Luang Prabang International Airport Set for Major Upgrade Under Public–Private Partnership

Luang Prabang International Airport is set for a major upgrade through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) led by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in cooperation with the International Finance Corporation.

The project includes the construction of a new international terminal, expansion of the existing terminal for domestic flights, and the addition of aircraft parking bays. 

It will also improve airport operations by widening access roads, upgrading facilities to international standards, and possibly extending operating hours to 24/7 to support tourism and boost regional connectivity.

A pre-bid conference was held in Vientiane on 21 October, chaired by Director-General of Civil Aviation Khamla Phommavanh.

The meeting brought together four shortlisted bidders, including Yunnan Infrastructure Investment Co., Ltd from China, Limak from Turkey, China Road and Bridge Corporation, and Korea Airports Corporation from South Korea.

These companies were selected from eight initial applicants who submitted expressions of interest in June 2025. 

The project is expected to be completed by the end of January 2026, taking a major step toward enhancing Laos’ aviation infrastructure and positioning Luang Prabang as a key regional travel hub.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/22/luang-prabang-international-airport-set-for-major-upgrade-under-public-private-partnership/

Lao Ambassador Appointed as Personal Representative of President Thongloun to Francophonie

On 21 October, Kalamoungkhoune Souphanouvong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Laos to France, presented his credentials to Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie. 

Following the presentation, Kalamoungkhoune will officially serve as the Personal Representative of Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith to the organization, headquartered in Paris.

During the ceremony, the Lao ambassador expressed gratitude for the organization’s past assistance and cooperation with Laos, and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to multilateral relations.

In response, Secretary-General Mushikiwabo thanked Thongloun for leading the Lao delegation to the 2024 Francophonie Summit in France. 

She commended Laos for its active participation in the organization and pledged ongoing support, particularly in initiatives to improve French language education in Laos and in other collaborative projects.

Established in 1970, the International Organization of La Francophonie now includes 90 member states, comprising 53 full members, five associate members, and 32 observer states. 

The organization promotes the French language while encouraging cooperation in politics, education, economics, and culture, and convenes summit meetings for heads of state and government every two years. 

Laos has been a full member since 1991, actively contributing to its initiatives and programs.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/24/lao-ambassador-appointed-as-personal-representative-of-president-thongloun-to-francophonie/

Japan Funds New School in Bokeo, Strengthening Education, Development Ties

Bokeo Province is set to welcome a new school with support from the Japanese government, contributing over USD 88,000 under the “Project for the Construction of Hatsa Lower Secondary School Building in Bokeo Province.”

Located in Hatsa village, Paktha district, the new school building will feature classrooms, restrooms, whiteboards, desks, and chairs, providing a basic learning environment that supports both students’ academic performance and teachers’ instructional needs in the village.

This initiative is part of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), which addresses basic human needs in local communities, including education, water supply, and sanitation, to improve residents’ living conditions.

The Hatsa Lower Secondary School project marks Japan’s 10th initiative in Bokeo Province, bringing the total investment in the region to USD 870,000 across education, health, and infrastructure sectors.

The grant contract was signed on 15 October at the Prefectural Government Building of Bokeo Province, signed by Koizumi Tsutomu, Ambassador of Japan to Laos.

Japan Continues to Drive Development Efforts in Laos

Japan and Laos have maintained strong political and cultural ties over the years. In the past six years alone, Japan has provided more than USD 370 million in financial support to Laos, funding 150 development projects nationwide, making Japan the country’s largest bilateral donor during the 2019–2024 period, according to Minister of Finance Santiphab Phomvihane.

The support package includes concessional loans, grants, and technical cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, environmental management, healthcare, human resource development, and vocational training, all aimed at building a modern industrial base.

In addition, Japan contributes to human resource development by providing hundreds of scholarships annually to Lao students and government officials.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/20/japan-funds-new-school-in-bokeo-strengthening-education-development-ties/

Vientiane Capital Speeds Up Road Repairs in 2025 with LAK 20.91 Billion Budget

Vientiane is fast-tracking repairs on several major roads in 2025 using a budget of LAK 20.91 billion (around USD 1 million), supported by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said 

The projects, announced by Vientiane Capital Transport Deputy Director Thavixay Xaipaseuth on 14 October, target key routes severely damaged by heavy rainfall during the recent rainy season. 

The largest share is expected to go to Route 13 South from Donnoun Roundabout to KM 21, receiving LAK 8.77 billion (approximately USD 418,000). 

Another LAK 8.33 billion (about USD 396,000) will be spent on Route 11 North, from Sikhai intersection to Pakchanh bridge.

Two additional projects focus on Route 10, covering sections from Thangon Bridge to the Vientiane Province border, and from Donnoun Roundabout to Thangon Bridge. 

 Road 450 from Dongdok Intersection to Thanaleng Village in Hatsayfong district will also be part of the renovation project. 

According to Thavixay, these projects aim to improve traffic safety, enhance mobility, and repair extensive road damage. Ongoing inspections have revealed further deterioration across several routes, prompting the department to request an additional LAK 4.99 billion (approximately USD 238,000) to ensure complete restoration.

Thavixay urged residents to exercise caution and cooperate with repair crews to facilitate smooth and timely completion of the work.

In total, the city’s public works department has proposed a LAK 279 billion (USD 13.29 million) budget for 2025 to fix and upgrade 152 projects across both urban and outlying districts.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/17/vientiane-capital-speeds-up-road-repairs-in-2025-with-lak-20-91-billion-budget/

Laos Offers Incentives, Scholarships to Strengthen Education in Remote Areas

Laos is introducing new incentives and scholarships to improve education in rural areas, linking teaching with military service to address ongoing teacher shortages. 

The government’s latest plan provides a comprehensive package of salary increases, teaching allowances, and bonuses designed specifically for rural volunteer teachers who will become military officers, as well as for current military personnel who volunteer to teach in local schools.

Under the program, both groups will receive professional teaching allowances, remote-area bonuses, and access to promotion opportunities and ongoing professional development. 

Military officers who take on teaching duties will earn 70 percent more than their base salary during their assignments, while rural volunteer teachers joining the military will receive financial and career benefits to ensure stability and motivation in their new dual roles.

The initiative follows the Ministry of National Defense’s announcement on 29 June to recruit 2,000 rural volunteer teachers to become military officers who will continue teaching in their assigned villages. 

According to Sonexay Chanyalath, Director of the Personnel Department, General Department of Military Politics, the recruits will undergo both teaching and military training, live within the communities they serve, and participate in local development activities alongside their teaching work, speaking on 15 October. 

At the same time, existing military officers are being encouraged to volunteer as teachers in rural schools. They will receive similar training and opportunities for career advancement, allowing them to contribute to education without leaving their military careers behind.

Scholarship to Build Future Teacher

To complement these short-term measures, the government is also launching a scholarship program for students pursuing teaching degrees. The scholarships come with financial allowances and guarantee graduates a teaching position upon completion of their studies. After finishing teacher training, graduates will be assigned to schools based on regional needs, ensuring a steady supply of qualified teachers in rural and remote areas.

By combining recruitment incentives, military participation, and long-term scholarships, Laos aims to strengthen its teaching workforce and expand access to quality education in underserved communities.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/16/laos-offers-incentives-scholarships-to-strengthen-education-in-remote-areas/

Luang Namtha Sees Nine Percent Growth in Tourist Arrivals in First Nine Months of 2025

Laos’ northern Luang Namtha Province recorded a steady increase in tourism in 2025, welcoming 985,322 visitors from January to September, a 9 percent rise compared to the same period last year.

According to the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the growth is attributed to effective promotional campaigns and cultural activities under the Visit Laos Year 2024 initiative, along with ongoing local festivals in 2025 such as the Akha Swing Festival, Hmong New Year, Rocket Festival, and Boat Racing Festivals in Nalae and Viengphoukha districts.

These events have drawn both domestic and international tourists, generating over USD 30.7 million in tourism revenue.

A key highlight this year was the Forest Trekking and Boat Trip Festival, held from October 2 to 3 in the Nam Ha National Protected Area, which attracted nearly 200 participants and promoted sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.

In September, Luang Namtha also represented Laos as the “City of Charm” at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo 2025 in Nanning, China, further boosting its international visibility.

The province aims to welcome 1.28 million visitors by the end of 2025. Nationally, Laos received over three million tourists in the first eight months of the year, and is targeting 4.3 million visitors by year-end.

Tourism Boom: Thai Celebrities Highlight Laos’ Top Destinations in 2025

Lao tourism has become increasingly popular among Thai celebrities, who are drawn to attractions such as Vang Vieng and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, contributing to over 3 million tourists visiting Laos in the first eight months of the year.

On 14 October, Pataradanai Setsuwan, a former member of the Thai popular boy band K-OTIC, visited Luang Prabang with his boyfriend. The couple shared Instagram stories showing them learning to weave traditional Lao textiles.

Just a day earlier, on 13 October,  Khemanit Jamikorn, widely known as ‘Pancake,’ honored That Ing Hang in Savannakhet Province with her family. She posted a photo of her visit with the caption  “Visiting sister cities, honored to Ing Hang.”

Earlier in the week, on 11 October, another actress, Diana Flipo also made her way to Luang Prabang. 

Sharing images on Facebook, Diana wore a traditional Lao skirt (sinh), a shoulder scarf, and a Plumeria flower (Champa) behind her ear, a symbol of Laos, while giving alms. She wrote, “Sabaidee Luang Prabang, waking up at 6 am for almsgiving,”before continuing her trip to Vang Vieng.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Laos welcomed a total of 3,061,928 tourists during the first eight months of 2025, signaling a strong recovery in the country’s tourism sector. Popular destinations such as Vientiane Capital, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Champasak continued to attract large numbers of visitors.

In 2024, Laos recorded 4,120,832 international tourists, a 21 percent increase from 2023, with an average daily spending of USD 74.53 per person, generating over USD 1.4 billion in revenue. Domestic tourism also surged, with 3,904,483 Lao nationals visiting local destinations, a 103 percent rise compared to 2023, generating more than USD 632 million.

Thailand remained the largest source of international visitors, followed by Vietnam and China, highlighting Laos’ appeal through its natural beauty, culture, and historical attractions.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/15/tourism-boom-thai-celebrities-highlight-laos-top-destinations-in-2025/

Thailand, Laos Set USD 11 Billion Trade Target by 2027, Eye New Infrastructure to Boost Border Economy

In his first official visit abroad as Thailand’s prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul pledged to deepen economic ties with neighboring Laos by setting an ambitious bilateral trade target of USD 11 billion by 2027, nearly doubling current levels. 

The two countries also agreed to accelerate cross-border infrastructure projects, including new transport links and bridge construction, aimed at unlocking trade potential and transforming the Thai-Lao border into a key regional logistics corridor.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin just concluded a landmark visit to Laos on 16 October, reinforcing bilateral cooperation and celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two neighboring nations. 

Combating Transnational Crime

A cornerstone of the discussions with the Lao Prime Minister focused on addressing shared security challenges. Leaders agreed to enhance cooperation against drug trafficking, transnational crime, online fraud, and human trafficking. Both countries committed to establishing a dedicated center to assist victims of human trafficking and a joint contact point to facilitate information exchange and expedite coordinated actions in border areas.

To operationalize this commitment, Thailand provided a THB 10.15 million (about USD 313,000) program aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation against drug abuse and transnational trafficking, demonstrating its dedication to regional security.

Concrete Development Initiatives

Beyond security cooperation, Thailand supports key initiatives for Laos. The Thai government provided THB 1.5 million (approximately USD 46,000) worth of teaching and learning equipment to Savannakhet Technical Vocational College under the Lao Skills and Vocational Development Project, supporting workforce development in the country.

In the healthcare sector, Thailand donated THB 875,000 (about  USD 27,000) in snakebite antivenom serum to Phonhong District Hospital in Vientiane Province.

Additionally, Thailand offered THB 30 million (about USD 924,000) in technical assistance for the detailed planning of Laos’ water supply development project, contributing to essential infrastructure improvements.

An agreement was also signed between the Export-Import Bank of Thailand and Laos’ Agricultural Promotion Bank.

Trade, Infrastructure, and Environmental Cooperation

During his visit, Prime Minister Anutin met with Thai business representatives in Laos, urging them to uphold socially responsible operations and continue corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. 

He emphasized the importance of reinforcing the image of Thai investors as “trusted, high-quality partners.”

Key infrastructure projects were identified as critical enablers of the planned trade expansion. Among them is the upcoming 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, which will connect Bueng Kan in Thailand with Bolikhamxay in Laos and is scheduled to open later this year. Thailand also pledged financial support for the Chiang Man–Luang Prabang Mekong River Bridge in Luang Prabang province.

Leaders discussed plans for a new railway bridge linking Laos’ Vientiane and Nong Khai, running parallel to the first Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, as part of a comprehensive Thailand-Laos logistics strategy. 

Environmental sustainability also featured prominently in the discussions, with leaders addressing transboundary haze reduction and Mekong River water resource management under the “CLEAR Sky Strategy.” 

Thailand offered technological support and funding to help Laos tackle these environmental challenges.

Future Engagements and Regional Cooperation

Thai Prime Minister Anutin invited his Lao counterpart, Prime Minister Sonexay, for an official visit to Thailand to attend the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Summit later this year, which Thailand will host. 

He also reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to actively participate in Joint Commission (JC) and Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meetings that Laos is set to host within the year.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/17/thailand-laos-set-usd-11-billion-trade-target-by-2027-eye-new-infrastructure-to-boost-border-economy/

New Entrance Gates at National University of Laos Sparks Online Debate

 new entrance gate at the National University of Laos has stirred heated discussion online, with many questioning whether such investment should instead address more pressing educational needs, especially in rural areas.

Critics on social media argued that while the university focuses on aesthetic upgrades, essential infrastructure like rural roads, dormitories, and schools continues to suffer from lack of funding and support.

On 8 October, the National University of Laos (Dongdok Campus) and the Faculty of Agriculture (Nabong Campus) held a foundation-laying ceremony for the new entrance and exit gates, which are valued at USD 560,000.

Funded by a private company, the project aims to strengthen cooperation between the university and the private sector, enhance human resource development, and support academic programs, particularly in agriculture and medicinal plants.

Construction is set to begin immediately and is expected to be completed before 1 December, in time for the 50th National Day celebration on 2 December.
Officials say the private company’s support is crucial for improving the university’s infrastructure and overall appearance.

The project is also expected to encourage future academic collaborations, including curriculum development in agriculture, expanding educational opportunities for students, and benefiting the wider community.

Facebook Users Share Their Reactions

The news quickly sparked online debate. Many users expressed mostly negative opinions regarding the construction cost, the necessity of the gates, and the use of private funding for public university projects.

“Would having a beautiful gate improve the quality of education? Many primary and secondary schools still lack doors and windows, and some teachers in rural areas have to bring their babies while teaching young children. Educational development should start at the kindergarten level, not at university gates,” one user wrote.

“Why not repair the road around the university, or the road leading to the Faculty of Agriculture (Nabong Campus) instead?” and “It might be more beneficial to renovate the bathrooms and dormitories rather than to build the entrance gates,” another user said.

“Such a waste of money, shouldn’t it be better spent on repairing dilapidated roads or building new schools for rural students?” another comment added.

Some also said, “Building a university entrance gate is neither necessary nor urgent. It’s important to build better schools in rural areas first, right?”

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/09/new-entrance-gates-at-national-university-of-laos-sparks-online-debate/

Lao Prime Minister Visits US to Strengthen Economic Ties, Seek Tariff Reductions

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone concluded a high-level working visit to Washington D.C., United States, from 27 to 30 September, aimed at deepening economic cooperation and pursuing a reduction in tariffs on Lao exports, during which he met with senior US officials, business leaders, and key advocacy groups.

Trade Talks on Tariff Reductions

During his visit, Prime Minister Sonexay held in-depth discussions with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on advancing ongoing trade negotiations and exploring potential avenues to reduce tariffs. 

He emphasized Laos’ readiness to further expand trade and investment engagement with the United States, highlighting ongoing domestic efforts to facilitate trade, including potential waivers of import tariffs on US goods, streamlining of non-tariff barriers, and stronger promotion of Lao products abroad. 

These measures are intended to create a more attractive, transparent environment for bilateral trade, paving the way for deeper economic collaboration.

The US Trade Representative welcomed the Prime Minister’s direct engagement, describing the discussions as productive and affirming that the outcomes, particularly on tariff concessions, would be reported to the US President.

Background on US-Lao Trade, Investment Ties

Currently, the US imposes a 40 percent reciprocal tariff on imports from Laos, one of the highest rates applied to any trading partner.

According to a July report from the National Economic and Social Science Institute, this high tariff reflects the US perception of a trade deficit with Laos. Lao authorities, however, point to a stark discrepancy between the two sides’ trade figures. 

While US data indicates a 2024 trade deficit of over USD 762 million, Laos’ Ministry of Industry and Commerce reports a modest trade surplus of just over USD 42 million, with Lao exports to the US valued at USD 283.8 million and imports at USD 241.6 million.

In addition to official meetings, Prime Minister Sonexay participated in the US-Lao Business Roundtable, where he showcased Laos’ investment potential and outlined government policies to support private sector growth. 

The Prime Minister encouraged American companies to explore opportunities in Laos, stressing the country’s ongoing reforms to enhance the ease of doing business.

Humanitarian Cooperation Supports Economic Growth

Beyond economic discussions, Prime Minister Sonexay met with the advisory committee of Legacies of War, a US-based NGO dedicated to addressing the legacy of unexploded ordnance in Laos.

While primarily humanitarian in focus, these discussions also highlighted how removing development barriers, such as UXO contamination, can facilitate greater economic activity in affected areas.

Laos and the United States have a long history of cooperation across economic, humanitarian, and development issues, including MIA recovery efforts and UXO clearance programs. 

The year 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, while 2026 will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Partnership, which provides a framework for strengthening ties across economic, political, and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Sonexay’s visit signals a commitment by Laos to resolve trade issues and enhance bilateral economic engagement, with the reduction of tariffs at the forefront of discussions.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/10/06/lao-prime-minister-visits-us-to-strengthen-economic-ties-seek-tariff-reductions/