Luang Prabang recorded a dramatic drop in visitor numbers during the Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) festival this year, with authorities reporting a 46 percent decline compared to the same period in 2025.
The number of tourists visiting the city between 10 and 20 April fell from 126,846 in 2025 to just 68,126 this year, according to the provincial culture and tourism department.
Both international and domestic segments were affected, with international arrivals dropping by 42 percent, while domestic tourists fell by 48 percent.
China emerged as the top international source country with 2,102 visitors, marking a 105 percent increase over the previous year. Thailand ranked second with 1,207 visitors, though that figure represented a steep 75 percent fall.
Vietnam rounded out the top three, surging 142 percent compared to the prior year.
The drop in footfall translated directly into lost revenue. The city generated USD 52.2 million during the festival period this year, compared to USD 97.5 million in 2025.
Visitor spending patterns added further weight to the economic picture. Domestic tourists stayed an average of three days at USD 109 per person per day, while international visitors remained for an average of five days and spent approximately USD 300 per person per day.
Pi Mai Lao is the highlight of the tourism calendar for Luang Prabang, one of Laos’ most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Cities, drawing visitors each year with its distinctive traditions including the Nang Sangkhan procession, almsgiving ceremonies, paper lantern releases, and the naga parade.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lao-New-Year-Festival-2026-in-Luang-Prabang-City.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-04-30 09:58:582026-05-04 10:04:58Luang Prabang Tourism Halves Year-on-Year During Pi Mai Lao
On 27 April, Lao Foreign Affairs Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys signed a new bilateral cooperation agreement in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held from 27 to 28 April.
The agreement establishes a formal consultation mechanism between both foreign ministries, creating a structured platform for ongoing diplomatic dialogue and future cooperation.
During the meeting, both ministers agreed to expand collaboration across trade, investment, tourism, environmental protection, clean energy, digital transformation, and unexploded ordnance clearance.
Both sides marked over three decades of friendship since establishing diplomatic relations in September 1994. Laos commended Lithuania’s support through EU development programs, particularly in rural development and poverty reduction, noting that such assistance directly aligns with its national development priorities as it targets graduation from Least Developed Country status between 2026 and 2029.
Budrys, in turn, congratulated Thongsavanh on his recent appointment and expressed confidence in the continued growth of bilateral relations.
The agreement positions both countries to deepen cooperation and expand engagement across multiple sectors in the years ahead.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webp00Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-04-29 15:07:022026-04-29 15:07:02Laos, Lithuania Sign New Cooperation Agreement to Boost Diplomatic Ties
Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith visited Beijing as Special Envoy of President Thongloun Sisoulith, meeting with China’s top party and state leadership in a visit that reaffirmed the enduring strategic partnership between the two countries.
On 21 April, Saleumxay met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, conveying a personal letter from President Thongloun.
As 2026 marks both the 65th anniversary of Laos-China diplomatic ties and the Year of Laos-China Friendship, Xi called it a year of significant opportunity for bilateral relations, urging both sides to uphold long-term stability, forward thinking, good neighborliness, and comprehensive cooperation, and to advance the Laos-China community with a shared future toward high standards, high quality, and high levels.
On the same day, Saleumxay met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Wang pledged China’s support in aligning development strategies, advancing whole-industry-chain cooperation in minerals and electricity, and assisting Laos in economic transformation and industrial growth. Saleumxay expressed Laos’ readiness to expand cooperation in connectivity, energy, and minerals, and to jointly celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Prior to the meeting with Xi and Wang, Saleumxay on 20 April met with Minister Liu Haixing at the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.. Both sides commended the visit as a strong gesture of inter-party strategic communication and committed to deepening cooperation in party building, state governance, and the Laos-China community.
Throughout the visit, Saleumxay reaffirmed Laos’ unwavering support for the one-China principle and its full endorsement of China’s four global initiatives, underscoring Vientiane’s deep commitment to its partnership with Beijing.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webp00Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-04-23 12:39:512026-04-23 12:39:51Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Meets Xi Jinping in Beijing
Luang Prabang Tourism Halves Year-on-Year During Pi Mai Lao
Luang Prabang recorded a dramatic drop in visitor numbers during the Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) festival this year, with authorities reporting a 46 percent decline compared to the same period in 2025.
The number of tourists visiting the city between 10 and 20 April fell from 126,846 in 2025 to just 68,126 this year, according to the provincial culture and tourism department.
Both international and domestic segments were affected, with international arrivals dropping by 42 percent, while domestic tourists fell by 48 percent.
China emerged as the top international source country with 2,102 visitors, marking a 105 percent increase over the previous year. Thailand ranked second with 1,207 visitors, though that figure represented a steep 75 percent fall.
Vietnam rounded out the top three, surging 142 percent compared to the prior year.
The drop in footfall translated directly into lost revenue. The city generated USD 52.2 million during the festival period this year, compared to USD 97.5 million in 2025.
Visitor spending patterns added further weight to the economic picture. Domestic tourists stayed an average of three days at USD 109 per person per day, while international visitors remained for an average of five days and spent approximately USD 300 per person per day.
Pi Mai Lao is the highlight of the tourism calendar for Luang Prabang, one of Laos’ most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Cities, drawing visitors each year with its distinctive traditions including the Nang Sangkhan procession, almsgiving ceremonies, paper lantern releases, and the naga parade.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/04/27/luang-prabang-tourism-halves-year-on-year-during-pi-mai-lao/
Laos, Lithuania Sign New Cooperation Agreement to Boost Diplomatic Ties
On 27 April, Lao Foreign Affairs Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys signed a new bilateral cooperation agreement in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held from 27 to 28 April.
The agreement establishes a formal consultation mechanism between both foreign ministries, creating a structured platform for ongoing diplomatic dialogue and future cooperation.
During the meeting, both ministers agreed to expand collaboration across trade, investment, tourism, environmental protection, clean energy, digital transformation, and unexploded ordnance clearance.
Both sides marked over three decades of friendship since establishing diplomatic relations in September 1994. Laos commended Lithuania’s support through EU development programs, particularly in rural development and poverty reduction, noting that such assistance directly aligns with its national development priorities as it targets graduation from Least Developed Country status between 2026 and 2029.
Budrys, in turn, congratulated Thongsavanh on his recent appointment and expressed confidence in the continued growth of bilateral relations.
The agreement positions both countries to deepen cooperation and expand engagement across multiple sectors in the years ahead.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/04/29/laos-lithuania-sign-new-cooperation-agreement-to-boost-diplomatic-ties/
Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Meets Xi Jinping in Beijing
Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith visited Beijing as Special Envoy of President Thongloun Sisoulith, meeting with China’s top party and state leadership in a visit that reaffirmed the enduring strategic partnership between the two countries.
On 21 April, Saleumxay met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, conveying a personal letter from President Thongloun.
As 2026 marks both the 65th anniversary of Laos-China diplomatic ties and the Year of Laos-China Friendship, Xi called it a year of significant opportunity for bilateral relations, urging both sides to uphold long-term stability, forward thinking, good neighborliness, and comprehensive cooperation, and to advance the Laos-China community with a shared future toward high standards, high quality, and high levels.
On the same day, Saleumxay met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Wang pledged China’s support in aligning development strategies, advancing whole-industry-chain cooperation in minerals and electricity, and assisting Laos in economic transformation and industrial growth. Saleumxay expressed Laos’ readiness to expand cooperation in connectivity, energy, and minerals, and to jointly celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Prior to the meeting with Xi and Wang, Saleumxay on 20 April met with Minister Liu Haixing at the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.. Both sides commended the visit as a strong gesture of inter-party strategic communication and committed to deepening cooperation in party building, state governance, and the Laos-China community.
Throughout the visit, Saleumxay reaffirmed Laos’ unwavering support for the one-China principle and its full endorsement of China’s four global initiatives, underscoring Vientiane’s deep commitment to its partnership with Beijing.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/04/22/lao-deputy-prime-minister-saleumxay-meets-xi-jinping-in-beijing/