Laos welcomed nearly 2.6 million international tourists in the first half of 2026, up 9.9 percent from the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Tourism Development Department under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
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Thailand remained the country’s biggest source of visitors, with 833,738 arrivals, accounting for 32.2 percent of the total. China followed with 26.1 percent, while Vietnam ranked third with 22.6 percent.
Together, the three neighboring countries brought more than 2 million visitors to Laos, making up about 81 percent of all international arrivals during the first six months of the year.
ASEAN continued to dominate as Laos’ largest tourism market, contributing nearly 1.47 million visitors. The Asia-Pacific region came next with 813,313 arrivals, driven largely by Chinese tourists, while Europe accounted for 222,099 visitors.
The latest figures show tourism has continued to gain momentum throughout the year. Laos welcomed 1.36 million visitors in the first quarter alone, a 7.9 percent increase from a year earlier. Although arrivals dipped briefly in February compared with the same month in 2025, numbers rebounded in March and kept climbing through June.
If the trend continues, Laos remains on track to meet its 2026 target of attracting between 5 million and 6 million international visitors.
The government is also looking beyond this year. Under its 2026–2030 tourism strategy, Laos aims to welcome 43 million visitors over five years and generate at least USD 13 billion in tourism revenue.
Building on a record 2025
The first-half growth extends a trend that saw Laos post record tourism numbers throughout 2025. The country welcomed 4,580,709 international visitors last year, an 11 percent increase over 2024 that comfortably exceeded the government’s target of 4.3 million.
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Thailand, China, and Vietnam were again the top three source markets for the full year, with China’s arrivals rising 10 percent and Vietnam’s up 7 percent, while South Korea recorded a steep 22 percent decline, partly attributed to political instability and a major airline disaster in that market.
Growth accelerated further in the second half of 2025, following the rollout of updated Visit Laos Year visa policies that took effect in July 2024 and fueled a surge in Chinese arrivals.
By the first eight months of 2025 alone, Laos had already logged more than 3 million tourists, a 15 percent year-on-year increase.
A five-year push for 22 million visitors
The steady increase puts Laos on track to reach its 2026 target of attracting between 5 million and 6 million international visitors, with Chinese arrivals alone expected to reach roughly 2 million this year, partly driven by the 65th anniversary of Lao-China diplomatic relations and growing use of the Laos-China Railway.
Looking beyond this year, the government has set an ambitious tourism strategy for 2026–2030, aiming to welcome 43 million visitors over five years, comprising 21 million domestic and 22 million international travelers, and generate at least USD 13 billion in tourism revenue, according to Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaket.
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Of that revenue target, international tourists are projected to contribute at least USD 8 billion, with international visitors expected to stay an average of 10 days per trip.
To meet these goals, Lao authorities have said they will prioritize infrastructure upgrades, including continued development along the Laos-China Railway corridor, alongside improved service standards, workforce training, and expanded digital and multilingual tourism marketing.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/07/22/thailand-china-and-vietnam-fuel-laos-tourism-growth-in-2026/
Phou Bia has been temporarily closed to visitors due to heavy rainfall and dangerous trail conditions.
Authorities in Xaysomboun Province announced that all tourism activities to Phou Bia are suspended until further notice after continuous rain caused slippery paths, soil erosion, and fallen trees along the route.
Officials said the closure applies to both domestic and international visitors and is intended to reduce the risk of accidents during the rainy season. Authorities advised visitors not to attempt the climb until authorities officially announce that access has reopened
source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19KQg1pykJ/
U.S. Embassy, Lao Ministry of Education Sign Agreement on English Language Education
On 29 July, the U.S. Embassy in Laos and the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for implementing the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) and English Language Fellow (ELF) programs during the 2026-2028 academic years.
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U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Michelle Y. Outlaw and MoES Director General for International Cooperation Sengsaden Bounlavong signed the agreement, which aims to expand access to quality English instruction and strengthen the capacity of Lao teachers and students at schools, universities, teacher training colleges, and technical and vocational institutions nationwide. MoES Deputy Minister Kingmano Phommahaxay attended as an official witness.
Following the signing, Chargé d’Affaires Outlaw highlighted the importance of English as a practical skill that creates opportunities in higher education, tourism, science, and technology.
“English is also the lifeblood of international business. It empowers people to connect with the largest, strongest, and most dynamic economy in the world, the United States,” she said. “By renewing our joint commitment to English language instruction in Laos, we are helping equip students and educators with the communication skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce, engage with U.S. businesses, and contribute further to economic growth.”
Outlaw added that access to high-quality training and hands-on learning opportunities helps teachers and students achieve academic success and prepare for future careers, noting that investment in educators and learners creates lasting benefits beyond the classroom.
Education
The agreement comes as the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence and the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-Laos Comprehensive Partnership.
The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane has long partnered with MoES to strengthen English language teaching across Laos. Through the Fulbright ETA and English Language Fellow programs, American educators work alongside Lao teachers to improve classroom instruction and introduce effective teaching practices.
Under the new MOU, the United States will support up to 12 ETAs and five ELFs at educational institutions in Vientiane Capital, as well as Savannakhet, Champasak, and Luang Prabang provinces, during the 2026-2028 academic years.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/07/30/u-s-embassy-lao-ministry-of-education-sign-agreement-on-english-language-education/
Laos Seizes More Than 110 Kilograms of Suspected Wildlife Products in Luang Prabang
Lao authorities have seized more than 110 kilograms of suspected illegal wildlife products and arrested a suspect in Luang Prabang as part of an ongoing crackdown on wildlife trafficking.
Crime& Justice
On 30 June, the Lao Wildlife Enforcement Network searched a property in Sangkhalok village, Luang Prabang, on suspicion of illegally trading protected wildlife products and animal parts.
According to state media, authorities confiscated hundreds of items believed to be derived from endangered species, including 486 suspected rhino horn pieces, 714 suspected ivory items, and three boxes of suspected pangolin scales.
Officers also seized two bags of suspected rhino horn powder, 213 cans and one bag of suspected elephant skin powder, 17 bags and 88 cans of suspected pangolin scale powder, and 77 suspected bear gallbladder products.
Additional items included suspected wildlife bones, 17 horn-like objects, four suspected animal teeth, 1,400 tubes and pills of herbal medicine believed to contain wildlife ingredients, and 10 machines allegedly used to process wildlife products.
Authorities said the suspect, identified as a Chinese national, will face legal proceedings under Lao law.
History
The seizure comes less than a month after another major wildlife trafficking operation in Luang Prabang.
On 13 June, authorities confiscated more than 60 kilograms of suspected illegal wildlife products, including 968 suspected ivory items, 112 suspected animal gallbladders, suspected pangolin scales, rhino horn products, herbal medicines believed to contain wildlife ingredients, and equipment used to process wildlife products.
In a separate operation announced on 17 June, authorities in Champasak province intercepted 294 live wild animals being transported on an international passenger bus traveling between Pakse and Bangkok, highlighting continued efforts to disrupt illegal wildlife trafficking networks across Laos.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/07/03/laos-seizes-more-than-110-kilograms-of-suspected-wildlife-products-in-luang-prabang/
Laos, Vietnam Set USD 4 Billion Trade Goal as Economic Ties Grow
Laos and Vietnam are pushing to take their economic partnership to the next level, with both countries targeting USD 4 billion in bilateral trade in 2026.
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The goal follows a strong year for trade, with two-way trade reaching USD 3.196 billion in 2025, up 12 percent from the previous year.
The two sides also set a longer-term goal of reaching USD 10 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaythong Kommasith and Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung discussed the target during a meeting in Hanoi on 31 July to review their ministries’ annual cooperation plan.
The two countries recorded USD 1.305 billion in trade during the first half of 2026, with stronger cross-border trade, tourism, and infrastructure projects driving economic links.
Both ministers agreed to improve trade cooperation by strengthening border trade policies, connecting logistics networks, and creating better conditions for businesses from both countries to invest and expand.
Energy
Energy security also took center stage during the talks.
Laos and Vietnam agreed to pursue government-to-government (G2G) fuel procurement and supply arrangements to secure long-term fuel supplies. They also agreed to continue advancing the Laos-Vietnam fuel pipeline connection project, which remains under feasibility study.
The push follows a severe fuel crisis that struck Laos earlier in 2026, when the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict disrupted oil flows through a waterway carrying more than a fifth of the world’s oil supply. By mid-March, roughly 1,068 of Laos’s 2,538 filling stations had shut down, and Vietnam stepped in with 50 million liters of emergency fuel that month.
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Building on that cooperation, the two sides also agreed to advance the Laos-Vietnam fuel pipeline connection project, which Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone raised at the government’s Cabinet meeting in July 2026. The project remains in the feasibility study stage.
On mining, officials agreed to strengthen cooperation, resolve investment bottlenecks in Laos’ industrial sector, and establish mineral processing industrial parks.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/08/04/laos-vietnam-set-usd-4-billion-trade-goal-as-economic-ties-grow/
Laos National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane Dies at 69
Xaysomphone Phomvihane, President of Laos’ National Assembly and one of the country’s most senior political figures, has died aged 69, officials announced on 8 August.
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Lao authorities said Xaysomphone’s body was taken to National Assembly Hall No. 6, where official funeral preparations are underway. According to state media, Laos will mourn his death from 9 to 13 August, and the final funeral ceremony will be held on 13 August
Born on 14 December 1956 in Houaphanh, Xaysomphone spent more than three decades moving through some of Laos’ most important political and government positions.
Politics was familiar territory for him from an early age.
His father, Kaysone Phomvihane, was one of the founding figures of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and served as its general secretary for more than two decades. His mother was Thongvin Phomvihane, while several of his brothers also went on to hold senior government positions.
Among them is Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Laos’ current deputy prime minister and foreign minister.
From provincial government to parliament
Xaysomphone studied in the Soviet Union, where he earned a doctorate in political economy before returning to Laos and beginning his government career in Savannakhet Province. He served first as deputy governor and later as governor from 1989 to 1995.
Politics
His move to the national government came in 1995, when he was appointed finance minister. He remained in the post until 1998 and represented Laos at international financial meetings, including those of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
Xaysomphone later served as minister to the Prime Minister’s Office before entering the National Assembly in 2006. His influence within the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party continued to grow, and in 2016 he joined the Politburo while also becoming chairman of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction.
Five years later, lawmakers elected him president of the National Assembly.
He was re-elected in March 2026 to lead the country’s 10th legislature.
His final years in the role came as Laos faced some of its toughest economic challenges in decades, with high inflation, rising living costs and growing pressure on household incomes.
A familiar face in regional diplomacy
Beyond Laos, Xaysomphone also played a role in regional parliamentary diplomacy.
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He served as president of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly from 2023 to 2024. He also led Lao parliamentary delegations on overseas visits and met senior officials from countries including China, Vietnam and Cuba.
His death leaves the National Assembly without the president lawmakers re-elected just months ago to lead the new parliamentary term.
In Vientiane, the Party Central Committee Office and the National Assembly are overseeing preparations for his official funeral.
Xaysomphone leaves behind more than three decades in public life and a political career closely tied to one of Laos’ most influential families.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/08/08/laos-national-assembly-president-xaysomphone-phomvihane-dies-at-69/
Oudomxay Seeks More Railway Services to Boost Investment
Authorities in Oudomxay Province, northern Laos, have announced plans to expand railway services and free up land for investment around the region’s three Laos-China Railway stations.
The provincial government said on 3 August that it would set aside more than 300 hectares around Xay, Namor and Nga stations for commercial, logistics and urban development projects, as it seeks to position Oudomxay as a transport and logistics hub in the north of the country.
The announcement, reported by Oudomxay Radio and Television Station, comes as demand for both passenger and freight services on the line continues to rise.
Growing gateway
The three stations have grown in importance since the Laos-China Railway began operating in December 2021. Xay Station in particular has become what provincial governor Bounkhong Lachiemphone described as a major gateway linking five northern provinces, drawing investment in logistics facilities and cargo warehouses.
To keep pace with demand, the province plans to use the newly designated land for further commercial and industrial development around the three stations.
Bounkhong also called on railway operators to increase train frequencies or add ticket capacity at Xay Station, saying many passengers were still struggling to secure seats. He urged operators to simplify freight booking procedures, improve road access to cargo terminals, and work more closely with government agencies and businesses to support growth along the corridor.
Part of a wider push
Oudomxay’s expansion plans form part of a broader effort by Laos and its neighbours to build out regional rail connectivity.
In Thailand, bidding is due to open in December for the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway, which will extend the line from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, close to the Lao border. Once complete, the route is expected to link with the Laos-China Railway as part of a wider Pan-Asian network connecting China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
Laos has also joined an international rail corridor linking South East Asia with Europe’s Baltic coast, after signing an OSJD agreement in Tajikistan. Officials say the move should strengthen freight links, encourage logistics investment, and reinforce the country’s role as a regional transit point.
Rapid growth since 2021
Since it opened in December 2021, the Laos-China Railway has become a significant trade and transport corridor. Official figures show it has carried more than 80 million tonnes of cargo, including over 18 million tonnes of cross-border freight, while trade along the route has reached roughly USD 11.7 billion.
Annual freight volumes have nearly doubled, from 12.47 million tonnes in 2022 to 24.48 million tonnes in 2025, while, The railway has transported more than 10 million tons of freight so far in 2026. The railway has also carried more than 73 million passengers since launching, underlining its expanding role in connecting people and markets across the region.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/08/05/oudomxay-seeks-more-railway-services-to-boost-investment/
Lao Government Suspends Mining Company Over River Pollution in Vang Vieng
The Lao government has ordered Daochalearn Mineral Processing Sole Co., Ltd. to immediately suspend its iron ore mining and processing operations in Vientiane Province and Xaysomboun after authorities linked the company’s activities to pollution in the Nam Song River.
According to a notice issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on 24 July, inspections carried out on 8–9 June by officials from the Department of Geology and Mines, together with district authorities, found that the company had been mining and processing iron ore without official authorisation.
The investigation concluded that the company’s activities caused the Nam Song River in Vang Vieng district to become muddy, in violation of Laos’ Mineral Law and other relevant regulations.
The suspension applies to the company’s operations in Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, and Longchaeng district, Xaysomboun Province.
Under the order, the company must immediately halt all mining, mineral processing and related activities until further notice or until it receives new government approval.
Authorities also instructed the company to restore affected areas and work with local officials in Vang Vieng and Longchaeng to rehabilitate land and waterways damaged by the mining activities.
The notice warns that if the company continues operating without authorisation, it could face legal action under the Mineral Law and other relevant legislation. Authorities also plan to issue formal warnings and impose additional penalties in line with instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Part of Wider Crackdown
The suspension comes as the Lao government intensifies its nationwide crackdown on illegal mining and environmentally harmful extraction activities.
In June, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce ordered stricter inspections of mines, mineral processing facilities and mineral trading operations across the country, warning that offenders could face fines, asset seizures, licence revocations and criminal prosecution.
The campaign has already resulted in several arrests. In June alone, authorities detained five suspects in Luang Prabang, eight in Xieng Khouang and seven in Xaysomboun in three separate illegal gold mining cases. Earlier, in May, officials arrested 11 people in Savannakhet and seized excavators, transport vehicles and mercury allegedly used in illegal gold mining.
The latest case also follows a series of pollution incidents linked to industrial activities.
In May, untreated wastewater from a commercial pig farm was blamed for a mass fish die-off in the Nam Cheng River in Vientiane Province. Around the same time, wastewater from a cassava starch factory polluted the Xe Don River, causing another large-scale fish kill.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/07/27/lao-government-suspends-mining-company-over-river-pollution-in-vang-vieng/
Laos Turns to Public-Private Partnership to Tighten Product Quality Controls
Laos has launched a new state-backed company to inspect and certify the quality of products, following public complaints about low-quality goods being sold in the country.
The new company, State-owned Enterprises for Checking Standards and Certifying Product Quality Limited, was established through a partnership between the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Department of Standards and Measurements and Lao Standard Control Co., Ltd. The government will own 51 percent of the company, while the private firm will hold the remaining 49 percent.
According to the ministry, the company will test products and check whether they meet national standards before they are sold in Laos or exported overseas. It will also issue certificates to confirm that products meet quality and safety requirements.
The ministry said the move follows complaints from consumers about poor-quality products and challenges with import and export services. Many of the complaints were submitted through the National Assembly’s hotline and the ministry’s own complaint channels.
Officials said stronger product testing would help protect consumers, improve confidence in goods sold in Laos and make it easier for Lao products to compete in international markets.
The ministry also said the new company would invest in modern laboratory equipment and testing technology to bring Laos’ quality control system closer to regional and international standards.
The new company forms part of a broader effort to tighten oversight of products sold in Laos.
Since July 2025, authorities have banned the import and sale of unregistered food products that lack Food and Drug Administration approval or Lao-language labels. Under the regulations, food products must carry a registration number and Lao-language labelling to ensure authenticity, traceability and consumer safety, while businesses that fail to comply face fines, product confiscation and possible closure.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/07/27/laos-turns-to-public-private-partnership-to-tighten-product-quality-controls/
Former MRC Chief Anoulak Kittikhoun Named First Lao Head of Mekong Institute
Former Mekong River Commission (MRC) Chief Executive Officer Anoulak Kittikhoun has been appointed Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong Institute, becoming the first Lao national to lead the regional organisation.
The appointment was announced during Mekong Forum 2026, held in Bangkok on 22–23 July, where the institute also marked its 30th anniversary and launched its 2026–2030 strategic framework.
Headquartered in Khon Kaen, Thailand, with a newly established office in Bangkok, the Mekong Institute is an intergovernmental organisation that works with Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam to promote regional cooperation through capacity building, policy dialogue, research and partnerships.
Anoulak was selected through an international recruitment process and will succeed Suriyan Vichitlekarn, who has led the organisation since 2015.
His appointment comes as Greater Mekong countries face growing shared challenges, including climate change, water management, public health, trade and economic resilience. The institute’s new five-year strategy aims to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing these cross-border issues.
Anoulak previously served as chief executive of the Mekong River Commission before becoming an adviser to Laos’ Minister of Agriculture and Environment on water resources and dam operations. He holds a PhD from the City University of New York and a bachelor’s degree from the Australian National University.
The appointment also marks another prominent regional leadership role for a Lao national at a time when Laos continues to play an active role in discussions on hydropower development, water governance and regional connectivity across the Mekong.
Founded in 1996, the Mekong Institute is an intergovernmental organisation that supports sustainable development and regional cooperation through projects involving governments, the private sector, academic institutions and development partners across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/07/27/former-mrc-chief-anoulak-kittikhoun-named-first-lao-head-of-mekong-institute/
Thailand, China and Vietnam Fuel Laos’ Tourism Growth in 2026
Laos welcomed nearly 2.6 million international tourists in the first half of 2026, up 9.9 percent from the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Tourism Development Department under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
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Thailand remained the country’s biggest source of visitors, with 833,738 arrivals, accounting for 32.2 percent of the total. China followed with 26.1 percent, while Vietnam ranked third with 22.6 percent.
Together, the three neighboring countries brought more than 2 million visitors to Laos, making up about 81 percent of all international arrivals during the first six months of the year.
ASEAN continued to dominate as Laos’ largest tourism market, contributing nearly 1.47 million visitors. The Asia-Pacific region came next with 813,313 arrivals, driven largely by Chinese tourists, while Europe accounted for 222,099 visitors.
The latest figures show tourism has continued to gain momentum throughout the year. Laos welcomed 1.36 million visitors in the first quarter alone, a 7.9 percent increase from a year earlier. Although arrivals dipped briefly in February compared with the same month in 2025, numbers rebounded in March and kept climbing through June.
If the trend continues, Laos remains on track to meet its 2026 target of attracting between 5 million and 6 million international visitors.
The government is also looking beyond this year. Under its 2026–2030 tourism strategy, Laos aims to welcome 43 million visitors over five years and generate at least USD 13 billion in tourism revenue.
Building on a record 2025
The first-half growth extends a trend that saw Laos post record tourism numbers throughout 2025. The country welcomed 4,580,709 international visitors last year, an 11 percent increase over 2024 that comfortably exceeded the government’s target of 4.3 million.
TouristDestinations
Thailand, China, and Vietnam were again the top three source markets for the full year, with China’s arrivals rising 10 percent and Vietnam’s up 7 percent, while South Korea recorded a steep 22 percent decline, partly attributed to political instability and a major airline disaster in that market.
Growth accelerated further in the second half of 2025, following the rollout of updated Visit Laos Year visa policies that took effect in July 2024 and fueled a surge in Chinese arrivals.
By the first eight months of 2025 alone, Laos had already logged more than 3 million tourists, a 15 percent year-on-year increase.
A five-year push for 22 million visitors
The steady increase puts Laos on track to reach its 2026 target of attracting between 5 million and 6 million international visitors, with Chinese arrivals alone expected to reach roughly 2 million this year, partly driven by the 65th anniversary of Lao-China diplomatic relations and growing use of the Laos-China Railway.
Looking beyond this year, the government has set an ambitious tourism strategy for 2026–2030, aiming to welcome 43 million visitors over five years, comprising 21 million domestic and 22 million international travelers, and generate at least USD 13 billion in tourism revenue, according to Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaket.
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Of that revenue target, international tourists are projected to contribute at least USD 8 billion, with international visitors expected to stay an average of 10 days per trip.
To meet these goals, Lao authorities have said they will prioritize infrastructure upgrades, including continued development along the Laos-China Railway corridor, alongside improved service standards, workforce training, and expanded digital and multilingual tourism marketing.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/07/22/thailand-china-and-vietnam-fuel-laos-tourism-growth-in-2026/