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Laos Extends Visa-Free Stay for Japanese Tourists to 30 Days

Starting 1 June, Japanese travelers will be able to stay in Laos without a visa for up to 30 days, doubling the previous limit of 15 days, as announced by Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith during his visit to Japan on 29 May.

The extension was formalized during a meeting between President Thongloun and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Japan. The occasion reinforced Laos’s decision to strengthen ties through expanded travel privileges.

Laos has offered visa-free entry to Japanese citizens since 1 January 2007, allowing ordinary passport holders to visit for up to 15 days without a visa. For longer stays, travelers were previously required to obtain a visa in advance.

Additionally, Japanese citizens holding official or diplomatic passports have enjoyed a longer visa exemption period of up to 90 days, under a bilateral agreement that came into effect on 1 April 2015.

Japan was not among the countries granted special visa exemptions under the “Visit Laos Year 2024” campaign, which included Thailand, China, Taiwan, and several European nations. Those temporary exemptions concluded on 1 January 2025.

Beyond tourism, the two leaders expressed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in energy and decarbonization under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative. A summit on this initiative was held last year in Laos.

President Thongloun and Prime Minister Ishiba also reaffirmed their intention to strengthen governance in Laos, recognizing Japan’s long-standing support for the drafting and implementation of the Lao Civil Code and other legal frameworks. 

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/30/laos-extends-visa-free-stay-for-japanese-tourists-to-30-days/

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DanceSport to be Included in National Games Medal Competitions

Laos has officially approved DanceSport as a medal event at the Lao 12th National Games, marking the sport’s debut in the country’s competition.

The organizing committee officially approved the inclusion of DanceSport on 23 May, following years of advocacy and the recent establishment of the Lao DanceSports Federation (LADSF).

The committee cited the sport’s readiness in terms of trained judges, coaches, athletes, officials, and available competition venues.

The competition will award three gold medals across individual Breaking battles (1 vs 1 format), couple category, and team category, with 6-8 members per team. The 12th National Games will be held from 15 to 25 November, in Vientiane, featuring a total of 34 sports.

Dance Sport is gaining global popularity among youth. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Breaking or Breakdancing (a style under DanceSport) became an official Olympic medal sport for the first time. 

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/27/dancesport-to-be-included-in-national-games-medal-competitions/

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Vientiane, Kunming Hospitals Partner to Boost Cardiac Care in Laos

On 26 May, Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane Capital renewed its partnership with Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming, China, to enhance cardiac care in Laos.

The renewed agreement, covering 2025 to 2029, aims to strengthen cardiology services at Mahosot Hospital by focusing on staff training, medical technology exchange, and equipment support.

According to Lao State Media, the collaboration will help improve patient care, support disease prevention efforts, and advance medical research. Special attention will be given to pediatric heart surgeries, particularly for children born with congenital heart conditions.

Souxath Vongphachanh, Director General of Mahosot Hospital, said the new MoU continues a partnership that began in 2019 but was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This latest agreement comes in the context of broader cooperation between Laos and China in the healthcare sector.

On 12 October 2024, the Lao government inaugurated a new building for the hospital, designed to provide state-of-the-art medical care, utilizing advanced technology to benefit patients in Laos while offering convenience for healthcare providers, as part of the Lao-China cooperation “Belt and Road” initiative. 

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/27/vientiane-kunming-hospitals-partner-to-boost-cardiac-care-in-laos/

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Laos Festival 2025 Brings Cultural Celebration to Tokyo

From 24 to 25 May, Japan celebrated the Laos Festival 2025 at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Japan. With the theme “Laos You Can Visit in a Day,” the event offered a cultural experience that allowed Japanese visitors to immerse themselves in Lao traditions, cuisine, music, and language.

Designed as a “visitor-participation Laos festival,” the two-day event featured a wide range of interactive activities. 

Highlights included the traditional Baci ceremony, where a Lao monk tied sacred threads around visitors’ wrists while offering blessings. Visitors also had the chance to join a Lao dance workshop and take part in Lao language lessons.

One of the most popular attractions was a parade recreating the Lao Rocket Festival, held three times each day, which welcomed public participation.

The Lao Rocket Festival. (Laos Embassy Photographer/ Yuzaburo Era)

The festival concluded with a special prayer by a Lao monk during the grand finale, wishing happiness and prosperity to all attendees.

Food and drink booths showcased Lao culinary delights rarely found in Japan. Attendees enjoyed signature dishes alongside Beer Lao, which has won a gold medal at the World Beer Competition. A product fair featured a range of Laotian goods, including silk skirts and shirts, herbal teas, coffee, handmade crafts, and ethnic clothing.

Entertainment was a central part of the festival, with live performances by artists from both Laos and Japan. The main stage featured traditional dances performed by the Lao government troupe and musical sets using ethnic instruments such as the khene. A satellite stage hosted additional cultural performances, including Laotian songs and interactive shows for children.

Families were also catered for with a “kids’ corner,” which included a play area, cultural crafts, and eco-bag making activities. The festival placed strong emphasis on environmental consciousness, with cleaning and beautification activities led by volunteers, including students from Sakura International High School. The event’s Eco Station promoted sustainability throughout the grounds.

As both countries mark 70 years of diplomatic ties, the event served as a platform to promote mutual understanding and closer people-to-people connections.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/26/laos-festival-2025-brings-cultural-celebration-to-tokyo/

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Japan’s Princess Aiko to Visit Laos in First Official Overseas Trip

Princess Aiko of Japan will visit Laos in November, marking her first official overseas engagement. The visit commemorates the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos, which were established in 1955.

During her trip, Princess Aiko is expected to meet with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and attend a commemorative ceremony. The exact date of her visit has not yet been announced.

The daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, currently works at the Japanese Red Cross Society and has been gradually taking on more public duties.

While this will be her first official diplomatic trip abroad, she has previously traveled overseas for personal and educational purposes. These include a family trip to the Netherlands in 2006 and a summer study program in the United Kingdom in 2018.

The Japanese Imperial Family has made three previous visits to Laos.

In 1999, Prince and Princess Akishino visited on a goodwill mission. In 2010, Prince Akishino returned with Princess Mako for a cultural and research-focused visit. In 2012, then-Crown Prince Naruhito (now Emperor) visited to observe development projects and meet with Lao leaders.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/23/japans-princess-aiko-to-visit-laos-in-first-official-overseas-trip/

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Vientiane Discusses Restoration Plan of Historic Black Stupa

The iconic That Dam, or Black Stupa, one of Vientiane’s most culturally significant landmarks, is set to undergo a major restoration as part of a new preservation initiative led by the Lao government.

Authorities from Chanthabouly district convened on 14 May to assess the feasibility of restoring the ancient stupa, launching a comprehensive survey to identify areas in need of repair.

The restoration effort will be a collaborative venture between the public and private sectors, with the Vientiane Capital Administration spearheading the initiative. 

The Department of Culture, under the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, will work alongside the Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Laos to compile an official historical report on the monument. 

Meanwhile, private entities will provide crucial funding to support the restoration.

Located near the intersection of Setthathirath Road and Sithane Road, just a short walk from the American Center Vientiane, That Dam is one of the city’s most easily accessible landmarks. Its dark weathered exterior and mysterious origin have long intrigued both locals and visitors.

In Lao, “That” means a structure that holds relics of the Buddha, and “Dam” means black. No one knows exactly when the stupa was built, but experts think it was built in the 16th century.

A local legend adds mystery to the site. People say a seven-headed Naga, a mythical water serpent in Buddhist stories, once guarded the stupa. 

Long ago, the stupa was covered in gold. But during the Siamese-Laotian War in the 1820s, Siamese soldiers took the gold. Since then, the stupa has remained dark colored.

The upcoming renovation will help protect the old structure. It will also attract more tourists and help people learn more about Vientiane’s cultural heritage, the authorities believe.

Further details about the restoration timeline and budget allocation are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/23/vientiane-discusses-restoration-plan-of-historic-black-stupa/

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Laos Nears Launch Southeast Asia’s Largest Wind Farm

Laos is set to launch its first wind farm, and the largest in Southeast Asia, by the end of the year, with all 133 turbines now fully installed.

The 600-megawatt Monsoon Wind Project, valued at USD 930 million, spans 68,000 hectares across Dak Cheung district in Sekong province and Sanxay district in Attapeu Province. It is the region’s first cross-border wind energy initiative.

Electricity generated will be exported to Vietnam under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Vietnam Electricity (EVN), delivered through a 500-kilovolt transmission line.

The project is being developed by Impact Energy Asia Development Co., Ltd., which first signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lao government in 2011 to evaluate its feasibility. It officially moved forward in 2022 after receiving a concession agreement, and now operates under Monsoon Wind Power Company Limited.

ACEN, the Ayala Group’s renewable energy platform, announced the completion of turbine installation on 19 May. The company holds a 25 percent economic interest in the joint venture, which began construction in March 2023.

The wind farm features turbines with tower heights of 140 and 110 meters, placed based on wind data collected over an eight-year period from 2015 to 2023.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/22/laos-nears-launch-of-southeast-asias-largest-wind-farm/

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Thailand Falls Behind in Sustainable Tourism as Laos Wins Global Praise

Thailand is falling behind in the race for sustainable tourism, industry leaders warned at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2025, held on 7 May in Bangkok.

Alisara Sivayathorn, CEO of Sivatel Bangkok Hotel, pointed to a troubling statistic: fewer than 1 percent of hotels in Thailand currently meet international sustainability standards.

The forum, “Will Travellers Pay for a Better World? Rethinking Value in Responsible Tourism,” spotlighted the growing demand for eco-conscious travel and the need for the Thai tourism sector to catch up. 

Speakers emphasized that responsible tourism is no longer a niche trend but a global expectation, especially as regulators, particularly in Europe, begin to tighten requirements.

Sustainable tourism spans four main pillars: sustainable management, socio-economic impact, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. These principles guide efforts to cut pollution, conserve biodiversity, and use resources responsibly.

But despite mounting international pressure, progress in Thailand remains slow. According to the Siam Commercial Bank Economic Intelligence Center, just 109 hotels nationwide have achieved certification aligned with global sustainability benchmarks. That represents less than 1 percent of the country’s hotel stock.

The consequences are becoming more immediate. As booking platforms and AI-driven tools increasingly prioritize certified properties, hotels that fail to meet standards risk being sidelined from lucrative segments like business travel and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).

Public Interest Grows, but Businesses Lag Behind

Despite the lack of readiness among businesses, Thai travelers themselves are becoming more environmentally aware. Between 2024 and 2025, online conversations around plastic reduction and waste management surged, appearing in more than 6,800 social media posts with over 1.2 million engagements.

Surveys show that 65 percent of Thai tourists say they are willing to pay more for sustainable travel experiences, and 62 percent would pay extra specifically to avoid single-use plastics. Still, affordability remains a key factor. Many consumers continue to choose cheaper, less sustainable options when eco-friendly alternatives are inconvenient or unavailable.

Laos Makes Strides Toward Certification

While Thailand struggles to meet benchmarks, neighboring Laos is being recognized on the global stage. 

In March, Luang Prabang won third place in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards for “Destination Management” at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin. The award recognized the city’s achievements in sustainable visitor management and post-crisis recovery.

Now, Luang Prabang is taking the next step. On 15 May, officials held a consultation at the provincial Department of Information, Culture and Tourism to prepare for Green Destination certification.

Soudaphone Khomthavong, head of the department, called on stakeholders to offer input to strengthen the application. Certification would elevate the city’s global standing and reinforce its World Heritage credentials.

Tourism remains a key pillar of the local economy. In the past year alone, more than 2.3 million domestic and international visitors traveled to Luang Prabang, generating over USD 1.2 billion in revenue. Top attractions include Kuangsi Waterfall, Mount Phousi, Wat Xieng Thong, and the popular night market.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/22/thailand-falls-behind-in-sustainable-tourism-as-laos-wins-global-praise/

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Luang Prabang Pushes for Green Destination Certification to Boost Sustainable Tourism

Luang Prabang is taking steps to further enhance its tourism sector by exploring the possibility of receiving the prestigious Tourism Destination Award from the Green Destinations Organization.

The Green Destinations Organization supports sustainable tourism by recognizing cities and countries that meet key criteria, including environmental protection, support for local communities, and responsible travel practices.

On 15 May, provincial authorities held a consultation meeting to step up efforts to make Luang Prabang a leading example of sustainable tourism. The meeting focused on finalizing key documents and ensuring that all requirements are met, particularly in demonstrating how tourism is managed in a way that protects the environment and benefits local residents.

To support this plan, provincial leaders are encouraging various sectors to provide relevant data and ideas to strengthen the application. The province also hopes to welcome around 2.3 million visitors in 2025.

Officials aim to transform Luang Prabang into a modern, high-quality tourist destination that is well-connected regionally and globally by 2029, according to Soudaphone Khomthavong, Head of the Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

In March, Luang Prabang was honored with the 2025 Green Destinations Top 100 Story Award in the category of “Destination Management,” securing third place. The award was presented at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/21/luang-prabang-pushes-for-green-destination-certification-to-boost-sustainable-tourism/

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Laos Celebrates Its Ancient Tea Legacy on International Tea Day

Every year on 21 May, tea lovers across the globe raise their cups in celebration of International Tea Day, a nod to one of the oldest and most loved drinks in the world.

From Asia to Africa and the Americas, tea is more than just a beverage. It’s a tradition, comfort, and a shared experience across cultures.

Tea’s history stretches back thousands of years, beginning in ancient China. Over time, it spread across continents, shaping rituals in Japan, sparking revolutions in the West, and becoming a daily comfort for millions.

While the world often hears about the big tea players like China, India, and Sri Lanka, there’s a quieter, lesser-known tea story brewing in  the mountains of the north Laos.

In Phongsaly Province, tea has grown for hundreds of years. The world’s oldest plantation, now 400 years old, reaches up to six meters in height, is located about 18km from Phongsaly Town, and carefully harvested by the Phunoy ethnic group, who have passed down their traditional techniques through generations.

The cool, misty mountains of northern Laos create ideal conditions for growing rich, organic tea. Handpicked and traditionally processed, Lao teas are popular across the region for their bold, earthy flavors and smooth finish.

In recent years, tea cultivation in Laos has expanded significantly. The majority, over 85 percent, is grown in northern provinces such as Phongsaly, Xiengkhouang, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Xayabouly, and Houaphanh. Southern provinces like Champasak and Xekong have also joined the movement.

Fresh tea leaves are primarily sold to local traders, around 80 percent of whom are Chinese, before being exported mainly to China’s Yunnan Province.

Smaller quantities also reach regional and European markets, including France and Germany.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/21/laos-celebrates-its-ancient-tea-legacy-on-international-tea-day/