Luang Prabang is set to host the That Chomsi Stupa ceremony from 5 to 6 October, celebrating the city’s cultural traditions and the stupa’s spiritual significance. 

This annual event will feature a series of religious and cultural activities atop Mount Phousi.

The celebrations will begin on 5 October at 8:30 am with the decoration of That Chomsi Stupa and its surrounding grounds.

In the afternoon, religious ceremonies will take place starting from 1 pm.

On the following day, 6 October, the program will continue with monks chanting prayers for ancestors at 10:30 am. 

This will be followed by the offering of lunch to the monks at 11 am. The ceremony will conclude at 12:30 pm with a sermon delivered by the monks.

From 19th-Century Origins to Timeless Traditions

That Chomsi was built in 1804 during the reign of King Anourouth and sits atop Mount Phousi in the center of Luang Prabang. 

According to local legend, a deep pit once existed at the site, said to reach the center of the earth. 

A monk who entered the pit discovered a great treasure but was betrayed by villagers, who sealed him inside. Using magical charms, he fought his way out, defeating seven guardians of the treasure. 

When the king learned of the villagers’ betrayal, he ordered drums, gongs, and cymbals to be beaten every three hours to prevent dragons from disturbing the world, a ritual still observed today at nearby Wat Thum Thao.

Today, visitors make their way up the hill, climbing around 300 steps to reach the stupa. 

Though the climb can be tiring, it offers a chance to pause midway at Wat Tham Phousi Shrine, which houses a smiling Buddha tucked inside a cave and a reclining Buddha statue, before reaching the top to enjoy sunset views over the city.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/15/luang-prabang-to-celebrate-that-chomsi-stupa-ceremony-this-october/

Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air have jointly announced a ban on the use of power banks during flights, citing growing safety concerns over lithium battery-related incidents in aviation.

Under the new policy, passengers are no longer permitted to use portable chargers to power or recharge their devices while onboard.

Passengers are now required to remove power banks from their carry-on luggage prior to boarding and keep them in a visible location throughout the flight. While these devices may still be brought onboard in limited quantities, their use during the flight, including charging them via the aircraft’s USB ports. is strictly prohibited.

The move follows increasing global scrutiny of lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries, which are widely used in power banks due to their high energy density. However, these batteries are also highly sensitive to heat, impact, and rapid changes in air pressure. Such sensitivity raises the risk of battery malfunctions, including short circuits, overheating, and in severe cases, fire or explosion.

These dangers are significantly heightened when batteries are stored in the aircraft’s cargo hold, where temperature and pressure can fluctuate dramatically and where strong vibrations are more common. 

Compounding the risk is the fact that checked baggage is less closely monitored during flight, meaning any incident involving a power bank in the cargo area may go undetected until it becomes critical. As a result, both airlines continue to enforce a strict ban on transporting power banks in checked luggage.

Under current aviation safety regulations, passengers are allowed to carry a limited number of batteries in their hand luggage. 

Devices with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours, which typically translates to around 20,000 milliamp-hours at 5 volts, are allowed in quantities of up to ten per passenger. 

For larger power banks, with capacities between 100 and 160 watt-hours (or approximately 20,000 to 32,000 milliamp-hours), the limit is two per person. Any power bank that exceeds 160 watt-hours or 32,000 milliamp-hours is not permitted on board under any circumstances.

Both Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet urge passengers to verify the specifications of their devices before traveling and to adhere strictly to all safety guidelines. 

The new regulations aim to minimize in-flight risks and ensure the continued safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/15/vietnam-airlines-vietjet-ban-use-of-power-banks-in-flight-due-to-safety-risks/

World Bank Laos – A decision announced today by the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will promote nature-based tourism in forested areas of Laos.

The regulation provides incentives for small-scale private investment in national parks and protected areas through projects that create jobs, contribute to environmental preservation and build economic partnerships with communities.

The Decision on Tourism in Forest Areas is supported by a World Bank-financed business leveraging facility to attract investors from registered micro, small, and medium enterprises. The facility will provide tourism companies with advisory services on product development, training on nature-based tourism requirements, and funding for small public infrastructure, marketing, and other aspects of tourism development.

“The Lao PDR is developing sustainable private sector–driven nature-based tourism as one of the pillars of the next National Socio-Economic Plan and its National Green Growth Strategy,” said Kikeo Singnavong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

“Carefully regulated tourism development can bring great benefits in both employment and income generation for local people in forested areas, providing an economic incentive for them to conserve biodiversity and natural beauty.”

The business leveraging facility, part of the World Bank supported Lao Landscapes and Livelihoods project, provides three types of financing: for planning and feasibility work, challenge funds that target priority investment in particular areas, and matching funds for product development and marketing work.

Interested companies will be able to apply through prospectuses prepared by the Department of Forestry for each of the five national parks (Hin Nam No, Nam Et-Phou Louey, Nakai-Nam Theun, Phou Hin Poun, and Phou Khao Khouay) and three protected areas (Khoun Xe Nong Ma, Laving Lavern, and Yord Nam Mo-Phou Sam Soum).

“Under the business leveraging facility, companies can access funds and technical support to develop tourism that will benefit local people through jobs while preserving  the environment’s natural beauty, provided the companies meet the standards set by the government and follow protected area management plans, guidelines and regulations,” said Viengsamay Srithirath, World Bank Senior Country Officer for Laos.

Also attending the announcement were representatives and residents of the national parks and protected areas, related government agencies, and Inthy Deuansavanh, president of the Lao Tourism Association, who detailed some of the investment opportunities available in the eight protected areas.

The World Bank estimates that nature-based tourism could grow to provide about 10% of GDP and 10 percent of jobs in Laos.

This project aims to create job opportunities for 75,000 women alone.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/12/new-incentives-for-nature-based-tourism-investment-in-lao-forests/

After years of pandemic-induced quiet, Laos is seeing its hotels fill up, restaurants reopen, and communities come back to life, thanks to a new wave of returning international tourists.

According to official data, Laos welcomed more than 2.3 million tourists in the first half of the year of 2025. The surge in visitors is giving a much-needed boost to the country’s hospitality sector, which struggled during and for years after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

From boutique hotels in Luang Prabang to riverside restaurants in Vientiane, businesses are reopening, restaffing, and reimagining the experience for today’s traveler.

Laos is also gaining international attention. In its annual ranking, Lonely Planet placed the country fourth on its list of the Top 30 Best Places to Visit in 2025. 

The guide highlights the country’s affordability and accessibility, particularly with the introduction of a sustainable high-speed rail, as well as must-see destinations such as VangVieng, Vientiane’s Pha That Luang, and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.

But beyond easier access and affordability, visitors say what keeps them coming back is something more personal: the peaceful vibe, warm hospitality, and authentic cultural experiences.

Local Businesses Stepping Up

Hotels and restaurants are rising to meet renewed demand.

“There are not many tourists this year, but more than last year. Some return because our hotel is located in town, and they said they were impressed with our service,” said Vone Vilayvanh, an assistant hotel manager in Luang Prabang.

Vone says part of the charm comes from staying true to the local culture.

“Most hotels here are designed to reflect the town’s historic atmosphere. Guests can truly experience the uniqueness of how local people live,” Vone said.

Many hotels in Luang Prabang offer more than comfort, they create an environment where history and daily Lao life come together. 

Vone believes this cultural touch makes the town stand out and remain memorable among travellers.

Despite positive signs of recovery, challenges remain. Many hoteliers recognize the need to keep evolving. 

With competition rising, there’s a push to offer more immersive experiences, such as Lao cooking classes, handicraft workshops, and guided cultural tours.

“The numbers alone cannot guarantee sustainability. We need to improve further, and increasing our online presence is one of our main goals,” Vone said.

With more hotels, both local and international, competing for visitors, many are looking to step up their game. That means adding new kinds of experiences, from cooking classes to handicraft workshops

“We don’t provide these activities yet, but they will be added in the future,” she noted.

Restaurants are also adapting. In Luang Prabang, riverside eateries are creating cultural tasting menus and hosting Lao-themed evenings to attract and engage international guests.

Yet, tourists are also supporting local street vendors and artisans by buying Lao specialties like Sai Oua (herbal sausage), Kai Pen (dried riverweed), and homemade chili paste. 

“Local people can earn an income from selling their goods, and tourists love the products they buy,” Vone said.

Tourists Leave Impressed, Return for More

A 35-year-old Swiss visitor, Jack, who is visiting Vientiane for the second time, said he finds the city peaceful compared to other Southeast Asian capitals such as Bangkok or Hanoi.

“I love it here. It’s not noisy like other cities. After this, I plan to go to Vang Vieng. My friend recommended trying the fire balloon,” Jack said.

He added that Laos is an affordable country with a wide variety of delicious foods 

“My favorite is papaya salad. It’s a little spicy, but I can handle it,” he said.

First-time visitors also praised the country’s calm and friendly atmosphere. An Italian couple from Rome, Nicolas and Alexandra, who are spending two weeks in Vientiane and have been to Luang Prabang before, said the country feels completely different from their homeland.

“In Italy, people honk a lot and shout in the streets. It’s very noisy, different from here which is quiet, and we’d love to come back if we have the chance,” Nicolas said.

The couple also complimented service in Lao hotels but suggested improvements in areas such as garden landscaping and swimming pool decoration.

“Everything is good, but it would be better if they could enhance the outdoor environment for tourists,” Alexandra added.

With more than 5 million visitors in 2024, and even higher numbers projected for this year, Laos is on the path to a sustainable tourism revival. The challenge now is to build on that momentum, with better infrastructure, more diverse offerings, and strong digital outreach.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/12/back-in-business-how-tourists-are-reviving-laos-hotels-restaurants-communities/

Vientiane authorities implemented new no-parking regulations along sections of the capital’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor ahead of its September debut.

No-parking rules are now in effect along Nongbone Road, from the French Embassy-Mahosot Hospital intersection to the three-way junction in front of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, near the Vientiane Cabinet Office. 

To accommodate commuters and nearby businesses, the Vientiane Department of Public Works and Transport advised on 29 August that motorists use designated car parks at Khuadin Market, Talatsao (Morning Market), and other authorized parking areas.

Officials say this marks the first phase of broader enforcement, with further no-parking zones to be introduced gradually along the corridor.

The BRT system is scheduled for partial operations in early September 2025, with a three-month free trial period. Although initially announced for late August, Mayor Athsaphangthong Siphandone confirmed in July that additional preparations were needed before the launch. 

The Vientiane Department of Public Works and Transport has not responded to The Laotian Times’ request for clarification, and has yet to confirm an official launch date.

The system will feature 12-meter electric air-conditioned express buses, each with 40 seats, operating on dedicated lanes to ensure speed and safety. Of the 55 buses ordered, 28 arrived in Laos in November 2024, with the remainder expected soon. 

Services will run daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, fully integrated with the city’s existing bus network.

The BRT line includes six major stations: Chao Fa Ngum Park, Inpeng Temple, Morning Market (Vientiane Bus Station), Patuxay, Phonekheng, and the National University of Laos. By using exclusive lanes, the system aims to cut travel times, ease congestion, and provide a cleaner alternative to the city’s outdated bus fleet.

Construction began in mid-2024, with full operations targeted for early 2026.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/03/vientiane-prepares-for-brt-launch-with-new-parking-rules/