Vientiane is fast-tracking repairs on several major roads in 2025 using a budget of LAK 20.91 billion (around USD 1 million), supported by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said
The projects, announced by Vientiane Capital Transport Deputy Director Thavixay Xaipaseuth on 14 October, target key routes severely damaged by heavy rainfall during the recent rainy season.
The largest share is expected to go to Route 13 South from Donnoun Roundabout to KM 21, receiving LAK 8.77 billion (approximately USD 418,000).
Another LAK 8.33 billion (about USD 396,000) will be spent on Route 11 North, from Sikhai intersection to Pakchanh bridge.
Two additional projects focus on Route 10, covering sections from Thangon Bridge to the Vientiane Province border, and from Donnoun Roundabout to Thangon Bridge.
Road 450 from Dongdok Intersection to Thanaleng Village in Hatsayfong district will also be part of the renovation project.
According to Thavixay, these projects aim to improve traffic safety, enhance mobility, and repair extensive road damage. Ongoing inspections have revealed further deterioration across several routes, prompting the department to request an additional LAK 4.99 billion (approximately USD 238,000) to ensure complete restoration.
Thavixay urged residents to exercise caution and cooperate with repair crews to facilitate smooth and timely completion of the work.
In total, the city’s public works department has proposed a LAK 279 billion (USD 13.29 million) budget for 2025 to fix and upgrade 152 projects across both urban and outlying districts.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/upgrading-the-roads.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-10-23 08:47:002025-10-22 09:51:19Vientiane Capital Speeds Up Road Repairs in 2025 with LAK 20.91 Billion Budget
Laos is introducing new incentives and scholarships to improve education in rural areas, linking teaching with military service to address ongoing teacher shortages.
The government’s latest plan provides a comprehensive package of salary increases, teaching allowances, and bonuses designed specifically for rural volunteer teachers who will become military officers, as well as for current military personnel who volunteer to teach in local schools.
Under the program, both groups will receive professional teaching allowances, remote-area bonuses, and access to promotion opportunities and ongoing professional development.
Military officers who take on teaching duties will earn 70 percent more than their base salary during their assignments, while rural volunteer teachers joining the military will receive financial and career benefits to ensure stability and motivation in their new dual roles.
The initiative follows the Ministry of National Defense’s announcement on 29 June to recruit 2,000 rural volunteer teachers to become military officers who will continue teaching in their assigned villages.
According to Sonexay Chanyalath, Director of the Personnel Department, General Department of Military Politics, the recruits will undergo both teaching and military training, live within the communities they serve, and participate in local development activities alongside their teaching work, speaking on 15 October.
At the same time, existing military officers are being encouraged to volunteer as teachers in rural schools. They will receive similar training and opportunities for career advancement, allowing them to contribute to education without leaving their military careers behind.
Scholarship to Build Future Teacher
To complement these short-term measures, the government is also launching a scholarship program for students pursuing teaching degrees. The scholarships come with financial allowances and guarantee graduates a teaching position upon completion of their studies. After finishing teacher training, graduates will be assigned to schools based on regional needs, ensuring a steady supply of qualified teachers in rural and remote areas.
By combining recruitment incentives, military participation, and long-term scholarships, Laos aims to strengthen its teaching workforce and expand access to quality education in underserved communities.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/room-to-read-teacher-training-laos-literacy-8.webp356630Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-10-22 09:35:572025-10-22 09:36:01Laos Offers Incentives, Scholarships to Strengthen Education in Remote Areas
Laos’ northern Luang Namtha Province recorded a steady increase in tourism in 2025, welcoming 985,322 visitors from January to September, a 9 percent rise compared to the same period last year.
According to the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the growth is attributed to effective promotional campaigns and cultural activities under the Visit Laos Year 2024 initiative, along with ongoing local festivals in 2025 such as the Akha Swing Festival, Hmong New Year, Rocket Festival, and Boat Racing Festivals in Nalae and Viengphoukha districts.
These events have drawn both domestic and international tourists, generating over USD 30.7 million in tourism revenue.
A key highlight this year was the Forest Trekking and Boat Trip Festival, held from October 2 to 3 in the Nam Ha National Protected Area, which attracted nearly 200 participants and promoted sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.
In September, Luang Namtha also represented Laos as the “City of Charm” at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo 2025 in Nanning, China, further boosting its international visibility.
The province aims to welcome 1.28 million visitors by the end of 2025. Nationally, Laos received over three million tourists in the first eight months of the year, and is targeting 4.3 million visitors by year-end.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/LNT.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-10-21 09:40:472025-10-22 09:43:23Luang Namtha Sees Nine Percent Growth in Tourist Arrivals in First Nine Months of 2025
Vientiane Capital Speeds Up Road Repairs in 2025 with LAK 20.91 Billion Budget
Vientiane is fast-tracking repairs on several major roads in 2025 using a budget of LAK 20.91 billion (around USD 1 million), supported by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said
The projects, announced by Vientiane Capital Transport Deputy Director Thavixay Xaipaseuth on 14 October, target key routes severely damaged by heavy rainfall during the recent rainy season.
The largest share is expected to go to Route 13 South from Donnoun Roundabout to KM 21, receiving LAK 8.77 billion (approximately USD 418,000).
Another LAK 8.33 billion (about USD 396,000) will be spent on Route 11 North, from Sikhai intersection to Pakchanh bridge.
Two additional projects focus on Route 10, covering sections from Thangon Bridge to the Vientiane Province border, and from Donnoun Roundabout to Thangon Bridge.
Road 450 from Dongdok Intersection to Thanaleng Village in Hatsayfong district will also be part of the renovation project.
According to Thavixay, these projects aim to improve traffic safety, enhance mobility, and repair extensive road damage. Ongoing inspections have revealed further deterioration across several routes, prompting the department to request an additional LAK 4.99 billion (approximately USD 238,000) to ensure complete restoration.
Thavixay urged residents to exercise caution and cooperate with repair crews to facilitate smooth and timely completion of the work.
In total, the city’s public works department has proposed a LAK 279 billion (USD 13.29 million) budget for 2025 to fix and upgrade 152 projects across both urban and outlying districts.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/17/vientiane-capital-speeds-up-road-repairs-in-2025-with-lak-20-91-billion-budget/
Laos Offers Incentives, Scholarships to Strengthen Education in Remote Areas
Laos is introducing new incentives and scholarships to improve education in rural areas, linking teaching with military service to address ongoing teacher shortages.
The government’s latest plan provides a comprehensive package of salary increases, teaching allowances, and bonuses designed specifically for rural volunteer teachers who will become military officers, as well as for current military personnel who volunteer to teach in local schools.
Under the program, both groups will receive professional teaching allowances, remote-area bonuses, and access to promotion opportunities and ongoing professional development.
Military officers who take on teaching duties will earn 70 percent more than their base salary during their assignments, while rural volunteer teachers joining the military will receive financial and career benefits to ensure stability and motivation in their new dual roles.
The initiative follows the Ministry of National Defense’s announcement on 29 June to recruit 2,000 rural volunteer teachers to become military officers who will continue teaching in their assigned villages.
According to Sonexay Chanyalath, Director of the Personnel Department, General Department of Military Politics, the recruits will undergo both teaching and military training, live within the communities they serve, and participate in local development activities alongside their teaching work, speaking on 15 October.
At the same time, existing military officers are being encouraged to volunteer as teachers in rural schools. They will receive similar training and opportunities for career advancement, allowing them to contribute to education without leaving their military careers behind.
Scholarship to Build Future Teacher
To complement these short-term measures, the government is also launching a scholarship program for students pursuing teaching degrees. The scholarships come with financial allowances and guarantee graduates a teaching position upon completion of their studies. After finishing teacher training, graduates will be assigned to schools based on regional needs, ensuring a steady supply of qualified teachers in rural and remote areas.
By combining recruitment incentives, military participation, and long-term scholarships, Laos aims to strengthen its teaching workforce and expand access to quality education in underserved communities.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/16/laos-offers-incentives-scholarships-to-strengthen-education-in-remote-areas/
Luang Namtha Sees Nine Percent Growth in Tourist Arrivals in First Nine Months of 2025
Laos’ northern Luang Namtha Province recorded a steady increase in tourism in 2025, welcoming 985,322 visitors from January to September, a 9 percent rise compared to the same period last year.
According to the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the growth is attributed to effective promotional campaigns and cultural activities under the Visit Laos Year 2024 initiative, along with ongoing local festivals in 2025 such as the Akha Swing Festival, Hmong New Year, Rocket Festival, and Boat Racing Festivals in Nalae and Viengphoukha districts.
These events have drawn both domestic and international tourists, generating over USD 30.7 million in tourism revenue.
A key highlight this year was the Forest Trekking and Boat Trip Festival, held from October 2 to 3 in the Nam Ha National Protected Area, which attracted nearly 200 participants and promoted sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.
In September, Luang Namtha also represented Laos as the “City of Charm” at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo 2025 in Nanning, China, further boosting its international visibility.
The province aims to welcome 1.28 million visitors by the end of 2025. Nationally, Laos received over three million tourists in the first eight months of the year, and is targeting 4.3 million visitors by year-end.