In the first quarter of 2025, Vientiane Province attracted a total of 902,057 visitors, including 416,232 domestic tourists and 485,825 international arrivals, said Sengkeo Sounthavongsa, The Deputy Director of the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of Vientiane Province on 4 April.
This surge in tourism generated over LAK 754 billion (USD 34.8 million) in revenue.
Key tourist hotspots during this period included Ang Nam Ngum 1 in Keo Oudom district, the key tourism hotspot of Vang Vieng, and the natural Feuang district.
Behind this success was the coordinated effort between provincial authorities, local businesses, and community stakeholders to strengthen the tourism sector. This included improving tourism infrastructure, diversifying experiences, and solving development challenges across the province.
Currently, Vientiane Province hosts 1,053 licensed tourism-related businesses and 238 tourist attractions, 62 of which are currently operational.
The quality of tourism services in the province has also seen measurable improvements. Six local tourism businesses received ASEAN Tourism Standard awards in 2024. One hotel has been recognized as 5-star, two as 4-star, and 14 businesses have met national tourism certification standards.
Cultural events and traditional festivals also played a significant role in attracting tourists, Sengkeo said.
In 2024, Vientiane Province recorded a total of 1,9 million tourist visits, generating over LAK 1,372 billion (USD 63.33 million) in income. The province has set its sights on attracting over 2 million tourists in 2025, with a projected tourism income of no less than LAK 1,820 billion (USD 83.91 million).
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/istockphoto-1155777859-612x612-1.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-04-24 09:04:132025-04-22 09:06:03Vientiane Province Welcomes Over 900,000 Tourists in First Quarter of 2025
The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge marks its 31st anniversary on 8 April.
Opened in 1994, it was the first major land link between Laos and Thailand, designed to boost the region’s economy, trade, and social, cultural, tourism, and transportation connections.
Stretching across the Mekong River, the bridge was a joint project between Laos, Thailand, and the Australian government. It connects Nong Khai in Thailand to Tha Duea in Laos, just 20 km from the capital, Vientiane.
At 1,174 meters long and 12.7 meters wide, the bridge has two traffic lanes and a railway line linking Thailand to Thanaleng in Laos.
Over the past three decades, the bridge has facilitated millions of crossings each year and played a vital role in the region’s economic growth.
A Network of Friendship Bridges
The First Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge laid the foundation for a growing network of cross-border connections between Laos and Thailand along the Mekong River. Since its opening, a series of additional bridges were built to strengthen economic ties, boost regional trade, and make travel more accessible for communities on both sides.
The second bridge, completed in 2006, connects Mukdahan Province in Thailand with Savannakhet in Laos. It plays a key role in supporting trade and forms part of the Asian Highway Route AH16.
Building on this momentum, the third bridge was inaugurated in 2011, linking Nakhon Phanom in Thailand to Khammouane Province in Laos. This route has since become an important corridor for trade extending toward Vietnam and southern China.
Further north, the fourth bridge opened in 2013, connecting Chiang Rai Province in Thailand with Bokeo Province in Laos. This crossing completed a section of the Asian Highway 3, enhancing connectivity across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Now nearing completion, the fifth bridge will link Borikhamxay Province in Laos with Bueng Kan Province in Thailand. Scheduled to open in May 2025, it will be part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Lao-Thai diplomatic relations.
Looking ahead, both countries are preparing for the construction of a sixth bridge, which will connect Ubon Ratchathani in northeastern Thailand with Salavan Province in southern Laos.
With an estimated cost of around USD 140 million, this new link aims to further deepen cross-border cooperation and regional integration.
The Lao government is teaming up with Thailand to introduce ViaBus, a real-time bus tracking system designed to improve the efficiency of public transportation in Vientiane.
This initiative is a collaboration between the Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise and Via Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. The goal is to develop an application that offers convenient tracking of public transportation for passengers.
The ViaBus app will provide live updates on bus locations, routes, and schedules across Vientiane. All of this information will be available in one easy-to-use system.
The app is the brainchild of Intouch Marsvongpragorn, a Chulalongkorn University alumnus and Managing Director of Via Group. He was recognized on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2021 for his contributions as an innovator and entrepreneur under the age of 30.
Currently, Vientiane’s public transport system relies on Lao Bus Navi, the only real-time bus tracking app in Laos. Developed by LekPKD, Lao Bus Navi has been downloaded over 10,000 times.
It tracks 17 major routes and is available for Android users on Google Play or through its official website. The app aims to help commuters by providing real-time schedules and navigation assistance.
However, despite its efforts to improve the passenger experience, Lao Bus Navi has faced operational issues, such as buses not appearing on the map, inaccurate timings, and occasional problems with bus location transmitters not being active.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_7330-2048x1365-1.jpg13652048Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-04-20 01:19:002025-04-07 13:20:57Vientiane to Get Real-Time Bus Tracking with ViaBus
Vientiane Province Welcomes Over 900,000 Tourists in First Quarter of 2025
In the first quarter of 2025, Vientiane Province attracted a total of 902,057 visitors, including 416,232 domestic tourists and 485,825 international arrivals, said Sengkeo Sounthavongsa, The Deputy Director of the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of Vientiane Province on 4 April.
This surge in tourism generated over LAK 754 billion (USD 34.8 million) in revenue.
Key tourist hotspots during this period included Ang Nam Ngum 1 in Keo Oudom district, the key tourism hotspot of Vang Vieng, and the natural Feuang district.
Behind this success was the coordinated effort between provincial authorities, local businesses, and community stakeholders to strengthen the tourism sector. This included improving tourism infrastructure, diversifying experiences, and solving development challenges across the province.
Currently, Vientiane Province hosts 1,053 licensed tourism-related businesses and 238 tourist attractions, 62 of which are currently operational.
The quality of tourism services in the province has also seen measurable improvements. Six local tourism businesses received ASEAN Tourism Standard awards in 2024. One hotel has been recognized as 5-star, two as 4-star, and 14 businesses have met national tourism certification standards.
Cultural events and traditional festivals also played a significant role in attracting tourists, Sengkeo said.
In 2024, Vientiane Province recorded a total of 1,9 million tourist visits, generating over LAK 1,372 billion (USD 63.33 million) in income. The province has set its sights on attracting over 2 million tourists in 2025, with a projected tourism income of no less than LAK 1,820 billion (USD 83.91 million).
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/08/vientiane-province-welcomes-over-900000-tourists-in-first-quarter-of-2025/
First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Marks 31st Anniversary
The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge marks its 31st anniversary on 8 April.
Opened in 1994, it was the first major land link between Laos and Thailand, designed to boost the region’s economy, trade, and social, cultural, tourism, and transportation connections.
Stretching across the Mekong River, the bridge was a joint project between Laos, Thailand, and the Australian government. It connects Nong Khai in Thailand to Tha Duea in Laos, just 20 km from the capital, Vientiane.
At 1,174 meters long and 12.7 meters wide, the bridge has two traffic lanes and a railway line linking Thailand to Thanaleng in Laos.
Over the past three decades, the bridge has facilitated millions of crossings each year and played a vital role in the region’s economic growth.
A Network of Friendship Bridges
The First Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge laid the foundation for a growing network of cross-border connections between Laos and Thailand along the Mekong River. Since its opening, a series of additional bridges were built to strengthen economic ties, boost regional trade, and make travel more accessible for communities on both sides.
The second bridge, completed in 2006, connects Mukdahan Province in Thailand with Savannakhet in Laos. It plays a key role in supporting trade and forms part of the Asian Highway Route AH16.
Building on this momentum, the third bridge was inaugurated in 2011, linking Nakhon Phanom in Thailand to Khammouane Province in Laos. This route has since become an important corridor for trade extending toward Vietnam and southern China.
Further north, the fourth bridge opened in 2013, connecting Chiang Rai Province in Thailand with Bokeo Province in Laos. This crossing completed a section of the Asian Highway 3, enhancing connectivity across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Now nearing completion, the fifth bridge will link Borikhamxay Province in Laos with Bueng Kan Province in Thailand. Scheduled to open in May 2025, it will be part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Lao-Thai diplomatic relations.
Looking ahead, both countries are preparing for the construction of a sixth bridge, which will connect Ubon Ratchathani in northeastern Thailand with Salavan Province in southern Laos.
With an estimated cost of around USD 140 million, this new link aims to further deepen cross-border cooperation and regional integration.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/08/first-lao-thai-friendship-bridge-marks-31st-anniversary/
Vientiane to Get Real-Time Bus Tracking with ViaBus
The Lao government is teaming up with Thailand to introduce ViaBus, a real-time bus tracking system designed to improve the efficiency of public transportation in Vientiane.
This initiative is a collaboration between the Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise and Via Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. The goal is to develop an application that offers convenient tracking of public transportation for passengers.
The ViaBus app will provide live updates on bus locations, routes, and schedules across Vientiane. All of this information will be available in one easy-to-use system.
The app is the brainchild of Intouch Marsvongpragorn, a Chulalongkorn University alumnus and Managing Director of Via Group. He was recognized on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2021 for his contributions as an innovator and entrepreneur under the age of 30.
Currently, Vientiane’s public transport system relies on Lao Bus Navi, the only real-time bus tracking app in Laos. Developed by LekPKD, Lao Bus Navi has been downloaded over 10,000 times.
It tracks 17 major routes and is available for Android users on Google Play or through its official website. The app aims to help commuters by providing real-time schedules and navigation assistance.
However, despite its efforts to improve the passenger experience, Lao Bus Navi has faced operational issues, such as buses not appearing on the map, inaccurate timings, and occasional problems with bus location transmitters not being active.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/03/vientiane-to-get-real-time-bus-tracking-with-viabus/