Savannakhet Province has witnessed growth in tourism and economic development in 2024.
Tourist arrivals from January to October reached 683,166, marking a 26 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to Savannakhet Governor Bounchom Ubonpraseuth, who highlighted that promoting tourism has been a key priority for the province.
Bounchom noted that while efforts in the past year have centered on natural tourism, there is a need to emphasize history, nature, and culture further. This, he explained, involves enhancing infrastructure and facilities, supporting local businesses, and attracting foreign investment.
Key initiatives included developing tourism services and products, organizing traditional festivals, and hosting events such as the Savannakhet Souk San Nen Sa Festival, food and beverage festivals, and bicycle caravans.
The province is also investing in renovating Kaysone Phomvihane City, transforming it into a unique historical tourist destination. By preserving its traditional structures, the area aims to serve as a hub for both domestic and foreign tourists.
Alongside tourism, Bounchom also reported that Savannakhet’s economy has grown by 7.8 percent this year, driven by industry and agriculture. The Savan Seno Special Economic Zone, the Sepon mining industry, and various processing industries have played key roles in boosting production, exports, and employment.
One standout contributor is the Sun Paper industry, which operates a large-scale paper production facility in the province. To meet growing demand, the company is expanding its eucalyptus plantations, requiring hundreds of hectares of land to support its production lines.
With continued investment in infrastructure, traditional festivals, and cross-border initiatives, the province is prone to attract even more visitors and investors in the coming years, Bounchom added.
The ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO) proudly hosted the Opening Ceremony of the 7th ASEAN Youth Conference 2024 on 20th November 2024, the 3 days long affair will be held from November 20–23 in Jakarta, Indonesia. This highly anticipated event gathered 80 youth leaders and changemakers from 14 countries including non-ASEAN countries, reinforcing the critical role of young people in shaping the region’s future. Organized in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat and AYO Kreasi Internasional, the conference was a resounding success, setting a new benchmark for youth engagement in regional development.
Under the theme, “Investing in YOUth: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience for Our Shared Culture,” the conference spotlighted youth as key contributors to the ASEAN Vision 2045, the region’s roadmap for progress beyond 2025.
The event underscored the importance of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across ASEAN by providing a platform for youth-driven ideas and collaborative solutions. The Project Directors opened the Opening Ceremony for AYC 2024 – Panda Oundouengphachane and Abhishek Vats, who highlighted the importance of volunteer work and the need for compassion and collaboration to ensure that young people exercise every opportunity to reach out and support their local communities.
Distinguished speakers enriched the discussions, including Bovonethat Douangchak, Permanent Representative of Laos to ASEAN, emphasized youth leadership and regional unity in building resilience.
Moreover, Nur Diyana Badarudin, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to ASEAN, shared Malaysia’s vision for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, focusing on inclusivity and environmental sustainability while urging youth participation in implementing the ASEAN Youth Work Plan 2021–2025.
The conference will feature panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking sessions, encouraging vibrant exchanges among delegates. Ensuring the conference generates meaningful outcomes. The program will also involve a site visit to the ASEAN Secretariat where the delegates will present their recommendations.
AYO Chairperson, Sarah Rauzana highlighted the significance of this year’s achievements, including winning the ASEAN Prize and recognition in the Enabler Category by the Arab World Youth Council.
“This milestone year for AYO underscores the power of youth as catalysts for change. Youth-driven policies and initiatives are essential for ASEAN’s long-term success, and AYO remains committed to nurturing the next generation of regional leaders,” she said.
The ASEAN Youth Conference 2024 further cements AYO’s role as a bridge between young changemakers and regional policy-makers. It facilitates capacity building for the young leaders to develop confidence in themselves and tomorrow.
According to the official announcement from the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane on 18 November, noted that non-Thai nationals in Laos who intend to travel to Thailand for tourism purposes or work within 60 days must apply for all types of visas only through the e-Visa system and are confirmed to make payments in cash with Thai Baht at the Consular Section of the Royal Thai Embassy, and was set to begin on 1 January 2025.
It will take approximately 10 to 15 working days (if all required documents are completely checked) starting from the date of visa fee payment and the embassy will accept visa applications in the current system (on site document format) up until 20 November.
To prepare for the transition to the e-Visa service, The Embassy will not accept any visa applications from 21 to 31 December.
Lao people visiting Thailand for less than 60 days, can travel normally without applying for an e-Visa.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webp00Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-12-24 09:44:322024-12-10 09:46:26Non-Thai Nationals in Laos to Apply for E-Visa Only Starting from January 2025
Savannakhet Sees Tourism Boom, Economic Growth in 2024
Savannakhet Province has witnessed growth in tourism and economic development in 2024.
Tourist arrivals from January to October reached 683,166, marking a 26 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to Savannakhet Governor Bounchom Ubonpraseuth, who highlighted that promoting tourism has been a key priority for the province.
Bounchom noted that while efforts in the past year have centered on natural tourism, there is a need to emphasize history, nature, and culture further. This, he explained, involves enhancing infrastructure and facilities, supporting local businesses, and attracting foreign investment.
Key initiatives included developing tourism services and products, organizing traditional festivals, and hosting events such as the Savannakhet Souk San Nen Sa Festival, food and beverage festivals, and bicycle caravans.
The province is also investing in renovating Kaysone Phomvihane City, transforming it into a unique historical tourist destination. By preserving its traditional structures, the area aims to serve as a hub for both domestic and foreign tourists.
Alongside tourism, Bounchom also reported that Savannakhet’s economy has grown by 7.8 percent this year, driven by industry and agriculture. The Savan Seno Special Economic Zone, the Sepon mining industry, and various processing industries have played key roles in boosting production, exports, and employment.
One standout contributor is the Sun Paper industry, which operates a large-scale paper production facility in the province. To meet growing demand, the company is expanding its eucalyptus plantations, requiring hundreds of hectares of land to support its production lines.
With continued investment in infrastructure, traditional festivals, and cross-border initiatives, the province is prone to attract even more visitors and investors in the coming years, Bounchom added.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/11/26/savannakhet-sees-tourism-boom-economic-growth-in-2024/
ASEAN Youth Organization Successfully Opened the ASEAN Youth Conference 2024
The ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO) proudly hosted the Opening Ceremony of the 7th ASEAN Youth Conference 2024 on 20th November 2024, the 3 days long affair will be held from November 20–23 in Jakarta, Indonesia. This highly anticipated event gathered 80 youth leaders and changemakers from 14 countries including non-ASEAN countries, reinforcing the critical role of young people in shaping the region’s future. Organized in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat and AYO Kreasi Internasional, the conference was a resounding success, setting a new benchmark for youth engagement in regional development.
Under the theme, “Investing in YOUth: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience for Our Shared Culture,” the conference spotlighted youth as key contributors to the ASEAN Vision 2045, the region’s roadmap for progress beyond 2025.
The event underscored the importance of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across ASEAN by providing a platform for youth-driven ideas and collaborative solutions. The Project Directors opened the Opening Ceremony for AYC 2024 – Panda Oundouengphachane and Abhishek Vats, who highlighted the importance of volunteer work and the need for compassion and collaboration to ensure that young people exercise every opportunity to reach out and support their local communities.
Distinguished speakers enriched the discussions, including Bovonethat Douangchak, Permanent Representative of Laos to ASEAN, emphasized youth leadership and regional unity in building resilience.
Moreover, Nur Diyana Badarudin, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to ASEAN, shared Malaysia’s vision for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, focusing on inclusivity and environmental sustainability while urging youth participation in implementing the ASEAN Youth Work Plan 2021–2025.
The conference will feature panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking sessions, encouraging vibrant exchanges among delegates. Ensuring the conference generates meaningful outcomes. The program will also involve a site visit to the ASEAN Secretariat where the delegates will present their recommendations.
AYO Chairperson, Sarah Rauzana highlighted the significance of this year’s achievements, including winning the ASEAN Prize and recognition in the Enabler Category by the Arab World Youth Council.
“This milestone year for AYO underscores the power of youth as catalysts for change. Youth-driven policies and initiatives are essential for ASEAN’s long-term success, and AYO remains committed to nurturing the next generation of regional leaders,” she said.
The ASEAN Youth Conference 2024 further cements AYO’s role as a bridge between young changemakers and regional policy-makers. It facilitates capacity building for the young leaders to develop confidence in themselves and tomorrow.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/11/22/asean-youth-organization-successfully-opened-the-asean-youth-conference-2024/
Non-Thai Nationals in Laos to Apply for E-Visa Only Starting from January 2025
According to the official announcement from the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane on 18 November, noted that non-Thai nationals in Laos who intend to travel to Thailand for tourism purposes or work within 60 days must apply for all types of visas only through the e-Visa system and are confirmed to make payments in cash with Thai Baht at the Consular Section of the Royal Thai Embassy, and was set to begin on 1 January 2025.
It will take approximately 10 to 15 working days (if all required documents are completely checked) starting from the date of visa fee payment and the embassy will accept visa applications in the current system (on site document format) up until 20 November.
To prepare for the transition to the e-Visa service, The Embassy will not accept any visa applications from 21 to 31 December.
Lao people visiting Thailand for less than 60 days, can travel normally without applying for an e-Visa.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/11/21/non-thai-nationals-in-laos-to-apply-for-e-visa-only-starting-from-january-2025/