Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane have announced the launch of CTC Laos Marketing 2025, a two-day seminar and workshop aimed at helping marketers, online sellers, and content creators in Laos keep pace with the fast-changing marketing landscape.
The event will take place on 26 and 27 July at Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane, bringing together industry leaders and creative minds from Laos and Thailand to share insights and practical tools.
Organisers say marketing trends are shifting faster than ever, making it crucial for businesses to stay updated. They caution that those who fail to adapt risk falling behind, as traditional strategies focused solely on reach are no longer enough to drive real results. Instead, the focus must now be on content that converts, engages meaningfully, and builds long-term value.
AI, Consumer Behavior, Sales-Driven Strategies in Focus
The seminar will feature keynote talks and hands-on workshops, with a strong emphasis on using artificial intelligence to enhance marketing effectiveness. Participants will also explore how changing consumer behavior affects decision-making and why sustainable engagement is now more important than ever.
More than eight speakers will take the stage, including business owners, agency founders, marketing strategists, and content experts from both Laos and Thailand.
Among them are Sittipong Sirimaskasem, CEO and Founder of RGB72 and CREATIVE TALK; Narongyot Mahithivanitcha, Co-founder and Head of Growth at TWF Agency; and Sittinun Polvisutsak, Owner and CEO of Content Shifu.
Other speakers include Chaweewan Kongchoksamai, Chayanis Jumpeerat, and Lao experts such as Souphanith Vongsengthong, Bounhou Alounvong, Patxalin Phanouvong, and Mangkonephet Xayasane.
The sessions will cover a range of timely topics such as customer behavior, storytelling for monetisation, the Business Model Canvas, and how to apply generative AI in marketing. Attendees will also have opportunities to ask questions, network with peers, and exchange ideas with the speakers.
Early Bird tickets are priced at LAK 1,350,000 (USD 62.74), available for a limited time before increasing to the regular price of LAK 1,690,000 (USD 78.55). Groups purchasing five or more tickets will receive a 15 percent discount. To reserve tickets, contact Chanthasone at 020-59992439. For sponsorship inquiries, reach out to Mangkonephet at 020-77617518.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lao-Marketing-Seminar-to-Take-Place-in-Vientiane-This-July-1.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-07-18 11:10:092025-07-15 11:13:46CTC Laos Marketing 2025 to Take Place in Vientiane This July
Vientiane’s BRT service is scheduled to begin trial operations free of charge for three months by the end of August, Mayor of Vientiane Capital Athsphangthong Siphandone announced during the 9th Ordinary Session of the Vientiane People’s Council’s second legislature on 7 July.
The BRT project has made substantial progress, with construction of lanes and stations currently at 71.64 percent completion, according to Athsphangthong. Officials expect construction to reach 90 percent completion by the end of July, positioning the system to become fully operational by the end of 2025.
The BRT system will feature 12-meter electric air-conditioned express buses with 40 seats each, operating on dedicated routes for faster and safer service. Twenty-eight of the total 55 electric BRT buses arrived in Laos on 5 November 2024, with the remaining 27 buses expected to arrive in the future.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses during the way travelling from China by Chinese manufacturer Chery Wanda to Vientiane Capital, Laos. 5 November 2024. (Photo credit: Laos – China Railway Company Limited)
The system will operate daily from 6 am to 10 pm and will integrate seamlessly with the city’s existing bus network.
The BRT route includes six main stations located throughout the capital: Chao Fa Ngum Park, Inpeng Temple, Morning Market (Vientiane Bus Station), Patuxay, Phonekheng, and National University of Laos. These buses will run on exclusive BRT lanes, providing faster and safer service for commuters while reducing traffic congestion in the city center.
The project extends beyond the initial phase, with construction plans including expanding the BRT route to connect Wattay International Airport and the Laos-China Railway Station. This expansion is targeted for completion by the end of 2026, creating crucial transportation links between the capital’s key transit hubs and establishing seamless connectivity for both domestic and international travelers.
Since its mid-2024 launch, the project has made strong progress, aiming to improve public transport with efficient, eco-friendly service for Vientiane’s residents and visitors.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Laoss-Bus-Rapid-Transit-in-Vientiane-Capital.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-07-17 11:06:172025-07-15 11:09:13Vientiane’s Bus Rapid Transit Service Set to Begin Trial Operations by End of August
Vat Phou, an ancient temple in Laos’ Champasack Province, has been featured in a National Geographic Travel article as a hidden gem for travelers seeking serenity, history, and beauty without the crowds.
In the article, the National Geographic draws attention to Vat Phou’s unique architectural and spiritual qualities, describing it as a “travel dupe” for Angkor Wat. While Cambodia’s iconic temple attracts some six million tourists a year, Vat Phou remains a relatively untouched site.
Background Similarities
Both temples were constructed during the Khmer Empire, which spanned from the 9th to 15th centuries, and share distinctive elements such as carved stone pillars and religious symbolism rooted in Hindu cosmology.
However, the National Geographic article points out that their layout sets them apart.
Angkor Wat features concentric enclosures symbolizing Mount Meru, the mythical center of the universe, while Vat Phou is laid out in a linear design along a one-mile raised causeway, leading visitors up a hillside to a sanctuary fed by a natural spring.
This ascending pathway, broken into seven stone terraces, was highlighted as a key reason for Vat Phou’s spiritual impact.
The design allows travelers to experience a slow climb through sacred structures, culminating in a moss-covered shrine adorned with carvings of apsaras and Hindu deities.
Originally housing a linga symbolizing the god Shiva, the shrine later came to feature a Buddha statue after the decline of the Khmer Empire in the 13th century.
History, Myth, Solitude Intertwined
National Geographic also pointed to Vat Phou’s setting as a distinguishing feature.
The temple complex sits at the base of Lingaparvata, or Linga Mountain, named for its phallus-shaped peak associated with Shiva.
Just four miles from the town of Champasak, with its architecture and riverside, Vat Phou is seen as easily accessible, providing a rare laid-back feeling.
The article also touched on the site’s mysterious origins.
While its full history is still unclear, local legend says King Kammatha built the first sanctuary after mythical ogres demanded his daughter, Nong Sida. A small pavilion and hidden library named after the princess still stand nearby.
Annual Celebration Embracing the Tradition of Vat Phou Festival
Beyond its archaeological significance, the temple continues to serve as a spiritual center and a gathering place for celebration.
Vat Phou is revered by many Lao people as a sacred site believed to possess protective powers. It continues to serve as a destination for worship and cultural tourism.
Each year, Champasack Province hosts the Vat Phou Festival to celebrate the temple’s legacy. The festival featured a wide variety of traditional and casual activities, catering to both local and international visitors.
According to the National Geographic, it’s the combination of history, mythology, and near-complete solitude that makes Vat Phou one of the region’s most underrated sacred sites.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/wat-phou-3.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-07-16 10:35:002025-07-08 10:36:57Vat Phou Featured on National Geographic as Hidden Gem in Southeast Asia
CTC Laos Marketing 2025 to Take Place in Vientiane This July
Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane have announced the launch of CTC Laos Marketing 2025, a two-day seminar and workshop aimed at helping marketers, online sellers, and content creators in Laos keep pace with the fast-changing marketing landscape.
The event will take place on 26 and 27 July at Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane, bringing together industry leaders and creative minds from Laos and Thailand to share insights and practical tools.
Organisers say marketing trends are shifting faster than ever, making it crucial for businesses to stay updated. They caution that those who fail to adapt risk falling behind, as traditional strategies focused solely on reach are no longer enough to drive real results. Instead, the focus must now be on content that converts, engages meaningfully, and builds long-term value.
AI, Consumer Behavior, Sales-Driven Strategies in Focus
The seminar will feature keynote talks and hands-on workshops, with a strong emphasis on using artificial intelligence to enhance marketing effectiveness. Participants will also explore how changing consumer behavior affects decision-making and why sustainable engagement is now more important than ever.
More than eight speakers will take the stage, including business owners, agency founders, marketing strategists, and content experts from both Laos and Thailand.
Among them are Sittipong Sirimaskasem, CEO and Founder of RGB72 and CREATIVE TALK; Narongyot Mahithivanitcha, Co-founder and Head of Growth at TWF Agency; and Sittinun Polvisutsak, Owner and CEO of Content Shifu.
Other speakers include Chaweewan Kongchoksamai, Chayanis Jumpeerat, and Lao experts such as Souphanith Vongsengthong, Bounhou Alounvong, Patxalin Phanouvong, and Mangkonephet Xayasane.
The sessions will cover a range of timely topics such as customer behavior, storytelling for monetisation, the Business Model Canvas, and how to apply generative AI in marketing. Attendees will also have opportunities to ask questions, network with peers, and exchange ideas with the speakers.
Early Bird tickets are priced at LAK 1,350,000 (USD 62.74), available for a limited time before increasing to the regular price of LAK 1,690,000 (USD 78.55). Groups purchasing five or more tickets will receive a 15 percent discount. To reserve tickets, contact Chanthasone at 020-59992439. For sponsorship inquiries, reach out to Mangkonephet at 020-77617518.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/07/08/ctc-laos-marketing-2025-to-take-place-in-vientiane-this-july/
Vientiane’s Bus Rapid Transit Service Set to Begin Trial Operations by End of August
Vientiane’s BRT service is scheduled to begin trial operations free of charge for three months by the end of August, Mayor of Vientiane Capital Athsphangthong Siphandone announced during the 9th Ordinary Session of the Vientiane People’s Council’s second legislature on 7 July.
The BRT project has made substantial progress, with construction of lanes and stations currently at 71.64 percent completion, according to Athsphangthong. Officials expect construction to reach 90 percent completion by the end of July, positioning the system to become fully operational by the end of 2025.
The BRT system will feature 12-meter electric air-conditioned express buses with 40 seats each, operating on dedicated routes for faster and safer service. Twenty-eight of the total 55 electric BRT buses arrived in Laos on 5 November 2024, with the remaining 27 buses expected to arrive in the future.
The system will operate daily from 6 am to 10 pm and will integrate seamlessly with the city’s existing bus network.
The BRT route includes six main stations located throughout the capital: Chao Fa Ngum Park, Inpeng Temple, Morning Market (Vientiane Bus Station), Patuxay, Phonekheng, and National University of Laos. These buses will run on exclusive BRT lanes, providing faster and safer service for commuters while reducing traffic congestion in the city center.
The project extends beyond the initial phase, with construction plans including expanding the BRT route to connect Wattay International Airport and the Laos-China Railway Station. This expansion is targeted for completion by the end of 2026, creating crucial transportation links between the capital’s key transit hubs and establishing seamless connectivity for both domestic and international travelers.
Since its mid-2024 launch, the project has made strong progress, aiming to improve public transport with efficient, eco-friendly service for Vientiane’s residents and visitors.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/07/07/vientianes-bus-rapid-transit-service-set-to-begin-trial-operations-by-end-of-august/
Vat Phou Featured on National Geographic as Hidden Gem in Southeast Asia
Vat Phou, an ancient temple in Laos’ Champasack Province, has been featured in a National Geographic Travel article as a hidden gem for travelers seeking serenity, history, and beauty without the crowds.
This UNESCO-listed site was praised for its “striking resemblance to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat” but with a quieter, more intimate experience.
In the article, the National Geographic draws attention to Vat Phou’s unique architectural and spiritual qualities, describing it as a “travel dupe” for Angkor Wat. While Cambodia’s iconic temple attracts some six million tourists a year, Vat Phou remains a relatively untouched site.
Background Similarities
Both temples were constructed during the Khmer Empire, which spanned from the 9th to 15th centuries, and share distinctive elements such as carved stone pillars and religious symbolism rooted in Hindu cosmology.
However, the National Geographic article points out that their layout sets them apart.
Angkor Wat features concentric enclosures symbolizing Mount Meru, the mythical center of the universe, while Vat Phou is laid out in a linear design along a one-mile raised causeway, leading visitors up a hillside to a sanctuary fed by a natural spring.
This ascending pathway, broken into seven stone terraces, was highlighted as a key reason for Vat Phou’s spiritual impact.
The design allows travelers to experience a slow climb through sacred structures, culminating in a moss-covered shrine adorned with carvings of apsaras and Hindu deities.
Originally housing a linga symbolizing the god Shiva, the shrine later came to feature a Buddha statue after the decline of the Khmer Empire in the 13th century.
History, Myth, Solitude Intertwined
National Geographic also pointed to Vat Phou’s setting as a distinguishing feature.
The temple complex sits at the base of Lingaparvata, or Linga Mountain, named for its phallus-shaped peak associated with Shiva.
Just four miles from the town of Champasak, with its architecture and riverside, Vat Phou is seen as easily accessible, providing a rare laid-back feeling.
The article also touched on the site’s mysterious origins.
While its full history is still unclear, local legend says King Kammatha built the first sanctuary after mythical ogres demanded his daughter, Nong Sida. A small pavilion and hidden library named after the princess still stand nearby.
Annual Celebration Embracing the Tradition of Vat Phou Festival
Beyond its archaeological significance, the temple continues to serve as a spiritual center and a gathering place for celebration.
Vat Phou is revered by many Lao people as a sacred site believed to possess protective powers. It continues to serve as a destination for worship and cultural tourism.
Each year, Champasack Province hosts the Vat Phou Festival to celebrate the temple’s legacy. The festival featured a wide variety of traditional and casual activities, catering to both local and international visitors.
According to the National Geographic, it’s the combination of history, mythology, and near-complete solitude that makes Vat Phou one of the region’s most underrated sacred sites.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/07/04/vat-phou-spotlighted-on-national-geographic-travel-for-its-angkhor-wat-resemblance/