Princess Aiko of Japan will visit Laos in November, marking her first official overseas engagement. The visit commemorates the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos, which were established in 1955.
During her trip, Princess Aiko is expected to meet with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and attend a commemorative ceremony. The exact date of her visit has not yet been announced.
The daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, currently works at the Japanese Red Cross Society and has been gradually taking on more public duties.
While this will be her first official diplomatic trip abroad, she has previously traveled overseas for personal and educational purposes. These include a family trip to the Netherlands in 2006 and a summer study program in the United Kingdom in 2018.
The Japanese Imperial Family has made three previous visits to Laos.
In 1999, Prince and Princess Akishino visited on a goodwill mission. In 2010, Prince Akishino returned with Princess Mako for a cultural and research-focused visit. In 2012, then-Crown Prince Naruhito (now Emperor) visited to observe development projects and meet with Lao leaders.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Japan-prince-Laos.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-06-05 10:57:002025-05-26 10:59:45Japan’s Princess Aiko to Visit Laos in First Official Overseas Trip
The iconic That Dam, or Black Stupa, one of Vientiane’s most culturally significant landmarks, is set to undergo a major restoration as part of a new preservation initiative led by the Lao government.
Authorities from Chanthabouly district convened on 14 May to assess the feasibility of restoring the ancient stupa, launching a comprehensive survey to identify areas in need of repair.
The restoration effort will be a collaborative venture between the public and private sectors, with the Vientiane Capital Administration spearheading the initiative.
The Department of Culture, under the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, will work alongside the Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Laos to compile an official historical report on the monument.
Meanwhile, private entities will provide crucial funding to support the restoration.
Located near the intersection of Setthathirath Road and Sithane Road, just a short walk from the American Center Vientiane, That Dam is one of the city’s most easily accessible landmarks. Its dark weathered exterior and mysterious origin have long intrigued both locals and visitors.
In Lao, “That” means a structure that holds relics of the Buddha, and “Dam” means black. No one knows exactly when the stupa was built, but experts think it was built in the 16th century.
A local legend adds mystery to the site. People say a seven-headed Naga, a mythical water serpent in Buddhist stories, once guarded the stupa.
Long ago, the stupa was covered in gold. But during the Siamese-Laotian War in the 1820s, Siamese soldiers took the gold. Since then, the stupa has remained dark colored.
The upcoming renovation will help protect the old structure. It will also attract more tourists and help people learn more about Vientiane’s cultural heritage, the authorities believe.
Further details about the restoration timeline and budget allocation are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1537.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-06-04 10:55:002025-05-26 10:57:23Vientiane Discusses Restoration Plan of Historic Black Stupa
Laos is set to launch its first wind farm, and the largest in Southeast Asia, by the end of the year, with all 133 turbines now fully installed.
The 600-megawatt Monsoon Wind Project, valued at USD 930 million, spans 68,000 hectares across Dak Cheung district in Sekong province and Sanxay district in Attapeu Province. It is the region’s first cross-border wind energy initiative.
Electricity generated will be exported to Vietnam under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Vietnam Electricity (EVN), delivered through a 500-kilovolt transmission line.
The project is being developed by Impact Energy Asia Development Co., Ltd., which first signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lao government in 2011 to evaluate its feasibility. It officially moved forward in 2022 after receiving a concession agreement, and now operates under Monsoon Wind Power Company Limited.
ACEN, the Ayala Group’s renewable energy platform, announced the completion of turbine installation on 19 May. The company holds a 25 percent economic interest in the joint venture, which began construction in March 2023.
The wind farm features turbines with tower heights of 140 and 110 meters, placed based on wind data collected over an eight-year period from 2015 to 2023.
Japan’s Princess Aiko to Visit Laos in First Official Overseas Trip
Princess Aiko of Japan will visit Laos in November, marking her first official overseas engagement. The visit commemorates the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos, which were established in 1955.
During her trip, Princess Aiko is expected to meet with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and attend a commemorative ceremony. The exact date of her visit has not yet been announced.
The daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, currently works at the Japanese Red Cross Society and has been gradually taking on more public duties.
While this will be her first official diplomatic trip abroad, she has previously traveled overseas for personal and educational purposes. These include a family trip to the Netherlands in 2006 and a summer study program in the United Kingdom in 2018.
The Japanese Imperial Family has made three previous visits to Laos.
In 1999, Prince and Princess Akishino visited on a goodwill mission. In 2010, Prince Akishino returned with Princess Mako for a cultural and research-focused visit. In 2012, then-Crown Prince Naruhito (now Emperor) visited to observe development projects and meet with Lao leaders.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/23/japans-princess-aiko-to-visit-laos-in-first-official-overseas-trip/
Vientiane Discusses Restoration Plan of Historic Black Stupa
The iconic That Dam, or Black Stupa, one of Vientiane’s most culturally significant landmarks, is set to undergo a major restoration as part of a new preservation initiative led by the Lao government.
Authorities from Chanthabouly district convened on 14 May to assess the feasibility of restoring the ancient stupa, launching a comprehensive survey to identify areas in need of repair.
The restoration effort will be a collaborative venture between the public and private sectors, with the Vientiane Capital Administration spearheading the initiative.
The Department of Culture, under the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, will work alongside the Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Laos to compile an official historical report on the monument.
Meanwhile, private entities will provide crucial funding to support the restoration.
Located near the intersection of Setthathirath Road and Sithane Road, just a short walk from the American Center Vientiane, That Dam is one of the city’s most easily accessible landmarks. Its dark weathered exterior and mysterious origin have long intrigued both locals and visitors.
In Lao, “That” means a structure that holds relics of the Buddha, and “Dam” means black. No one knows exactly when the stupa was built, but experts think it was built in the 16th century.
A local legend adds mystery to the site. People say a seven-headed Naga, a mythical water serpent in Buddhist stories, once guarded the stupa.
Long ago, the stupa was covered in gold. But during the Siamese-Laotian War in the 1820s, Siamese soldiers took the gold. Since then, the stupa has remained dark colored.
The upcoming renovation will help protect the old structure. It will also attract more tourists and help people learn more about Vientiane’s cultural heritage, the authorities believe.
Further details about the restoration timeline and budget allocation are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/23/vientiane-discusses-restoration-plan-of-historic-black-stupa/
Laos Nears Launch Southeast Asia’s Largest Wind Farm
Laos is set to launch its first wind farm, and the largest in Southeast Asia, by the end of the year, with all 133 turbines now fully installed.
The 600-megawatt Monsoon Wind Project, valued at USD 930 million, spans 68,000 hectares across Dak Cheung district in Sekong province and Sanxay district in Attapeu Province. It is the region’s first cross-border wind energy initiative.
Electricity generated will be exported to Vietnam under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Vietnam Electricity (EVN), delivered through a 500-kilovolt transmission line.
The project is being developed by Impact Energy Asia Development Co., Ltd., which first signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lao government in 2011 to evaluate its feasibility. It officially moved forward in 2022 after receiving a concession agreement, and now operates under Monsoon Wind Power Company Limited.
ACEN, the Ayala Group’s renewable energy platform, announced the completion of turbine installation on 19 May. The company holds a 25 percent economic interest in the joint venture, which began construction in March 2023.
The wind farm features turbines with tower heights of 140 and 110 meters, placed based on wind data collected over an eight-year period from 2015 to 2023.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/22/laos-nears-launch-of-southeast-asias-largest-wind-farm/