In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March, Sofitel Luang Prabang hosted the “HERitage: A Celebration of Lao Women in Handicraft exhibition,” where visitors can now purchase local handicrafts as souvenirs, supporting the work of Lao artisans.
The exhibition will be open until 31 March and marks the official launch of La Boutique. This initiative offers a retail selection of locally sourced products while supporting local craftsmanship.
For generations, Lao women have preserved the country’s rich traditions, especially in handicrafts such as weaving. These skills, passed down over time, not only aim to keep the culture alive but also contribute significantly to the local economy.
Today, these traditions continue to thrive, with modern adaptations blending seamlessly with the original styles.
The recent event in Luang Prabang was opened by Andrew Gianfranco, the new General Manager of Sofitel Luang Prabang and 3 Nagas – MGallery.
“We contributed by supporting local artisans and businesses through partnerships and procurement, offering educational programs and cultural experiences to guests, and also promoting responsible tourism practices that respect and preserve the city’s traditions,” Gianfranco said.
The exhibition featured intricate textiles, handmade jewelry, and other artisan crafts, showing off the skills and cultural contributions of Lao women artisans, including Viengkham Nanthavongdouangsy (Khang), Boutsaya Viengviseth (Boutsaya Craft), Touk Maicome (Maicome), Vanida Phimphachanh (Saneha Jewellery), and Sui Thammamonty & Petra Racz (P.S. Collective).
“We will create a tour for tourists so they can learn about Lao culture, and also partner with local artisans, historians, and cultural institutions to offer more valuable experiences for them such as the opening of our La Boutique,” Gianfranco added. “It’s not just a shop; it’s a way for guests to take a piece of the local culture home with them.”
Sofitel Luang Prabang, a historic hotel originally a French governor’s residence, is located in the Old Town area by the Mekong River.
On 12 March, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants announced the extended 51-100 list ahead of the live awards ceremony. Lao makes its mark with Doi Ka Noi, which is ranked 86 on the extended list, making it the first Lao restaurant to be featured in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Chef Ponpailin ‘Noi’ Kaewduangdee
Helmed by chef Ponpailin ‘Noi’ Kaewduangdee, the restaurant offers an evolving menu of regional Lao cuisine inspired by the chef’s childhood in a rural, off-grid farming community.
Ponpailin ‘Noi’ Kaewduangdee was born in 1980 in Pon Paeng village in central Laos. The second iteration of her restaurant, Doi Ka Noi, opened in 2016 and serves a small weekly changing menu of around ten dishes on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.
The focus is on regional, seasonal Lao cuisine, which includes dishes from the country’s ethnic groups. Many recipes and ingredients are seldom found elsewhere. Ingredients are bought in the local morning market, grown in the restaurant’s organic garden, or foraged.
Noi is the first and currently only Lao member of the global food movement, Slow Food, and the restaurant is the first in Laos to appear on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants extended list.
Southern-style Mekong fish soup with paddy herb and pineappleStir-friend weaver ant eggs with egg, chilli and garlic
The 2025 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants will be revealed at the awards ceremony held on 25 March in Seoul, in collaboration with host destination partner Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WEB-2-e1743139466650.webp261500Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-04-01 09:46:002025-03-28 20:32:52Lao Restaurant Debuts on Asia’s 50 Best Extended List for First Time in History
The internet and social media landscape in Laos experienced significant growth in 2025, driven by faster internet speeds and increasing mobile phone adoption.
According to the State of Digital in Laos 2025 report, the country has 4.97 million internet users this year, with an internet penetration rate of 63.6 percent of the total population. However, 2.85 million people remained offline at the start of the year.
Mobile cellular connectivity also saw a substantial rise, with 6.78 million mobile connections, equivalent to 86.7 percent of the population. Broadband networks, including 3G, 4G, and 5G, accounted for 95.1 percent of these connections. As a result, internet speeds in Laos improved significantly, with fixed broadband averaging 34.62 Mbps, a 17.8 percent increase from the previous year.
The surge in internet access also fueled social media growth, with 4.25 million active users, representing 54.3 percent of the population. Nearly all users accessed social media via mobile devices, with the majority falling within the 25 to 34 age group.
In terms of mobile web traffic, Android devices continued to dominate with a 68.7 percent market share, although this marked a slight decline from the previous year. Meanwhile, Apple iOS devices gained traction, increasing to 31.14 percent of total web traffic.
These digital advancements in Laos reflect broader global trends. Worldwide, internet users reached 5.56 billion in 2025, covering 67.9 percent of the global population, while social media users surpassed 5.24 billion.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Internet-Connection-to-all-aroun-the-world.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-03-31 09:44:202025-03-17 09:46:11Digital Growth in Laos with Internet Faster by 17.8 percent in Early 2025
HERitage: Women Artisans Exhibition Launches in Luang Prabang
In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March, Sofitel Luang Prabang hosted the “HERitage: A Celebration of Lao Women in Handicraft exhibition,” where visitors can now purchase local handicrafts as souvenirs, supporting the work of Lao artisans.
The exhibition will be open until 31 March and marks the official launch of La Boutique. This initiative offers a retail selection of locally sourced products while supporting local craftsmanship.
For generations, Lao women have preserved the country’s rich traditions, especially in handicrafts such as weaving. These skills, passed down over time, not only aim to keep the culture alive but also contribute significantly to the local economy.
Today, these traditions continue to thrive, with modern adaptations blending seamlessly with the original styles.
The recent event in Luang Prabang was opened by Andrew Gianfranco, the new General Manager of Sofitel Luang Prabang and 3 Nagas – MGallery.
“We contributed by supporting local artisans and businesses through partnerships and procurement, offering educational programs and cultural experiences to guests, and also promoting responsible tourism practices that respect and preserve the city’s traditions,” Gianfranco said.
The exhibition featured intricate textiles, handmade jewelry, and other artisan crafts, showing off the skills and cultural contributions of Lao women artisans, including Viengkham Nanthavongdouangsy (Khang), Boutsaya Viengviseth (Boutsaya Craft), Touk Maicome (Maicome), Vanida Phimphachanh (Saneha Jewellery), and Sui Thammamonty & Petra Racz (P.S. Collective).
“We will create a tour for tourists so they can learn about Lao culture, and also partner with local artisans, historians, and cultural institutions to offer more valuable experiences for them such as the opening of our La Boutique,” Gianfranco added. “It’s not just a shop; it’s a way for guests to take a piece of the local culture home with them.”
Sofitel Luang Prabang, a historic hotel originally a French governor’s residence, is located in the Old Town area by the Mekong River.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/03/17/heritage-women-artisans-exhibition-launches-in-luang-prabang/
Lao Restaurant Debuts on Asia’s 50 Best Extended List for First Time in History
On 12 March, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants announced the extended 51-100 list ahead of the live awards ceremony. Lao makes its mark with Doi Ka Noi, which is ranked 86 on the extended list, making it the first Lao restaurant to be featured in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Helmed by chef Ponpailin ‘Noi’ Kaewduangdee, the restaurant offers an evolving menu of regional Lao cuisine inspired by the chef’s childhood in a rural, off-grid farming community.
Ponpailin ‘Noi’ Kaewduangdee was born in 1980 in Pon Paeng village in central Laos. The second iteration of her restaurant, Doi Ka Noi, opened in 2016 and serves a small weekly changing menu of around ten dishes on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.
The focus is on regional, seasonal Lao cuisine, which includes dishes from the country’s ethnic groups. Many recipes and ingredients are seldom found elsewhere. Ingredients are bought in the local morning market, grown in the restaurant’s organic garden, or foraged.
Noi is the first and currently only Lao member of the global food movement, Slow Food, and the restaurant is the first in Laos to appear on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants extended list.
The 2025 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants will be revealed at the awards ceremony held on 25 March in Seoul, in collaboration with host destination partner Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/03/13/lao-restaurant-debuts-on-asias-50-best-extended-list-for-first-time-in-history/
Digital Growth in Laos with Internet Faster by 17.8 percent in Early 2025
The internet and social media landscape in Laos experienced significant growth in 2025, driven by faster internet speeds and increasing mobile phone adoption.
According to the State of Digital in Laos 2025 report, the country has 4.97 million internet users this year, with an internet penetration rate of 63.6 percent of the total population. However, 2.85 million people remained offline at the start of the year.
Mobile cellular connectivity also saw a substantial rise, with 6.78 million mobile connections, equivalent to 86.7 percent of the population. Broadband networks, including 3G, 4G, and 5G, accounted for 95.1 percent of these connections. As a result, internet speeds in Laos improved significantly, with fixed broadband averaging 34.62 Mbps, a 17.8 percent increase from the previous year.
The surge in internet access also fueled social media growth, with 4.25 million active users, representing 54.3 percent of the population. Nearly all users accessed social media via mobile devices, with the majority falling within the 25 to 34 age group.
In terms of mobile web traffic, Android devices continued to dominate with a 68.7 percent market share, although this marked a slight decline from the previous year. Meanwhile, Apple iOS devices gained traction, increasing to 31.14 percent of total web traffic.
These digital advancements in Laos reflect broader global trends. Worldwide, internet users reached 5.56 billion in 2025, covering 67.9 percent of the global population, while social media users surpassed 5.24 billion.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/03/12/digital-growth-in-laos-with-internet-faster-by-17-8-percent-in-early-2025/