Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air have jointly announced a ban on the use of power banks during flights, citing growing safety concerns over lithium battery-related incidents in aviation.
Under the new policy, passengers are no longer permitted to use portable chargers to power or recharge their devices while onboard.
Passengers are now required to remove power banks from their carry-on luggage prior to boarding and keep them in a visible location throughout the flight. While these devices may still be brought onboard in limited quantities, their use during the flight, including charging them via the aircraft’s USB ports. is strictly prohibited.
The move follows increasing global scrutiny of lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries, which are widely used in power banks due to their high energy density. However, these batteries are also highly sensitive to heat, impact, and rapid changes in air pressure. Such sensitivity raises the risk of battery malfunctions, including short circuits, overheating, and in severe cases, fire or explosion.
These dangers are significantly heightened when batteries are stored in the aircraft’s cargo hold, where temperature and pressure can fluctuate dramatically and where strong vibrations are more common.
Compounding the risk is the fact that checked baggage is less closely monitored during flight, meaning any incident involving a power bank in the cargo area may go undetected until it becomes critical. As a result, both airlines continue to enforce a strict ban on transporting power banks in checked luggage.
Under current aviation safety regulations, passengers are allowed to carry a limited number of batteries in their hand luggage.
Devices with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours, which typically translates to around 20,000 milliamp-hours at 5 volts, are allowed in quantities of up to ten per passenger.
For larger power banks, with capacities between 100 and 160 watt-hours (or approximately 20,000 to 32,000 milliamp-hours), the limit is two per person. Any power bank that exceeds 160 watt-hours or 32,000 milliamp-hours is not permitted on board under any circumstances.
Both Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet urge passengers to verify the specifications of their devices before traveling and to adhere strictly to all safety guidelines.
The new regulations aim to minimize in-flight risks and ensure the continued safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/LT-Website-Size-1-1920x1003-1.jpg10031920Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-09-16 15:25:372025-09-16 15:25:42Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Ban Use of Power Banks In-Flight Due to Safety Risks
On 15 September, Assurances Generale Laos (AGL) announced that longtime Chief Executive Officer Guy Apovy has stepped down after 19 years in the role.
Replacing Apovy on an interim basis is Sengaloun Inmyxai, who has been appointed Acting CEO by the Ministry of Finance.
The announcement was made during a handover and retirement ceremony held on September 15 at the Amari Hotel in Vientiane.
The Ministry, as AGL’s sole shareholder, confirmed the appointment through Notice No. 2855/MoF dated 5 September 5.
The company’s Board of Directors is expected to formalize the move in its next resolution.
Apovy first took over as CEO in July 2006 and has led the company through almost two decades of growth in the Lao insurance market. During his time, AGL expanded its range of insurance products and maintained its position as the country’s largest insurer.
Although stepping down, Apovy is in talks with AGL about continuing in a consultancy role to provide support and advice.
The company said business operations and commitments to clients and partners will continue without interruption under the leadership of Sengaloun.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-16-at-14.31.52-1920x1280-1.jpeg12801920Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-09-15 15:58:412025-09-16 16:05:17Assurances Generale Laos Announces CEO Change After Nearly Two Decades
World Bank Laos – A decision announced today by the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will promote nature-based tourism in forested areas of Laos.
The regulation provides incentives for small-scale private investment in national parks and protected areas through projects that create jobs, contribute to environmental preservation and build economic partnerships with communities.
The Decision on Tourism in Forest Areas is supported by a World Bank-financed business leveraging facility to attract investors from registered micro, small, and medium enterprises. The facility will provide tourism companies with advisory services on product development, training on nature-based tourism requirements, and funding for small public infrastructure, marketing, and other aspects of tourism development.
“The Lao PDR is developing sustainable private sector–driven nature-based tourism as one of the pillars of the next National Socio-Economic Plan and its National Green Growth Strategy,” said Kikeo Singnavong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
“Carefully regulated tourism development can bring great benefits in both employment and income generation for local people in forested areas, providing an economic incentive for them to conserve biodiversity and natural beauty.”
The business leveraging facility, part of the World Bank supported Lao Landscapes and Livelihoods project, provides three types of financing: for planning and feasibility work, challenge funds that target priority investment in particular areas, and matching funds for product development and marketing work.
Interested companies will be able to apply through prospectuses prepared by the Department of Forestry for each of the five national parks (Hin Nam No, Nam Et-Phou Louey, Nakai-Nam Theun, Phou Hin Poun, and Phou Khao Khouay) and three protected areas (Khoun Xe Nong Ma, Laving Lavern, and Yord Nam Mo-Phou Sam Soum).
“Under the business leveraging facility, companies can access funds and technical support to develop tourism that will benefit local people through jobs while preserving the environment’s natural beauty, provided the companies meet the standards set by the government and follow protected area management plans, guidelines and regulations,” said Viengsamay Srithirath, World Bank Senior Country Officer for Laos.
Also attending the announcement were representatives and residents of the national parks and protected areas, related government agencies, and Inthy Deuansavanh, president of the Lao Tourism Association, who detailed some of the investment opportunities available in the eight protected areas.
The World Bank estimates that nature-based tourism could grow to provide about 10% of GDP and 10 percent of jobs in Laos.
This project aims to create job opportunities for 75,000 women alone.
Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Ban Use of Power Banks In-Flight Due to Safety Risks
Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air have jointly announced a ban on the use of power banks during flights, citing growing safety concerns over lithium battery-related incidents in aviation.
Under the new policy, passengers are no longer permitted to use portable chargers to power or recharge their devices while onboard.
Passengers are now required to remove power banks from their carry-on luggage prior to boarding and keep them in a visible location throughout the flight. While these devices may still be brought onboard in limited quantities, their use during the flight, including charging them via the aircraft’s USB ports. is strictly prohibited.
The move follows increasing global scrutiny of lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries, which are widely used in power banks due to their high energy density. However, these batteries are also highly sensitive to heat, impact, and rapid changes in air pressure. Such sensitivity raises the risk of battery malfunctions, including short circuits, overheating, and in severe cases, fire or explosion.
These dangers are significantly heightened when batteries are stored in the aircraft’s cargo hold, where temperature and pressure can fluctuate dramatically and where strong vibrations are more common.
Compounding the risk is the fact that checked baggage is less closely monitored during flight, meaning any incident involving a power bank in the cargo area may go undetected until it becomes critical. As a result, both airlines continue to enforce a strict ban on transporting power banks in checked luggage.
Under current aviation safety regulations, passengers are allowed to carry a limited number of batteries in their hand luggage.
Devices with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours, which typically translates to around 20,000 milliamp-hours at 5 volts, are allowed in quantities of up to ten per passenger.
For larger power banks, with capacities between 100 and 160 watt-hours (or approximately 20,000 to 32,000 milliamp-hours), the limit is two per person. Any power bank that exceeds 160 watt-hours or 32,000 milliamp-hours is not permitted on board under any circumstances.
Both Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet urge passengers to verify the specifications of their devices before traveling and to adhere strictly to all safety guidelines.
The new regulations aim to minimize in-flight risks and ensure the continued safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/15/vietnam-airlines-vietjet-ban-use-of-power-banks-in-flight-due-to-safety-risks/
Assurances Generale Laos Announces CEO Change After Nearly Two Decades
On 15 September, Assurances Generale Laos (AGL) announced that longtime Chief Executive Officer Guy Apovy has stepped down after 19 years in the role.
Replacing Apovy on an interim basis is Sengaloun Inmyxai, who has been appointed Acting CEO by the Ministry of Finance.
The announcement was made during a handover and retirement ceremony held on September 15 at the Amari Hotel in Vientiane.
The Ministry, as AGL’s sole shareholder, confirmed the appointment through Notice No. 2855/MoF dated 5 September 5.
The company’s Board of Directors is expected to formalize the move in its next resolution.
Apovy first took over as CEO in July 2006 and has led the company through almost two decades of growth in the Lao insurance market. During his time, AGL expanded its range of insurance products and maintained its position as the country’s largest insurer.
Although stepping down, Apovy is in talks with AGL about continuing in a consultancy role to provide support and advice.
The company said business operations and commitments to clients and partners will continue without interruption under the leadership of Sengaloun.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/16/assurances-generale-laos-announces-ceo-change-after-nearly-two-decades/
New Incentives for Nature-Based Tourism Investment in Lao Forests
World Bank Laos – A decision announced today by the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will promote nature-based tourism in forested areas of Laos.
The regulation provides incentives for small-scale private investment in national parks and protected areas through projects that create jobs, contribute to environmental preservation and build economic partnerships with communities.
The Decision on Tourism in Forest Areas is supported by a World Bank-financed business leveraging facility to attract investors from registered micro, small, and medium enterprises. The facility will provide tourism companies with advisory services on product development, training on nature-based tourism requirements, and funding for small public infrastructure, marketing, and other aspects of tourism development.
“The Lao PDR is developing sustainable private sector–driven nature-based tourism as one of the pillars of the next National Socio-Economic Plan and its National Green Growth Strategy,” said Kikeo Singnavong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
“Carefully regulated tourism development can bring great benefits in both employment and income generation for local people in forested areas, providing an economic incentive for them to conserve biodiversity and natural beauty.”
The business leveraging facility, part of the World Bank supported Lao Landscapes and Livelihoods project, provides three types of financing: for planning and feasibility work, challenge funds that target priority investment in particular areas, and matching funds for product development and marketing work.
Interested companies will be able to apply through prospectuses prepared by the Department of Forestry for each of the five national parks (Hin Nam No, Nam Et-Phou Louey, Nakai-Nam Theun, Phou Hin Poun, and Phou Khao Khouay) and three protected areas (Khoun Xe Nong Ma, Laving Lavern, and Yord Nam Mo-Phou Sam Soum).
“Under the business leveraging facility, companies can access funds and technical support to develop tourism that will benefit local people through jobs while preserving the environment’s natural beauty, provided the companies meet the standards set by the government and follow protected area management plans, guidelines and regulations,” said Viengsamay Srithirath, World Bank Senior Country Officer for Laos.
Also attending the announcement were representatives and residents of the national parks and protected areas, related government agencies, and Inthy Deuansavanh, president of the Lao Tourism Association, who detailed some of the investment opportunities available in the eight protected areas.
The World Bank estimates that nature-based tourism could grow to provide about 10% of GDP and 10 percent of jobs in Laos.
This project aims to create job opportunities for 75,000 women alone.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/12/new-incentives-for-nature-based-tourism-investment-in-lao-forests/