Laos and Japan have upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking 70 years of diplomatic ties and paving the way for closer collaboration in trade, travel, and regional cooperation.

On 21 January, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru signed a joint declaration on upgrading to a comprehensive strategic partnership as part of Lao PM’s official visit to Japan from 20 to 23 January.

On the same day, the two leaders discussed strategies to strengthen trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.

Among the key announcements was Laos’ plan to extend visa-free stays for Japanese citizens from 15 to 30 days, as well as efforts to encourage the launch of direct flights between the two countries to boost economic and tourism ties.

The summit also underscored Japan’s longstanding role in Laos’ development. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed gratitude for Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), which averages USD 90 to 100 million annually, and has supported key sectors such as education, infrastructure, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance. 

The leaders also reflected on economic cooperation. Since Laos opened to foreign investment in 1989, Japan has invested in 93 projects with a total value exceeding USD 157 million, ranking as the 14th largest investor in Laos.

In 2024 alone, trade exceeded USD 255 million, marking a 10.4 percent increase compared to 2023. Major traded products include clothing, electrical equipment, land vehicles, and synthetic fibers.

As part of the visit, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a grant aid agreement for the Provincial Teacher Development Center Improvement Project, which aims to bolster Laos’ human resource development.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/01/24/laos-japan-discuss-plans-for-direct-flights-visa-easing/

On 16 January, Oudomxay officially launched its 2025 Ethnic Traditional Festival with the aim of promoting tourism. 

The opening ceremony, held at the provincial stadium, drew both domestic and international visitors.

Bounkhong Lachiemphone, Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Oudomxay, highlighted the importance of each of the 12 ethnic groups in the province, including Lao, Hmong, Tai, Khmu, Bid, Leu, Yang, Lamed, Iu mien, Akha, Phounoy, and Hor. Each group brings its own traditions, languages, and lifestyles, and they have lived harmoniously, contributing to the province’s growth while preserving their unique cultures.

The festival features a variety of events, including an exhibition of local handicrafts, agricultural products, and souvenirs. Visitors can also participate in a forum offering information on government loans and guidance on selling products online. Cultural performances and activities will showcase the traditions of five ethnic groups—Khmu, Hmong, Hor, Tai Dam, and Lao. 

Oudomxay is home to several natural attractions, including the Nam Kat waterfall, the Singkham Buddha temple, the panoramic views from Phu Ya Kha Mountain, and Tad Talae waterfall. The province is also renowned for its local cuisine, such as sop pak (vegetables cooked with sesame, ginger, and chili) and som seen sai mai phai (fermented pork mixed with chili and garlic, packed into bamboo tubes).

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/01/17/oudomxay-launches-ethnic-traditional-festival-to-promote-tourism-in-2025/

The new Lao Art Museum officially opened on 5 January in Vientiane’s Nonsaart village, Xaythany district. 

Construction of the Museum began in 2021 with a budget of over USD 50 million.

Covering 80 hectares, the museum complex currently features four zones, including the information building and a reception area, an arts and culture exhibition hall, an observation hall, and a multi-purpose building. 

However, construction is still ongoing with more facilities expected to open throughout the year. The venue is scheduled to be finalized by mid-February with wood carvings and paintings, souvenirs shop, restaurant and beverage options, an artificial waterfall and other attractions.

The hotels and resorts are currently under construction under Phase 2 of the plan. The completion date is yet to be identified. 

This new landmark is set to become a major tourist destination while offering a space for learning and conservation.

After the grand opening, some people expressed concerns, particularly about the museum’s readiness. While the official opening is scheduled for mid-February, some visitors have raised concerns about the museum’s readiness for public access. Questions about areas still under construction and the entrance fee have been circulating.

Areya Sayathith, Executive Director of the Lao Art Museum, addressed these concerns, explaining that certain zones are accessible to visitors, but some areas remain closed for construction and are not yet ready for public viewing.

“The reason why we are still unable to welcome tourists is because we do not have enough staff, the management system is not systematic, security staff and system, and some zones are not 100 percent complete,” she said.

While some users offered congratulations to the Lao Art Museum for its beauty and traditional art, others are asking for clearer information. 

Stephan R. Aeschbach, President of J&C Group, living and working in Laos for over 23 years, had the chance to visit the Lao Art Museum shortly after the opening.

“I’m incredibly excited that Laos now boasts such a magnificent landmark, a must-see destination for all visitors to the country, I am confident that it will showcase a wider range of Laotian art, become a hub for artistic interaction and exchange, and offer a diverse array of workshops for artists” he said. 

“The museum is a stunning sight, particularly the dramatic entrance via a floating stage across the lake. While still under construction, the sheer scale and beauty of this project are already impressive.”

But aside from the beauty and grandeur of the new structure, he has reservations regarding the entrance fees.

“Considering the museum is still under construction, with many facilities and areas remaining closed, and the current exhibit primarily focuses on wooden carvings, the entrance fee of USD 15 for foreigners (LAK 100,000 for Lao citizens) seems rather high. Once construction is complete, all facilities are open to the public, and a diverse collection of Lao art is on display, this entrance fee may become more appropriate” Aeschbach said. 

The full entry fee for Lao nationals is LAK 100,000, while for foreigners, it is LAK 220,000 or USD 15. However, foreigners currently pay only USD 10 because some parts of the museum are not yet open for viewing. Tourists can pay by cash, credit card or bank transfer. An online booking system will be available in the future.

The museum is open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the last entry at 4:00 PM.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/01/16/lao-art-museum-draws-praise-criticism-over-high-entry-fee-construction-delays/

In 2024, more than 300,000 people visited Vientiane’s main tourist attractions, contributing more than LAK 9 billion (over USD 400,000) to the local economy.

Khampueang Vongchandy, Deputy Director of Vientiane Museum and Archaeology Department, noted the significant rise in tourism in the capital during the Visit Laos Year 2024 campaign, state media reported. The tourism year resulted in a large number of tourists flocking to visit Vientiane’s primary tourist attractions, including That Luang, Hor Pha Keo and Sisaket temple. 

A total 322,760 people visited those three sites, including 289,749 international travelers and 33,014 domestic visitors. South Korea topped the list of countries sending the most tourists, followed by Thailand, China, Europe, and others. 

A breakdown of visitors to each site includes 171,245 at That Luang, 81,035 at Hor Pha Keo and 70,245 at Sisaket Temple, building on significant growth compared to 2023.

Also, a total of 106 foreign delegations visited the sites, bringing 4,225 guests alongside 3,068 students.

Vientiane has worked to improve these three tourist sites over the past year to attract more visitors. In 2025, further upgrades are planned, including improvements to ticket booths, flower gardens, offices, and herb gardens. More focus will also be given to advertising through newspapers, TV, radio, online platforms, and the official website to raise global awareness and encourage more visitors.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/01/09/vientianes-top-tourist-sites-attract-over-300000-visitors-in-2024/

Vientiane Province is once again in the spotlight with a fresh tourism draw—the newly upgraded Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir Recreation Area, also known as “Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir” or “Thalay Lao,” meaning the Lao Sea.

Located in Keooudom District, the reservoir officially reopened on 3 December after a three-year closure for extensive redevelopment.

“We are expecting at least 1-2 million visitors to visit this place in 2025,” said Sisavath Sengphachan, Vientiane Province’s Head of Information, Culture, and Tourism, who oversees the facility. “We have it all here—nature, food, interesting historical background, and, of course, it’s all environmentally friendly.”

The reservoir’s main area, the marina, now boasts 36 boats connected to on-site restaurants.

Visitors are greeted by an entry gate, parking facilities, and a circular viewing pavilion. For those seeking scenic views, the site offers three viewing points, a stepped viewing platform, and walkways leading to boat restaurants.

Redevelopment, Compensation, and Green Efforts

This redevelopment not only enhances the tourism appeal of Vientiane Province but also brings upgrades to surrounding infrastructure. The 6.3-kilometer access road to the site has been transformed into a concrete pathway, linking the reservoir to Highway No.10. Internal roads and side streets within the port area have also been refurbished, making it easier for visitors to navigate the site.

However, the redevelopment process was not without its challenges. To facilitate the project, the government relocated residents who had once lived in the area. The head of Vientiane’s tourism department explained that the Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir site was originally a village inhabited by fishing enthusiasts.

Despite the relocation, Sisavath assured that the affected residents were compensated. Nineteen families considered to have “special needs” were selected for full relocation support. “We granted them land about 3 kilometers from here and provided the necessary funds for their move,” he said.

One of the shopkeepers, who was part of the 19 families originally residing at the site, shared her experience of being relocated during the construction period.

“They provided us with money to build a house to stay in for three years during the redevelopment,” said the woman, who had lived in the area for 30 years and now operates a snack shop at the site. She noted that project officials regularly checked how the compensation funds were being used.

“They paid us compensation every six months from the start of construction until it was completed,” she added.

In addition to the financial support, the woman mentioned that the government occasionally treated them to meals as part of their compensation efforts.

After the redevelopment was completed, she said that they were allowed to return to the newly developed site.

“To compensate for the relocation, they let us stay here rent-free for one year,” she said, adding that she would start paying land fees beginning 3 December, 2025.

Sisavath then highlighted the environmentally-friendly initiatives at the Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir, emphasizing efforts to enhance the area’s greenery.

He also noted that the construction team made a conscious effort to preserve the existing vegetation during the development process.

“I know the trees and plants here don’t look very appealing right now,” Sisavath admitted. “But we’re going to plant even more moving forward. I’m confident this place will feel much more natural by next year.”

Challenges, Measures for Sustainability, Waste Management

Maintaining cleanliness is another priority at the facility.

“We have three types of bins,” Sisavath said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an environmentally friendly space.

“Yellow bins are for recyclable trash, red bins are for hazardous waste, and green bins are for garbage that can be turned into fertilizer.”

Despite these measures, proper waste disposal remains a challenge, according to him.

“Many people do not have it in them to properly dispose of their waste,” he said.

To address this, the Lao government has been conducting training sessions for entrepreneurs and tour guides, who play a crucial role in educating both locals and visitors.

“Many tourists have different backgrounds, which is why we need to ensure guides understand how serious we are about keeping the environment clean so they can pass this information to tourists,” Sisavath emphasized.

However, challenges extend beyond waste management. The marina’s fleet is not fully ready, with only 20 out of 36 boats currently operational, and just five meeting the required standards.

Deputy Head of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Khammy Phoutthavong, outlined plans to address this issue, stating that by 2025, they aim to have at least 25 to 30 boats meet the required standards.

Each boat is required to have a waste tank to manage sewage, but Khammy explained that some boats not meeting these standards are still allowed to operate.

“Why do we let the other boats [that don’t meet the standard] operate? It’s because it’s a tradition to allow them, even if they don’t meet the new standards.”

He added that these boats were already in operation before the redevelopment of Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir and before the current standards were introduced.

This leniency, he said, also helps compensate for the long hiatus the boats faced during the facility’s redevelopment into the Nam Ngum 1 Reservoir.

Although the boats are ready to operate, Khammy noted that they currently cannot take visitors to the surrounding islands, as those are still under development. He expects island visits to begin by mid-2025.

Positive Reactions from Locals and Tourists

Despite the lengthy redevelopment, the project has garnered positive feedback from both locals and tourists.

“Since the reopening of the site, I’ve had a lot of tourists hiring me to drive them to the reservoir,” said a local driver.

Another resident, Khamvaen, who runs a traditional handicraft souvenir shop at the site, also expressed her happiness with the redevelopment.

“We’ve seen a lot of tourists coming to see us, especially in my shop,” said Khamvaen, who just opened her store after the redevelopment.

Her shop offers a variety of handicrafts, including traditional snacks, scarves, sticky rice baskets, and traditional medicine. “More tourists means more profit for us,” she added. “Every handicraft in my shop is handmade, deliberately crafted by a talented local team, which adds value to them.”

Khamvaen mentioned that most tourists who have visited so far are Chinese, rather than Westerners. However, while the influx of tourists is beneficial, she highlighted a significant challenge: the language barrier.

“I have to use sign language to communicate with the Chinese tourists most of the time,” she said, adding that it would be helpful if the Lao government could offer a basic Chinese language course to assist shopkeepers.

Another resident, Xayadeth, the new owner of the Daolormduean boat restaurant at the site, who took over from the previous owner, also shared his excitement.

“Coming here has been a blessing,” said Xayadeth. “My restaurant is usually packed with visitors in the afternoon and reaches its peak during the weekend when the site sees a large influx of tourists.”

The Nam Ngum Reservoir project was supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with a total investment of USD 5.33 million. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, construction began on 1 July, 2021, and reached completion on 30 October this year. Khamfong Group Sole Co., Ltd., served as the primary construction contractor.

With its focus on sustainability, accessibility, and cultural preservation, the Nam Ngum Reservoir Recreation Area marks a new chapter for Vientiane Province’s tourism sector.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/12/31/nam-ngum-1-reservoir-reopens-with-green-initiatives/