Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as a key initiative to boost regional travel and connectivity.
Held under the theme “United Journey – Stronger Together,” the forum brought together tourism officials and business leaders from Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to discuss ways to improve cross-border travel.
A key session was the first Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Tourism Private Sector Workshop on 25 June, which focused on strengthening regional connectivity through initiatives such as the ARTC.
The ARTC aims to link major cities, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Nong Khai, Vientiane, and Boten, through upgraded rail systems and streamlined immigration processes to make travel across Southeast Asia more efficient.
Phase 1 of the project (2024–2029) will focus on infrastructure readiness, border coordination, and intergovernmental collaboration. It builds on existing networks like the Laos–China Railway and the Laos–Thailand rail link, which have already enhanced mobility in the region.
By expanding these connections, the ARTC is expected to drive tourism growth and support more sustainable, inclusive development across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
The forum also introduced the GMS Tourism Strategy 2030, a regional framework designed to encourage high-quality, sustainable tourism and help the region recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The strategy prioritizes development in lesser-known destinations and aims to distribute tourism benefits more evenly.
MTF 2025 concluded with the announcement that Myanmar as the next host of the forum in 2026.
Local Experiences and Regional Recovery in Focus
Alongside the main sessions, a tourism exhibition showcased cultural products, local food, and community-based travel experiences, highlighting the region’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
Phouthone Dalalom, Deputy Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department at Laos’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, emphasized the importance of visitors from neighboring countries and said he hopes the forum will help increase tourist arrivals and strengthen regional ties.
Ing Hang Stupa, a religious monument and national heritage site in Savannakhet Province, is undergoing restoration, with the first phase already completed and the second phase about to begin.
The Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of Savannakhet Province is leading the restoration. The team completed the first phase on 16 June, having started on 11. Their survey revealed several cracks and holes in the stupa’s structure.
During this period, repair crews sealed the damaged areas and cleaned off long-accumulated dirt to prevent water seepage during the rainy season.
The second phase will focus on fixing larger cracks.
Restoration teams plan to follow conservation standards by preserving the stupa’s original materials and design. Before moving forward, experts will collect and analyze material samples to guide the next stage of repairs.
Funding for the project comes from the temple’s own budget, public donations, and contributions from the community. The team also plans to add decorative lighting around the temple grounds to enhance its appearance.
To improve the visitor experience, the Provincial Tourism Department has organized dedicated shop spaces and parking areas.
Although a plan for the second phase is already in place, the start and end dates remain uncertain.
The project, which aims to preserve the site’s cultural value and improve tourism infrastructure, will continue in multiple stages.
Dating back to the 16th century and standing about nine meters tall, Ing Hang Stupa remains one of Savannakhet’s most important cultural and spiritual landmarks.
LOCA, the Lao-grown ride-hailing and electric mobility startup, has announced the extension of its current fundraising round through the issuance of a USD 2.5 million Green Bond.
This new funding is expected to accelerate LOCA’s vision to transform urban transportation in Laos through the adoption of electric mobility and sustainable infrastructure.
The Green Bond issuance and sale will be facilitated by the three securities companies including BCEL-KT Securities Company Limited, LDB Securities Sole Company Limited and Lao-China Securities Public Company.
Proceeds from the Green Bond will be used to expand LOCA’s nationwide EV charging infrastructure, including an innovative program to revive defunct gas stations into EV-friendly charging and community hubs
In addition, part of the funding will go toward the rapid expansion of LOCA MINI, an affordable, 100 percent electric taxi fleet aimed at delivering safe, low-cost, and efficient on-demand transportation for city dwellers.
Soulisak Thamnuvong, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Laos said that this represents a significant milestone for the Lao capital market, particularly the issuance of green bonds.
He emphasized that it plays a vital role in fundraising for various entities and provides diverse investment opportunities linked to environmental business practices. This development is important for the country’s economic growth and for reducing emissions.
“We’ve already secured a committed investment in our earlier round, but we’re extending this round to push our 2035 vision forward—now targeting success by 2030,” said Souliyo Vongdala, Co-Founder and CEO of LOCA.
“There isn’t yet a serious player who truly believes EV vision for Laos, so we have no choice but to move forward and commit ourselves to pioneering this transition. We’ve done it before with ride-hailing—helping grow an entire market—and we’re ready to do it again for electric mobility. Our hope is that by leading the way, others will follow, creating a thriving industry and more opportunities for the people of Laos”
Since its inception in 2018, LOCA has grown into the first and largest ride-hailing platform in Laos, with over 1,000 active drivers, 90 percent of whom now operate EVs. Originally aiming to become a 100 percent EV fleet by 2030, LOCA is now on track to reach that goal five years early.
“LOCA is not only growing rapidly but doing so profitably and responsibly,” said Phonepasong Mixab, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of LOCA.
“With a strong team, innovative technology, and a proven business model, we’re confident that this round will bring excellent returns to investors—while also creating real, lasting impact for the Lao people.”
The Lao EV market has seen exponential growth, with four-wheel BEV registrations rising from 1,414 in 2022 to over 5,100 in 2024, and projections showing 8,000+ by 2025 and 15,000 per year by 2030. LOCA’s EV charging infrastructure has already served more than 8,000 unique vehicles, effectively supporting nearly 100 percent of Laos’ BEV drivers, both taxi operators and private owners.
EV drivers in Laos are now saving over 70 percent in fuel costs compared to gasoline, making the switch not only environmentally responsible but also economically smart. Combined with falling EV prices, the adoption rate is only expected to accelerate.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LOCA-Launches-Green-Bond-to-Boost-EV-Use-in-Laos.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-06-24 00:48:002025-06-13 12:50:17LOCA Launches Green Bond to Boost EV Use in Laos
ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor Takes Center Stage at Mekong Tourism Forum 2025
Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as a key initiative to boost regional travel and connectivity.
Held under the theme “United Journey – Stronger Together,” the forum brought together tourism officials and business leaders from Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to discuss ways to improve cross-border travel.
A key session was the first Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Tourism Private Sector Workshop on 25 June, which focused on strengthening regional connectivity through initiatives such as the ARTC.
The ARTC aims to link major cities, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Nong Khai, Vientiane, and Boten, through upgraded rail systems and streamlined immigration processes to make travel across Southeast Asia more efficient.
Phase 1 of the project (2024–2029) will focus on infrastructure readiness, border coordination, and intergovernmental collaboration. It builds on existing networks like the Laos–China Railway and the Laos–Thailand rail link, which have already enhanced mobility in the region.
By expanding these connections, the ARTC is expected to drive tourism growth and support more sustainable, inclusive development across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
The forum also introduced the GMS Tourism Strategy 2030, a regional framework designed to encourage high-quality, sustainable tourism and help the region recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The strategy prioritizes development in lesser-known destinations and aims to distribute tourism benefits more evenly.
MTF 2025 concluded with the announcement that Myanmar as the next host of the forum in 2026.
Local Experiences and Regional Recovery in Focus
Alongside the main sessions, a tourism exhibition showcased cultural products, local food, and community-based travel experiences, highlighting the region’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
Phouthone Dalalom, Deputy Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department at Laos’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, emphasized the importance of visitors from neighboring countries and said he hopes the forum will help increase tourist arrivals and strengthen regional ties.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/06/27/asean-rail-tourism-corridor-takes-center-stage-at-mekong-tourism-forum-2025/
Heritage Stupa in Savannakhet Restoration Enters Second Phase
Ing Hang Stupa, a religious monument and national heritage site in Savannakhet Province, is undergoing restoration, with the first phase already completed and the second phase about to begin.
The Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of Savannakhet Province is leading the restoration. The team completed the first phase on 16 June, having started on 11. Their survey revealed several cracks and holes in the stupa’s structure.
During this period, repair crews sealed the damaged areas and cleaned off long-accumulated dirt to prevent water seepage during the rainy season.
The second phase will focus on fixing larger cracks.
Restoration teams plan to follow conservation standards by preserving the stupa’s original materials and design. Before moving forward, experts will collect and analyze material samples to guide the next stage of repairs.
Funding for the project comes from the temple’s own budget, public donations, and contributions from the community. The team also plans to add decorative lighting around the temple grounds to enhance its appearance.
To improve the visitor experience, the Provincial Tourism Department has organized dedicated shop spaces and parking areas.
Although a plan for the second phase is already in place, the start and end dates remain uncertain.
The project, which aims to preserve the site’s cultural value and improve tourism infrastructure, will continue in multiple stages.
Dating back to the 16th century and standing about nine meters tall, Ing Hang Stupa remains one of Savannakhet’s most important cultural and spiritual landmarks.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/06/20/heritage-stupa-in-savannakhet-restoration-enters-second-phase/
LOCA Launches Green Bond to Boost EV Use in Laos
LOCA, the Lao-grown ride-hailing and electric mobility startup, has announced the extension of its current fundraising round through the issuance of a USD 2.5 million Green Bond.
This new funding is expected to accelerate LOCA’s vision to transform urban transportation in Laos through the adoption of electric mobility and sustainable infrastructure.
The Green Bond issuance and sale will be facilitated by the three securities companies including BCEL-KT Securities Company Limited, LDB Securities Sole Company Limited and Lao-China Securities Public Company.
Proceeds from the Green Bond will be used to expand LOCA’s nationwide EV charging infrastructure, including an innovative program to revive defunct gas stations into EV-friendly charging and community hubs
In addition, part of the funding will go toward the rapid expansion of LOCA MINI, an affordable, 100 percent electric taxi fleet aimed at delivering safe, low-cost, and efficient on-demand transportation for city dwellers.
Soulisak Thamnuvong, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Laos said that this represents a significant milestone for the Lao capital market, particularly the issuance of green bonds.
He emphasized that it plays a vital role in fundraising for various entities and provides diverse investment opportunities linked to environmental business practices. This development is important for the country’s economic growth and for reducing emissions.
“We’ve already secured a committed investment in our earlier round, but we’re extending this round to push our 2035 vision forward—now targeting success by 2030,” said Souliyo Vongdala, Co-Founder and CEO of LOCA.
“There isn’t yet a serious player who truly believes EV vision for Laos, so we have no choice but to move forward and commit ourselves to pioneering this transition. We’ve done it before with ride-hailing—helping grow an entire market—and we’re ready to do it again for electric mobility. Our hope is that by leading the way, others will follow, creating a thriving industry and more opportunities for the people of Laos”
Since its inception in 2018, LOCA has grown into the first and largest ride-hailing platform in Laos, with over 1,000 active drivers, 90 percent of whom now operate EVs. Originally aiming to become a 100 percent EV fleet by 2030, LOCA is now on track to reach that goal five years early.
“LOCA is not only growing rapidly but doing so profitably and responsibly,” said Phonepasong Mixab, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of LOCA.
“With a strong team, innovative technology, and a proven business model, we’re confident that this round will bring excellent returns to investors—while also creating real, lasting impact for the Lao people.”
The Lao EV market has seen exponential growth, with four-wheel BEV registrations rising from 1,414 in 2022 to over 5,100 in 2024, and projections showing 8,000+ by 2025 and 15,000 per year by 2030. LOCA’s EV charging infrastructure has already served more than 8,000 unique vehicles, effectively supporting nearly 100 percent of Laos’ BEV drivers, both taxi operators and private owners.
EV drivers in Laos are now saving over 70 percent in fuel costs compared to gasoline, making the switch not only environmentally responsible but also economically smart. Combined with falling EV prices, the adoption rate is only expected to accelerate.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/06/12/loca-launches-green-bond-to-boost-ev-use-in-laos/