorative lighting. Exhibition zones and vendor stalls have also been arranged to ensure a smooth visitor experience.
He said the festival will feature a wide range of cultural performances from communities across the province’s 14 districts and Kaysone Phomvihane City, showcasing local arts, literature, and traditions.
A highlight will be the grand bee-wax procession and competition on 4 December, bringing together villages from across Savannakhet for one of the festival’s most traditional celebrations.
The festival will also host exhibitions and sales of handicrafts, textiles, and local food products, alongside an expanded program of entertainment.
Visitors can take part in lamvong yong ngok, join evening gatherings, sample regional dishes, watch traditional lam phaya performances, and attend cultural shows.
The That Ing Hang Temple Festival remains one of the province’s most important cultural events, drawing thousands of visitors each year.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Savannakhet-Sets-Stage-for-Biggest-Ever-That-Ing-Hang-Festival.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-11-27 09:10:002025-11-25 11:12:41Savannakhet Sets Stage for Biggest-Ever That Ing Hang Festival
On 25 November, Laos celebrated UNESCO’s recognition of Hin Nam No National Protected Area as the country’s first Natural World Heritage Site.
Vanxay Phongsavanh, Governor of Khammouane Province, said during the ceremony that Hin Nam No was approved as a transboundary World Heritage Site together with Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park at UNESCO’s 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris.
To mark the occasion, a parade carried the World Heritage certificate from Wattay International Airport to Patuxay.
Hin Nam No is known for its limestone karst landscapes, 173 caves including the Xe Bang Fai underground river, and habitats for rare species such as the Yellow-collared Laughingthrush, Lao Rock Rat, and Southern White-cheeked Gibbon.
The park, covering 94,121 hectares in Khammouane Province, was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 13 July. The designation links it with Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, forming the world’s largest contiguous limestone karst area.
Its rugged cliffs and remote valleys, shaped over 300 million years, are home to rare and endangered species including the Red-Shanked Douc Langur, Sunda Pangolin, Lao Rock Rat, and Giant Huntsman Spider.
The park is part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, hosting over 1,500 plant species and 536 vertebrates.
Hin Nam No also preserves cultural heritage, with ethnic minority communities maintaining their traditions and way of life. The transboundary site shows the value of international collaboration and highlights the ecological and cultural importance of the Central Annamite Mountains.
Today, Hin Nam No stands as a symbol of Laos’ natural treasures and its role in global conservation.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/586581585_1451975150264222_2511844832445925558_n-1920x1079-1.jpg10791920Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-11-26 10:06:002025-11-25 11:10:05Laos Celebrates Hin Nam No as First Natural World Heritage Site
Urban waste in Laos is increasingly being seen as a source of business and innovation.
That was the focus of a seminar held on 30 October by the Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, under the theme “Waste Management for Eco-Friendly Business Opportunities in the Lao PDR.”
Co-chaired by Ratsamy Voralath, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Environment, and Björn Szczebroek, Head of the GIZ Office in Laos, the seminar brought together 102 participants, including government officials, entrepreneurs, university students, and youth groups.
Ratsamy pointed out that challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing urban waste could also be seen as chances for innovation, especially for young people.
“These challenges can inspire new ideas and businesses that are both environmentally friendly and economically sustainable,” he said.
Participants explored ways to turn waste into opportunity, watching short videos on waste management and learning about environmental policies, tourism promotion, and urban waste projects across Laos and ASEAN. A lively discussion forum allowed attendees to exchange ideas and share practical solutions for small and medium-sized cities, highlighting the potential for creative, eco-friendly enterprises.
The seminar highlighted that with the right policies, education, and innovation, Laos can transform waste management from a challenge into a driver of economic growth and sustainable development, giving young entrepreneurs a chance to lead the way.
Savannakhet Sets Stage for Biggest-Ever That Ing Hang Festival
Authorities in Savannakhet Province said preparations for the annual That Ing Hang Temple Festival, scheduled for 30 November to 5 December, are now almost complete, with this year’s edition set to be larger and livelier than previous years as the province pushes to boost tourism.
The festival is held each December to honor Buddhism and pay respect to those who built Pha That Ing Hang, one of the most revered stupas in Savannakhet Province and across central Laos.
Each year, thousands of devotees, from both the north and south of Laos, as well as neighboring Thailand, travel to the site to take part in religious rituals and cultural celebrations.
Somphone Vilayvong, Deputy Director of the Savannakhet Department of Culture and Tourism, told local media that the organising sub-committee has finalised parking arrangements, transport routes to the temple grounds, security planning, and the installation of decorative lighting. Exhibition zones and vendor stalls have also been arranged to ensure a smooth visitor experience.
He said the festival will feature a wide range of cultural performances from communities across the province’s 14 districts and Kaysone Phomvihane City, showcasing local arts, literature, and traditions.
A highlight will be the grand bee-wax procession and competition on 4 December, bringing together villages from across Savannakhet for one of the festival’s most traditional celebrations.
The festival will also host exhibitions and sales of handicrafts, textiles, and local food products, alongside an expanded program of entertainment.
Visitors can take part in lamvong yong ngok, join evening gatherings, sample regional dishes, watch traditional lam phaya performances, and attend cultural shows.
The That Ing Hang Temple Festival remains one of the province’s most important cultural events, drawing thousands of visitors each year.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/11/25/savannakhet-sets-stage-for-biggest-ever-that-ing-hang-festival/
Laos Celebrates Hin Nam No as First Natural World Heritage Site
On 25 November, Laos celebrated UNESCO’s recognition of Hin Nam No National Protected Area as the country’s first Natural World Heritage Site.
Vanxay Phongsavanh, Governor of Khammouane Province, said during the ceremony that Hin Nam No was approved as a transboundary World Heritage Site together with Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park at UNESCO’s 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris.
To mark the occasion, a parade carried the World Heritage certificate from Wattay International Airport to Patuxay.
Hin Nam No is known for its limestone karst landscapes, 173 caves including the Xe Bang Fai underground river, and habitats for rare species such as the Yellow-collared Laughingthrush, Lao Rock Rat, and Southern White-cheeked Gibbon.
The park, covering 94,121 hectares in Khammouane Province, was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 13 July. The designation links it with Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, forming the world’s largest contiguous limestone karst area.
Its rugged cliffs and remote valleys, shaped over 300 million years, are home to rare and endangered species including the Red-Shanked Douc Langur, Sunda Pangolin, Lao Rock Rat, and Giant Huntsman Spider.
The park is part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, hosting over 1,500 plant species and 536 vertebrates.
Hin Nam No also preserves cultural heritage, with ethnic minority communities maintaining their traditions and way of life. The transboundary site shows the value of international collaboration and highlights the ecological and cultural importance of the Central Annamite Mountains.
Today, Hin Nam No stands as a symbol of Laos’ natural treasures and its role in global conservation.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/11/24/laos-celebrates-hin-nam-no-as-first-natural-world-heritage-site/
Laos Explores Eco-Friendly Business Through Waste Management
Urban waste in Laos is increasingly being seen as a source of business and innovation.
That was the focus of a seminar held on 30 October by the Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, under the theme “Waste Management for Eco-Friendly Business Opportunities in the Lao PDR.”
Co-chaired by Ratsamy Voralath, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Environment, and Björn Szczebroek, Head of the GIZ Office in Laos, the seminar brought together 102 participants, including government officials, entrepreneurs, university students, and youth groups.
Ratsamy pointed out that challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing urban waste could also be seen as chances for innovation, especially for young people.
“These challenges can inspire new ideas and businesses that are both environmentally friendly and economically sustainable,” he said.
Participants explored ways to turn waste into opportunity, watching short videos on waste management and learning about environmental policies, tourism promotion, and urban waste projects across Laos and ASEAN. A lively discussion forum allowed attendees to exchange ideas and share practical solutions for small and medium-sized cities, highlighting the potential for creative, eco-friendly enterprises.
The seminar highlighted that with the right policies, education, and innovation, Laos can transform waste management from a challenge into a driver of economic growth and sustainable development, giving young entrepreneurs a chance to lead the way.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/11/01/laos-explores-eco-friendly-business-through-waste-management/