Laos is urging ASEAN member states to ramp up investment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), calling them powerful tools for protecting forests, strengthening communities, and tackling climate change head-on.
Delivering the message at the 28th Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry in Luang Prabang on 6 July, Somwang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry, warned of mounting threats to the region’s forests, including deforestation, ecological degradation, illegal logging, and land use change.
He stressed that without sustainable financing, efforts to implement NbS and EbA will fall short.
To illustrate Laos’ own approach, Somwang pointed to the country’s promotion of Payments for Forest Ecosystem Services (PfES), which help preserve forest areas while boosting local livelihoods. He also highlighted sustainable tourism as a practical way to balance income generation with biodiversity protection.
Building on this, he urged ASEAN countries to share proven financing models—such as PfES, carbon markets, pooled funds, and multi-sector partnerships – to drive greater investment in nature-based climate and conservation efforts.
With roughly 70 percent of Laos’ land classified as state forest and home to around 3,000 villages, the country stands among the world’s top ten in biodiversity richness.
Somwang concluded by calling for stronger institutional capacity and deeper regional knowledge-sharing to accelerate the rollout of effective NbS initiatives across ASEAN.
Luang Prabang is set to host the That Chomsi Stupa ceremony from 5 to 6 October, celebrating the city’s cultural traditions and the stupa’s spiritual significance.
This annual event will feature a series of religious and cultural activities atop Mount Phousi.
The celebrations will begin on 5 October at 8:30 am with the decoration of That Chomsi Stupa and its surrounding grounds.
In the afternoon, religious ceremonies will take place starting from 1 pm.
On the following day, 6 October, the program will continue with monks chanting prayers for ancestors at 10:30 am.
This will be followed by the offering of lunch to the monks at 11 am. The ceremony will conclude at 12:30 pm with a sermon delivered by the monks.
From 19th-Century Origins to Timeless Traditions
That Chomsi was built in 1804 during the reign of King Anourouth and sits atop Mount Phousi in the center of Luang Prabang.
According to local legend, a deep pit once existed at the site, said to reach the center of the earth.
A monk who entered the pit discovered a great treasure but was betrayed by villagers, who sealed him inside. Using magical charms, he fought his way out, defeating seven guardians of the treasure.
When the king learned of the villagers’ betrayal, he ordered drums, gongs, and cymbals to be beaten every three hours to prevent dragons from disturbing the world, a ritual still observed today at nearby Wat Thum Thao.
Today, visitors make their way up the hill, climbing around 300 steps to reach the stupa.
Though the climb can be tiring, it offers a chance to pause midway at Wat Tham Phousi Shrine, which houses a smiling Buddha tucked inside a cave and a reclining Buddha statue, before reaching the top to enjoy sunset views over the city.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Encircle-Photos.jpg9611440Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-09-18 08:55:002025-09-16 15:58:19Luang Prabang to Celebrate That Chomsi Stupa Ceremony This October
Authorities in Attapeu have officially launched construction of a major infrastructure project designed to improve cross-border transport and stimulate regional economic growth. The initiative includes the construction of a new road and bridge crossing the Xekaman River in Xanxay district, with a total investment of USD 149 million and a planned construction period of three years.
The project will establish a 135-kilometre road connecting Vanxay and Nongkai Aok villages near the Laos–Vietnam border. A new bridge, to be built in Souksavang Village, will span 165 metres with a load capacity of up to 10 tonnes, capable of supporting both commercial and passenger vehicles. The construction is scheduled for completion by September 2028.
The development is part of Attapeu’s 2025–2030 socio-economic development plan and aims to enhance transportation links between Laos and Vietnam, improve access to domestic markets, and increase the province’s capacity to export agricultural products and natural resources. The project is also expected to support tourism and facilitate smoother movement of goods across provinces and borders.
A memorandum of understanding for the project was signed on 13 September.
Construction will be led by DEDO Survey, Design and Build Company Limited, in collaboration with South Korea-based DaSOL Company Limited. Under a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) agreement with the Attapeu Provincial Administration, the companies will manage design, construction, and operations.
The developer will be permitted to collect toll fees from users for a period of 50 years, after which ownership and management of the infrastructure will be transferred to provincial authorities.
The project also includes upgrades to several existing routes, including Road Nos. 9001, 9065, and 9045. These roads will be widened from 8 to 12 metres, with improved technical standards to accommodate heavy transport. Approximately 10 percent of the route will pass through mountainous terrain, and the entire structure will be built to support axle loads of up to 11 tonnes, in accordance with national highway standards.
Once completed, the infrastructure is expected to play a strategic role in advancing regional connectivity, particularly with neighboring countries.
Laos Calls for Increased ASEAN Investment in Nature-Based Solutions
Laos is urging ASEAN member states to ramp up investment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), calling them powerful tools for protecting forests, strengthening communities, and tackling climate change head-on.
Delivering the message at the 28th Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry in Luang Prabang on 6 July, Somwang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry, warned of mounting threats to the region’s forests, including deforestation, ecological degradation, illegal logging, and land use change.
He stressed that without sustainable financing, efforts to implement NbS and EbA will fall short.
To illustrate Laos’ own approach, Somwang pointed to the country’s promotion of Payments for Forest Ecosystem Services (PfES), which help preserve forest areas while boosting local livelihoods. He also highlighted sustainable tourism as a practical way to balance income generation with biodiversity protection.
Building on this, he urged ASEAN countries to share proven financing models—such as PfES, carbon markets, pooled funds, and multi-sector partnerships – to drive greater investment in nature-based climate and conservation efforts.
With roughly 70 percent of Laos’ land classified as state forest and home to around 3,000 villages, the country stands among the world’s top ten in biodiversity richness.
Somwang concluded by calling for stronger institutional capacity and deeper regional knowledge-sharing to accelerate the rollout of effective NbS initiatives across ASEAN.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/12/laos-calls-for-increased-asean-investment-in-nature-based-solutions/
Luang Prabang to Celebrate That Chomsi Stupa Ceremony This October
Luang Prabang is set to host the That Chomsi Stupa ceremony from 5 to 6 October, celebrating the city’s cultural traditions and the stupa’s spiritual significance.
This annual event will feature a series of religious and cultural activities atop Mount Phousi.
The celebrations will begin on 5 October at 8:30 am with the decoration of That Chomsi Stupa and its surrounding grounds.
In the afternoon, religious ceremonies will take place starting from 1 pm.
On the following day, 6 October, the program will continue with monks chanting prayers for ancestors at 10:30 am.
This will be followed by the offering of lunch to the monks at 11 am. The ceremony will conclude at 12:30 pm with a sermon delivered by the monks.
From 19th-Century Origins to Timeless Traditions
That Chomsi was built in 1804 during the reign of King Anourouth and sits atop Mount Phousi in the center of Luang Prabang.
According to local legend, a deep pit once existed at the site, said to reach the center of the earth.
A monk who entered the pit discovered a great treasure but was betrayed by villagers, who sealed him inside. Using magical charms, he fought his way out, defeating seven guardians of the treasure.
When the king learned of the villagers’ betrayal, he ordered drums, gongs, and cymbals to be beaten every three hours to prevent dragons from disturbing the world, a ritual still observed today at nearby Wat Thum Thao.
Today, visitors make their way up the hill, climbing around 300 steps to reach the stupa.
Though the climb can be tiring, it offers a chance to pause midway at Wat Tham Phousi Shrine, which houses a smiling Buddha tucked inside a cave and a reclining Buddha statue, before reaching the top to enjoy sunset views over the city.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/15/luang-prabang-to-celebrate-that-chomsi-stupa-ceremony-this-october/
New Cross-Border Infrastructure Project to Strengthen Connectivity in Southern Laos
Authorities in Attapeu have officially launched construction of a major infrastructure project designed to improve cross-border transport and stimulate regional economic growth. The initiative includes the construction of a new road and bridge crossing the Xekaman River in Xanxay district, with a total investment of USD 149 million and a planned construction period of three years.
The project will establish a 135-kilometre road connecting Vanxay and Nongkai Aok villages near the Laos–Vietnam border. A new bridge, to be built in Souksavang Village, will span 165 metres with a load capacity of up to 10 tonnes, capable of supporting both commercial and passenger vehicles. The construction is scheduled for completion by September 2028.
The development is part of Attapeu’s 2025–2030 socio-economic development plan and aims to enhance transportation links between Laos and Vietnam, improve access to domestic markets, and increase the province’s capacity to export agricultural products and natural resources. The project is also expected to support tourism and facilitate smoother movement of goods across provinces and borders.
A memorandum of understanding for the project was signed on 13 September.
Construction will be led by DEDO Survey, Design and Build Company Limited, in collaboration with South Korea-based DaSOL Company Limited. Under a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) agreement with the Attapeu Provincial Administration, the companies will manage design, construction, and operations.
The developer will be permitted to collect toll fees from users for a period of 50 years, after which ownership and management of the infrastructure will be transferred to provincial authorities.
The project also includes upgrades to several existing routes, including Road Nos. 9001, 9065, and 9045. These roads will be widened from 8 to 12 metres, with improved technical standards to accommodate heavy transport. Approximately 10 percent of the route will pass through mountainous terrain, and the entire structure will be built to support axle loads of up to 11 tonnes, in accordance with national highway standards.
Once completed, the infrastructure is expected to play a strategic role in advancing regional connectivity, particularly with neighboring countries.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/16/new-cross-border-infrastructure-project-to-strengthen-connectivity-in-southern-laos/