Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane completed official visits to Singapore and the Philippines, reaffirming Laos’ commitment to strengthening cooperation on trade, human resource development, clean energy, regional security, and people-to-people initiatives.
On 11-12 August, Minister Thongsavanh met with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two leaders reviewed past bilateral and multilateral cooperation and explored future collaboration in trade and investment, human resource development, food security, clean energy, carbon credits, and volunteer programs.
The deployment of Singaporean volunteers to Laos was highlighted as a key initiative.
The ministers expressed satisfaction with 51 years of strong bilateral relations, emphasizing regular high-level visits and growing people-to-people ties.
Both parties pledged to continue promoting cooperation across various sectors and within regional frameworks such as ASEAN.
Visit to the Philippines: Strengthening Regional Cooperation
Following Singapore, Minister Thongsavanh traveled to Manila, where he met Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro on 13 August for the 3rd Philippines–Laos Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC).
Discussions focused on strengthening defense, security, trade, and economic relations, with both sides emphasizing a shared vision for a stronger and more resilient Southeast Asia. Key topics included boosting trade and economic ties, addressing regional security challenges, and combating transnational crimes such as human trafficking.
The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Laos’ national development priorities, including human resource development, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, while Laos pledged closer cooperation in these areas and in energy, agriculture, ICT, and education.
Champasack Draws 426,000 Visitors in First 7 Months of 2025
Champasack Province attracted 426,126 visitors in the first seven months of 2025, Vannaxay Sardtakoun, Head of the Department of Culture and Tourism, reported told Lao media on 11 August.
According to the official, the province generated over USD 55 million in tourism revenue during this period, an 8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The tourists included 172,773 domestic visitors, 73,142 border tourists, and 180,211 international travelers. This performance allowed Champasack to surpass its annual visitor target of 350,958 by attracting 121 percent of the planned number within just seven months.
Key attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage site Vat Phou, the Bolaven Plateau, and the Mekong River continue to attract both domestic and international tourists, Vannaxay noted.
The provincial government also focuses on improving tourism infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices to enhance visitor experiences.
Elsewhere in Laos, Luang Prabang reported nearly LAK 700 billion (USD 32 million) in tourism revenue during the first five months of 2025.
So far, Laos welcomed over 2.3 million tourists in the first half of the year, up from 2.1 million in the same period last year. The country aims to exceed its target of 4.5 million visitors by the end of 2025, building on last year’s total of more than 4.1 million tourists.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Champasack-Draws-426000-Visitors-in-First-7-Months-of-2025.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-08-14 11:20:012025-08-21 11:29:12Champasack Draws 426,000 Visitors in First 7 Months of 2025
On 8 August, Japan handed over road and bridge repair equipment and machinery worth JPY 1.5 billion (about USD 10.5 million) to the Lao Government under the 2023 Economic and Social Development Programme.
The assistance was provided in response to a request from the Laos’ Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) for a complete set of heavy construction machinery to improve and maintain roads for long-term use.
Japanese Ambassador to Laos Koizumi Tsutomu highlighted Japan’s long-standing support for Laos’ infrastructure development, citing major projects such as the Second Mekong Friendship Bridge, Pakse Bridge, Sekong Bridge, the upgrade of Wattay International Airport, and improvements to National Road No. 1 in Vientiane Capital.
He noted that many infrastructure assets have deteriorated over time.
The Lao minister of public works, Leklay Sivilay, expressed gratitude, noting this is the second such grant from Japan.
Previously, Japan gave JPY 800 million (about USD 5.6 million) to repair and upgrade roads nationwide damaged by natural disasters.
Severe floods and landslides in recent years have damaged road networks across Laos, disrupting travel, goods transport, and economic connectivity.
The newly donated equipment will be allocated to three MPWT state enterprises to strengthen their capacity in surveying, upgrading, maintenance, and construction, gradually improving road quality nationwide.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Japan-donates-USD-10.5-million-to-Laos.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-08-11 14:03:512025-08-21 11:21:04Japan Donates USD 10.5 Million in Road Repair Equipment to Laos
Lao Foreign Minister Visits Singapore, The Philippines
Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane completed official visits to Singapore and the Philippines, reaffirming Laos’ commitment to strengthening cooperation on trade, human resource development, clean energy, regional security, and people-to-people initiatives.
On 11-12 August, Minister Thongsavanh met with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two leaders reviewed past bilateral and multilateral cooperation and explored future collaboration in trade and investment, human resource development, food security, clean energy, carbon credits, and volunteer programs.
The deployment of Singaporean volunteers to Laos was highlighted as a key initiative.
The ministers expressed satisfaction with 51 years of strong bilateral relations, emphasizing regular high-level visits and growing people-to-people ties.
Both parties pledged to continue promoting cooperation across various sectors and within regional frameworks such as ASEAN.
Visit to the Philippines: Strengthening Regional Cooperation
Following Singapore, Minister Thongsavanh traveled to Manila, where he met Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro on 13 August for the 3rd Philippines–Laos Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC).
Discussions focused on strengthening defense, security, trade, and economic relations, with both sides emphasizing a shared vision for a stronger and more resilient Southeast Asia. Key topics included boosting trade and economic ties, addressing regional security challenges, and combating transnational crimes such as human trafficking.
The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Laos’ national development priorities, including human resource development, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, while Laos pledged closer cooperation in these areas and in energy, agriculture, ICT, and education.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/08/14/wrap-lao-foreign-minister-visits-singapore-the-philippines/
Champasack Draws 426,000 Visitors in First 7 Months of 2025
Champasack Draws 426,000 Visitors in First 7 Months of 2025
Champasack Province attracted 426,126 visitors in the first seven months of 2025, Vannaxay Sardtakoun, Head of the Department of Culture and Tourism, reported told Lao media on 11 August.
According to the official, the province generated over USD 55 million in tourism revenue during this period, an 8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The tourists included 172,773 domestic visitors, 73,142 border tourists, and 180,211 international travelers. This performance allowed Champasack to surpass its annual visitor target of 350,958 by attracting 121 percent of the planned number within just seven months.
Key attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage site Vat Phou, the Bolaven Plateau, and the Mekong River continue to attract both domestic and international tourists, Vannaxay noted.
The provincial government also focuses on improving tourism infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices to enhance visitor experiences.
Elsewhere in Laos, Luang Prabang reported nearly LAK 700 billion (USD 32 million) in tourism revenue during the first five months of 2025.
So far, Laos welcomed over 2.3 million tourists in the first half of the year, up from 2.1 million in the same period last year. The country aims to exceed its target of 4.5 million visitors by the end of 2025, building on last year’s total of more than 4.1 million tourists.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/08/12/champasack-draws-426000-visitors-in-first-7-months-of-2025/
Japan Donates USD 10.5 Million in Road Repair Equipment to Laos
On 8 August, Japan handed over road and bridge repair equipment and machinery worth JPY 1.5 billion (about USD 10.5 million) to the Lao Government under the 2023 Economic and Social Development Programme.
The assistance was provided in response to a request from the Laos’ Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) for a complete set of heavy construction machinery to improve and maintain roads for long-term use.
Japanese Ambassador to Laos Koizumi Tsutomu highlighted Japan’s long-standing support for Laos’ infrastructure development, citing major projects such as the Second Mekong Friendship Bridge, Pakse Bridge, Sekong Bridge, the upgrade of Wattay International Airport, and improvements to National Road No. 1 in Vientiane Capital.
He noted that many infrastructure assets have deteriorated over time.
The Lao minister of public works, Leklay Sivilay, expressed gratitude, noting this is the second such grant from Japan.
Previously, Japan gave JPY 800 million (about USD 5.6 million) to repair and upgrade roads nationwide damaged by natural disasters.
Severe floods and landslides in recent years have damaged road networks across Laos, disrupting travel, goods transport, and economic connectivity.
The newly donated equipment will be allocated to three MPWT state enterprises to strengthen their capacity in surveying, upgrading, maintenance, and construction, gradually improving road quality nationwide.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/08/09/japan-donates-usd-10-5-million-in-road-repair-equipment-to-laos/