Laos-China Railway to Begin Cross-Border Service on 13 April

The Laos-China Railway is set to open for cross-border service between the two countries on April 13, according to the governor of Luang Namtha province.

The announcement was made during a visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, and other officials to oversee preparations for the railway’s opening.

The first cross-border passenger train between Laos and China is expected to run the day before the Lao New Year holiday on April 13. After welcoming the delegation, Mr. Viengsavath updated the Deputy PM on the service readiness, including checkpoints for people entering and exiting the country, and personnel and service equipment required to facilitate passenger travel through the international checkpoint of the Laos-China Railway.

Laos-China Railway Expects to Begin Cross Border Service on 13 April
DPM Saleumxay talks to the authorities during his visit to the Boten station (photo: Pathedlao)

Upon being briefed, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith instructed all relevant central and local parties, including the Laos-China Railway Company and the Special Economic Zone in the region, to work together and ensure the successful completion of preparations for the official opening ceremony of the Laos-China Railway International Crossing.

Earlier this month, the Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, ordered the establishment of immigration booths at train stations along the Laos-China Railway to manage the rising demand for rail travel. The booths will cater to inbound and outbound travelers and be set up by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/29/laos-china-railway-to-begin-cross-border-service-on-13-april/

Forbes Names Laos as SE Asia’s Most Charming Country

The American business magazine, Forbes, published an article on Thursday calling Laos the most charming country in Southeast Asia.

According to Forbes, while the country may lack a tropical coastline, it makes up for it with scenic mountainous landscapes, flourishing rice paddies, and the stunning Mekong River that flows through its land.

Forbes praised Laos for its “fascinating array of cultural attractions, outdoor experiences, and timeless charm,” as it is largely untouched by commercial development.

The article highlighted Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, as “an overlooked jewel of Southeast Asia” for its rich heritage and traditions, including the daily alms-giving ceremony where locals offer sticky rice, crackers, or cookies to monks, which remains an enduring attraction.

For an immersive cultural experience, the article recommended Orange Robe Tours, a social enterprise that employs former novices and monks as guides around Luang Prabang. Through their tours, visitors can gain a unique and insightful perspective into the life of a Buddhist monk and aid in their transition from monastic to regular life.

The capital city of Vientiane and the popular tourist town Vang Vieng were mentioned in the article as well which offered up food and hotel recommendations for the discerning traveler alongside interesting activities one could indulge in.

The Laos-China Railway which recently launched an app for online bookings also received a special mention for making travel within the country much more convenient.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/31/forbes-names-laos-as-se-asias-most-charming-country/

Laos-China Railway to Start Cross-border Travel to China in April

Laos-China Railway will extend its passenger services on the international route to China from Vientiane to Kunming and return starting next month.

Deputy Chief Engineer at Lao-China Railway Company, Mr. Vongthong Souphanthong, has said that the Laos-China Railway Company will open international services from Vientiane to Kunming, China, and back in mid-April 2023.

Laos-China Railway is coordinating with the governments in both countries to start the service in less than a month’s time.

Passengers from Vientiane should submit immigration-related documents at Boten station in Laos first, and at the immigration checkpoint at Bohan station in China to enter the country based on bilateral regulations of the two nations.

Around 1500-1600 tourists and business travelers avail Laos-China railway services from Boten station in Luang Namtha to other stations in Laos every day, according to Mr. Vongthong.

Earlier this month, the railway company launched and brought out its LCR mobile ticket application for passengers to book their travel online. The company reports that more than 15,000 people have registered to use the application since it went online.

Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, has also advised the Ministry of Public Works and Transport this month to set up immigration booths at train stations along the Laos-China Railway to accommodate the increasing demand for rail travel.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/23/laos-china-railway-to-begin-operations-to-china-in-april/

Lao Airlines to Start Additional Flight to China

Lao Airlines announced on Tuesday that the flag carrier will resume flights from Vientiane to China’s Guangzhou province by next month.

Lao Airlines announced on its official Facebook page, that weekly flights to China’s Guangzhou province will operate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 15 April. The airline will use an Airbus A320 with 158 seats for this route.

According to a report by TTRWEEKLY, the duration of the flight will be two hours. Google Flights indicate that the cost of a one-way fare is estimated to be around THB 9,170 (USD 268.92) while a round-trip ticket could cost THB 17,939 (USD 526.27).

The report also said that the Lao Airlines website didn’t have the updated fare information and bookings option available on Wednesday. The drop-down menu did not show Guangzhou and only displayed Kunming as the active destination in China for ticket bookings.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays flight QV881 will depart Vientiane at 1:10 pm and arrive in Guangzhou at 4:10 pm local time.

Similarly, the flight schedule for Guangzhou to Vientiane on flight QV882 is also available on the same days of the week. The flight will depart Guangzhou at 5:10 pm and reach Vientiane at 6:40 pm local time.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/23/lao-airlines-to-start-additional-flight-to-china/

Laos Offers Visa-Free Entry to Tourists from 16 Countries

If you’re planning a trip to Laos, it’s important to check the visa requirements before you go. Some visitors may be pleased to learn that Laos offers visa exemptions for tourists from certain countries.

The most notable visa exemption is for citizens of ASEAN member countries, which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. These citizens are granted visa-free entry for up to 30 days, provided that they meet certain requirements, such as having a valid passport and return ticket.

Other countries that enjoy visa exemptions to Laos include Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Russia, and Mongolia, each of which allows for visa-free stays of up to 15 or 21 days, depending on the country.

In addition, Belarus, China, North Korea, and Cuba have specific exemptions for certain types of passport holders, such as diplomatic or official passports.

It’s important to note that visa exemptions can vary based on the purpose of travel and the length of stay, so it’s always a good idea to check with the relevant authorities before planning your trip. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that your passport has at least six months of validity remaining from the date of entry into Laos.

So, if you’re a citizen of one of the countries listed above, you may be able to enjoy a visa-free trip to Laos.

However, it’s important to remember that immigration policies can change at any time, so do double-check the requirements before traveling.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/17/laos-offers-visa-free-entry-to-tourists-from-15-countries/

Time Magazine Hails Luang Prabang as One of World’s Greatest Places in 2023

The acclaimed American news magazine called Luang Prabang a ‘hidden paradise’ and recommended it as one of the 50 greatest places in the world in 2023.

Luang Prabang features alongside Phuket and the Isan region of Thailand, as the only three places in Southeast Asia to make it on the list of destinations.

The publisher praised Luang Prabang for its magnificent nature-rich surroundings, citing turquoise waterfalls, Buddhist temples, and sunset boat rides on the Mekong as highlights of the old capital. It points out, “Despite its remote location in the jungled mountains of Laos, the former royal capital is not just for backpackers.”

According to Time, the town is home to a number of exquisite boutique hotels situated in French colonial buildings, like the Amantaka and Sofitel Luang Prabang, which could be an ideal way to stay and experience the UNESCO World Heritage town.

The magazine also recommends visits to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center, a museum devoted to the country’s 50 ethnic groupings and 160 ethnic subgroups, and Free the Bears wildlife sanctuaries, where over one hundred moons and sun bears saved from poaching reside.

Additionally, tourists can also check out Tamarind Cooking School to know why Gordon Ramsay named Laos one of the top food destinations in the world.

The Laos-China railway, which opened up online bookings this week, also received high praise from Time, “The train turns the once 12-hour bus ride from Vientiane to Luang Prabang into a scenic two-hour trip.”

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/17/time-magazine-hails-luang-prabang-as-one-of-worlds-greatest-places-in-2023/

Luang Prabang Releases Lao New Year Event Schedule for 2023

The Lao New Year festival program for Luang Prabang has been announced, featuring a variety of activities for both visitors and residents to enjoy from 11 to 20 April.

The most important days are from 14 to 16 April, with events typically including a traditional market fair, an elephant procession, sand stupas along the riverbank, and the grand procession of Miss New Year from Wat That Noy to Wat Xieng Thong.

Below is the schedule of events:

Schedule of Events for the Lao New Year Celebrations in Luang Prabang

11 April

19:30, Miss New Year Pageant

12 April

19:30, Miss New Year Pageant

13 April

7:30, Elephant procession from Wat Mai to Wat Xieng Thong

14 April

7:00, Traditional Market Fair will take place between the Post Office and That Luang Field

9:00, Various temples will bring out their Buddha images for local people to wash with lustral water

13:00, Building sand stupas on Xaymoungkhoun Island in the Mekong 

15 April

9:00, Government officials preside over traditional ceremonies of the Leu ethnic group in Phanom Village

14:00, Grand procession of Miss New Year from Wat That Noy to Wat Xieng Thong

19:00, Sprinkling lustral water over Buddha images at various temples around the city

16 April

5:30, Almsgiving ceremony and then climbing Phousi Hill to make merit

14:00, Grand procession of Miss New Year from Wat Xieng Thong to Wat That Noy

19:00, Naga and lantern parades descend from Phousi Mountain to the pond inside the National Museum, along with traditional Phalak Phalam dancing

17 April

08:30, The Prabang is paraded out of Hor Prabang to Wat Mai

10:00, Provincial leaders and the seven Miss New Year winners visit Ting Caves

18 and 19 April 

8:00-23:00, Worshippers sprinkle lustral water on the Prabang Buddha image at Wat Mai

20 April

9:00, The Prabang is paraded back to Hor Prabang from Wat Mai

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/14/luang-prabang-releases-lao-new-year-event-schedule/

Tourists from Laos, Thailand Flock to See Buddhist Stupa in Mekong River

An ancient Buddhist relic believed to be 700 years old was found floating in the middle of the Mekong River and has drawn a large number of tourists from Laos and Thailand. 

The Thaiger reports that people in Nong Khai Province have been riding down the Mekong river in droves to visit the Phra That Lah Nong Pagoda which is believed to be over 700 years old and has resurfaced with the river’s water levels decreasing in the dry season.

Many were seen visiting the stupa over the weekend making merits, providing offerings, and asking for blessings.

The stupa emerges from time to time during low water levels in the river near the Hat Kham subdistrict in Nong Khai and Hatxayfong district in Vientiane Capital. According to Thailand Tourism Directory, the complete pagoda which was located on the banks of the Mekong was destroyed in 1766 and some ruins fell into the river in 1766.

The touchable area of the stupa is 12.20 meters tall, and the base of the relic at the lowest level is 15.80 meters wide.

In Vientiane Capital, the stupa can be seen from Tha Deua village, Hatsayfong district where the Leelavadee Saiykong Restaurant offers a cruise ride of one hour to the stupa with LAK 500,000 or around USD 29.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/17/tourists-from-laos-thailand-flock-to-see-buddhist-stupa-in-mekong-river/

Lao Airlines Ready to Restart Direct Flights to Danang

To make use of this new connectivity, tourism agencies in Laos and Vietnam will be organizing tour programs on this route for visitors from Laos who want to visit Danang, according to a spokesperson from Lao Airlines.

The airlines and tour operators organized a workshop earlier this month in Da Nang to prepare the flights and discuss ways to promote tourism between the two countries.

Viet Nam News reports that Danang’s tourism department said the direct flight would help boost tourism connections among world heritage sites in central Vietnam and destinations in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

Lao Airlines announced last month that it would be restarting direct flights between Vientiane and Danang on Thursdays and Sundays every week starting on 30 March.

The airlines flew to Danang on a Vientiane-Savannakhet-Pakse-Danang route earlier, but the service was suspended because of low demand in 2012, and plans to resume service in 2020 were canceled owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/16/laos-airlines-ready-to-restart-direct-flights-to-da-nang/

Cambodian Delegation Visits Laos to Boost Bilateral Tourism

Lao and Cambodian officials met on Monday in Vientiane to sign an MoU, aimed at improving the standards of tourism personnel and attracting more investments to increase bilateral tourism between the two nations.

The event was attended by the Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department of Laos’ Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Khom Douangchantha along with Director General of Tourism Development and International Cooperation, Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr. Thong Rathasak. Also present was Laos’ Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket and Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Dr Thong Khon.

During the event, Mrs. Suanesavanh spoke about Laos’ willingness to increase tourism and strengthen cooperation in the development of natural resources in the tourism sector.

Both ministries agreed to initiate a promotional campaign titled, “Two Countries, One Destination” to aid in their efforts. 

As part of the plans laid out by the respective travel ministries, more flights to popular tourist destinations between both countries will be encouraged to increase connectivity and ease of travel. The two countries will attempt to streamline land-border crossings so that they are a convenient option for tourists and less time-consuming. 

The possibility of linking tourist destinations by conducting Mekong River cruises will be explored as well, reports Vientiane Times. A Cambodia-Laos Cycling Rally, and other running events, are also on the cards as part of the 66th anniversary of Cambodia-Laos diplomatic relations.

Additionally, Laos and Cambodia are looking at doing a joint promotion of community-based and culinary tourism by hosting food festivals in each country.

The Cambodian delegation was on an official visit to Vientiane between March 12-15 after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s two-day trip in February during which he discussed increasing cooperation in the area of tourism with Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone.  

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/15/cambodian-delegation-in-laos-to-boost-bilateral-tourism/