ASEAN tourism ministers announced the reopening of tourism in the region at the close of the ASEAN Tourism Forum held in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
During the forum, tourism ministers from each ASEAN nation revealed their shared strategy to boost regional tourism recovery.
The region has seen a decline in tourism of over 200%, with the Covid-19 pandemic causing the loss of millions of jobs and business closures due to stringent travel restrictions, TTR Weekly reports.
At the forum, ministers highlighted the need to quickly launch domestic tourism campaigns in each of the ten countries, as well as easing border controls to encourage regional tourism among ASEAN member states.
Tourism ministers and representatives at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2022.
Member countries proposed the establishment of dedicated ASEAN travel gates at border checkpoints as well as shared digital vaccination cards in a format recognized by all ten countries.
At the same time, ministers emphasized the need to ensure tourism operators are compliant with ASEAN hygiene and safety guidelines.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, announced the adoption of the New ASEAN Tourism Logo and ASEAN Safe Travel Stamp “Safe and Warm” as part of the plans to support tourism recovery.
Despite optimistic reopening declarations, however, experts say strict travel restrictions continue to hinder the revival of tourism in several ASEAN nations, including Laos, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
While tourism ministers have counted on a resumption of travel from China, Japan, and Korea in the next six months, China has yet to make a move signaling it will allow outbound travel in the near future.
According to the World Tourism Organization, tourism arrivals around the world are not expected to return to their pre-pandemic levels until 2024 at the earliest.
“The pace of recovery remains slow and uneven across world regions due to varying degrees of mobility restrictions, vaccination rates, and traveler confidence,” the UNWTO said in a press release.
A new notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office has instructed authorities to consider easing certain Covid measures, including restrictions on entry to the country.
The notice, issued yesterday by the Prime Minister’s Office and signed off by Head of the Prime Minister’s Office, Khamchen Vongphosy, asks authorities to consider easing restrictions on entry to the country for certain visitors, as well as opening up more businesses to help the local economy recover.
According to the notice, the Prime Minister’s Office has authorized the Green Travel Zone reopening plan to continue, while instructing the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control to study the Omicron and Delta variants and ensure that the country’s health system will be able to cope in case of an influx of cases.
The notice proposes authorities consider relaxing measures for entry to Laos by certain groups, including businesspeople, employees, entrepreneurs, and others, in order to better encourage business and investment.
According to the notice, authorities have also been asked to look into easing measures for certain business activities to help the economy recover.
The notice states, however, that such eased measures must absolutely not include entertainment venues, pubs, bars, or nightclubs, which it says are known to facilitate the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the community.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told the National Taskforce it had received an overwhelming number of requests from embassies and consulates requesting that their country be added to the list of 31 countries permitted to enter Laos under the reopening plan.
At the same time, MOFA suggested that in order to better facilitate entry for visitors, certain Covid-19 prevention measures and other regulations regarding the issuance of visas should be abolished.
The proposal also proposed reopening Wattay International Airport and the Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai, paving the way for future free and independent travel.
The theme of the 3rd ASTA held for 2022-2023 is “Safe Tourism,” according to Visit Southeast Asia, the official ASEAN travel website.
Tad Yuang Waterfall received the award due to the success of the development of sustainable tourist attractions surrounding the waterfall.
The waterfall is a popular tourist attraction because of its location surrounded by lush greenery, where visitors can observe the daily lives of local people.
The site received major improvements to facilities as part of the Lao Thiao Lao domestic tourism campaign launched in 2020 to promote tourism and boost the local economy.
Authorities have encouraged communities living near the waterfall to produce organic vegetables and other products for sale to visitors and are promoting local customs and traditions to attract visitors and help local people increase their incomes.
The 42-meter Tad Yuang Waterfall features an observation area at the top, middle, and bottom of the falls. A route may be followed around the side to access several viewpoint locations for visitors.
There are also some well-kept picnic sites at the top of the waterfall that are popular with residents.
According to the Champasacl Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, particular attention has been paid to Covid-19 prevention and control measures, ensuring the safety of visitors.
A Korean school group has become the first group of tourists to arrive in Laos since the country’s reopening this year.
Vientiane Times reports that the group of 17 students and six teachers from Ipo High School in Seoul, Korea, arrived at Wattay International Airport on Monday.
The group will be undertaking cultural exchange activities and playing golf with students and staff from Faseekham Secondary School in Vientiane’s Naxaithong District.
The school’s travel arrangements were organized by Family Tour Co Ltd.
A representative of Ipo School, Ms. Sin Su Lee, said in an interview with VTE 9 Channel that “our visit is to promote cultural exchanges and practice golf from 10 January to 20 February. We can travel in Laos as part of the Green Zone Travel Plan scheme organized by the Government of Laos.”
The tour group will stay at Booyoung Hotel near the SEA Games golf course.
The students and teachers from Ipo High School’s golf department will be able to visit Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang as part of their trip as “green zones” under the Green Zone Travel Plan.
“The main purpose of the trip is for our students to practice golf,” said Ms. Sin Su Lee, “however, our group is also excited about visiting beautiful natural sites, as well as learning about the history and culture of Laos,” she said.
The group will stay at the Booyoung Lao Hotel which is located near the SEA Games Golf Club in Xaythany District.
Under the scheme, tourists are authorized to travel within two zones, namely Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails, which will be rolled out in three phases.
The Lao Food Festival 2022 will be held in Vientiane Capital at the end of this month to promote the food and culture of Laos.
The festival will be held under “New Normal” conditions, according to a report by Lao Economic Daily, with the open-air event taking place at Chao Anou Park from 25 to 29 January.
President of the Lao Businesswomen’s Association, Mrs. Chanthachone Vongsay, said on Wednesday that the Lao Food Festival has been scaled-down this year, featuring only around 120 stalls.
“The festival will see stalls offering traditional Lao cuisine, handicrafts, agricultural products and souvenirs, as well as international food prepared by various embassies in Laos,” said Mrs. Chanthachone.
President of the Lao Businesswomen’s Association, Mrs. Chanthachone Vongsay (Update Magazine)
The Lao Food Festival provides a platform for aspiring young businesswomen to exhibit their products to the wider public, as well as to promote and preserve traditional Lao cuisine.
Mrs. Chanthachone said that the 16th Lao Food Festival will also be an occasion to welcome foreign visitors arriving in Laos under the Laos Travel Green Zone scheme.
To ensure compliance with Covid-19 prevention and control measures, stalls, chairs, and tables will be separated to ensure social distancing.
A vendor makes food during Lao Food Festival 2020 in Vientiane (Xinhua).
At the same time, medical personnel will be on-site to check the temperature of visitors before entering the event, as well as provide free face masks and hand gel, while attendees and vendors will be required to be fully vaccinated.
The event will commence with an opening ceremony at 8 am on 25 January.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Laos-Larb-1.jpeg12001920Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2022-01-11 21:07:192022-01-11 21:08:13Lao Food Festival to Promote Food and Culture of Laos in Vientiane Capital
More than two thousand domestic tourists visited Vang Vieng District in Vientiane Province throughout December 2021.
Following the reopening of attractions in Vang Vieng late last year, the number of visitors reached over 2000 in December, Socio-Economic Daily reports.
Head of the Vang Vieng District Office of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mr. Atthayasay Manivanh, says some 2,664 tourists visited Vang Vieng in December 2021.
He said that Vang Vieng had seen great hardship after facing closure for a year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the tourism sector hit hardest.
However, a large number of tourist sites across Vang Vieng District have since reopened, including caves, waterfalls, and viewpoints.
“With tourism services reopening, authorities and business operators in Vang Vieng are taking strict measures to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19,” Mr. Atthayasay added.
Domestic tourists flock to Vang Vieng during the New Year holiday (Photo: Vientiane Province Update).
Meanwhile, Deputy District Governor of Vang Vieng, Mr. Kwian Thong Theptha, told the media that authorities in Vang Vieng are speeding up economic recovery by providing low-interest loans to businesses.
Owner of Cliff View Riverside Resort & Restaurant, Ms. Kai, said in an interview that she witnessed a large influx of domestic tourists over the last month that gave a significant boost to local businesses.
She said that some restaurants were caught by surprise, running out of supplies and being unable to serve customers.
“It is wonderful that Vang Vieng is reopening to tourists since this will assist the local economy and provide employment for individuals who lost their jobs during the Covid outbreak,” Ms. Kai added.
Vang Vieng has been listed as a “Green Zone” under the country’s Green Zone Travel reopening scheme, along with Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang.
Under the plan, international tourists traveling with group tours may visit areas designated as green zones, which have populations that are 70-80 percent vaccinated against Covid-19, with 90-95 percent of service providers immunized.
Traveling in Green Travel Zone areas would see tourists staying at hotels certified under the LaoSafe program, while tourists traveling outside green zones to other provinces could travel to areas approved as “Green Trail Zone” locations.
Vang Vieng is now accessible via the Vientiane to Vang Vieng Expressway, as well as along the Laos-China Railway.
Laos has announced that tourists from an additional 14 countries will be permitted to enter the country under its Travel Green Zone Plan.
The Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Israel, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Poland, Denmark, and Belgium for permission to enter Laos under the new travel scheme.
The 14 nations have been added to the initial list of 17 countries officially announced two weeks ago.
The initial list includes China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, United States, Canada, and Australia.
Under the reopening scheme, tourists will be authorized to travel within two zones, namely Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails, which will be rolled out in three phases.
During Phase One, from 1 January to 30 March 2022, tourists may visit Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang Province, and Vang Vieng District in Vientiane Province.
Meanwhile, five provinces will be authorized for Green Travel Trails, including Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, and Champasack.
During Phase Two, the Green Travel Zones will consist of nine provinces: Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, Savannakhet, and Champasack.
Four provinces will be authorized for Green Travel Trails during Phase Two, including Houay Xay District in Bokeo Province, Luang Namtha Province, Sekong Province, and Salavanh Province.
Laos has recorded over 111,000 cases of Covid-19 since the pandemic began, with the government approving a controlled reopening of its borders in 2022 to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Laos-Updates-List-of-Countries-Permitted-to-Enter-under-Green-Travel-Zone-Plan-696x364-1.jpg364696Subsin Sinuvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSubsin Sinuvong2022-01-05 12:20:072022-02-18 00:01:04Laos Updates List of Countries Permitted to Enter Under Travel Green Zone Plan
The government of Laos has begun preparations for reopening the country to vaccinated tourists under its new Lao Travel Green Zone plan.
The new plan for reopening will see Vientiane Capital, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang designated as “green zones” to ensure the safety of travelers and service providers, according toVientiane Times.
Authorities and tourism sector stakeholders discussed the plan at the Public and Private Sector Consultation Meeting on Country Reopening Plan Preparation held on Tuesday, led by the country’s new Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Mrs. Suanesavanh Vingaket.
Under the plan, areas designated as green zones must have a population of 70-80 percent vaccinated, with 90-95 percent of service providers immunized, according to the Lao Travel Green Zone strategy.
Conditions for vaccinated arrivals are to include a valid certificate of entry, a vaccination certificate valid at least two weeks prior to arrival, and a negative PCR test completed 72 hours prior to departing for Laos.
Tourists at Kuang Si Waterfall in Luang Prabang.
Vientiane Times reports that tourists would be transported to hotels via vehicles approved under the LaoSafe certification program while they await the result of a PCR test which would be available within 24 hours.
A positive test result would result in three days of isolation before another test would be undertaken.
Meanwhile, a new Contact Tracing Application is to be available to tourists called LaoStaySafe, which would provide information updates and for tourists in English while monitoring their movements.
Travel in green zone approved areas would see tourists staying at hotels approved under the LaoSafe program, while tourists traveling outside green zones to other provinces would be required to use transportation and book hotels that have been certified under the LaoSafe program.
The LaoSafe program is a health and hygiene program for the tourism and hospitality sector approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT), and that will be piloted in Vientiane Capital before expanding to other provinces.
It comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including accommodation providers, food and beverage outlets, airlines, tourist attractions, tour guides, and drivers.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Tourism-in-Laos.jpeg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2021-12-29 10:36:462021-12-29 10:40:30Laos to Reopen Under Green Zone Travel Plan
Laos has confirmed 1 January 2022 as its official reopening date, according to a notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The notice was issued late last night, signed off by Head of the Office of the Prime Minister’s Office, Khamchen Vongphosy.
According to the notice, the government has approved the Lao Travel Green Zone Plan that would allow tourists to visit provinces and cities designated as “green zones” once the country reopens.
The government has set out seven major tasks and 34 other items it must complete before the reopening can commence.
The notice states that an official announcement will be made on 17 December outlining the official reopening plan, and has set 1 January 2022 as the date the country will reopen to tourism.
The decision comes after a number of lengthy meetings held between tourism stakeholders and a special taskforce set up specifically to assist with reopening.
Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune.
A meeting held yesterday Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, who heads the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control as well as the reopening committee, discussed the steps that will be taken to safely restart tourism in the country.
Health and safety in relation to Covid-19 were a chief concern at the meeting, as well as the preparedness of communities in tourist hotspots.
Decisions on the procedures for applying for a visa, accessing information, length of quarantine, and other measures are to be made prior to an official announcement this week.
Laos has officially announced it will reopen for tourism on 1 January 2022, providing more information on travel conditions during a press conference held at the Lao National Convention Center today.
According to the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the reopening will be implemented in three phases.
The first phase will be from 1 January to 30 March 2022, the second phase from 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022, and the third phase from 1 July 2022 onward.
According to the ministry, tourists from an initial list of countries will be allowed to travel to the country during the first phase.
The list of countries includes China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, United States, Canada, and Australia.
Tourism will be restricted to group tours at first, with tours arranged by authorized tour operators under the Lao Travel Green Zone Plan.
LaoSafe Certified Tour Guide under Lao Travel Green Zone Plan
Tourists will be required to have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 no less than 14 days prior to arrival. Other conditions include a health insurance policy with coverage no less than USD 50,000 and a negative RT-PCR test taken within the last 72 hours.
Arrivals will be tested for Covid-19 and placed in a 24-hour quarantine in their hotel until a negative result is found.
Tourists will be required to download and register via the LaoKYC and the LaoStaySafe mobile applications prior to arriving in the country, as well as uploading their relevant vaccination certification and Covid-19 test results.
Travel Zones & Travel Trails
Under the reopening scheme, tourists will be authorized to travel within two zones, namely Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails.
Green Travel Zones include provinces that have at least a 70% vaccination rate among the eligible adult population, while Green Travel Trails have not yet achieved this level of vaccine coverage.
During Phase 1, tourists may visit Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang Province, and Vang Vieng District in Vientiane Province.
Meanwhile, five provinces will be authorized for Green Travel Trails, including Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, and Champasack.
During Phase 2, the Green Travel Zones will consist of 9 provinces: Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, Savannakhet, and Champasack.
Four provinces will be authorized for Green Travel Trails during Phase 2, including Houay Xay District in Bokeo Province, Luang Namtha Province, Sekong Province, and Salavanh Province.
According to the Ministry of Health, tourism-related establishments such as tourism sites, hotels, and restaurants in the zones must ensure that at least 95% of their staff are fully vaccinated. All tour guides and drivers must be completely vaccinated. At least 95% of the population within the travel zones must be fully vaccinated.
The Ministry of Health has stated that it will improve the quality of quarantine centers, treatment centers, and field hospitals in the event of hospitalization or seriously symptomatic cases for tourists. Asymptomatic and mild cases will be allowed to be quarantined and treated at their designated hotel.
International Borders
During Phase 1, tourists will be able to enter Laos by air via Wattay International Airport and by land across the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane Capital.
More borders will reopen in Phase 2, including Luang Prabang International Airport, Boten-Bohan border with China in Luang Namtha Province, the Third Friendship Bridge in Thakhek, the Second Friendship Bridge in Savannakhet, the Chongmek border in Pakse, the Lao Bao border with Vietnam in Savannakhet Province, and Nam Phao border (Luk Xao) with Vietnam in Bolikhamxay Province.
The LaoSafe program comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including accommodation providers, food and beverage outlets, airlines, tourist attractions, tour guides, and drivers.
Procedures for Tour Companies
Tour companies and relevant businesses who wish to participate in the Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails must register with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI).
Tour companies in Laos must prepare the following documentation in order to request permission for tourists to enter: a proposal from the company, a tour itinerary, hotel reservations, and copies of tourists’ passports, vaccination certificates, and tourists’ insurance policies.
These documents must be presented to the Tourism Management Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. After approval, the documents are sent to the Immigration Police Department to process entry authorization.
Returnees and Foreign Nationals in Laos
The Ministry has not yet provided information on requirements for Lao nationals or foreign residents returning to Laos, or if the issuance of visitor visas would resume.
